2021 - Where in the World Have You Been? (Book Read and Review Linked)

[Lilisa]

I was in China with A Single Swallow - enjoyable read. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Continuing my deep-dive into Russian history, The Tsarina's Daughter fills in the fascinating gaps between the two Catherines (or at least, that's what I hope!)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Andrea wrote: "Continuing my deep-dive into Russian history, The Tsarina's Daughter fills in the fascinating gaps between the two Catherines (or at least, that's what I hope!)

https://www.goodrea..."

This sounds really good!

[Lilisa]

Was in the U.S. and Europe (Italy, France, and Germany) with Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II. It was a fantastic listen - what a great piece of work. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I've been in Punjab, listening to Booker longlisted China Room. It was a good read, but not a great one for me.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Devotion by Hannah Kent isn't part of my ATW journey as it doesn't meet my criteria, but it might meet yours so I thought I'd mention it. Out later this month in Oz and February in other markets. It's set in early 19thC Prussia and South Australia and includes strong (but gentle) LGBT themes.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Sally Andrew has a way of making me drool over her Tannie Maria books. The Satanic Mechanic (South Africa) has heaps of new recipes, plus a murder or two.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Was in Latvia, Germany, and the Netherlands with The Son and Heir: A Memoir. It was a good read - raw honesty with the good, bad, and the ugly about the author’s family and particularly his father before, during, and after WWII.

[Sam]

Hi Goodreaders,

I'm delighted to have my collection of travel writing published here.

These stories cover 15-years of adventures in Ethiopia, Japan, Bolivia, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Mongolia, Lebanon, Oman & Costa Rica.

I was wondering if anyone plans to travel to any of these countries - please don't hesitate to ask me any questions or if you have any discussion points about travel writing in general.

I look forward to hearing from you. Best, Sam

Wax & Gold: Journeys in Ethiopia & other roads less travelled

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I've been in Western Australia and Armenia with a little gem of a book, Gilgamesh. Most of the action takes place between the two World Wars. I'm not at all familiar with the eponymous epic (other than what I learned in this novel), but I don't think that affected my enjoyment.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

I was in Austria and partly in Canada with Lunch with Charlotte - a biography about a Jewish woman who was a young girl in Vienna during WWII. I enjoyed it and glad I finally got to it - I’ve had it for a long time and wonder why I didn’t read it earlier.

[Carol]

Sam wrote: "Hi Goodreaders,

I'm delighted to have my collection of travel writing published here.

These stories cover 15-years of adventures in Ethiopia, Japan, Bolivia, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Mongolia, Le..."

Sam - this isn't an appropriate thread for self-promotion. If you look at what we're sharing here, it's our personal readings and links to reviews for the calendar year 2021. Take care.

[Claire]

I've been in the fictional African village of Kosawa in the 1980’s, reading How Beautiful We Were by Cameroonian author Imbolo Mbue.

My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I also went on a literary nature walk in Northern Ireland reading the award winning for 'nature writing' Diary of a Young Naturalist by then 15 year old author Dara McAnulty. An insightful read of an environoment and place I was curious about from a refreshing perspective.

My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

As the season changed, I returned to France and picked up Winter Flowers (les fleurs d'hiver) by Angelique Villeneuve, a novella about a woman coping with the return of her young husband after WWI, his refusal to let her see him in the hospital for over a year, the stranger who returned. Utterly compelling, loved it.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

While still in France (thought the country is unnamed) I read Voices of the Lost by Lebanese author Hoda Barakat, a novel of letters from six unnamed immigrants to their mother, lover, brother... confessions, concerns, regrets. Voices of the lost, of those searching, of the one left behind.

My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finally I visited Australia in Sally Morgan's My Place; she grows up believing she is Indian (because her mother told her so) only to discover she is of Aboriginal descent. She then becomes obsessed with uncovering the life story of her Nan (who absolutely refuses to speak of the past) and finds her brother Arthur who will speak. She also tells the story of her mother, and finally near death Nan opens up. Just brilliant.

My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Been to ten major regions (one of them is Space) with The Power of Geography: Ten Maps That Reveal the Future of Our World - fascinating and enjoyed it. Didn’t hurt that Turkey was one of the regions! My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Songbirds (Cyprus) was another book that had something important to teach me this year, although I found it easier to stomach than some of the middle-grade examples I've read recently. I actually found the passages about the poaching activities to be more distressing than was probably intended, detracting somewhat from the main lesson about humanity.

[Lilisa]

Was in Cyprus with The Island of Missing Trees - one of my top reads for 2021! My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I was in 1980s Glasgow with Shuggie Bain, a book I hadn't seriously considered reading until I saw it there for the choosing at my eLibrary. Very glad I read the audiobook edition. In regard to the sense of place, Douglas Stuart has done a fantastic job of creating an authentic setting that's era-appropriate.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§)]

I e had Shugie Bain on my shelves for a few months but couldn’t face another tearjerker having just finished “Boys Don’t Cry” which had a similar setting in Dublin and involved very sad situations and scenarios. I will get to it eventually in the coming weeks.

[Lilisa]

Andrea wrote: "I was in 1980s Glasgow with Shuggie Bain, a book I hadn't seriously considered reading until I saw it there for the choosing at my eLibrary. Very glad I read the audiobook edition. ..."

Y, the audio was great, Andrea. Agree, the author did a great job with the setting - the gritty Glasgow came through so well. Carol - holding off a bit is probably a good idea.

[Lilisa]

Was in the U.S./Pakistan with Go Back to Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American by Wajahat Ali. I enjoyed it. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

I was in the U.S. with The Lincoln Highway - a bit disappointing based on my love of Amor Towles' two other books. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I was in Japan with Rice, Noodle, Fish: Deep Travels Through Japan's Food Culture. Oh, what a fantastic experience! Loved. It. My review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Was in Turkey with In the Shadow of the Yali by Suat Derviş translated from Turkish by Maureen Freely. Fascinating book. This is the first of Suat Derviş’s books to be translated into English. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I've been in Iceland with Saga Land, which I read on audio and would recommend for those who enjoy that format. It was a great introduction to the Icelandic sagas, plus a bit more!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I was in Ireland and Italy with Beautiful World, Where Are You. While I didn't find it particularly strong on location, one of the characters had mildly idiosyncratic speech patterns that I couldn't help but read in an Irish accent (in my head). I really enjoyed it.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Was in India and the U.S. with Khabaar: An Immigrant Journey of Food, Memory and Family. It was an okay read. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

First time reading Bolivia, with The Puma Years by Laura Coleman. It was nominated in the GR Choice Awards for 2021 (memoir) and I can see why. I was enthralled, from the stunning cover-art right through till the end, and of course now I want to go there in real-life (or imaginary life during these covid times).

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

Was in Iceland with How To Live Icelandic - a gem of a book. I loved it! My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lilisa]

I’ve been in Argentina with The Penguin Lessons - heart warming read about Juan Salvador - the penguin! My review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I loved spending some time in London with All The Lonely People, learning a bit about the Windrush experience.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...