2021 - Where in the World Are You? (Currently Reading)

[Diane]

I am in Denmark with The Bog People: Iron-Age Man Preserved by Peter Vilhelm Glob. Fascinating.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m in Colombia with Infinite Country and Russia with A Gentleman in Moscow (audio). Infinite Country is proving to be a relatively quick read (which has a fabulous opening line!) while I am revelling in the slower, highly detailed world of Count Rostov - a very soothing read so far.

[Karen]

Diane wrote: "I am in Denmark with The Bog People: Iron-Age Man Preserved by Peter Vilhelm Glob. Fascinating."

Diane, had you read Ghost Wall? It references this book. I read about these finds some years ago -interesting, but creepy.

[Diane]

Karen wrote: "Diane wrote: "I am in Denmark with The Bog People: Iron-Age Man Preserved by Peter Vilhelm Glob. Fascinating."

Diane, had you read Ghost Wall? It refe..."

No, I haven't. I will definitely have to look into it. Thanks for letting me know about it.

[Diane]

Currently in Argentina with All My Goodbyes by Mariana Dimópulos.

[Diane]

In Martinique with Texaco by Patrick Chamoiseau.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I'm in South Korea, I guess, with The Disaster Tourist. I'm wondering if the author is trying to make a statement about what Koreans like...

[Lilisa]

I’m in Yemen with Motoring with Mohammed: Journeys to Yemen and the Red Sea - at the half-way point and I’m really liking it.

[Diane]

I'm in Ireland again with All We Shall Know by Donal Ryan. This is like my 4th or 5th "visit" this year and certainly won't be my last.

I am also simulatneously in Scotland with The Monastery. A rather boring trip.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Diane wrote: "I'm in Ireland again with All We Shall Know by Donal Ryan. This is like my 4th or 5th "visit" this year and certainly won't be my last..."

Funny, I was just looking at Donal Ryan yesterday. I’d never come across him before but a friend gave his new release a very positive review (Strange Flowers - still available to request on NetGalley, although not for me).

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Back in Tamil Nadu, India with Small Days and Nights. A woman has returned after living in the US for many years, upon the death of her mother. She’s facing up to a failed marriage and a secret sister. I’ve been wanting to read this author for ages, and I’m very quickly becoming absorbed in this story.

[Karen]

I am in India, too - somwhere near Mumbai. Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara. Enjoying it, even though dreading dreadful things to come as more children go missing from Jai's neighborhood.

[Claire]

I'm currently in Uganda thoroughly enjoying The First Woman by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi. Also being published in the US as A Girl Is a Body of Water.

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§)]

I’m currently in Japan reading “Strange Weather in Tokyo” by Hiromi Kawakami.

One night when she is drinking alone in a bar, Tsukiko finds herself sitting next to her former high school teacher. Over the coming months they share food and drink sake, and as the seasons pass, from spring cherry blossom to autumnal mushrooms, Tsukiko and her teacher come to develop a hesitant intimacy which tilts awkwardly and poignantly towards love.

[Lilisa]

I’m in the U.K. with side trips to Nigeria, U.S., etc. with Girl, Woman, Other. I’ve also started American Spy and An African in Greenland.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m immersed in The Troubles of Northern Ireland in the 70s with Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, which I’m reading in audio. My prior knowledge was sketchy and my understanding even less, so this account is proving to be a revelation. The very fact that it is somewhat delicately called ‘The Troubles’ rather than what it actually was: a war. The narrator has a soft and soothing Irish accent that provides a sometimes shocking counterpoint to what he is reading.

This was one of the non-fiction titles recommended for Ireland from the Strong Sense of Place podcast.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Andrea wrote: "I’m immersed in The Troubles of Northern Ireland in the 70s with Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, which I’m reading in audio. My prior knowledge w..."

I was trying to listen to this one for my book club which will discuss it March 22nd. When I listen in the car, the guy's voice makes me sleepy; when I try to listen at other times I realize I'm not paying attention. I probably should have gone with the print.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Andrea wrote: "I’m immersed in The Troubles of Northern Ireland in the 70s with Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland, which I’m reading in audio. My pr..."

I know what you mean. I woke up quite early this morning and thought I would listen in bed - zzzzzzzzzz. So I will stick to my normal routine of listening while walking from now on!

[Lilisa]

I’m in Angola with The Book of Chameleons, in Luxembourg with The Expats - excited to check off two countries I haven’t been to - and in Portugal with The Book of Disquiet.

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§)]

Just arrived on Jeju Island off the Korean Coast courtesy of my bingeing on Korean Dramas during lockdown. Had to download a Kindle version as no other available. “The Mermaid from Jeju” tells story of “haenyeo” the women who farm the seas while menfolk farm the land. These women are divers and harvest whatever the sea has to offer. It is set at the time of invasion by Japanese and subsequent arrival of American troops. It focuses on Junja and her family who was deserted by their father. This book has received glowing reports and I’m looking forward to getting into it, I’ve only started it yesterday.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I'm in Australia (and also a little bit of London and Armenia) via Gilgamesh by Joan London.

I'm also in Kazakhstan with Winter Pasture: One Woman's Journey with China's Kazakh Herders by Li Juan.

[Carol]

I'm in the UK with The Thursday Murder Club and am glad I didn't let its popularity dissuade me. The right book at the right time and so on.

[Lilisa]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I'm in Australia (and also a little bit of London and Armenia) via Gilgamesh by Joan London.

I'm also in Kazakhstan with [book:Winter Pasture: One Woman's Journey with China's Kazakh..."

Winter Pasture sounds very intriguing, Jenny. I’d be interested in your thoughts when you’re done.

[Lilisa]

Carol wrote: "Just arrived on Jeju Island off the Korean Coast courtesy of my bingeing on Korean Dramas during lockdown. Had to download a Kindle version as no other available. “The Mermaid from Jeju” tells stor..."

Hope you enjoy The Mermaid from Jeju, Carol. It sounds similar to The Island of Sea Women, which I’ve read. I enjoyed learning about the mermaids/sea women.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I'm in Australia (and also a little bit of London and Armenia) via Gilgamesh by Joan London...."

I’ve got that coming up later in the year for an Aussie Readers challenge, so I’ll be interested to see what you think of it.

I’m just landing in Pakistan with The Golden Legend, and having re-read Carol’s review, I’m so excited for this! Also wondering why it’s taken so long. So many books, so little time.

[Carol]

Andrea wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I'm in Australia (and also a little bit of London and Armenia) via Gilgamesh by Joan London...."

I’ve got that coming up later in the year for an Aussie ..."

Oh, man. I hope you enjoy it. I still recall how much I loved it.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Andrea wrote: "Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I'm in Australia (and also a little bit of London and Armenia) via Gilgamesh by Joan London...."

I’ve got that coming up later in the year for an Aussie Readers challenge, so I’ll be interested to see what you think of it."

I was reading ahead for the #readtheworld21 challenge I've been participating in in Instagram, because they're doing Australia/NZ in April and I thought I might talk about it on my podcast. I probably still will! I just didn't do it as early as I thought.

I haven't written my review yet but I liked it. It is really focused on the women's experience and the men are there but periphery, which is nice for a change (but it's solidly literary fiction.) I do think London is trying to possibly write a retelling of Gilgamesh but it's not too heavy handed and I don't think you even need to know it to appreciate the novel (sometimes retellings only work if you know the story!) I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.

[Carol]

I am in Malta (!) with A Dead Man in Malta by Michael Pearce, and in the US with Claudia Rankine's Just Us: An American Conversation. Just Us is wonderful. Dead Man is not nearly as wonderful as his Mamur Zapt series novels, but it's fine, plus I've never read a book set in Malta before so I'm learning a lot.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Carol wrote: "I am in Malta (!) with A Dead Man in Malta by Michael Pearce, and in the US with Claudia Rankine's Just Us: An American Conversation. ..."

I have definitely taken note of this book set in Malta!

[Carol]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "Carol wrote: "I am in Malta (!) with A Dead Man in Malta by Michael Pearce, and in the US with Claudia Rankine's [book:Just Us: An American Conversati..."

: )

[Karen]

I am in Hong Kong - China, with Irish writer Naoise Dolan and her very witty Exciting Times. Enjoying all of the remarks on language and class.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m staying in Pakistan for now, but expecting to visit the north of India for the first time this year, in middle grade adventure/mystery Ticket to India. Off to a good start.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I’m in Australia, kind of, with No Friend but the Mountains: Writing from Manus Prison.

[Lilisa]

I'm listening to Behold the Dreamers - set in the U.S. but about a family from Cameroon - steeped in culture and relationships. I’m enjoying it and the narrator is excellent. Headed to India to hang out with the delightful Vish Puri as he solves The Case of the Reincarnated Client. I hear that Mummyji is more of the hero in this book than her son. We’ll see...

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Over the Easter break I began to feel a slump coming on, so I’ve detoured back to my food list and am in New York with Delicious!. I’ve read a couple of Ruth Reichl’s non-fiction before and enjoyed them very much. So far it seems she’s equally good at writing fiction. The first couple of chapters are like Willie Wonka for (foodie) adults.

[Diane]

I'm in Spain again with Solitude by Víctor Català.

[Karen]

Diane wrote: "I'm in Spain again with Solitude by Víctor Català."

Oh, that looks good. I have had it on my interest horizon for a while.

[Diane]

In Australia with Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay.

[Karen]

I'm in Northern Ireland with Michelle Gallen's Big Girl, Small Town. Unsentimental, working-class and probably autistic Majella is a wonderful character. I like the chip shop as a vehicle for exploring the history and tensions in the village - may be a five star read for me.

[Carol]

Diane wrote: "In Australia with Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay."

I'll be really interested to hear your thoughts on this one. I abandoned it last year, but really I just had too many book club reads I needed to stop it to read. Then I haven't gotten back to it, and am on the fence about prioritizing it. So... all issues with the reader not the book.

[Carol]

I am in 1950s UK with The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro and enjoying it.

[Claire]

Karen wrote: "I'm in Northern Ireland with Michelle Gallen's Big Girl, Small Town. Unsentimental, working-class and probably autistic Majella is a wonderful character. I like th..."

I really enjoyed reading this, such a great character and I agree, the chip shop is the perfect lens through which to observe, Majella is an unforgettable character and I closed the last page wanting to know more!

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I'm in Mauritania (which is not the same as Mauritius, which was surprising, haha) with The Actual True Story of Ahmed and Zarga... interestingly the author is known for another book, Guantánamo Diary: Restored Edition, because he was someone held at Guantanamo without any charges until 2016. Yikes. But since I just finished the book about the Kurdish journalist held at Manus prison, it provided an interesting context to this book, which is much more about the ins and outs of camels so far.

[Carol]

I'm in France with a female hitman as my main character. Fatale by Jean-Patrick Manchette. Based on my friends' reviews, it's a polarizing novel, but it's perfect for me, right now. I finished The Remains of the Day Monday night and was in the mood for a decisive, action-oriented, confident female protagonist and I found her.

[Lilisa]

I’m in Iceland with Woman at 1,000 Degrees - 80-year old Herra Bjornsson sure is a character!

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

Lilisa wrote: "I’m in Iceland with Woman at 1,000 Degrees - 80-year old Herra Bjornsson sure is a character!"

I loved her!

[Carol]

Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "I'm in Mauritania (which is not the same as Mauritius, which was surprising, haha) with The Actual True Story of Ahmed and Zarga... interestingly the author is known for another boo..."

We watched the movie, The Mauritanian, based on his autobiography last week. We enjoyed it far more than some of the reviews, but also the lead was in Looming Tower and is just fabulous. And Mauritania is different from Mauritius..... who knew? lol Thanks for the reminder.

[Jenny (Reading Envy)]

I didn't know of the film!

[Diane]

Carol wrote: "Diane wrote: "In Australia with Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay."

I'll be really interested to hear your thoughts on this one. I abandoned it last year, but re..."

I liked it. It's a quick read, as well.

[Diane]

In Switzerland with The Physicists by Friedrich Dürrenmatt.