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

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Diane wrote: "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 las..."

Diane, did your copy include the infamous Chapter 18?

[Carol]

I am in Japan with a short story collection, First Snow on Fuji by Yasunari Kawabata

[Diane]

Andrea wrote: "Diane, did your copy include the infamous Chapter 18?"

No, it did not. I have the Penguin Kindle edition, which only has 17 chapters. Was that chapter essential to the book?

[Diane]

I am currently in Peru with The Word of the Speechless: Selected Stories by Julio Ramón Ribeyro.

[Diane]

Andrea wrote: "Diane, did your copy include the infamous Chapter 18?"

Oh, wow. I just read an article on line about the deleted chapter. The ending is not what I would have expected. I think it is better without it. The ambiguity makes you formulate your own ending.

[Rusalka]

I have never read chapter 18 ... thinking I will not from your comments Diane!

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Diane wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Diane, did your copy include the infamous Chapter 18?"

Oh, wow. I just read an article on line about the deleted chapter. The ending is not what I would have expected. I think it is..."

It was Australian publishing’s version of Go Set a Watchman back in the day! I still remember the buzz it created. I read it at the time and although I don’t recall the plot details clearly, I do remember the feeling of deflation. I guess I was in the majority, because it never really caught on to the extent of being routinely included in later editions. One of those cases where it’s better to not know!

[Diane]

I often get frustrated by endings that are less than neat, but in this case it the unclear ending improved the book. I wonder what made her choose the original ending that she did. It didn't flow with the rest of the book.

I have visions of people hurling the book across the room with the chapter 18 ending...

[Carol]

I am in Germany with Ben Hopkins’ Cathedral, and am very happy that I didn’t let its heft dissuade me.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Diane wrote: "I have visions of people hurling the book across the room with the chapter 18 ending..."

Yep! 🤣

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Carol wrote: "I am in Germany with Ben Hopkins’ Cathedral, and am very happy that I didn’t let its heft dissuade me."

Oh, that sounds good! But I have to admit, The Pillars of the Earth is the rarest of doorstoppers that I have read twice. I’ll await your verdict before deciding whether I want to add a German perspective.

[Carol]

Andrea wrote: "Carol wrote: "I am in Germany with Ben Hopkins’ Cathedral, and am very happy that I didn’t let its heft dissuade me."

Oh, that sounds good! But I have to admit, [b..."

I'm 60 or so pages in and am a fan. It's actually a quick read with lots of white space and a decent font, both of which are unusual for Europa Editions in my experience. Yay! I'll get back to you with more substance in a couple of nights, but I anticipate recommending it.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m in Slovenia with The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen, Krissy Kneen’s memoir of the search for her secretive grandmother’s roots, upon her passing. I’ve gone through phases of fascination for the former Yugoslavia throughout my reading life, but really haven’t given Slovenia much attention before. I’m enjoying the discovery.

[Claire]

I'm in Uganda and the UK with Bharti Dhir's wonderful memoir Worth: An Inspiring True Story of Abandonment, Exile, Inner Strength and Belonging, her overcoming multiple obstacles to empower herself and others, having been forcibly abandoned at birth and then raised in a family that loved her unconditionally, while overcoming the many prejudices of others on account of her differences.

Full of compassion, forgiveness and empathy. An uplifting read despite the setbacks, gifting the reader her understanding and tolerant perspective on each experience and how she lifts her own self-worth through each one.

[Lilisa]

I’m in India with The Widows of Malabar Hill- hmm...I'm at chapter 16; so far it’s meh - hoping it gets better. I’m doing the audio and do NOT like the narrator - she definitely contributes to the meh feeling.

[Carol]

Lilisa wrote: "I’m in India with The Widows of Malabar Hill- hmm...I'm at chapter 16; so far it’s meh - hoping it gets better. I’m doing the audio and do NOT like the narrator - she definitely con..."

I was meh on it. I wanted to love it. My book club -though - liked it far more. The mystery is the weakest part, which is okay for me if everything else works. I look forward to hearing what you think, ultimately.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m also somewhere in the Caribbean with the audio edition of The Mermaid of Black Conch. It’s my first Monique Roffey, and although I’m enjoying both the story and the narration, I’m finding it difficult to retain. I’m almost halfway and only have the sketchiest idea of what it’s about (or what has happened, more to the point)!

[Lilisa]

In Kazakhstan with Apples Are from Kazakhstan: The Land That Disappeared - 75 pages into it and a great read so far. Also in Hong Kong listening to The Borrowed featuring Detective Kwan Chun-dok - liking it too.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m reading the book I selected for Bangladesh, The Dead Line. At about 33%, I haven’t arrived there yet, with the thrilling set-up playing out in England and Greece, but I’m pretty certain it won’t be much longer. Although this book is #2 in a series about an investigative journalist, I’m not suffering at all from having skipped #1 (but if this book lives up to the promise, I’ll be doing a catchup).

[Carol]

I’m in Lagos with My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite, and a big fan. I hadn’t known what to expect, went in with positive expectations but no details, and am delighted. Also it’s an IRL book club pick so, for a change, I’m looking forward to the book discussion in addition to the good company.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m visiting Guinea for the first time with Little Brother: A Refugee's Odyssey. Expect to be passing through a few other West African countries too.

[Lilisa]

I’m in the Democratic Republic of thr Congo with Refugee: A Memoir and in Portugal with Estoril, a war novel.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m in UAE (and Ireland) with Diving for Pearls. On the fence at this stage.

[Diane]

I'm in Romania with The Snows of Yesteryear by Gregor von Rezzori.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m also in Italy with Still Life by Sarah Winman - high hopes for this one! Off to a good start.

[Claire]

I'm in an unnamed British town, with flashbacks of the journey of a young Syrian women refugee from chaos to safety in Silence Is a Sense by Kuwaiti author Layla AlAmmar. Perceptively portrayed, enjoying it so far.

[Carol (§CoverLoverGirl§)]

I’ve just been in Japan enjoying immensely “Strange Weather in Tokyo” by Hiromi Kawakami. It’s a delightful 176 Page read about a single woman, Tsukiko, maybe in her 40’s who frequently visits her local bars for food and sake. Ofttimes she finds herself sitting beside her old High School Teacher, who she always addresses as Sensei, who maybe in his 60’s. Their ages are never specified so I’m just making an assumption from reading the story. Over months they develop a relationship as a man and woman, rather than past pupil and Teacher.

The blurb states, “Tender, enigmatic, a portrait of an entire culture and a haunting, eccentric mediation on love and loneliness”. “ A dream-like spell of a novel full of humour, sadness, warmth and tremendous subtlety”.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was unusual and so refreshing to read of a romantic relationship, a May to December relationship if you will, and so beautifully told. I have a stack of Japanese books in my WTR shelf by various Japanese writers and I so looking forward to going back there.

[Karen]

Carol wrote: "I’ve just been in Japan enjoying immensely “Strange Weather in Tokyo” by Hiromi Kawakami. It’s a delightful 176 Page read about a single woman, Tsukiko, maybe in her 40’s who frequently visits her ..."

Great review, Carol. I've just purchased it from Kindle.

[Lilisa]

Karen wrote: "Carol wrote: "I’ve just been in Japan enjoying immensely “Strange Weather in Tokyo” by Hiromi Kawakami. It’s a delightful 176 Page read about a single woman, Tsukiko, maybe in her 40’s who frequent..."

Sounds interesting Carol - like Karen, I’ve also added it to my list - thanks!

[Carol]

I’m in rural Finland with Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book, and ever so happy to be here.

[Rusalka]

Carol wrote: "I’m in rural Finland with Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book, and ever so happy to be here."

I really enjoyed that little book! Hope you do too :)

[Carol]

Rusalka wrote: "Carol wrote: "I’m in rural Finland with Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book, and ever so happy to be here."

I really enjoyed that little book! Hope you do too :)"

100%. I haven't loved a book this much since The Ten Thousand Things and expect to become one of those people who give a certain book to all friends on every occasion for years, regardless of the recipients' interest.

[Diane]

Back in Australia with My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin.

[Karen]

As suggested by Carol Bee, I am now in Japan (mushroom foraging) with Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami.

Slow at first, but then a blossoming and now I'm all in.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

Karen wrote: "As suggested by Carol Bee, I am now in Japan (mushroom foraging) with Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami.
Slow at first, but then a blossoming and now I'm ..."

That one does sound good, and I noticed it was selling at a bargain price on amazon.com yesterday!

[Rita]

I'm in France, reading the most wonderful book, A Farewell to France
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
by Noel Barber. Published in 1983 it is beautifully written and has me hook, line and sinker!

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m doubling up on Italy. Loving Still Life so much that I decided to make a start on A Room with a View (audio) as a kind of companion read. It’s relevant. One week into Lockdown 4.0 in Melbourne, I can only dream of how nice it would be to visit Florence at the moment!

[Diane]

I am in Symi and Athens, Greece with Astradeni by Eugenia Fakinou.

[Claire]

I'm in Haiti for Caribbean Heritage month reading Love, Anger, Madness: A Haitian Trilogy

[Rusalka]

I'm in the Casbah of Algiers, Algeria with Wolf Dreams getting a little muddled up with the Islamic fundamentalists.

[Lilisa]

I’m in Turkey with Istanbul Noir.

[Inna]

I am in Peter the Great's Russia, reading Igor' Fediukin's excellent book on establishing of schools.

[Diane]

I am back in South Africa with The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso.

[Kris]

Listening on Audible to ‘Nothing to Envy’ by Barbara Demick, so deep in the wild, parallel universe that is North Korea…

[Rusalka]

I've paused Algiers for a readathon, and am currently in 1970s Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Reliving all that is terrible and should stay in the 70s. All of the isms, and double denim.

[Kirsten]

I've dipped back in time to learn about the life of the English author Arthur Conan Doyle in a biography by Martin Booth called The Doctor and the Detective: A Biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Fascinating insight into Conon Doyle's early life, and his medical training, and his two sea voyages. Loving it. You can see very clearly the inspiration behind The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

[Karen]

I'm in Spain with a thriller - All This I Will Give to You by Dolores Redondo. Setting is the Spanish region of Galicia. Married gay couple where one has family secrets. Page-turner, so far.

[Diane]

In Portugal with Blindness by José Saramago.

[Andrea, Slow but steady]

I’m in France with my favourite expats in A Year at the Chateau. Only a short way in at this stage, my first impression is that it’s surprisingly well-written (perhaps it’s unfair of me to be surprised), but just as engaging as I expected.

[Carol]

I’m in New Orleans with James Sallis’ Moth. Just what I needed.