The Challenge

[Ian, Moderator]

Robert wrote: "Ian
While ref's hat on what about Greek Islands Crete Rhodes etc"

All part of Greece

[Vicky]

Ian wrote: "Starfish13 wrote: "I'm counting Alaska and Siberia as seperate entries to the USA and Russia respectively. Allowed, or am I cheating?"

Both cheating....just parts of USA and Russia"


But they're bigger than Wales, and that's just part of England, isn't it? ;P

[Ian, Moderator]

Now you're just trying to get a rise out of our welsh friends......get thee to the naughty step.

[Helen]

Well said Ian.

[Ian, Moderator]

Because winding up the Welsh is my job.......as Helen from Barry well knows

[Helen]

Indeed!

[Jacky]

I have a book that I am happy to post (no need to repay) to anyone who would like it. A thriller, set in a futuristic China, it was banned there. Published here, it was given free to book groups in return for a review. It is honestly not my cup of tea, but I feel it deserves an audience. It's called the Fat Years by Chan Koonchung and here's the Observer review: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/...

PM me if you want it.

[Chris]

Here's a suggestion for anyone stuck around Africa and interested in sporting angles on political / true stories.
I just finished The Barefoot Runner by Paul Rambali.
It's the story of champion marathon runner Abebe Bikila in Ethiopia but encompasses the hold their emperor had over his post-war country.
A fascinating read for more than just sports fans.

[Robert]

Ian. A point of order if you would. Just finished book set predominately in Hong Kong. Are we treating this as part of China for challenge? As usual your word is gospel to me
Bob

[Ian, Moderator]

Difficult one that Bob, but as I've ruled against you on all the others, I'll let you have Hong Kong.......but knowing how you think, this is not a legal precedent to be used to include all ex.British territories since subsumed into a larger state, just me being nice for once.......actually twice recently cos I let slide some of you splitting Germany into East and West. I'm going soft!!

[Melki]

Hmmm....Ian's turning into an old softie? Maybe I should push harder on that spliting Canada into territories thing...

[Robert]

Thanks Ian. I think you you needed to give Hong
Kong as USA is just an Ex Colony! Is that right Melki?

[Melki]

At this point in my life, I'd be more than happy to have Wills and Kate pay for my healthcare...

[Vicky]

I'm going to run the wrath of Ian again by claiming a book for Svalbard, which I know is really a part of Norway. I'm going for it as you let me get away with the Faroes, and give an inch and I'll take a mile.

And also my Siberia book turned out to be set in Sakhalin, so I'm claiming that and might go back to Siberia for another stop just out of awkwardness.

[Ian, Moderator]

Both just downright cheating on all counts Starfish........I'm not that soft - Norway and Russia not Svalbard, Sakhalin or Siberia. Faroe Islands I'll let go, but I could change my mind if pushed lol

[Ian, Moderator]

Melks - wish someone else would pay for Wills and Kate and the rest of that bunch

[Stephen]

Ian wrote: "Both just downright cheating on all counts Starfish........I'm not that soft - Norway and Russia not Svalbard, Sakhalin or Siberia. Faroe Islands I'll let go, but I could change my mind if pushed lol"

thought faroe islands were now separate from denmark now

[Vicky]

Aren't they an autonomous region of Denmark? Same as Greenland I think, and not fully independent.

[Liz, Moderator]

Ian wrote: "Difficult one that Bob, but as I've ruled against you on all the others, I'll let you have Hong Kong.......but knowing how you think, this is not a legal precedent to be used to include all x.British territories since subsumed into a larger state, just me being nice for once.......actually twice recently cos I let slide some of you splitting Germany into East and West. I'm going soft!!
..."

And I thought you hadn't noticed.... I felt justified separating GDR & West Germany - you had to use a passport to get from one to the other at the time (that is, if you could at all.......) Plus I desperately needed more countries ;)

[Ellie]

Quick question re authors:

Have found a couple of Agatha Christie's set in different countries. Can I have the same author more than once but with a different book and a different country?

Eg. Death on the Nile for Egypt and Murder in Mesopotamia for Iraq???

[Ian, Moderator]

Different book for each of the 80 countries is all that's needed Ellie, so you could do loads of Agatha Christie's if so inclined as long as the country chosen is the main setting of the book.

Liz - fellow mods bending the rules....shame on you lol.

Faroe Islands - Starfish is right (strictly a self governing region of Denmark) and arguing against herself, BUT as they have a separate football team that can play in the FIFA World Cup v Denmark, I'm allowing them as a country as per Wales, Scotand etc....... a decision that'll no doubt have Bob scurrying through to the FIFA website to see what else he can claim.

[Jacky]

Ellie wrote: "Quick question re authors:

Have found a couple of Agatha Christie's set in different countries. Can I have the same author more than once but with a different book and a different country?

Eg. [..."

I have done exactly that Ellie, and have just added A Carribean Mystery as well. I did want to go entirely round the world in detective stories, but don't think I'll quite manage it.
And I'm following FIFA - intending to have both N. Ireland & Eire (RFU have only one Ireland!)

[Ellie]

Jacky wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Quick question re authors:

Have found a couple of Agatha Christie's set in different countries. Can I have the same author more than once but with a different book and a different co..."

Yes the Carribbean option is on my list too! Didn't realise I even had it in my bookshelf so that's a bonus.

[Ellie]

Ian wrote: "Different book for each of the 80 countries is all that's needed Ellie, so you could do loads of Agatha Christie's if so inclined as long as the country chosen is the main setting of the book.

L..."

Thank you for the guidance! Am on a bit of a 'between the wars' theme reading session at the moment so Agatha and a few others in the Golden Age of Crime writing fit in nicely, especially as they all seem to disappear off for some archaelogical studies (and crime solving) in warm climates!

[Ellie]

Ian wrote: "Different book for each of the 80 countries is all that's needed Ellie, so you could do loads of Agatha Christie's if so inclined as long as the country chosen is the main setting of the book.

L..."

Don't really follow Rugger (being an up north girl) so FIFA is preferred!

[Jacky]

I am in "cosy" mood at the moment as working very hard and need comfort reads; so I'm most likely to be adding to my counties rather than countries list.
However, Feb 2012 sees a new Irene Huss (author Helene Tursten) so I'll have that for Sweden.

Have you got NZ yet Ellie? Ngaio Marsh managed to send Inspector Alleyn there during WW2 and I have added Dyed in the Wool to my list.

[Ellie]

Jacky wrote: "I am in "cosy" mood at the moment as working very hard and need comfort reads; so I'm most likely to be adding to my counties rather than countries list.
However, Feb 2012 sees a new Irene Huss (au..."

Ooh thanks Jacky. Haven't heard of that one but I read a review for her book called Photo Finish and I thought that was NZ based as well...

Will have to check out Helene Tursten for Sweden as well...

[Jacky]

I am a great fan of detective Irene Huss, who has a nice husband & twins & cares about them and their family life, whilst pursuing her career; she's not perfect either, but is the sort of person you'd be friends with. Much prefer her to gloomy old Wallender!

I think Ngaio Marsh set 3-4 novels in NZ. There is a very good site called stopyourekillingme.com that cross references detective stories by location, job, historical period etc. It's good, but not completely up-to-date.

[Liz, Moderator]

Ian wrote: "Different book for each of the 80 countries is all that's needed Ellie, so you could do loads of Agatha Christie's if so inclined as long as the country chosen is the main setting of the book.

Liz - fellow mods bending the rules....shame on you lol. ..."

*snivels* It's a fair cop guv', I'll come quietly...

[Robert]

Jacky wrote: "I am a great fan of detective Irene Huss, who has a nice husband & twins & cares about them and their family life, whilst pursuing her career; she's not perfect either, but is the sort of person yo..."

Thanks for bringing up web site. Brilliant
Bob

[Melki]

Since all of my friends in this group are involved in this challenge, I thought I'd post this here. I've had a great year meeting, reading, and traveling with all you wonderful people...and Bob.

Best wishes to everyone in the coming year.

[Robert]

Melki wrote: "Since all of my friends in this group are involved in this challenge, I thought I'd post this here. I've had a great year meeting, reading, and traveling with all you wonderful people...and Bob.
..."

Mel have a great new year. Really glad found this site and group in 2011. Challenge harder than expected but read lots would not dream of.
Happy new year to all.
Bob

[Susan]

Happy New year to you too Melki....and to everyone....I'm looking forward to continuing this Challenge next year.

[Ian, Moderator]

My bags are packed, I'm ready to go.....actually I'm in Tibet. Happy 2012 travels all.

[Robert]

Ian
Please dont ever say I try and bend the rules again!! Alaska not part of USA
Melki they want to get rid of all your oil!!

Ian
I know you have passed judgment wisely before on this subject but would you be so kind as to confirm I can have Jersey?
Thank you your grace your highness grovel grovel brown nose brown nose
Really want to end this bloody challange!!!

[Ian, Moderator]

You can have The Channel Islands once as a group - not all of them individually

[Robert]

think you have changed that Ian will have to look back

[Robert]

I am so sad Lynne had Guernsey so not definitive answer when questioned
BUT
The Channel Islands fall into two separate self-governing bailiwicks, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey.
can't we have 2 cos fancy Lynnes book
Help people lets get Ian to change his mind or start another welsh debate

[Dave]

Robert wrote: "I am so sad Lynne had Guernsey so not definitive answer when questioned
BUT
The Channel Islands fall into two separate self-governing bailiwicks, the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of J..."

Ian (Your Honor) I suggest the plantiff be refused on account of using big confusing words. Didn't know what Bailiwick meant and I've audited both islands!!

[Ian, Moderator]

I agree Dave - the decision stands.

[Robert]

Hard. Very hard.

[Catherine]

my bags are packed...can I hop on a plane (or hot air balloon) any time?

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel]

Catherine wrote: "my bags are packed...can I hop on a plane (or hot air balloon) any time?"

You certainly can, enjoy your trip. *waves goodbye

[Ian, Moderator]

Set off when u like Catherine - set up your own thread to make control easier for you

[Catherine]

ooooooohhhhhh! ok..I'm off! must go through bookshelves first! :)

if it's ok...can I post here? I really am not computer friendly...and have had problems trying to set up threads in the past.... computers really don;t like me!

[Ian, Moderator]

It's dead easy Catherine - honest - just a few steps and your computer will begin to like you.....I promise

1) click on "Around the World in 80 Books" at top of this page

2) click on "New Topic" on the next page - it's quite small sort of at top rightish of page

3) Fill in the empty small oblong box called Topic - with say "Catherine's World Trip"....ignore the other boxes

4) Optional - put your first comment in large "comment" box....or do later when you want to say something

5) Press the Post button....and hey presto you have your own thread to play with

6) Sit back, relax in the warm glow of achievement and drink glass of wine to steady frayed nerves - or perhaps do this first

Alternatively you can of course still post here or I can set up a thread for you, but I know you can do it.

[Catherine]

I tried that on a different group...really I did!....honest! and it didn't like me!

[Shelli]

I just want to do step #6!!

[Susan]

Me too.....perhaps even twice!!

[Catherine]

can I just have that glass of Bordeaux? lol