Around the World in 80 Books discussion
ATW in 80 Books World Challenge
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Around the World in 80 Books Annual Challenges 2024
Hey, I just wanted to check - what if a book is set in one country but focuses on characters not from that country. For example Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes is set in Vietnam but primarily about Americans. So would that count?
Mercedes wrote: "Hey, I just wanted to check - what if a book is set in one country but focuses on characters not from that country. For example Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes is set in Vietnam but primarily about Am..."Yes.
matterhorn is a GREAT book!! I felt like I was in 'nam with them
What about the UK? Can we use England, Scotland, and Wales or just one for the challenge?Thanks!!
Dee wrote: "they were all separate last year"Thanks - Just wanted to check as the were not on the list from the link.
Bluemoon wrote: "What about the UK? Can we use England, Scotland, and Wales or just one for the challenge?Thanks!!"
Use them all as separate countries since there are sooooo many books set in the UK. Ireland and Northern Ireland can be used as separate countries as well.
Where do we post the books we have read? I'm a little confused. I participated in last year's challenge (2010-2011) but I didn't read 80 books. You said that we could continue with other countries that we hadn't visited yet. There was also a category called "circumnavigator" for people in last year's challenge.
I just took a msg in my thread for this year and listed last years books - I also put a separate msg for each continent for tracking purposes
Patricia wrote: "Where do we post the books we have read? I'm a little confused. I participated in last year's challenge (2010-2011) but I didn't read 80 books. You said that we could continue with other countries ..."Pat, You can list all the books you have already read under the topic you started under "AtWi 80 Days Challenge Reporting". You can also add your new books under the same topic as you read them.
There is a rule "a significant portion of the book must be set in the country to get credit" and i want to know how much is a significant protion? I read The Queen of the Big Time by Adriana Trigiani and 1 chapter out of 10 was set in Italy - is it enough? :) It's ok if this book does not count but i just wondered how do others interpret this.
personally, I use the 50% rule, or plays a significant outcome in the book - so either 50% of the book set there, or if part of the plot revolves around the country (even after its not set there) then I count it - does that make sense? (I might need more coffee)
There isn't a set percentage. It is whatever you personally feel to be a significant enough portion of the book.
thanks, i've got the idea now - pretty much the same as i had :) i will count my book as they mentioned Italy through the book ;)
Diane - question for you - are you going to do the awesome stats for last year like you did for the 09-10 version - with the most countries hit and countries not visited? cause I wanna make it my goal to hit any country that wasn't visited last year ;)
Dee wrote: "Diane - question for you - are you going to do the awesome stats for last year like you did for the 09-10 version - with the most countries hit and countries not visited? cause I wanna make it my ..."Already did. They are in the in the Stats topic under Good to Know, on the next post below the 2009-2010.
Has anyone read Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness? I am reading it now, and since it takes place in multiple African countries, I'm not sure where to put it on my list. So far I have seen it listed under Kenya, but a significant part of the story takes place also in Zambia and in Zimbabwe. Any comments from anyone familiar with this book?
Nancy wrote: "Has anyone read Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness? I am reading it now, and since it takes place in multiple African countries, I'm not sure where to put it on my list. So far I have se..."FYI Nancy, Diane (group and challenge moderator) wrote this in an earlier post:
"There isn't a set percentage. It is whatever you personally feel to be a significant enough portion of the book." when asked how much of a book is considered "a significant portion" to count a book set in a country.
Linda wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Has anyone read Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness? I am reading it now, and since it takes place in multiple African countries, I'm not sure where to put it on my list. So..."Thanks, Linda. I think I may just go ahead and go with Kenya since some others have placed it there. (It is a really good book.)
What a fun challenge! I've always enjoyed trying to find a book set in the place I'm going to on vacation but sometimes settle for seasonal "settings" if I can't find a local. This will be a funway to find more books and places.
I just discovered and joined this group today, and really eager to start! I've got a couple of questions that I can't find in the official rules, though:1. The rule said the start date was October 2011. Does it mean I can already list books I read as far back as October 2011, or do I have to start when I join the challenge?
2. Can the book be non-fiction?
3. Do you list the books when you start reading them, or after you finish?
4. Is there a rule about unfinished books?
Thanks, and looking forward to join the discussions!
Coqueline wrote: "I just discovered and joined this group today, and really eager to start! I've got a couple of questions that I can't find in the official rules, though:1. The rule said the start date was Octobe..."
Hi Coqueline! Welcome to the group!
1. The rule said the start date was October 2011. Does it mean I can already list books I read as far back as October 2011, or do I have to start when I join the challenge?
You can include any books you have read since October in this challenge.
2. Can the book be non-fiction?
The books can be of any genre, fiction or non-fiction.
3. Do you list the books when you start reading them, or after you finish?
List the books after you finish them, but feel free to inlcude a TBR list in your posting if you like.
4. Is there a rule about unfinished books?
Sorry, I am not sure what you are asking in reference to unfinished books.
Thanks, Diane!Diane wrote: "4. Is there a rule about unfinished books?
Sorry, I am not sure what you are asking in reference to unfinished books."
I was just wondering if you can still include a book you read, but not finished (but read more than 100 pages).
Coqueline wrote: "Thanks, Diane!Diane wrote: "4. Is there a rule about unfinished books?
Sorry, I am not sure what you are asking in reference to unfinished books."
I was just wondering if you can still include a..."
You'll just have to use your own judgment on that, I guess.
Has anyone read Unbroken by Ellen Hillenbrand, and if so, where did you put it in terms of location?
Nancy wrote: "Has anyone read Unbroken by Ellen Hillenbrand, and if so, where did you put it in terms of location?"I haven't read it, but I believe it takes place in Japan during WWII.
all I remember reading is somewhere in the pacific...I don't think a place was ever identifiedETA - Jayme counted it for Japan
I was wondering because part of it takes place in the Marshall Islands, some in a bombing run over Nauru, part in Japan, part on a raft floating 2,000 miles in the Pacific, and so on. A large part of it is in Japan, though. I haven't finished it yet so I am not sure where else the memoir takes the reader.
Nancy wrote: "I was wondering because part of it takes place in the Marshall Islands, some in a bombing run over Nauru, part in Japan, part on a raft floating 2,000 miles in the Pacific, and so on. A large part ..."Count it as wherever you'd like.
I noticed that you have The Translator by Leila Aboulela listed for Sudan. The author is Sudanese, but isn't this book set in Scotland? According to the synopsis, it's about "a widowed Muslim mother living in Aberdeen who falls in love with a Scottish secular academic." I think Lyrics Alley by Aboulela is the only one of her books set in Sudan.
Her Royal Orangeness wrote: "I noticed that you have The Translator by Leila Aboulela listed for Sudan. The author is Sudanese, but isn't this book set in Scotland? According to the synopsis, it's ..."It sure is. I'll take it off the list. Thanks!
Question... I'm thinking of reading Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie... and it says on the GRs page for the book that it takes place in Yugoslavia. But since that book has been written, Yugoslavia as it was then no longer exists. So can I use it, and if so where do I put it? Do I use Serbia or Bosnia & Herzegovina instead? (Although I don't know in what part of the old Yugoslavia the book took place).
Thanks
ஐ Briansgirl "Book Sale Queen"ஐ wrote: "Question... I'm thinking of reading Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie... and it says on the GRs page for the book that it takes place in Yugoslavia. But since that book..."
I think it took place mostly in present-day Serbia, if I remember right, although I have seen it claimed as either country by other challenge participants. I think I claimed it as Serbia when I read it.
Am new to this group and would like to join as a 'Frequent Flyer'...
I think I understand the criteria but am still not sure I understand where / how I list my books/countries..
Sorry if being a little dense but hopefully someone can answer this question for me...
I think I understand the criteria but am still not sure I understand where / how I list my books/countries..
Sorry if being a little dense but hopefully someone can answer this question for me...
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_... - in this folder you can start your own thread for tracking your trip - take a look at others in there, we all use different format's for tracking
Dee wrote: "http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_... - in this folder you can start your own thread for tracking your trip - take a look at others in there, we all use different format'..."
Many thanks for that - it helped tremendously & have now made my first travel log...
Many thanks for that - it helped tremendously & have now made my first travel log...
Thanks, Dee! I am so glad you are starting the challenge, Oppem! You can also include books you have read since the beginning of October.
I was just wondering if one of my books or countries didn't count? I've read 12 books from 12 different countries, yet the recently updated reader board only list me as having visited 11 countries. Does Vatican City not count as a country? If it doesn't I totally understand and will remove it from my Europe list. Thanks,
Courtney
Courtney wrote: "I was just wondering if one of my books or countries didn't count? I've read 12 books from 12 different countries, yet the recently updated reader board only list me as having visited 11 countries...."It counts! Sometimes I miss one from time to time. Sorry about that
Ok thanks, that's fine I just thought with Vatican City being so small and all..
I would like to participate in this challenge. Since official start was October 1th 2011 can I list books I have already read since that date?
Tazitazitazi wrote: "I would like to participate in this challenge. Since official start was October 1th 2011 can I list books I have already read since that date?"Absolutely!
I have just joined this challenge. How do I make a list of books read?
Wanda wrote: "I have just joined this challenge. How do I make a list of books read?"Hi Wanda. You can start a list under the ATW in 80 Books section. Just click on the heading and it will bring up that sections topics. On the right there is a small link that says new topic (it is over the last activity column). If you click on that you can start your own thread.
Hope this helps and enjoy your journey!!
A good book for 'C' is The God Complex. It takes place in the Czech Republic and is a great read. There's even a free self-guided tour of Prague based upon locations in the book. Check it out at http://mapofprague.com/. Click the green arrows to take a virtual tour.
Around the World in 80 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
The Indian Bride (other topics)The History of the Siege of Lisbon (other topics)
The History of the Siege of Lisbon (other topics)
The Translator (other topics)
Bon Voyage, My Love: Ticket to a Mixed Plate Paradise (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
José Saramago (other topics)José Saramago (other topics)
Leila Aboulela (other topics)
Leila Aboulela (other topics)
Leila Aboulela (other topics)
1. Anyone can participate in the challenge and can join in at anytime. The official start date will be January 1, 2024 until December 31, 2024, midnight EST.
2. The object of this challenge is to read books that take place in 80 different countries of the world, of your choosing, starting with your home country. During your journey you would have to visit countries within the following 8 regions: North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania/Australia. You are welcome to visit Antarctica during your travels, but this is not required since there are few books from here. It will be counted as both a continent and a country. Some countries can be in more than one geographic setting. You can count them as you see fit. For consistency purposes, I will log them in the current manner under "Where We've Been".
3. Books must actually take place within the country. Reading a book written by an author from a country does not count unless the book is specifically written about that particular country (example: Paul Coelho is from Brazil, but many of his books have settings in other countries). It is also not necessary that both the author and the book setting are the same. Books without a specific setting or taking place in an unnamed setting default to the country of the author.
4. Some books contain more than one location. It is not required that the entire book take place exclusively in that one country. However, a significant portion of the book must be set in the country to get credit. Also, in the case where a book takes place in more than one location, the reader may only take credit for one country (example: In the book “Eat, Pray, Love”, the author’s time is divided between Italy, India, and Indonesia. You may only choose one of those destinations). There is no measurement of how much of a book must be set in a particular country to claim it. It is entirely up to you and your personal opinion. If you feel that it is enough, then it is enough. This is your challenge, so if it meets your requirements (not mine) then it works. The challenge police will not come after you!
5. There are close to 200 recognized countries in the world. However, for the sake of the challenge, you will not be held to using only independent nations. It is perfectly acceptable to using territories, constituent countries, islands, and independent states (not US states). If you need some help, here is a handy website: http://worldatlas.com/nations.htm
6. Re-reads are perfectly acceptable, as are audio books. Books may be in any language.
7. Books can be any length and of any genre.
8. Reporting: Please start a new topic with your name and whether you are a Trekker or a Frequent Flyer. You will make all updates under your own thread. Please state the region (see #2), the country, the book title, and the author during each new post. This is important so I can log where we have been and keep the Readerboard updated. Important: You must make a new post with each new addition, bringing your thread to the top of the list. I am unable to tell when a post is edited, and you may subsequently not receive credit for all the books you have read.
You may use the same book for the this challenge and the US state challenge, but you MUST post in separate threads. US states posted in the "world" thread will not be counted toward US state counts.
9. There will be THREE different challenge tracts:
1) Trekker (more difficult)
• Assuming that you are using the modes of transportation available during Jules Verne’s’ time, you will travel in consecutive order to countries adjacent to each other or directly accessible over bodies of water. This would follow a logical trip itinerary of circumnavigation, with limited “zigzagging” between destinations.
• You may need to “travel” to a given country more than one time during your itinerary. You can go to any one country as many times as you like, but it will only count once.
2) Frequent Flyer (Easier)
• Even though you still have to start at your country of origin, you are free to travel at random around the globe with no specific route or itinerary.
• You must still visit countries in all 8 specified regions.
3) Globetrotter (Hardest)
The rules are the same as for a Frequent Flyer or Trekker, BUT, you for each country you will need to read a books that is both set in the country AND written by an author from that country. You can use any author that is native to that country or has lived in that particular country for at least ONE YEAR.
4) Tourist (Even Easier)
Think of this as "Around the World Lite". Visit at least 24 countries of the world in any region and in any order. Countries can be all in one area or scattered throughout the globe.
5) Rogue Traveler
(Easiest) No rules, just travel (besides the posting rule, of course). Read as few or as many books as you choose wherever you choose. It is entirely up to you. You can even read all your books in one country. The number of books will counted vs. the number of countries.
Have fun with this! Hopefully you will visit new and exciting places during this challenge, and even read some books you otherwise might never have read. Please feel free to share your opinions of the books you are reading.