Around the World in 80 Books discussion
Getting to Know You
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Introductions
When I explored the many groups that goodreads offers, this one really rang a bell. Though I'm now back in England, I've spent a good few years living and working in other countries. With your help I'll be able to keep in touch with them, through books. Looking forward to it!
Amy wrote: "Hiya, my names Amy, I live in Southern England. I've been teaching myself about different countries recently, (boredom reduction technique lol) I've learnt all the countries but the capitals still ..."Travel photography sounds exciting. Burundi, where I'm living now, would be an excellent subject. My office at the school where I'm working now is on the 3rd floor. I can look out at the dramatic, green hills. They change subtly from day to day. The back stairwell is also open, so I can look out and enjoy the breezes and look out at Lake Tanganyika and the mountains of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Get out an atlas so you can find these places. I live in Bujumbura, the capital. Photographing these vistas is truly a challenge. Someone with your training might do well.
Lydia wrote: "When I explored the many groups that goodreads offers, this one really rang a bell. Though I'm now back in England, I've spent a good few years living and working in other countries. With your he..."
Lydia, that sounds great. Where have you lived and worked?
Debby wrote: "Diane wrote: "Debby wrote: "Hi. My name is Debby. I am from central New York - land of beautiful hills - and I am now teaching in Burundi in Central Africa - land of a 1000 hills - and beautiful...."Sorry to hear about your husband. That had to be a difficult time for you and your family.
To post as a circumnavigator you will need to start your own thread here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group.... Add the books you have read there and continue to add comments for new books you add later. You can set it up however you like.
Amy wrote: "Hiya, my names Amy, I live in Southern England. I've been teaching myself about different countries recently, (boredom reduction technique lol) I've learnt all the countries but the capitals still ..."Hi, Amy! That's how I got started, too. Wanting to find out more of the world combined with my love of reading. I'm glad that your search led you here! I wish you much success in your photography career.
Lydia wrote: "When I explored the many groups that goodreads offers, this one really rang a bell. Though I'm now back in England, I've spent a good few years living and working in other countries. With your he..."
Glad to have you here, Lydia! Happy reading!
Diane wrote: "Debby wrote: "Diane wrote: "Debby wrote: "Hi. My name is Debby. I am from central New York - land of beautiful hills - and I am now teaching in Burundi in Central Africa - land of a 1000 hills - ..."Thanks, Diane. I am pleased to be back in my husband's country, nearly 20 years after his death to spend time with our family and enjoy the country. I've started a Circumnavigator thread. I think I already have 28 posts. Some are from a long time ago and some from this month. This is an exciting process.
Well hello all. My name's Becca and I currently reside in the good old USA. I've traveled the world as a Navy Brat and then later as a short-term missionary (Canada, Europe, Japan, Central America) and enjoyed every minute of it. A few years ago I married a Marine with a penchant for travelling but settled for a respectable job teaching preschool while we figure out where to take our yearly summer vacations. I love books and thought this group would remind me of my 'homes away from home!'
Rebecca wrote: "Well hello all. My name's Becca and I currently reside in the good old USA. I've traveled the world as a Navy Brat and then later as a short-term missionary (Canada, Europe, Japan, Central America)..."Hello, Becca! Welcome to the group!
I just joined. I use to be knowledgeable in geography. Now, I feel like I am learning over again - like in elementary school. I don't travel outside the states. But, I am interested in learning about the countries outside the U.S. I enjoy history, but especially historical fiction novels.
I am open to any suggestions. Presently, I am focusing on Rome & Jerusalem - since that is where I will be traveling this fall.
I am open to any suggestions. Presently, I am focusing on Rome & Jerusalem - since that is where I will be traveling this fall.
Debby wrote: "Lydia wrote: "When I explored the many groups that goodreads offers, this one really rang a bell. Though I'm now back in England, I've spent a good few years living and working in other countries..."
Hello Debby - in alphabetical order, I've lived in Australia, Chile, France, Portugal and Spain. A rather nomadic existence! Earned money by: TEFL teaching, office-work, doing up old houses and selling them on. Boring it wasn't! But I have no experience of Africa or the East. A very big gap indeed. Hope Burundi is proving rewarding for you.
Lydia wrote: "Debby wrote: "Lydia wrote: "When I explored the many groups that goodreads offers, this one really rang a bell. Though I'm now back in England, I've spent a good few years living and working in o..."
Burundi is really wonderful! I lived here most of the time from 1979-94 and have been back to visit with family several times since. It's nice to be working here this year and enjoying people, celebrations and the change of seasons as well as work.
Hi. I'm Tom and I live in California. Apart from a semester in Xalapa, Mexico, I've pretty much stayed stateside. I love reading about other places. In the last couple years I have read books set in 41 states and 32 countries. I hope this group will provide ideas and incentive to broaden my armchair travels.
Debby wrote: "Lydia wrote: "Debby wrote: "Lydia wrote: "When I explored the many groups that goodreads offers, this one really rang a bell. Though I'm now back in England, I've spent a good few years living an..."
I'm not familiar with the Mozambique author. I just finished Graham Greene's book The Heart of the Matter, which is quite wrenching and sad, set in Sierra Leone and about the British colonial community primarily.
Tom wrote: "Hi. I'm Tom and I live in California. Apart from a semester in Xalapa, Mexico, I've pretty much stayed stateside. I love reading about other places. In the last couple years I have read books set i..."Have you ready Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese? It's one of my favorites. It is primarily set in Ethiopia. Do you have any favorites from other countries?
Debby wrote: "Have you ready Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese? ... Do you have any favorites from other countries? "I haven't read that one but will be happy to take look at it. Right now I'm looking forward to reading Last King of Scotland and also Khaled Hosseini's newest book. He is one of my favorite authors.
I think my favorites from my around the world list would have to be either Hummingbird's Daughter' by Luis Alberto Urea (Mexico) or A thread of Grace by Maria Doria Russell (Italy).
Annetta wrote: "I just joined. I use to be knowledgeable in geography. Now, I feel like I am learning over again - like in elementary school. I don't travel outside the states. But, I am interested in learning a..."Welcome, Annetta! Enjoy your trip to Jerusalem and Rome!
Tom wrote: "Hi. I'm Tom and I live in California. Apart from a semester in Xalapa, Mexico, I've pretty much stayed stateside. I love reading about other places. In the last couple years I have read books set i..."Hi, Tom! You have been doing a lot of armchair traveling. Hope we can help you find new places and books to explore.
Tom wrote: "Debby wrote: "Have you ready Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese? ... Do you have any favorites from other countries? "I haven't read that one but will be happy to take look at it. Right now I..."
Tom, both books that you suggest sound great. I've just bought The Hummingbird's Daughter for my Nook, so it will be one of the next ones I read. Thanks for the idea.
Hey guys i'm new to this group and wanted to introduce myself .. I'm Johanna, 19 and from Kassel in Germany. I love travelling but since i couldn't do that much so far i read as much books about different countrys and cultures as i can get :D I already was in some parts of Germany of course, Greece (Kos) and Italy :)I would to travel someday to England, india, Korea, Japan. . well much more of course.. but i didn't wanted to be too greedy :D
I love travelling with Books and i'm happy to have found this group.. !
hello, I am new to this site and this group. i am Sam, Sam I am. I would love to travel across the whole world but that will probably happen later in life. Stuck in the States for now. I am really looking forward to reading around the world. It is actually on my bucket list! :D
Jojo wrote: "Hey guys i'm new to this group and wanted to introduce myself .. I'm Johanna, 19 and from Kassel in Germany. I love travelling but since i couldn't do that much so far i read as much books about di..."Hi, Johanna! Welcome to the group! I went to Kos a few years ago. Beautiful island! I would love to go back.
Samantha wrote: "hello, I am new to this site and this group. i am Sam, Sam I am. I would love to travel across the whole world but that will probably happen later in life. Stuck in the States for now. I am really ..."Welcome, Sam! Hopefully you will get to travel across the world someday. I look forward to seeing your reading travels!
Hey Diane .. Yes it was amazing.. Can't get it out of my mind & want to go there again too! Did you do a tour around the island?
Jojo wrote: "Hey Diane .. Yes it was amazing.. Can't get it out of my mind & want to go there again too! Did you do a tour around the island?"We didn't do an organized tour. We explored the island on our own. A tour would have been nice, though. We did a tour in Rhodes.
Hey everyone. I'm an author in the group; for a limited time I'll be giving out free advance copies of my new international thriller, Elixir, to Goodreads members in exchange for ratings/reviews. It's a story about a teenage genius who takes on the NSA and a multi-billion-dollar pharmaceutical company while trying to cure his girlfriend of a mysterious illness; it takes place around the world, with settings in Mexico, Switzerland, Italy, and the US...Elixir
If you'd like a free copy, please message me and provide an email address for a PDF version or a mailing address for a physical one. For more on Elixir, including the trailer and three-chapter preview, check out the official website: www.elixirthebook.com.
Hello! My name is Annie,I'm from Bulgaria. I'm sort of new to this site, but I saw your group and had to join. I love to travel. Ever since I first set fut outside the country, I made a promise to myself - that I would do my best to visit a foreign country at least once a year. I've made it so far, but I don't have the finances to do as much traveling as I would like to, so books are my escape. I'm looking forward to new adventures and I'm sure that books will help me discover new places.
Ted wrote: "Hey everyone. I'm an author in the group; for a limited time I'll be giving out free advance copies of my new international thriller, Elixir, to Goodreads members in exchange for ratings/reviews. I..."Welcome, Ted! Good luck on your new book!
Annie wrote: "Hello! My name is Annie,I'm from Bulgaria. I'm sort of new to this site, but I saw your group and had to join. I love to travel. Ever since I first set fut outside the country, I made a promise to ..."Hi, Annie! Welcome to the group! I hope you will have many travel adventures ahead of you, both in real life and in books!
Hi,I just joined the group. My name is Janet, I live in Metro Atlanta and am an organizational psychologist. I love to travel, but have only been outside of. North America once when we went to wonderful Spain. Like others, I enjoy traveling the globe and learning about different cultures through books; and wish I could travel more. Within North America, I have lived in four different states & have visited 34. I have also been to Canada, Mexico and the British Virigin Islands.
I am so happy I found this group!!!
Janet
Hi,I just joined the group. My name is Janet, I live in Metro Atlanta and am an organizational psychologist. I love to travel, but have only been outside of. North America once when we went to wonderful Spain. Like others, I enjoy traveling the globe and learning about different cultures through books; and wish I could travel more. Within North America, I have lived in four different states & have visited 34. I have also been to Canada, Mexico and the British Virigin Islands.
I am so happy I found this group!!!
Janet
Janet wrote: "Hi,I just joined the group. My name is Janet, I live in Metro Atlanta and am an organizational psychologist. I love to travel, but have only been outside of. North America once when we went to won..."
Hi, Janet! Welcome to the group! What part of the metro ATL do you live in? I am in Cobb county.
Diane wrote: "Janet wrote: "Hi,I just joined the group. My name is Janet, I live in Metro Atlanta and am an organizational psychologist. I love to travel, but have only been outside of. North America once when ..."
I am in Lawrenceville ,gwinnett
Janet wrote: "Diane wrote: "Janet wrote: "Hi,I just joined the group. My name is Janet, I live in Metro Atlanta and am an organizational psychologist. I love to travel, but have only been outside of. North Amer..."
Howdy, neighbor!
Hi all,I'm Issa--good to meet you! I'm a corporate type and a writer--at the moment, paranormal romance and blogs are my focus points. Looking forward to talking with you all!
Issa wrote: "Hi all,I'm Issa--good to meet you! I'm a corporate type and a writer--at the moment, paranormal romance and blogs are my focus points. Looking forward to talking with you all!"
Welcome to the group, Issa!
Hello everyone. I am Phil, I'm a primary school teacher in north London. I am reading, and totally loving, a book by a Cuban author: The Man who Loved Dogs by Leonardo Padura. It is a historical novel based on fact, weaving three narratives leading to the killing of Leon Trotsky. It takes you to Spain, Russia, Norway, Turkey and of course Cuba. Recomended.Phil x
Phil wrote: "Hello everyone. I am Phil, I'm a primary school teacher in north London. I am reading, and totally loving, a book by a Cuban author: The Man who Loved Dogs by Leonardo Padura. It is a historical no..."Are you familiar with
by Luis Alberto Urrea? It is set in Mexico and is based on fact (and miracles). I recently finished this book and found it a powerful statement of place and beauty.
Phil wrote: "Hello everyone. I am Phil, I'm a primary school teacher in north London. I am reading, and totally loving, a book by a Cuban author: The Man who Loved Dogs by Leonardo Padura. It is a historical no..."Hi, Phil! Welcome!
Great idea for a group!I just joined goodreads yesterday and since then, I've been thinking "why didn't I join this sooner?" a lot.
One of the types of books I love are the books that parachute you into another part of the world - particularly exotic (to me) parts. The more 'real' the prose, the better. I want to read about the smells, the texture, the colours, the humour and the life of other places.
I LOVE travel and adventure myself, but, owing to being the co-founder of 4 kids and a full time job to feed them, I can't travel for pleasure as much as I'd like anymore.. but I can read about different places :)
Travel books for the sake of describing a place are OK - when you need the hard facts, but they often lack in the real life feel of a place. Literature fills the void.
Matt, the guy with the intro just before mine, has said everything I wanted to say, so...ditto! I'm a middle-aged teacher (5/6 reading and social studies), a wife, and mother of three - a fourteen-year-old son and twin twelve-year-old daughters.
I read for a variety of reasons. I read to escape the din of my household, to decompress after school, to learn about places that I will probably never be able to afford to see in person, to share new books and information with my students, and I read because I'm a book nerd and proud of it.
Last year on Goodreads I tried a 50 states challenge and didn't get too far because I read too many books set in foreign countries. This year I started tracking the settings of the books I've read, so, as one can imagine, I'm pretty excited to have found this group!
Matt wrote: "One of the types of books I love are the books that parachute you into another part of the world - particularly exotic (to me) parts. The more 'real' the prose, the better. I want to read about the smells, the texture, the colours, the humour and the life of other places..."Very well said, Matt. I love those kind of books, too. I'm so glad you found Goodreads and this group! I look forward to seeing what you will be reading!
I'm a Danish 24 year old woman. My name's Irene, as you can tell :) I want to travel the world in books and that is the reason I've joined this group. I've mainly read books that takes place in Denmark, US and UK and I'd like to change that :) Thanks for having me
Irene wrote: "I'm a Danish 24 year old woman. My name's Irene, as you can tell :) I want to travel the world in books and that is the reason I've joined this group. I've mainly read books that takes place in Den..."Hi, Irene! Welcome to the group!
Hi, I'm Amanda. Originally from just outside of Toronto, Canada, I've since lived in Kingston, Ontario; Edinburgh, Scotland; Vancouver, British Colombia; Seoul, Korea; and am now in Colorado Springs. I've travelled a fair amount in Europe and Asia, and ventured once into Africa. At the moment, I suppose I'll be doing more exploring in North America than anywhere else - pregnancy and a soon-to-be new baby will be slowly down the travel adventures in the near future.
Welcome, Amanda! You have done a lot of traveling. Congratulations on your future new arrival!
I really LOVE this group. I haven't been actively involved, yet. I just found your group. But I am already excited of the topics, especially challenges, you have. Better yet, I don't feel like I am pressured by a time clock. By observing everyone's conversation threads, it looks like all of you keep in frequent touch with each other. I am looking forward to becoming more involved - and SOON!!!
Annetta wrote: "I really LOVE this group. I haven't been actively involved, yet. I just found your group. But I am already excited of the topics, especially challenges, you have. Better yet, I don't feel like ..."Thanks for the kind words, Annetta! Glad to have you here with us!
Around the World in 80 Books
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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William Harrison Ainsworth (other topics)
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Carl Sagan (other topics)
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About me, I'm 22, I finished a degree in photography last year. I'm freelancing, doing studio work and volunteering at a charity bookshop at the moment. My ideal end goal would be travel photography but at the moment it isn't quite happening XD. Thought I'd let my mind roam instead.