Around the World in 80 Books discussion
Getting to Know You
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Introductions
Morgan wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Morgan from Louisiana. I'm excited to discover this group! It's so for me. I love, love, love to read and travel. I have been blessed to visit 13 countries in five years. I'm in my..."Welcome to the group, Morgan!
Diane wrote: "Morgan wrote: "Hi everyone! I'm Morgan from Louisiana. I'm excited to discover this group! It's so for me. I love, love, love to read and travel. I have been blessed to visit 13 countries in five y..."Thanks!! :D
Diane wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Hi, guys/gals, my name is Tracy and I'm originally from the Caribbean - more specifically St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Now, I'm married and living in Toronto, Canada with my hubby ..."Thanks for the welcome, Diane!
Yes, St. Vincent is a beautiful country. I'll be honest and say the beauty has diminished a bit, but if you go to the Grenadines (by ferry)...wow! So very pretty! I hope you do get a chance to visit and sample the local foods. :D
Diane wrote: "MichelleCH wrote: "Hi all. I have been lurking for a few weeks and wanted to introduce myself. I love to travel and *really* try to take at least one trip out of the country (US) each year. I have ..."Thanks!!
Hi,I'm Steffen. Coming from Franconia, I meanwhile managed to live in Hamburg (with brief intermittent stints in London and Berlin). I work here as a translator, though I'm not translating books.
Earlier this year, I had the idea to try and read a book from each of the roughly 200 states of the world and document this in a blog. I hope to get some recommendations from this group when it comes to difficult states.
Thank you for your attention.
Henry wrote: "Hi,I'm Steffen. Coming from Franconia, I meanwhile managed to live in Hamburg (with brief intermittent stints in London and Berlin). I work here as a translator, though I'm not translating books...."
Hi, Steffen! Welcome to the group!
Hi, I'm Dorothee from Germany - I came across this group while looking for travelogues and was amazed. Thanks, Diane, for setting all this up! This is wonderful. Actually I joined a global reading challenge this year, but the group page is only a collection of links, with no interaction, which i missed. So far, I blogged about the world books I read in my blog, here: http://virtual-notes.blogspot.de/sear... Looking forward to joining the challenge, and to shared reading and travels :)
Dorothee wrote: "Hi, I'm Dorothee from Germany - I came across this group while looking for travelogues and was amazed. Thanks, Diane, for setting all this up! This is wonderful. Actually I joined a global reading ..."Welcome, Dorothee! I'm so glad that you came across our group. I love your blog!
Shriya, from United Kingdom, Leicester, a huge lover of Mumbai, too much! I have tones of books in my goodreads based around Bombay/Mumbai and India. Blogger, traveller, curious, literally all things random.
I have worked from home as an medical transcriptionist for almost 20 years now. Before that I sat up and ran the Save the Manatee Clubs for the State of FL/Audubon Society and worked with the research scientists in the birding/reptile division of Audubon prior to that. I have 2 grown children, a SIL/DIL that I am infinitely blessed to say I really like and get along with, and a 4-month-old grandbaby girl! We live on family-owned farm, 30-acres of what in the dry season is a dust bowel and in the rainy season is flat out swampland. My retirement plan has long been to sell "reclaimed" wood frame windows from old wood homes that are being torn down that I paint flowers and such on ... of course that was pre world economic crash and now I can barely give the boogers away so that plan probably needs some rethinking! I like to write humor pieces for a blog I have, "Speaking Southerneese," but I have to admit that new pieces seem to come in longer stretches these days as I find it harder and harder to stay in the chair after working all day in order to get creative :) I have traveled the world vicariously through the pages of National Geographic and the Smithsonian magazine since I was a kid. I prefer my traveloges with a bit of humor and including food is a priority. I recently finished
which was an awesome, if not humbling read.I have a butterfly garden that, on days my back actually functions like a real working back (and not some torture device from the 13th century), I enjoy working in. I also have grown orchids for as long as I can remember. I have collected sea shells since I was about 10 and my favorite spot in the whole world is Sannibel/Captiva Island ... where I will retire whenever my children start making enough money to send mom there for the rest of her days :) with no worries ... so I am not really holding my breath on that one happening anytime soon.
I will read absolutely anything, but next to travelogs my other favorite is very complicated historical fiction and great big fat long, long books (think anything by Dorothy Dunnett or something along the James Clavell line) I think that is 'cause that is what we do here in the South, tell very long, very detailed stories :) and I am preconditioned to like that sort of thing.
Hi, I'm Ken, from New Jersey - the Pine Barrens and Jersey Shore area. I've recently rejoined GoodReads. I was a member a few years ago, then FaceBook became popular, but more and more I view that place as a failed social networking experiment. It's good to be back here!
I've lived for extended periods in New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, and Alaska, and have visited over 40 of the 50 states, and have been to Haiti, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, and the Arctic. I've walked beaches along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. Three of my grandparents were immigrants from Finland, including one from "Saamiland" - Lapland in Northern Finland... family roots extent to Karelia, Russia, Estonia, and also Ireland. As a kid I not only read a great deal about geography and various countries, I collected maps. I have no need for a GPS, I have maps of the world in my head, committed to memory! My interest in cultures and ethnicity has continued throughout my life, and I have an undergrad degree in anthropology.
I look forward to this group, meeting others with worldly interests, learning about other places, and getting some great book recommendations.
I've lived for extended periods in New Jersey, Maryland, North Carolina, and Alaska, and have visited over 40 of the 50 states, and have been to Haiti, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, and the Arctic. I've walked beaches along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. Three of my grandparents were immigrants from Finland, including one from "Saamiland" - Lapland in Northern Finland... family roots extent to Karelia, Russia, Estonia, and also Ireland. As a kid I not only read a great deal about geography and various countries, I collected maps. I have no need for a GPS, I have maps of the world in my head, committed to memory! My interest in cultures and ethnicity has continued throughout my life, and I have an undergrad degree in anthropology.
I look forward to this group, meeting others with worldly interests, learning about other places, and getting some great book recommendations.
Shriya wrote: "Shriya, from United Kingdom, Leicester, a huge lover of Mumbai, too much! I have tones of books in my goodreads based around Bombay/Mumbai and India. Blogger, traveller, curious, literally all thin..."Welcome to the group, Shriya! India is one of my favorite places to read about and one of the countries I want to visit most. I hope you will share what your favorite books from Mumbai are!
Yes indeed, I have just purchased my first Mumbai base book, arrived today! Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found <3
Nae wrote: "I have worked from home as an medical transcriptionist for almost 20 years now. Before that I sat up and ran the Save the Manatee Clubs for the State of FL/Audubon Society and worked with the resea..."Welcome, Nae! You lead a very full an enriching life. Yes, Sanibel Island would be a wonderful place to retire. My neighbors own a condo near there. I got to go there for a visit a couple of years ago and loved it. Please do share the link to your blog, it sounds very interesting.
Ken wrote: "Hi, I'm Ken, from New Jersey - the Pine Barrens and Jersey Shore area. I've recently rejoined GoodReads. I was a member a few years ago, then FaceBook became popular, but more and more I view that ..."Hi, Ken! So glad your have joined our group! It is nice to meet other people with maps in their heads! By age eight I had memorized all the countries of the world and their capitals, and had maps plastering the walls of my room. I can't, for the life of me, figure out why my children don't have that same need to know the world!
I would love to go to the Arctic. The farthest north I have been is mid-Alaska and upper New Brunswick, in Canada. I especially dream about going there on these 100 degree summer days in Atlanta. Someday...
Diane, thanks for the warm welcome, and it's good to know I'm not alone in having an "atlas" area of the brain :-) My map fetish was mostly for National Geographic maps, in fact I still have a large box of them. I also collected postage stamps, which added to my knowledge of countries along with the maps. It's sad so many young people today do not even know how to "read" a map, and many cannot locate places on a globe is asked to do so.
Hi all. I'm Marilyn, and I live in Minneapolis, MN, US. There is nothing I like better than traveling to new places, but as time and money don't let me do that as much as I'd like, the next best thing is doing it through a good book! I'm pretty excited about finding this group. My list of things I "must read" is already growing.
Megan wrote: "Hi! I'm Megan. I'm originally from West Texas. I currently reside in Albany, New York, with my husband and son, who are both avid readers, themselves. I enjoy reading both fiction and nonfiction. T..."Hi, Megan! Welcome! I hope you'll have lots of fun with the challenges and discussions. Thanks so much for joining our group.
Marilyn wrote: "Hi all. I'm Marilyn, and I live in Minneapolis, MN, US. There is nothing I like better than traveling to new places, but as time and money don't let me do that as much as I'd like, the next best ..."Welcome to the group, Marilyn! This is definitely the easiest and least expensive way to travel! I am so glad you have joined us!
Diane said: Please do share the link to your blog, it sounds very interesting. Here ya go, you have to scroll down past the first one which was Kathy's recap of other things and then mine start with "Sweaty Teddy" followed by the slightly more colorful "clap" and on and on :)
http://mtinnercircle.com/category/spe...
Nae wrote: "Diane said: Please do share the link to your blog, it sounds very interesting. Here ya go, you have to scroll down past the first one which was Kathy's recap of other things and then mine start..."
Thanks, Nae!
Hi, I'm Steve from Lancaster, a small historic city in the North West of England. I love reading, mostly non-fiction these days, travel or history books or even better a mix of both. I really like the idea of this group, though not sure what challenge to start with!
Steve wrote: "Hi, I'm Steve from Lancaster, a small historic city in the North West of England. I love reading, mostly non-fiction these days, travel or history books or even better a mix of both. I really like ..."Hi, Steve! I am so glad you have joined our group!
Hi, I'm Anne from Germany. I love reading books from around the world, and am already part of the "2012 Around the World in 52 books" group. I also travel the US for another challenge, but I would love to read even more books from around the world after this year is over. So I thought of joining, and here I am :).
SilverRaindrops wrote: "Hi, I'm Anne from Germany. I love reading books from around the world, and am already part of the "2012 Around the World in 52 books" group. I also travel the US for another challenge, but I would..."
Hi, Anne! Welcome to the group! I am part of the other group as well. I started reading around the world three years ago and I am very much hooked. I want to read the world over and over again! I am so glad you can travel around the world with us!
Hi I'm Stuart and although originally from the UK now live in Taiwan. I read, write and look after my two young kids. Having been a regular air traveler in my youth I'm now an arm chair traveler with itchy feet.
Stuart wrote: "Hi I'm Stuart and although originally from the UK now live in Taiwan. I read, write and look after my two young kids. Having been a regular air traveler in my youth I'm now an arm chair traveler wi..."Hi, Stuart! Welcome to our group! I love that - an arm chair traveler with itchy feet. That describes me to a tee, as well! Wow, Taiwan, how cool! I'm so glad to have you as part of the group!
King☚☠☛Fang wrote: "Hi, I'm Fang^^"Hi,Fang! Welcome to the group! Love your name!
Hi!!I'm Erica I'm 17 and i live in Italy. Since I've been studying languages I love reading books from all over the world to pick up more about new cultures =) As soon as I saw this gruop I joined it because I love its idea =) Now I only have to decide what kind of challenge to start with =)
Erica wrote: "Hi!!I'm Erica I'm 17 and i live in Italy. Since I've been studying languages I love reading books from all over the world to pick up more about new cultures =) As soon as I saw this gruop I joine..."
Welcome to the group, Erica! I am so happy you have joined!
Diane wrote: "King☚☠☛Fang wrote: "Hi, I'm Fang^^"Hi,Fang! Welcome to the group! Love your name!"
LOL thanks ^^
Diane wrote: "Erica wrote: "Hi!!I'm Erica I'm 17 and i live in Italy. Since I've been studying languages I love reading books from all over the world to pick up more about new cultures =) As soon as I saw this..."
Thank you =)
Erica wrote: "Hi!!I'm Erica I'm 17 and i live in Italy. Since I've been studying languages I love reading books from all over the world to pick up more about new cultures =) As soon as I saw this gruop I joine..."
Another Italian, fine! :D
Benvenuta! (translation: welcome!)
I have improved a lot my English since I am on GR and I started again to read also books in English or also German. It is like a challenge for me and I am liking it. Hope you too will have a good time here.
Hello everyone,I am Zeljka, currently 31, Croatian who loves travelling and exploring other countries and cultures. I must admit I've seen this club pretty long time ago, but was hesitant about joining it, because of so many great challenges I would love to participate in, but hardly find time to fulfill. Maybe it's too late to jump in one now, but I'll try to find something - no better time waster for summer holidays than mapping the journey around the world ;)
Zeljka wrote: "Hello everyone,I am Zeljka, currently 31, Croatian who loves travelling and exploring other countries and cultures. I must admit I've seen this club pretty long time ago, but was hesitant about j..."
Welcome, Zeljka! It is never too late to jump into a challenge! We would love to have you travel with us!
Hello all of you,I'm Sylvia, I'm a retired teacher and have lot of times to read all the books I collected during my working years. I live in the Netherlands.
Reading is one of my hobbies, next to traveling and seeing other countries and towns.
I stumble upon this group, when I was looking for free e-books situated in other countries. At the moment I'm reading
, which I enjoy very much, as those islands in the Pacific have something mysterious to me.
dely wrote: "Erica wrote: "Hi!!I'm Erica I'm 17 and i live in Italy. Since I've been studying languages I love reading books from all over the world to pick up more about new cultures =) As soon as I saw this..."
I have been reading in english for two years and I simply love it! Then this year I'm trying to read something in Japanese and Chinese but it's very hard XD I hope that, as you said before, GD will help me to improve my English =) Thank you anyway ^^
Zeljka wrote: "Hello everyone,I am Zeljka, currently 31, Croatian who loves travelling and exploring other countries and cultures. I must admit I've seen this club pretty long time ago, but was hesitant about j..."
You can join and not jump in a challenge, too! It's a challenge just to read the discussions in this group because the group is so active. I love to read the introductions because I'm feel I'm traveling around the world listening to stories from all of you. Amazing group thanks to Diane and all her hard work(which is probably not work to her cause she loves it)!
LindaD wrote: "I love to read the introductions because I'm feel I'm traveling around the world listening to stories from all of you..."Same here :) every thread is so enticing to imagination. But would anyway love to participate too! Hopefully, soon :)
Sylvia wrote: "Hello all of you,I'm Sylvia, I'm a retired teacher and have lot of times to read all the books I collected during my working years. I live in the Netherlands.
Reading is one of my hobbies, next ..."
Welcome to the group, Sylvia! I look forward to reading that book soon, as well.
LindaD wrote: "Zeljka wrote: "Hello everyone,I am Zeljka, currently 31, Croatian who loves travelling and exploring other countries and cultures. I must admit I've seen this club pretty long time ago, but was h..."
Thanks, Linda! You are right, it isn't hard work since I love it so much!
Hi everyone, my name is Bridget, I live in New York and I'm new to Good Reads. I love reading anything and everything, especially classics and memoirs/diaries/biographies and favorite author is Anaïs Nin. I look forward to meeting all of you and becoming friends.
Bridget wrote: "Hi everyone, my name is Bridget, I live in New York and I'm new to Good Reads. I love reading anything and everything, especially classics and memoirs/diaries/biographies and favorite author is Ana..."Welcome to the group and Goodreads, Bridget! I hope you will feel at home here.
Hello!I am Beth and live in Danvers MA. I joined goodreads a few years ago then ignored it. A few good friends urged me back on and I am always happy to hear about new books!
I am a 6th grade special education teacher. I rediscovered my love of reading through a good mom friend who invited me to her book club. Five years later I truly feel like these amazing women from different walks of life are my book club family. We have been through so much in the past five years and have also read some AMAZING books! Genres that I never would have seen myself reading, never mind now gravitating towards! Thanks Kate-it has truly been a life changing experience for me!!!!
Beth wrote: "Hello!I am Beth and live in Danvers MA. I joined goodreads a few years ago then ignored it. A few good friends urged me back on and I am always happy to hear about new books!
I am a 6th grade s..."
Welcome, Beth! Aren't book clubs wonderful! I had pretty much stopped reading several years ago, but a good friend started a book club with some of our mutual friends and I have been hooked ever since! It also helped me to experience new genres and to get outside what I thought was my comfort zone. Our club is still together after all these years, too.
Anbai wrote: "Hello! 您好! My name is Anbai 安白! I am a Chinese-Japanese girl living in Shanghai, China. I am currently in the states for my college education. My hobbies include reading, drawing, traveling, dancin..."Welcome to the group, Anbai! It is a pleasure to have you here.
Elis wrote: "Hello! My name is Tamara (Elis is just a name I use on the internet) and I live in Ljubljana, Slovenia. I'm a student of art history and I just love art and culture of any kind and especially from ..."Welcome to the group, Tamara!
Around the World in 80 Books
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I recently completed my first historical fiction novel involving Nazi Germany during WWII. I am currently editing and hope to seek agent representation later this year. All the books I plan to write will involve countries that I've actually been to, so I can have first hand experience.
I look forward to some good discussions on here! :D Happy Travels and Reading!