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2012-2024 Discussions > Where in the World Are You?!?! (Currently Reading)

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message 101: by Shomeret (new)

Shomeret | 520 comments I've finishedThe Debbawhich is quite extraordinary. My review is at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...


message 102: by Kimberly (new)

Kimberly | 130 comments I'm done visiting Egypt in Priestess of the Nile by Veronica Scott Priestess of the Nile by Veronica Scott. I actually went back in time in this book. It wasn't a bad fluffy piece of writing 3.5 stars.

My review is here:
http://turningthepagesx.blogspot.com/...


message 103: by Beth (new)

Beth (eparks4232) | 311 comments Kimberly wrote: "I'm done visiting Egypt in Priestess of the Nile by Veronica Scott Priestess of the Nile by Veronica Scott. I actually went back in time in this book. It wasn't ..."

Having just left Egypt myself (Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz), I'm taking a quick jump to Jerusalem with Philip Roth to finish Operation Shylock, which I'm finding fascinating. I'm hoping to finish it off before New Year's so I can hop over to Trinidad to start my new world tour.

Note to those concerned with the health of my nose: any late night reading will be happening on the couch, with book safely below the level of my head, since it is a hardcover...


message 104: by Kimberly (new)

Kimberly | 130 comments I just left ancient Rome in Mask of the Gladiator by Georgie Lee here's my review:
http://turningthepagesx.blogspot.com/...


message 105: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments Beth wrote: "Thought you guys would enjoy this. Not a commentary on the book, except in that I wouldn't put it down when my lids were drooping. Husband took this photo when he came to bed:

Really want to get ..."


Love the photo, Beth.


message 106: by Kimberly (new)

Kimberly | 130 comments Beth wrote: "Thought you guys would enjoy this. Not a commentary on the book, except in that I wouldn't put it down when my lids were drooping. Husband took this photo when he came to bed:

Really want to get ..."


Beth, I've done that so many times! thank goodness no one has caught me on camera yet :D


message 107: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments I was in Russia Crime and Punishment  by Fyodor Dostoyevsky . Find my review here - http://reviewingshelf.wordpress.com/2...

Moved on to China Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See . My review- http://reviewingshelf.wordpress.com/2...

Especially enjoyed my China visit, though Russia was good too, it was a very serious trip. ;)


message 108: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments Judy wrote: "Nice combo of long and lighter... :-)"

It certainly was. Now moving on to something more lighter - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith (Botswana)


message 109: by Jessamy (new)

Jessamy Preparing to go to Antarctica tomorrow! Brrrr! South: the story of Shackleton's 1914-1917 expedition


message 110: by Vicky (new)

Vicky (thesevagabondshoes) | 155 comments @ Jessamy, I really like books about explorers and expeditions so will be keen to hear what you think of it.


message 111: by Shomeret (new)

Shomeret | 520 comments I am in Aztec Mexico with Five Dances with Deathby Austin Briggs which is also my first read on my new Kindle. So far it's really evocative and the characterization is wonderful.


message 112: by Lisa (Harmonybites) (last edited Jan 02, 2012 04:01AM) (new)

Lisa (Harmonybites) | 160 comments I was in Botswana--just finished my first book in the challenge--it was a short, easy read--around three hours, and I did thoroughly enjoy it. It was The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and my review of it can before found here . I think I'll tackle King Leopold's Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa next.


message 113: by Yrinsyde (new)

Yrinsyde | 208 comments I'm Catherine and I'm geographically located in Australia - Melbourne (VIC). I'm reading "The Yellow Cross - The story of the last Cathars" by Rene Weis. It is set in Languedoc (Southwestern France). I hope non-fiction and books about/set in countries/regions that are no longer extant count!

http://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Cross-St...


message 114: by Angela (new)

Angela | 70 comments So since my original pick is not here yet, I decided to to take a trip down to Buenos Aires with Thursday Night Widows with a side trip to South Africa with Agaat.


message 115: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments I am enjoying my visit to Botswana The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith . Surprised to find an Indian man here and a clever little Indian girl I like. :)


message 116: by Mikki (last edited Jan 02, 2012 07:39AM) (new)

Mikki I'm in a New Zealand mental institution called Cliffhaven. Matron hasn't made rounds yet so I'm not sure whether shock treatments will be given today or if the machine is still broken.
Faces in the Water by Janet Frame


message 117: by Anne (last edited Jan 02, 2012 05:23AM) (new)

Anne  (reachannereach) Mikki wrote: "I'm in a New Zealand mental institution called Cliffhaven. Matron hasn't made rounds yet so I'm not sure whether shock treatments will be given today or if the machine is still broken."

Too funny, Mikki. D)


message 118: by Anne (new)

Anne  (reachannereach) Pragya wrote: "I am enjoying my visit to Botswana The No. 1 Ladies' Detective AgencyThe No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. Surprised to find an Indian man here and a clever little Indian..."

Glad you're enjoying this book, Pragya. I read several in this series, but the first was such a nice surprise for a detective novel. The overall tone is so sweet.


message 119: by Darrell (new)

Darrell Delamaide My reading has now taken me to Saudi Arabia, to Jeddah, where Hilary Mantel is painting an absolutely horrifying picture, based on her own experience, of life there in Eight Months on Ghazzah Street. The oppressiveness and corruption are beyond medieval...


message 120: by Kimberly (last edited Jan 02, 2012 02:31PM) (new)

Kimberly | 130 comments I took s trip to Germany last night and then went to Afghanistan today, I'll post links to the reviews later :)


message 121: by Chel (new)

Chel | 187 comments Navdeep wrote: "Julia wrote: "Navdeep wrote: "Julia wrote: "Hey Navdeep and Shanez, interesting that you two are from India and so much into Russian literature - has anyone of you read The Namesake? T..."

Buy a more expensive hardcover as part of a classics series such as Modern Library, etc. Then you will avoid the commercial on the cover. This work is one of the classics of literature and is a rare combination of characters doing despicable deeds and a book written in a highly literate and highly artistic manner. I very highly recommend this book.


message 122: by Chel (new)

Chel | 187 comments I am reading a great book, Silk, by Alessandro Barrico. He is an Italian author writing about a character who lives in France and travels in Japan. By my criteria of the author's birth nation this is my Italy entry. It is a short and very attention grabbing work about the silk trade and romance.


message 123: by Chel (new)

Chel | 187 comments I am leaving Italy to a place to be determined and will read a sci-fi book while I make up my mind.


message 125: by Shomeret (last edited Jan 02, 2012 10:25PM) (new)

Shomeret | 520 comments I left Mexico this evening. Here's my review of Five Dances with Death at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I also read a very short book in which a significant part of the action took place in Asgard. Since this challenge deals with the nations of Midgard (a Norse term that translates as Middle Earth)in our world, I decided that it didn't qualify for the challenge. Besides, I couldn't show Asgard as a route destination on my Travelerspoint map. LOL!

I am now in Nepal withLittle Princes: One Man's Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepalbut I'm not sure if I'll stick with it because I'm finding the author annoying. We'll see. Now on to Travelerspoint to update my route.


message 126: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments Mikki wrote: "I'm in a New Zealand mental institution called Cliffhaven. Matron hasn't made rounds yet so I'm not sure whether shock treatments will be given today or if the machine is still broken.
[bookcover:..."


LOL, Mikki. I am not sure I would like to join you.


message 127: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments Anne wrote: "Pragya wrote: "I am enjoying my visit to Botswana The No. 1 Ladies' Detective AgencyThe No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. Surprised to find an Indian man here and a cle..."

I loved it, Anne!


message 128: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments I rather enjoyed my short visit to Botswana The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Here's my review- http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...


message 129: by Shomeret (new)

Shomeret | 520 comments Update: Nix Nepal for now. I'll find something else for Nepal. I'm now in Greece with Hetaera--Suspense in Ancient Athens. The sample looked delightful.


message 130: by Vicky (new)

Vicky (thesevagabondshoes) | 155 comments Small Island by Andrea Levy
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

My Jamaica selection.


message 131: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments I am in two places right now. I am in Kashmir Chef: A Novel and Rwanda Baking Cakes in Kigali.


message 132: by Darrell (new)

Darrell Delamaide Vicky wrote: "Small Island by Andrea Levy
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

My Jamaica selection."

Have just recorded the miniseries on PBS...


message 133: by Suzanne (new)

Suzanne | 308 comments Darrell wrote: "Vicky wrote: "Small Island by Andrea Levy
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

My Jamaica selection."
Have just recorded the miniseries on PBS..."

Wonderful book and equally wonderful screen adaptation!


message 134: by [deleted user] (new)

Hmmm.... Where to next? How about Guinea-Bissau with Amilcar Cabral?


message 135: by Chel (new)

Chel | 187 comments Pragya wrote: "Mikki wrote: "I'm in a New Zealand mental institution called Cliffhaven. Matron hasn't made rounds yet so I'm not sure whether shock treatments will be given today or if the machine is still broke..."

Thanks for reminding us we're not on vacation!


message 136: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments Whys are all the characters in my books drinking so many cups of tea??

First in Botswana, it was cup after cup of Bush tea -The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency which made me drink 4 cups of green tea while reading it since I don't know anything about bush tea.

Now in Rwanda, it's again cup after cup of tea- Baking Cakes in Kigali


message 137: by Janice (new)

Janice (jamasc) I'm in Rwanda too, Pragya, drinking tea in Baking Cakes in Kigali. I'm also in Iran The Blood of Flowers. I'm sure there is tea drinking in there too.


message 138: by Jeffrey (new)

Jeffrey (jwhitsitt) Just entering Germany with The Hangman's Daughter


message 139: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments Janice wrote: "I'm in Rwanda too, Pragya, drinking tea in Baking Cakes in Kigali. I'm also in Iran The Blood of Flowers. I'm sure there is tea drinking in there too."

Now I know why there is so much tea- an excerpt from Baking Cakes in Kigali

"I am going to let you sit here and calm down while I make tea for both of us. I know that you prefer coffee, but really, when someone is upset it is only tea that can help. When someone is unhappy, tea is like a mother’s embrace." :D


message 140: by Mikki (new)

Mikki Pragya wrote: "LOL, Mikki. I am not sure I would like to join you..."

Chel wrote: Thanks for reminding us we're not on vacation!

I'll be getting discharged in about an hour and leaving New Zealand, so there will be an empty bed but you'll need to hurry for they fill quickly.


message 141: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments Mikki wrote:

I'll be getting discharged in about an hour and leaving New Zeala..."


Thank you for the offer, Mikki. But currently I am busy visiting Kashmir and Rwanda. May be later in the year. How was your experience in New Zealand?


message 142: by Anne (new)

Anne  (reachannereach) Pragya wrote: " When someone is unhappy, tea is like a mother’s embrace."

I feel the same way about tea but I drink it the English way: dark with a lot of milk.



message 143: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments Anne wrote: "Pragya wrote: " When someone is unhappy, tea is like a mother’s embrace."

I feel the same way about tea but I drink it the English way: dark with a lot of milk."


In Rwanda, it is sweet and spicy- milk, cinnamon, lots of sugar and some spice that the book doesn't mention.

Though I am confused, whenever the character in this book feels hot, she makes a cup of tea. But the tea is hot, how is that supposed to make her feel cool? (Am I being really stupid asking this question?)


message 144: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments Janice wrote: "I'm in Rwanda too, Pragya, drinking tea in Baking Cakes in Kigali. I'm also in Iran The Blood of Flowers. I'm sure there is tea drinking in there too."

Janice, how far are you into Rwanda? I feel the need to discuss so much about this book.


message 145: by Anne (new)

Anne  (reachannereach) Pragya wrote: "Though I am confused, whenever the character in this book feels hot, she makes a cup of tea. But the tea is hot, how is that supposed to make her feel cool? (Am I being really stupid asking this question?) "

Nope. You're not stupid. She always drinks hot tea to cool down. I don't understand it either, but I take her word for it.



message 146: by Pragya (last edited Jan 04, 2012 10:17AM) (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments Anne wrote: "Pragya wrote: "Though I am confused, whenever the character in this book feels hot, she makes a cup of tea. But the tea is hot, how is that supposed to make her feel cool? (Am I being really stup..."

Ha ha! I take her word too. :D After all, she makes yummy cakes. ;)

I see you don't have the book on your list- Baking Cakes in Kigali. But you have other interesting ones. Hmmmm...OK, I am not looking, I already have 206, I can't add more. *runs away before temptation kicks in*


message 147: by Anne (new)

Anne  (reachannereach) BCiK is an alternative book that I have on my tbr. I own or have library access to so many books that I want to read. So BCiK will have to wait.
Haha. You notice that I may have just as many books on my list as you do or maybe more. I haven't counted them.


message 148: by Pragya (new)

Pragya  (reviewingshelf) | 253 comments Anne wrote: "BCiK is an alternative book that I have on my tbr. I own or have library access to so many books that I want to read. So BCiK will have to wait.
Haha. You notice that I may have just as many boo..."

Ah, I see you have the book on the list. By the way, you have around 160 books on your list. May be the number will quicken your pace like it is doing with mine. ;)


message 149: by Vicky (new)

Vicky (thesevagabondshoes) | 155 comments Pragya wrote: Though I am confused, whenever the character in this book feels hot, she makes a cup of tea. But the tea is hot, how is that supposed to make her feel cool?

My Granma used to swear by it, and grew up in India. Hot tea, then waft yourself with a fan through the summer to cool down. I do the same, but I grew up in Scotland, so not really comparable.


message 150: by Angela (new)

Angela | 70 comments Pragya wrote: "Whys are all the characters in my books drinking so many cups of tea??

First in Botswana, it was cup after cup of Bush tea -The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency which made me drink 4 cup..."


I believe they are referring to rooibos tea. It is popular in southern Africa. It is actually good with a bit of cream. They sell it here at Trader Joes.


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