Where in the World Have You Been?!?! (Book Finished and Review Linked) Showing 151-200 of 1,005

[Kat]

Just finished in Japan with Battle Royale. Normally I'd write my review pretty soon after I've finished reading but I need to let my brain settle a bit on this one - in the best kinda way!

[Wendy]

Sue wrote: "Asmah wrote: "How do you like the beeping, whirring, and humming of the Star Trek transporter?"

With my congestion, I can barely hear it. At least I come through whole, no body parts left behind i..."

I prefer to do the Harry Potter style apparating to get from place to place :-) But I would love to get my hands on a Star Trek Food Replicator Unit!

[Sue]

I forgot about apparating. If Alan Rickman was at the other end.........

[Sharon]

I am just departing from the Western USA, where I left The Sisters Brothers. I will be back to visit them often. I know I will see more to appreciate each time I turn to them.

For my (brief) review, see here http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...

(at least I hope you see it - this is the first time I attempt to post one of my reviews so hopefully it'll work!).

[Tasha]

I've been to Englad, finally reading Jane Eyre

[Anne]

Judy wrote: "Ignore the red stains on my collar, I just left 16th century Tuscany and Tomato Rhapsody: A Novel of Love, Lust, and Forbidden Fruit. My review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/revi..."

Hahah. Didn't you take your bib with you?

[Kat]

Finished Battle Royale last night - so glad I swapped my Japan choice for this one.

Review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Betty]

I was just admiring blogs created by group members here. Specifically, I browsed Judy's and Kat's. Whose did I miss?

[Lisa (Harmonybites)]

Just left Sierra Leone in the midst of its civil war via Campbell's Blood Diamonds. I thought it an interesting book, and I did learn quite a bit about Western Africa and the diamond industry, although I wouldn't call the book a standout. My review can be found here:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[mussolet]

Just been to my own country, Germany.
With rather bleak results.
Either My Century was not a good description of Germans, or I missed the point, or I'm not German after all.
Anyway, 2-star-review href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....

[Pragya]

I just returned from a long visit to freezing Kashmir. Even though I went with a Chef: A Novel, I couldn't eat all the delicacies as most of them were non-vegetarian. :(

Here's my review- http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

And a little different at my blog - http://reviewingshelf.wordpress.com/2...

[Marissa]

Finished A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan last night. Haven't had time to write up a review yet, but I was just so glad to have completed a book for this challenge that I thought I'd post here anyway and add the review later. Hope that's OK! I decided to use Goon Squad for the USA instead of my original choice, Netherland, by Joseph O'Neill.

[Beth]

Sue wrote: "I forgot about apparating. If Alan Rickman was at the other end........."

He's doing a show on Broadway about a mean writing professor. Daniel Radcliffe is doing a musical across the street. So if you want to see him, go to NYC, if not, you should be safe apparating. I personally adore him since Sense and Sensibility, so I'm angling for a trip to NYC to see the show.

[mussolet]

Beth wrote: "Sue wrote: "I forgot about apparating. If Alan Rickman was at the other end........."

He's doing a show on Broadway about a mean writing professor. Daniel Radcliffe is doing a musical across the s..."

Lucky you Beth. I'd love to see him live on stage.

[Sue]

Beth wrote: "Sue wrote: "I forgot about apparating. If Alan Rickman was at the other end........."

He's doing a show on Broadway about a mean writing professor. Daniel Radcliffe is doing a musical across the s..."

If you love him, you must watch the movie "Truly, Madly, Deeply". Probably my favorite. He's wonderful. Juliet Stevenson stars opposite him. I looked for him on stage last time I was in London (many years ago, ?late 90s) but he wasn't performing. Did get to see Stevenson. Doubt I'll get to NYC though I'd love to.

[Angela]

leser81 wrote: "Finished A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan last night. Haven't had time to write up a review yet, but I was just so glad to have completed a book for this challenge that I..."

leser81, I am curious to see your review. I so wanted to like that book, but I didn't. I liked her writing style, but I really did not like any of the character and did not care what happened to them in the end.

[Sharon]

Angela wrote: "leser81 wrote: "Finished A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan last night. Haven't had time to write up a review yet, but I was just so glad to have completed a book for this ..."

I've been very curious about this book, and heard something similar about the characters from a friend of mine. Was it that you didn't like the characters, or did you find they just weren't very well developed? (I've heard they're just not all that likeable).

[Cjandres]

Just finished visiting Cambodia in The Stone Goddess. It was a sad eye opening trip. For a Young Adult novel I think it was written well but I think that the realities of life were lightened up a little. There were definitely some real life hardships that were expressed but the easiness to overcome them was a little too easy.

I will be traveling to Columbia in a little bit.

[Angela]

Sharon wrote: "Angela wrote: "leser81 wrote: "Finished A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan last night. Haven't had time to write up a review yet, but I was just so glad to have completed a..."

I didn't like the characters. They just weren't that interesting to me. After reading each chapter, I found myself saying who cares. They never drew my into the story, especially the two main characters. I did like Lulu, Kitty, and the dictator because it was kind of funny the way they came together, but this wasn't enough to hold my interest. I was happy when I finished.

[Sue]

Angela wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Angela wrote: "leser81 wrote: "Finished A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan last night. Haven't had time to write up a review yet, but I was just so glad to h..."

this has confirmed my decision not to bother with the book. I've heard too many reports like this and there are too many other books I want to read.

[Angela]

Sue wrote: "Angela wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Angela wrote: "leser81 wrote: "Finished A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan last night. Haven't had time to write up a review yet, but I was ju..."

This seems to be one those books you either love or hate. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Pragya]

Angela wrote: "Sue wrote: "Angela wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Angela wrote: "leser81 wrote: "Finished A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan last night. Haven't had time to write up a review yet, ..."

I too didn't like the book at all.

[mussolet]

Just finished The Help for the USA.
Very interesting, although I had to do some research on the side to really get into it. Review here.
Going to Albania next. With Ismail Kadarés The Concert.

And Sue, I agree, "Truly Madly Deeply" is a wonderful movie.

[Genia]

Finally left Russia and Doctor Zhivago. I'll probably post a review after the weekend, but it was okay.

[Sharon]

Judy wrote: "Thanks, Sharon, I will be reading A Fine Balance. The funny thing about reading what you wrote is that I didn't care for Fall on Your Knees. So, maybe fate will have it that..."

I'm looking forward to hearing what you think of it, then. This is why I love book clubs/groups so much. So many different ideas and approaches and perspectives!

[Wendy]

I was the exact opposit of Sharon as well. I loved A Fine Balance and had to really force myself to finish Fall on Your Knees. I did like hearing Sharon's rationale though as to why you felt that way. Definitely interesting to get to compare notes with others.

[Maude]

I need a little help! I can put a book in this category but I don't know how to link my review. Can someone tell me how to do that?

[Pragya]

Maude wrote: "I need a little help! I can put a book in this category but I don't know how to link my review. Can someone tell me how to do that?"

Go to the book page, click on my review (where your review is posted), copy the page url and paste it here.

[Maude]

Another STUPID question! Where is the book page!!!

[Anne]

Maude wrote: "Another STUPID question! Where is the book page!!!"

Maude, click on the title of the book for which your wrote the review or just type in the title in the search box. Your book with it's review will come up. Then you highlight the URL, copy it and paste it wherever you want it.

[Lisa (Harmonybites)]

Judy wrote: "Harmonybites wrote: "Just left Sierra Leone in the midst of its civil war via Campbell's Blood Diamonds. I thought it an interesting book, and I did learn quite a bit about Western Afr..."

It is--a commentator on my review recommended Soldiers of Light on the Sierra Leone War--I'm going to check it out someday. It was good coming from the book to look up Sierra Leone and find out it's now a functioning democracy.

Sadly not the case with Somalia, the country I'm reading about now.

[Nina]

Just left Nigeria with Little Bee (review on my blog). Feels more like I left England than Nigeria, though. Just as well... from the small parts of the book that were set in Nigeria, it sounds like it wouldn't be a great place to visit! This leaves me with quest: I want a book or two that's set in an African country (other than Egypt, Morocco, or South Africa) that shows GOOD things about the country. I'm considering Poisonwood Bible, but I'd prefer something not from the NYTimes bestseller list. Anyone?

Now I'm journeying into Cuba with Havana Real. The introduction has informed me that it's not illegal for Americans to visit Cuba, just to spend money there, so sounds like my visit is okay. :)

This thread is making my TBR list grow! But the recommendations are fantastic.

[Wendy]

gck wrote: "Just left Nigeria with Little Bee (review on my blog). Feels more like I left England than Nigeria, though. Just as well... from the small parts of the book that were set in Nigeria, it sounds like..."

I loved Twenty Chickens For A Saddle set in Botswana if you are interested in checking that one out gck. I also finished Little Bee recently and can undersand your feeling that Nigeria might not be a good place to visit -- and I just heard about more unrest there that happened in the last day or so. Not good.

[Sue]

Well I've left Romania and Herta Muller's The Passport. This was a difficult read considering it was only a short novella. My review is here.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I'm still drifting between Norway with Out Stealing Horses and South Africa with Agaat.

[Lisa (Harmonybites)]

Just left Somalia via Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War about the 1993 "Battle of the Black Sea" - a firefight in Mogadishu between the Somalis and Americans. Bowden interviews many of the surviving American soldiers, and even some Somalis involved. He says in the Afterward he tried to "get out of the way" of the story and the result is gripping, visceral--and very, very graphic but gives you a sense of the brutality and terror of warfare. Not forgetting this soon. Review link below:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Tasha]

I left Ireland yesterday having finished Room It was a great read even though I wouldn't recommend it to someone who actually wants to learn something about Ireland by reading it, because it has nothing to do with the country. Review here

By the was I listened to A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian and you actually learn a lot about the Ukrainian also it takes place in England. Review

[Kat]

Harmonybites wrote: "Just left Somalia via Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War about the 1993 "Battle of the Black Sea" - a firefight in Mogadishu between the Somalis and Americans. Bowden interviews ma..."

I read Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War when I was on holiday in Bulgaria in 2010 (strange choice of beach reading, I know!), and I also found it incredibly gripping and shocking - I didn't think I would like a book so focused on the military. However it also opened my eyes to what has been happening and continues to happen in Somalia to this day.

[Lisa (Harmonybites)]

Kat wrote: and I also found it incredibly gripping and shocking - I didn't think I would like a book so focused on the military. However it also opened my eyes to what has been happening and continues to happen in Somalia to this day."

It's definitely unforgettable. This is my eighth book in the challenge--I've been traveling through Africa. Each time I'd check up on "my country" after finishing a book to find out it's been doing pretty well--or at least much improved. It was shocking to realize it's been twenty years since that battle--and Somalia is still in chaos--still a "failed state."

[Beth]

Asmah wrote: "I was just admiring blogs created by group members here. Specifically, I browsed Judy's and Kat's. Whose did I miss?"

Mine is at http://bethslistlove.wordpress.com

[[deleted user]]

Mine's a list and map, not a true blog, at http://shoshana-world.livejournal.com/ . When I've read a book from every country, I want to set up a blog with books linked by continent and country, with reviews and ephemera, and additional books/reviews for those countries. A task for late 2012, I think.

[[deleted user]]

Reviews for books I've read in 2012 that are not part of this challenge because I've already read that country (listed by setting, not author's location):

Afghanistan Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History

Botswana Botswana Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide To Customs & Etiquette

Ethiopia Held at a Distance: My Rediscovery of Ethiopia

France My Life in France

Great Britain Henry's Demons: Living with Schizophrenia, A Father and Son's Story

Israel & Cyprus Limassol

Somalia, Sudan, & Kenya Infidel

US, New Zealand, Pohnpei, Japan, Sargasso Sea, others Eels: An Exploration, from New Zealand to the Sargasso, of the World's Most Mysterious Fish

Vietnam Last Night I Dreamed of Peace

[Sharon]

Just back from Moonshadow's strange dream-like life story. I must admit the book has left me somewhat disoriented! Here's my review (of sorts!).

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/87...

[Tanya]

Harmonybites wrote: "--a commentator on my review recommended Soldiers of Light on the Sierra Leone War--I'm going to check it out someday. It was good coming from the book to look up Sierra Leone and find out it's now a functioning democracy."

I visited (physical, not literal) Freetown last year, and was blown away by how positive and optimistic everyone we met was after such an horrific civil war.

[Sharon]

Harmonybites wrote: "Kat wrote: and I also found it incredibly gripping and shocking - I didn't think I would like a book so focused on the military. However it also opened my eyes to what has been happening and contin..."

I've always avoided it, thinking it would be too tough a read, but having reading all your comments, I've added Black Hawk Down to my list.

[[deleted user]]

It's been mostly cold in Belarus with Bella and Marc Chagall: Burning Lights.

[[deleted user]]

Though I learned nothing about Andorra from Ripert's On the Line, I got to look at many pretty photos of almost-raw fish. I admit to skimming some of the recipes, because I'm never going to prepare anything with a note reminding the reader to ask her fishmonger for only the tentacles.

[Chel]

Osho wrote: "Though I learned nothing about Andorra from Ripert's On the Line, I got to look at many pretty photos of almost-raw fish. I admit to skimming some of the recipes, because I'm never going to prepare..."

Hahahahaha!!!

[Mira]

Finished The Inheritance of Loss

It was OK. I didn't connect with the book. The book couldn't hold my interest. Again, I had to make myself finish it. I even tried the audio to finish it faster. That just made things worse. Audio was worse than the book. I heard such good things about this book, but I didn't see it (or read it). Maybe I wasn't in the right state of mind for it.

2.5 stars

[Mira]

One of the few books where the setting represents the country instead of the author's birth (which was my intention).

Took me forever to get through this book. I had read the first 8 chapters and was stuck. Just didn't want to pick it up. I finally assigned myself 50 pages a night, so I could finish it. I called it my homework assignments. When my kids did their homework, I read 50 pages. The reason I wanted to finish this book is, besides numerous reading challenges I gave myself, it is my book club book. The book had been recommended me to by a few friends, and they all said it was "really good". I guess our definitions of "really good" vary. The book takes place in China between the two world wars and I was hoping for more history. It skimmed the historical aspects. The book was a romance. I skimmed most of the second half and I do believe I still got the gist of the book. The prologue starts off great. Lydia (main character) and her family are shepherded off a train leaving Russian during the Russian Revolution. Chapter 1, Lydia and her mother are in China as refugees. Where is the father from the prologue? Turns out this book is the middle book of a three book series. So tells me a friend. Great! I hate that! No wonder I felt disconnected. Anyway, the book wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, yet it wasn't as good as I had hoped.

I give it 2.5 stars.

Recommendation: Beach Read

The Russian Concubine by Kate Furnivall

[Valerie]

Osho wrote: "Reviews for books I've read in 2012 that are not part of this challenge because I've already read that country (listed by setting, not author's location):

Afghanistan Charlie Wilson's War: The Ext..."

Love these picks! Lots of non-fiction!