Global Book Selections discussion

24 views
2013 DISCUSSIONS > What Should We Read in JUNE?

Comments Showing 1-20 of 20 (20 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Elena (new)

Elena If you have any suggestions for June as to what should be read as the first book of the first month of this book group, let us know. Suggest a country or a specific book, either way :).


message 2: by Elena (new)

Elena I recommend the next selection to be read should be The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - young adult, cultural fiction of Germany.


message 3: by Paige (new)

Paige | 3 comments Elemillia wrote: "I recommend the next selection to be read should be The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - young adult, cultural fiction of Germany."
The Book Thief does seem interesting and it is a book that I would like to read this summer.


message 4: by Elena (new)

Elena Elemillia wrote: "I recommend the next selection to be read should be The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - young adult, cultural fiction of Germany."

I just noticed this book is listed in Best Australian Literature Listopia....


message 5: by Paige (new)

Paige | 3 comments The Book Thief is German and Australian? How does that work?


message 6: by Elena (new)

Elena The writer, I believe, is Australian, but the setting in the book is Germany, if I'm not mistaken. So I believe it's considered Australian literature actually, but it has a German cultural background in the story. :)


message 7: by Elena (new)

Elena Another good read I've heard a lot of great things about is "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green(for North American Literature).


message 8: by Elena (new)

Elena How does everyone feel about these titles?

North American/American: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James : http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...

Southeast Asia/Cambodia: Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick : http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...

Asian Literature/Japanese: The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka : http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...

African Literature/Set in Ethiopia : Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese : http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35...


message 9: by Kamakana (new)

Kamakana | 3 comments how about...

Brazilian: High Art by Rubem Foseca

Swedish: The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist

Dutch: The Darkroom of Damocles by Willem Frederik Hermans

Czech: The Good Soldier Svejk by Jaroslav Hasek


message 10: by Elena (new)

Elena thegift wrote: "how about...

Brazilian: High Art by Rubem Foseca

Swedish: The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist

Dutch: The Darkroom of Damocles by Willem Frederik Hermans

Czech: The Good Soldier Svejk by Jaroslav Hasek"


GREAT! I love it! Titles I haven't really heard of before, unfortunately. I took a look and I definitely would read either The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist and The Good Soldier Svejk by Jaroslav Hasek. Great European pieces of literature.

Pretty impressive choices, I have to say!


message 11: by Paige (new)

Paige | 3 comments Elemillia wrote: "How does everyone feel about these titles?

North American/American: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James : http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...

Southeast Asia/Cambodia: N..."


All of these seem good


message 12: by Elena (new)

Elena I received a few more options by email. 1Q84 by Murakami http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10..., and The Tale of Genji http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70...
Both for Asian Literature/Japanese

So I'm thinking that by the looks of it we'll have enough options for me to begin a poll starting next week. We'll vote and then we'll have enough time to start reading by reading... It will be very laid back, read at your own pace, and discuss as you please :). Very excited!


message 13: by James (new)

James Hi, I just joined. I'd like to throw in a recommendation or two before polling begins. Carlos Fuentes passed away earlier this week and I'd like to suggest either:

The Death of Aretmio Cruz

or

The Old Gringo


message 14: by Elena (new)

Elena James wrote: "Hi, I just joined. I'd like to throw in a recommendation or two before polling begins. Carlos Fuentes passed away earlier this week and I'd like to suggest either:

The Death of Aretmio Cruz

or..."


Great! Thanks so much! I will definitely include these two. I have not really read any Mexican literature yet. It'll be a nice option for us to consider.

And welcome! Thanks for joining!


message 15: by Val (new)

Val You have a good range of books to choose from there. I'm happy to read any of those (or reread those I already have read ). I would enjoy discussing them with you all as well.

James, I sorry to hear about Carlos Fuentes, I hadn't seen it reported. Perhaps we should start with one of his as a mark of respect.


message 16: by Elena (last edited May 21, 2012 08:03AM) (new)

Elena Val wrote: "You have a good range of books to choose from there. I'm happy to read any of those (or reread those I already have read ). I would enjoy discussing them with you all as well.

James, I sorry to he..."


Val, that's a good idea. Thanks for joining us! The polls are open so please vote :). I'm excited to see what everyone chooses, I think any of the books would be a good start, like you said.

I have never read anything by Carlos Fuentes, unfortunately. It will be on my reading list as of now, though. It's a shame how many great authors we never get to read or know about in our lifetimes.


message 17: by James (new)

James The only book so far that I've read by Carlos Fuentes is Aura, and it's a wonderfully creepy kind of surreal story that gets in your head and I recommend it.

I had the good fortune to meet him when he came to speak at my school several years ago, both at the larger talk he gave and again the next day at a smaller, more intimate Q&A. At the time I'd never heard of him, but was studying Spanish and international relations at the time and it was recommended to me that I go. He spoke passionately and eloquently about Mexican culture and US/Mexico relations. I purchased several of his books there, and he even signed them for me.

Since then I've listened to interviews with him and read some of his essays, but I haven't made the time to really dig into his fiction.


message 18: by Susan (new)

Susan I have already read The Book Thief and 1Q84 (loved both), but will have a look at the other titles. They all sound good.


Beth (bibliobeth) I've already got quite a few of these on my TBR list so am happy to read any. How exciting!


message 20: by Elena (new)

Elena Elizabeth wrote: "I've already got quite a few of these on my TBR list so am happy to read any. How exciting!"

Perfect :). I get even more excited when I see that everyone is excited about reading together, too :).


back to top