Read Around the World Challenge

I thought it was time to do a recap on how many countries I have visited in the pages I have read in this challenge to read around the world before I am 50

.

Oceania:

Australia - The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman

Asia:

Korea - Kite Fighters by Linda Su Park

Lebanon - Oranges in No Man's Land by Elizabeth Laird

Israel - One More River by Lynne Reid Banks

Africa:

Kenya - Facing the Lion by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton

Sudan - A Long walk to water by Linda Su Park

Rwanda - One Thousand Hills by James Roy and Noel Zihabamwe

Somalia - Through my eyes: Amina by J L Powers

Europe:

Ireland - A Taste for It by Monica McInerney

United Kingdom - The War that saved my life by Kimberley Brubaker Bradley

Guernsey - The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

France - Paris for One by Jojo Moyes

Denmark - Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

North and Central America:

United States - Everything I never told you by Celeste Ng

South America :

not yet explored

14 countries visited by January 2017

Cruise reads

Just got back from a12 night cruise on the Royal Caribbean Voyager of the seas in the South Pacific, as well as soaking under the sun and in the sea breeze, I managed to get quite a few books read.

One of the titles I read was Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica. I have read a previous book by this author and found it highly engaging. I love this genre and this author, can't wait to read more from her. 

The problem with forever was added to my to be read pile after looking at the Goodreads 2016 choice awards for the young adult section. I found it a thoroughly good read with a plot that will stay with me a long time.

Equally engaging was a collection of short stories titled Paris for one by Jojo Moyes. I have previously read two titles by this author, she writes very likeable characters and I am going to add this to read around the world challenge for France.

Another book I read that takes you to France was a debut book for Phaedra Patrick. This delightful book unravels the stories behind a charm bracelet found by widower Arthur Pepper. He upsets his routine discovering the stories of his late wife's past and getting into all sorts of adventures. I can't wait for her next title to be released later this year.

I haven't read a Monica Mcinerney novel for quite a whilst, but I loved A Taste for it, taking me from the Clare Valley in South Australia to county Clare in Ireland. She also writes extremely likeable characters. I will be looking out for more titles from this author this year.

Lastly, I read the 2016 Goodreads fiction choice award winner - Truly Madly Guilty. I have read a few titles from this author and this was a disappointment. I find Lian Moriarty's writing to become a bit formulaic, and read this thinking "just tell us what happened at the BBQ!!". A good read if you haven't read this author before.

False impression

I couldn't remember buying this book, but I was searching for a new genre to read and this title grabbed my attention on my bookshelf. I hadn't read Jeffrey Archer before and this was a great book to be introduced to this author. It was a fast paced thriller. Set back in 2001 during the 9/11 attacks on New York, it isn't a story about the terrible tragedy but a murder mystery. Anna is an art dealer who works for a slimy man with unscrupulous ways. It's a compelling read, highly recommended.

Through my eyes: Amina

A few years ago I was given a copy of one of the books in the Through my eyes series, this one is Amina. It is about a girl growing up in war torn Mogadishu, Somalia. Amina is brave and courageous  with strength to support her family during some horrifying experiences. A good read. Highly recommended.

This is another title for my read around the world reading challenge.

The war that saved my life

The second Newberry title read in 2017, was a honor book in 2016. It was a moving story of triumph against all odds.  The war that saved my life was set in London and tells of the story of 10 year old Ava and her 6 year old brother Jamie, who are evacuees in WW2. 

Recommended for all upper primary children. 

This is the 10th title in my read around the world challenge. 

Eleanor & Park

This young adult book has been sitting in my TBR pile for over a year. So I wiped off the dust and managed to read it in one day. This book is told in alternating sections with Eleanor narrating then Park. It captures the feelings of first love. What an amazing story. The ending whilst open to interpretation, gave me a sense of hope.... what are your thoughts? Hurry up and read it so you can tell me!

Number the stars

This Newberry medal winner from 1990 was set in Denmark and is another title in my challenge to read around the world.

The book is set in 1943 in Copenhagen and when the Germans occupied Denmark. Based on historic events, it recounts how King Christian sank the Danish naval fleet as the Germans were coming to Denmark. It tells about life before the Jews had to flee through the eyes of Annemarie and her best friend Ellen and how the Danish people helped the Jews escape. A quick read, it is the 9th book in my read around the world challenge. It's also the first Newberry medal title read in 2017.