Pax

Just finished this novel, suitable for 11 year old children or older. It is about a boy, Peter, who is forced  to leave his pet fox at the side of the road after he goes to live with his grandfather. This book is told in alternative voices. The boy and the fox. Both the fox and Peter go searching for one another. This book is timeless. I can't work out whether it is told in the past or in a future apocalyptic world. Very descriptive and emotive story.

The Guernsey Literary and potato peel pie society

This interesting book is told completely through letters back and forth from an author, Juliet to her best friend, publisher and the residents of Guernsey. They recount the time of the occupation of the Germans during WWII and afterwards. It is historical as well as a love story. An interesting read.

I selected this book for a read around the world but the jury is still out, is Guernsey a country?

Facing the lion

The 8th country I visited whilst reading around the world is Kenya!

Facing the lion is an autobiography from Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton. It tells about growing up as a Maasai warrior. Joseph went to school when he was six years old and was determined to do well as his parents sold their precious cattle in order for him to attend. He won a scholarship and continued his studies over in America. A wonderful story of how he blends the traditions of the Maasai with the his life of a student and continues to raise an understanding of his tribes way of life.

The light between oceans

I had seen this title on many reading lists, and it wasn't until I saw the trailer for the movie that I raced out to get a copy. I bought the book at the airport on our return flight home from Christchurch. Thinking I had a few months to read it, I was surprised when my husband told me they released the movie last week. So I got reading.

I got halfway through the book and I had to put my attention to other things. So there it stayed waiting for me to pick it up and when I did, I read it in one sitting. It was a real page turner the minute I got back into the story. Thoroughly took me along page after page. I cried in lots of moments along the way. And so, I finished another great story this year. A story from my home country and a memorable one too. 

And so this is the 7th book read in my read around the world book challenge.

Oranges in No Man's Land

This story is set in war torn Beirut in Lebanon. Ayesha's mum is killed in a building blast, and Ayesha is left to assist her Granny care for her two brothers. This story is about their survival.

This novel is the 6th read for my read around the world reading challenge. I now have read books from the Israel, Lebanon, Rwanda, South Korea, Sudan and the United States.

The Kite Fighters

This is the second story I've read by Linda Sue Park, and I think I will look out for more titles by this author. The first was titled A Single Shard and my most recent, The Kite Fighters.

Both stories are set in Korea, and so this is another title read from my around the world reading challenge. This is story is much about two brothers growing up as well as the excitement and joy from flying kites. Highly recommend this short story.

5th title in my read around the world challenge.

One more river

In my attempt to read around the world before I'm 50, I chose One More River by Lynne Reid Banks to read for Israel. She has also written Indian in the Cupboard, which I have thoroughly enjoyed. This is another children's title for older readers. Set in the 60s, Lesley is upset when her parents decide to leave Canada for Israel. They leave their luxuries and live in a Kibbutz. This is told before the war took place in the late 60s. An interesting read as I knew nothing about life in Israel in this time period. I will try and track down the sequel Broken Bridge.

So now I have read 4 countries, in my attempt to read around the world. I didn't realise where they were located until I made this map.