The Next Best Book Club discussion

Africa:
Botswana - The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (4/2)
Central African Republic - Mrs. Pollifax and the Lion Killer (7/11)
Egypt - Cleopatra: A Life (2/25)
Ethiopia - The History of Rasselas: Prince of Abissinia (7/21)
Libya - In the Country of Men (2/22)
Rwanda - Baking Cakes in Kigali (8/2)
Sierra Leone - A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier (6/4)
Sudan - Emma's War (7/29)
Tanzania - Picture Perfect (8/20)

Asia:
Azerbaijan - Gentlemen of the Road: A Tale of Adventure (10/1)
Bangladesh - A Golden Age (3/7)
Bhutan - Radio Shangri-La: What I Learned in the Happiest Place on Earth (3/20)
Burma/Myanmar - The Jungle (5/14)
Cambodia - Impact (6/15)
China - Peony in Love (2/14)
India - The White Tiger (5/31)
Japan - Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption (4/29)
Korea - Your Republic Is Calling You (6/5)
Nepal - Black Order (5/27)
The Philippines - Moondogs: A Novel (5/12)
Tajikistan - Deep Black: Death Wave (8/23)
Tibet - Blood of the Reich (7/28)
Thailand - Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle (3/27)
Vietnam - The Things They Carried (7/13)

Australia/Oceania:
Australia - Slow Man (5/31)
New Zealand- Aunt Dimity Down Under (3/13)

Caribbean:
Antigua - Annie John (8/24)
Barbados - Death By Honeymoon (8/11)
Cuba - Cuba (4/30)
Dominican Republic - The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (10/9)
Haiti - Island Beneath the Sea (4/6)
Jamaica - Pirate Latitudes (5/14)
Trinidad and Tobago - Robinson Crusoe (3/4)
Virgin Islands - Treasure Island (5/31)

Europe:
Austria - The Mysterious Stranger (3/15)
Belgium - Resistance (2/28)
Bosnia and Herzegovina - People of the Book (6/13)
Croatia - The Tiger's Wife (7/4)
Denmark - The Quiet Girl: A Novel (4/17)
England - Wuthering Heights (1/23)
Finland - The American Girl (9/13)
France - Pictures at an Exhibition (11/13)
Greece - My Brother Michael (8/8)
Hungary - Embers (7/26)
Iceland - Journey to the Centre of the Earth (8/31)
Ireland - In the Woods (1/4)
Italy - A Room With a View (10/26)
Kosovo - The Day of the Pelican (8/25)
Lithuania - Between Shades of Gray (9/5)
Malta - The Information Officer (6/20)
Monaco - It All Began In Monte Carlo (8/31)
Norway - The Redbreast (7/23)
Poland - The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2/17)
Russia - The Last Days of the Romanovs: Tragedy at Ekaterinburg (2/13)
Scotland - The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (8/15)
Serbia - Murder on the Orient Express (6/20)
Slovenia - Veronika Decides to Die (6/2)
Spain - The Angel's Game (3/22)
Sweden - Let the Right One in (7/23)
Switzerland - Daisy Miller (2/28)
Vatican City - Map of Bones (4/20)

Latin America:
Brazil - The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon (6/30)
Chile - 33 Men Inside the Miraculous Survival and Dramatic Rescue of the Chilean Miners (5/20)
El Salvador - Salvador (6/16)
Paraguay - The News from Paraguay (4/9)
Panama - River Of Ruin (7/15)
Peru - The Bridge of San Luis Rey (8/14)
Venezuela - The Lost World (7/9)

Middle East:
Afghanistan - The End of Manners: A Novel (2/19)
Iran - The Blood of Flowers (2/6)
Jordan - Mrs. Pollifax, Innocent Tourist (5/15)
Lebanon - The Sanctuary (8/28)
Pakistan - Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy, and the West (8/12)
Saudi Arabia - Girls of Riyadh (5/26)
Syria - Mrs. Pollifax Unveiled (6/26)
Turkey - Snow (2/13)
Yemen - I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced (6/22)

North America:
Canada - The Stone Diaries (1/8)
Mexico - Hothouse Flower and the Nine Plants of Desire: A Novel (7/5)
USA - The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake (12/7)

Totals: 8 regions, 80 countries

1. Alabama:
2. Alaska:
3. Arizona:
4. Arkansas:
5. California: How to Make an American Quilt (1/17)
6. Colorado:
7. Connecticut:
8. Delaware:
9. Florida:
10. Georgia:
11. Hawaii:
12. Idaho:
13. Illinois:
14. Indiana: The Stone Diaries (1/8)
15. Iowa: Ape House (12/16)
16. Kansas:
17. Kentucky:
18. Louisiana:
19. Maine:
20. Maryland: I'd Know You Anywhere (11/20)
21. Massachusetts: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane (5/6)
22. Michigan:
23. Minnesota:
24. Mississippi:
25. Missouri:
26. Montana:
27. Nebraska:
28. Nevada:
29. New Hampshire:
30. New Jersey: One for the Money (10/24)
31. New Mexico:
32. New York:
33. North Carolina:
34. North Dakota:
35. Ohio: I Am Number Four (11/8)
36. Oklahoma:
37. Oregon:
38. Pennsylvania:
39. Rhode Island:
40. South Carolina:
41. South Dakota:
42. Tennessee:
43. Texas:
44. Utah:
45. Vermont:
46. Virginia:
47. Washington: Breaking Dawn (1/26)
48. West Virginia:
49. Wisconsin:
50. Wyoming:

*Washington D.C.:The Lost Symbol (1/30)

Total States 9 + Washington, DC

I'm so excited I found this challenge! It looks like I need to broaden my horizons a bit more!

Country #7: Azerbaijan
Region: Asia

Gentlemen of the Road: A Tale of Adventure

This takes place in the Kingdom of Arran, which Chabon says is modern day Azerbaijan.

Welcome to the challenge Jayme!

Thanks Diane and thanks in advance for all the work you do!

Country #8: Iran
Region: Middle East

The Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani

Country #9: Turkey
Region: Middle East

Snow by Orhan Pamuk

Learned a lot about Turkey, but I think a lot of it went over my head.

Country #10: Russia
Region: Europe

The Last Days of the Romanovs: Tragedy at Ekaterinburg by Helen Rappaport

I've always been interested in this story. This book was overwhelmingly sad but gave a good account of the last month or so of the Romanov's lives. Also gave some interesting historical info on people you may not learn about elsewhere.

Country #11: China
Region: Asia

Peony in Love by Lisa See

Country #12: Poland
Region: Europe

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

I highly recommend this book, but be prepared for a tear jerker.

Country #13: Afghanistan
Region: Middle East

The End of Manners: A Novel by Francesca Marciano

Country #14: Libya
Region: Africa (region #6)

In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar

This was an amazing book and is a very timely read considering all that's going on in the world today. I highly recommend it.

Country #15: Egypt
Region: Africa

Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

Enjoyable biography with lots of world history.

Country #16: Switzerland
Region: Europe

Daisy Miller by Henry James

(also could count as Italy)

Country #17: Belgium
Region: Eurpoe

Resistance by Anita Shreve

This is a beautiful, lyrical, sad book.

Country #18: Bangladesh

A Golden Age by Tahmima Anam

Country #19: New Zealand
Region: Australia/Oceania (region #7)

Aunt Dimity Down Under by Nancy Atherton

Really quick easy read.

Country #20: Trinidad and Tobago
Region: The Caribbean

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe

Wikipedia says it was probably based on the island of Tobago. Please let me know if this doesn't work. Thanks!

Thanks Chelsea- since the majority is on the deserted island off Trinidad, can I use this for Trinidad, Diane?

Country #21: Austria
Region: Europe

The Mysterious Stranger by Mark Twain

Jayme VA wrote: "Thanks Chelsea- since the majority is on the deserted island off Trinidad, can I use this for Trinidad, Diane?"

Works for me!

Thank you Diane- it's a good book- I recommend it if people need a book for Trinidad!

Country #22: Italy
Region: Europe

A Room With a View by EM Forester

Jayme VA wrote: "Country #22: Italy
Region: Europe

A Room With a View by EM Forester"

LOVE A Room with a View!

Country #23: Bhutan
Region: Asia

Radio Shangri-La: What I Learned in the Happiest Place on Earth by Lisa Napoli

Highly recommend this book- and it's a good way to hit a country that might be hard to "travel" to otherwise!

Ooh! I need to add this one to my to-read list! That is a hard country to find!

Diane wrote: "Ooh! I need to add this one to my to-read list! That is a hard country to find!"

It is well worth the read even if I wasn't doing this challenge. Enjoy!

Country #24: Spain
Region: Europe

The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

I don't really know what happened in this book. I'm not sure if it's because I listened to it as an audio book and wasn't able to follow it as well, or if it was just a weird book. I think it's probably the second option because I think I followed the ending pretty well and it was strange. I might go back and read this for real some day.

Country #25:Thailand
Region: Asia

Mrs. Pollifax and the Golden Triangle by Dorothy Gilman

Country #26: Botswana
Region: Africa

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

Country #27 Haiti
Region: Caribbean

Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende

Agree with most of the reviews of this book- more interesting for the historical info than the characters.

Country #28: Paraguay
Region: Latin America (region 8)

The News from Paraguay by Lily Tuck

I loved this book- one of my favorites in a long time. Not sure why all the negative reviews, but I thought it was unique and beautifully written.

I just started that one last night...i'm glad you enjoyed it! i'm only 2 chapters in so far

Jayme VA wrote: "Country #28: Paraguay
Region: Latin America (region 8)

The News from Paraguay by Lily Tuck

I loved this book- one of my favorites in a long time. Not sure why all the ..."

I was curious about that one. The reviews did scare me a bit. I'll have to put it back on my list.

I thought it was beautifully written, interesting and definitely covered a subject I knew nothing about. I can understand why some people didn't like it, but the short paragraph and changing view points really worked for me. As Franco got more powerful the alternate view points made the story even more interesting. I hope I don't lead you astray and that you both like it!

I would think that any book involving a dictator would be violent and very detailed...but maybe that's me ;) since that seemed to be a common theme in the negative reviews...

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "I would think that any book involving a dictator would be violent and very detailed...but maybe that's me ;) since that seemed to be a common theme in the negative reviews..."

I think a lot of people may not have realized what the book was about and were expecting something else. The back cover doesn't exactly explain it all that well. I was surprised that it had as little violence as it did! Looking forward to your review, Dee!

Country #29: Denmark
Region: Europe

The Quiet Girl: A Novel by Peter Høeg

I really did not like this book.

Jayme, I listend to it and was got hooked by the narrator, don't know if I could have read it. Very strange indeed!

Linda wrote: "Jayme, I listend to it and was got hooked by the narrator, don't know if I could have read it. Very strange indeed!"

That's funny- I listened too. I liked his voice but I had a really hard time keeping up and following the story!

Country #30: Vatican City
Region: Europe

Map of Bones by James Rollins

Really well paced thriller. This was a great, quick read. It could also count for Italy, Austria, France, and Egypt if you need to fill one of those countries. It looks like several of Rollins' books can fit into this challenge so I'm looking forward to reading more soon.

Country #31: Japan
Region: Europe

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

I loved this book. Everyone should read it.

I have it, just waiting it's turn to be read.

Country #32: Cuba
Region: Caribbean

Cuba by Emily Barr

Okay book. kind of a weird, dark read which I was not expecting.

I love Rollins books - I have the most recent sitting in the TBR pile...I might have to move it up to the top

Jayme VA wrote: "Country #30: Vatican City
Region: Europe

Map of Bones by James Rollins

Really well paced thriller. This was a great, quick read. It could also count for Italy, Austr..."

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "I love Rollins books - I have the most recent sitting in the TBR pile...I might have to move it up to the top

Jayme VA wrote: "Country #30: Vatican City
Region: Europe

Map of Bones b..."

that was my first one- I really enjoyed it. Can't wait to read more!

State #7: Massachusetts

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

Country #33 The Philippines
Region: Asia

Moondogs: A Novel by Alexander Yates

Country #34: Jamaica
Region: The Caribbean

Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton

Good, fast read- a real page turner!