This week's Weekly Geeks asks you to tell us about your globe trotting via books. Are you a global reader? How many countries have you "visited" in your reading? What are your favorite places or cultures to read about? Can you recommend particularly good books about certain regions, countries or continents? How do you find out about books from other countries? What countries would you like to read that you haven't yet?
Great question! I was never very conscious of where the books I read were from, but since landing in the book blogosphere in 2007, I've made a more concerted effort to read books from around the world. Readers like caribousmom and michelle 3M, have inspired me to expand my reading. Plus, there's the cool map to try and fill in. I've been keeping track since 2007 of the books and the countries they represent at my own personal blog.
My criteria is varied. I really want a sense of place when I read the book, unless the author is very much associated with their home country, then I may chose it for that reason. I pick both fiction and nonfiction to fill my map in. Here's what my map looks like these days:
visited 51 states (22.6%)
Create your own visited map of The World
2007: 23 countries visited
2008: 17 new countries visited
2009: 11 new countries visited: Mongolia, Channel Islands, Chile, Cuba, Colombia, Egypt, Brazil, Lebanon, Indonesia, Hungary, Myanmar
What are your favorite places or cultures to read about?
My favorite is definitely England and the United Kingdom, after Canada and the US. North America is my default choice of reading. I've been immersed in a few countries, like Italy, Iceland and Botswana, due to finding really good mystery series set in those locals. The more I read of a series, the more I get a good feel of the place.
What countries would you like to read that you haven't yet?
There are lots of countries in Africa and South America, and while I've filled in the big countries in Asia, there are still lots of small countries there to fill in.
Any one know a good Madagascar book? Or Thailand?
It's Tuesday... where are you?Every Tuesday, I host a Meme that fits with this Weekly Geek theme. Readers post or leave a message sharing their reading location. We are usually all around the world, and I get lots of great ideas of books set in many different locales. Feel free to come by and play and get new ideas!
I'm very impressed by your map. I'm afraid I don't know any books set in Madagascar or Thailand. Good luck with filling in your map!
ReplyDeleteThat's a very accomplished map! Can't help you with the recommendations off the top of my head, though.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Thailand - we're have Thai food for dinner tonight. :) But, that doesn't help you any, does it?
ReplyDeleteI have loved the whole track your states/countries theme since the first time I saw the map - no idea when or where. I've also wanted to do it, but just haven't. You are doing a great job with yours!
jackie - It's fun to update and fill in more red. I am more likely to look for books from countries with large areas, to fill it in faster.
ReplyDeletekailana - you can find one of the 50 states as well, I am filling it in too.
joy - it doesn't help my reading, but I know what I am having for lunch tomorrow now! Green curry chicken or basil chicken. We actually have a Thai takeout restaurant in PEI. Love it!
It's fun, it's another list to cross off, but with pretty visuals.
Basil Thai Chicken for me! I just finished half and will save the rest for tomorrow's lunch. :) Hope you get some, too! Mmmmm
ReplyDeleteGreat map! I'm envious. I'm currently reading Trail of Crumbs by Kim Sunee is set in France.
ReplyDeleteThe Beach- made into a movie with Leonardo diCaprio, set in Thailand.
ReplyDeleteThat is very impressive! On my map there are only 18 states which is only about 8% of the world.
ReplyDelete