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Hello. My name is Kelly. I am 56, American (Colorado) and a super fast reader. I have challenged myself to read books from every country in the world and thought it would be a fun group.

Hi. My name is Mark. I'm also an American. I'm a few years older than Kelly. I read mostly novels, and always just for fun. I read mostly American and European authors, especially Russians. I like the club's avatar. Very cool.

Mark wrote: "Hi. My name is Mark. I'm also an American. I'm a few years older than Kelly. I read mostly novels, and always just for fun. I read mostly American and European authors, especially Russians. I like ..."

Hey, thanks for joining Mark! Please make some nominations for the first books you want to read.

Thank you, Kelly. I have hardly any international reading experience. I'll have to do a little research and some thinking.

Hello. My name is Sara. I'm not a very fast reader (at all), but I do read a fair number of translations, so this group seemed ideal. Mostly poetry and fiction, but a good amount of non-fiction as well. Basically, there's nothing I won't read but if given the choice, I prefer "literature," if you will.

Pillsonista wrote: "Hello. My name is Sara. I'm not a very fast reader (at all), but I do read a fair number of translations, so this group seemed ideal. Mostly poetry and fiction, but a good amount of non-fiction as ..."

I look forward to learning from you Sara. Thanks for joining! I have been researching books to read for a week now and have ideas for most countries, but in some I am finding it impossible to get a book by a local.

What do you all think about the idea of a folder to share books we find that we think fit into various countries?

Kelly wrote: "Pillsonista wrote: "I look forward to learning from you Sara. Thanks for joining! I have been researching books to read for a week now and have ideas for most countries, but in some I am finding it impossible to get a book by a local."

I'm very glad to join, Kelly, and I think it's a great idea for a group! If I can bring any knowledge to bear I'd be happy to, but I do think this will be a learning experience for us both. 👍

Kelly wrote: "What do you all think about the idea of a folder to share books we find that we think fit into various countries?"

I think that's a fantastic idea.

For example, some countries, like the Faroe Islands, I am absolutely clueless about, but nonetheless, even if we cannot find a work in translation specifically from that country, it could still be a good way to segue into a discussion, say, about Danish literature.

Dee ~ Chillin�� Out wrote: "Hi Kelly! And hi to everyone! I’m Dee, and I just love reading. I live in rural New Zealand, with my hubby, and our ‘feathery, furry�� kids!
We do have four grown children, and ten grandchildren, pl..."

Hi Dee! So glad you joined us!

Hi y’all! I’m Brenda, but most people call me BAM so I’ll answer to either. I love this idea. I have quite a few translations I need to read.

Hi Kelly and hello to Group. I consider reading a life style and I read incessentally. Thankfully I am retired and I have the time!!. I live in Melbourne FL and am 70 years old.... old in body but young at heart.
I will read almost anything but steer away from series and horror. My favorite genre is narrative non-fiction, closely followed by historical fiction. Right now I am reading a historical narrative non-fiction, The Death and Life of the Great Lakes. I am in heaven.

Kelly wrote: "What do you all think about the idea of a folder to share books we find that we think fit into various countries?"
GREAT idea.

Hi Kelly, Mark and everyone else!

I'm Patrick, I'm 46, and I love the idea of this group. Kelly, I hope you don't mind if I steal your reading challenge idea. Like Celia, I usually avoid series and horror. I'd add those political books to my list.

Whenever I read something by an author from another part of the world, I'm fascinated by how similar I am in thought and personal experience to that person. I'm primarily thinking of Les Mis and Trevor Noah's book right now. As an American we're bombarded with the idea that we're somehow exceptional, but when I read I'm reminded that people in South Africa get by just like those of us who grew up in Northern Michigan.

Hi Kelly, and thanks for the invitation.

I am India (not from there) living in Souther California and drink the wisdom in books often and regularly. Knowledge and its pursuit (like truth) is never banal or easily flushable. Focus is medicine, law, engineering, photography and poetry.

Speak/write/read a few languages and like the exchanges on this site. Realizing simplicity is golden and imparts the same. What is the best part of this group for you?

Hi, Kelly~

Thank you for the invitation to join your new group. I love the idea of reading books from different parts of the world, and I had put it down as one of my long-term goals this year. It will be wonderful to read books along with everyone here (hello, everyone!).

I live in south Louisiana, but grew up in France and a little all over. To date, outside of the U.S., I have read books mostly from England, France and Russia. I would love to venture out further. I am planning on reading Cry, the Beloved Country (Africa) and My Brilliant Career (Australia) this year to finish out my 2018 Bingo Challenge in another group.

Kelly, I love the idea of country folders, which will make it so easy to locate/place books we find.

It's great to see some familiar faces already and looking forward to getting to know everyone else.

Oh... and my favorites genres are historical nonfiction, the classics, well-written mysteries and contemporary fiction.

BAM wrote: "Hi y’all! I’m Brenda, but most people call me BAM so I’ll answer to either. I love this idea. I have quite a few translations I need to read."

Welcome Brenda! Thanks for joining!

Celia wrote: "Hi Kelly and hello to Group. I consider reading a life style and I read incessentally. Thankfully I am retired and I have the time!!. I live in Melbourne FL and am 70 years old.... old in body but ..."

I am so glad that you joined! I miss sharing this joyous hobby with you!

Patrick wrote: "Hi Kelly, Mark and everyone else!

I'm Patrick, I'm 46, and I love the idea of this group. Kelly, I hope you don't mind if I steal your reading challenge idea. Like Celia, I usually avoid series a..."

Patrick! I could not agree more. I was lucky to travel a lot when I was younger and realized then that we are more alike than not. Where in northern MI are you? I lived in MI for 12 years. My husband was raised in Grand Rapids.

Luís wrote: "Hi everyone. My name's is Luis. I've always liked philosophy, poetry, plays and other books in the same area.

From some years ago, I've got the endurance to read in french in english. I like, abov..."

Hello Luis! I have always wanted to visit Portugal! Maybe someday... I hope you will add some Portugese-translated-to-English books for us. There is a thread in place where you can make recommendations for those as well as any others. Just look for the thread for Europe (or other place, as appropriate).

India wrote: "Hi Kelly, and thanks for the invitation.

I am India (not from there) living in Souther California and drink the wisdom in books often and regularly. Knowledge and its pursuit (like truth) is neve..."

Hi India! Welcome to the group. I realized recently that the vast majority of what I have read is from the US, England and some western Europe. I want to change that.

Shirley (stampartiste) wrote: "Hi, Kelly~

Thank you for the invitation to join your new group. I love the idea of reading books from different parts of the world, and I had put it down as one of my long-term goals this year. It..."


Welcome Shirley! I am so glad that you decided to join! You should add those two books as suggestions in the appropriate threads... and maybe nominate them for the first BOTM poll.

Please feel free to suggest any threads you would like to see -- and make any recommendations that you want. Also, do we want to squeeze in a read for the rest of October? I could pick one that is readily available and we could all start and then we could use our nominations for our November Books of the Month.

Thanks for inviting me, Kelly. Hello to all, those I already know and those I hope to know. I think this is a terrific idea. I live in Dallas, Texas, but don’t consider myself a typical Texan in that I’m open-minded. I’m a life-long reader and will read just about anything, even cereal boxes. I’m quite versatile in my reading tastes, but Horror and Romance are my least favorite genres. Classics, History and historical novels (especially pre-Constantine Rome, pre-revolutionary Russia, Japan, and United Kingdom) Sci-Fi if it’s exceptional, and anything, non-fic or not, that makes me think or laugh. Oh, and I’m developing a love of poetry because I think it’s high time! I’m 68 years young.

So glad to see you here Candace! This is going to be fun.

Candace wrote: "Thanks for inviting me, Kelly. Hello to all, those I already know and those I hope to know. I think this is a terrific idea. I live in Dallas, Texas, but don’t consider myself a typical Texan in th..."
Yay, Candy... more to share.

Dee ~ Chillin�� Out wrote: "Hi Candace, nice to see you! Hi Celia, how are you?"
Great Dee and glad to be sharing again.

Dee ~ Chillin�� Out wrote: "Hi Candace, nice to see you! Hi Celia, how are you?"

Good to see you here, too!

Celia wrote: "Candace wrote: "Thanks for inviting me, Kelly. Hello to all, those I already know and those I hope to know. I think this is a terrific idea. I live in Dallas, Texas, but don’t consider myself a typ..."

Hi, dear Celia!

Hello, everyone calls me Tip. This is an amazing challenge that I am definitely up for.

Hi Tip! So glad you found us. We are just getting started and welcome all ideas. Have fun and let us know what you want.

Shuva wrote: "Hello everyone!
Thank you Kelly for inviting me here 😊😊
My name is Shuva and I'm from India.
I love the idea of reading books from every country.
I read quite fast too but I have a four generat..."

Welcome Shuva! So glad you joined us. Where in India are you located? I would love to visit your country some day. Indian food is among my favorites.

Maybe someday... unfortunately I want to travel the entire world and money and time are not on my side. :(

Hello!
Celia told me about this group after I told her that my friend and I were focusing on Read Around the World next year [we have been doing this for almost 3 years now] so we can get more off of our list read and will be on the hunt for the empty spaces on our sheets!

I am American [who has lived all over, but not Europe unfortunately], I live in NW PA and I am also a fast reader [though I am mostly doing audiobooks right now due to some serious eye troubles]. I love reading many different types of books and this has been a really great eye opener for me.
The way we do it is we only read authors from the corresponding countries, which makes it harder, but I am enjoying it so much more.
I look forward to see what everyone is reading and how much has been accomplished from everyone!!
Happy Reading!!

Welcome Dawn Michelle and thank you for accepting my invitation. My plan emphasizes learning about a country's history or culture. If it is a book translated to English that is all the better. I see you have already added your plan. I will be poring over it for suggestions. Our group is barely a month old. You are way ahead of us!!

Dawn Michelle wrote: "Hello!
Celia told me about this group after I told her that my friend and I were focusing on Read Around the World next year [we have been doing this for almost 3 years now] so we can get more off ..."

Hi Dawn Michelle! I have a first cousin with your exact name! So glad you are here. We are new to this but I am really excited about it and I hope the group will really take us all on a reading journey different than the norm.

I too have lived all over and traveled a lot -- mostly with the military. But discovered that most of what I have read is either American or British. My goal with this challenge is to read books from authors in the countries as much as posssible -- and hopefully that means in translation. However, I am doing my personal challenge a bit looser than yours as I am allowing some from western authors if the translated works are impossible to find or too expensive.

There is a place to create your own personal plan if you want. And we have threads set up to share books from locations so that we can have a place to find them when we want.

We will vote on two BOTM. But I also set up a place to request buddy reads if you want. Please feel free to make any suggestions you want.

BTW, I too read mostly audiobooks due to health issues.

Celia wrote: "Welcome Dawn Michelle and thank you for accepting my invitation. My plan emphasizes learning about a country's history or culture. If it is a book translated to English that is all the better. I se..."

Thanks for bringing Dawn Michelle to us!

Kelly wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Hello!
Celia told me about this group after I told her that my friend and I were focusing on Read Around the World next year [we have been doing this for almost 3 years now] s..."

So far almost every book I have found has an English translation; whether they are good or not cannot be found out until you read/listen to them. A friend of mine has had several that were just horrible in their translation, even though the idea of the story was good. I haven't run into that, but I have run into several books that I just didn't like. But I expect that since I am reading from another place and culture etc. And some have been just fantastic.

I saw the BOTM - I have wanted to read Cry the Beloved Country for years. Maybe someday. ;-)

Kelly wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Hello!
Celia told me about this group after I told her that my friend and I were focusing on Read Around the World next year [we have been doing this for almost 3 years now] s..."

And I don't know anyone who has the same name as me!! How fun!!!

I am so grateful for audiobooks; I would have gone insane without them this past year.

Dawn Michelle wrote: "Kelly wrote: "Dawn Michelle wrote: "Hello!
Celia told me about this group after I told her that my friend and I were focusing on Read Around the World next year [we have been doing this for almost ..."

Me too ... though much longer now. Audiobooks gave me back my joy.

Hello there,

I like to read, I will try my hand at anything and I really like the sound of this group. I've been meaning to broaden my reading to many more countries / cultures.

I have my copy of Things Fall Apart - and I look forward to reading it with you all.

Inkspill wrote: "Hello there,

I like to read, I will try my hand at anything and I really like the sound of this group. I've been meaning to broaden my reading to many more countries / cultures.

I have my copy of..."

Welcome, Inkspill. We look forward to reading with you too. The group recently started, and we are happy to have new interested members.

Hello Inkspill! I am so glad that you joined us! I look forward to your thoughts on the world books you read. Feel free to make any suggestions you wish.

Hi All. I joined at invitation of Inkwell. I plan to participate in the discussion of Things Fall Apart. I read the book earlier in the year, and quite enjoyed it. Maybe see you at that discussion!

Hi Cynda! Welcome to our new little group. Sorry it took me a while to welcome you. I have been sick for a few days.

Thanks Kelly! I am glad you are starting to feel better.

Cynda wrote: "Thanks Kelly! I am glad you are starting to feel better."

Thank you! What e your favorite types of books?

Thanks for the invite Kelly

Hi everyone my online handle is BookWormM I live in the UK and I am a reading addict.

Last year I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis a condition which causes chronic fatigue as I am usually tired most evenings after work I tend to mainly visit GR and catch up Friday evenings and weekends, I plan to be around here but health doesn't always allow that, still I will try my best.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone :)

Book wrote: "Thanks for the invite Kelly

Hi everyone my online handle is BookWormM I live in the UK and I am a reading addict.

Last year I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis a condition which causes ch..."

And we are looking forward to getting to know you. Welcome Book!!

Hi Bookworm! Thanks for joining us. Isnt Ankylosing Spondylitis an autoimmune disease? I had no idea you had that. I have several auto-immune diseases. Lupus is the biggest problem. I get chronic fatigue. Its awful! Your Summer backpack challenge is what inspired me to do this. :)