Round the World Challenge

Well, I may be a little off from "new year, new topic" and maybe I didn't do so well last year, but I'm back, in March of 2012 with a new mission that I've been subconsciously working on.... reading books from around the globe.  The first book of this topic was "Memoirs of a Geisha."  Who would've guessed that I didn't read that when it was so popular?  But alas, my roommate had it sitting on our shelf- voila.  I still think that Lisa See has written the best Chinese literature ("Peony in Love" being my favorite).  Second, I hit up the Carribean with "The Pirate's Daughter."  Meh.  Now, I'm in the middle of a surprising novel from the perspective of a servant in India, "White Tiger." I'll let you know how it goes- I'm almost done!  And then I'll get a map that I can cross off.  The question is, how in depth should I get on the map?  Is regional good enough?  Will a country-by-country reading exploration be too hard to find books? 

100!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
I'm both happy and sad to say that my year of reading is over.  I finished it off with another novel by Lisa See- Shanghai Girls.  I was going to read Catcher and the Rye  and end my year with a "classic" novel, but when i started to read it, i realized that i read it a long time ago (and really didn't like it the first time.  although, if heart of darkness by Joseph Conrad is any indication that reading a book more than once *3 1/2 times, actually* will make you respect and like a book more, than i should pick it up again..... but not this year!)  Shanghai Girls was pretty sad, actually, like Peony in Love, but not as ethereal.  I wonder how Snow Flower and Secret Fan or whatever it is called is like....
And, since that book was such a bummer, I read a Christmas gift from my uncle for an accidental bonus 101st book!  Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris was a sick little book of animal stories.  some of them had morals, most of them were just a little disturbing and all of them made me laugh a little and then feel horrible for laughing.  like the one about the cow that picked the turkey for secret santa because she knew the turkey was Christmas Eve dinner and therefore wouldn't need a present.  sick and wrong.... but i kinda liked it.  it is an updated James Thurber, as far as i'm concerned, and its good to see that current move forward.  I like animal stories that are funny.  especially dog ones, because i love dogs.  but you already knew that. 

so i'm wondering what i should do as my goal for this year that began today..... knit 100 scarves?  cook 50 new recipes, a la julie and julia?  i first need to re-teach myself how to read like a normal person, I went a little nutso with my reading skills this year and in turn, i now do not put a book down until i have read 100 pages because i am used to a deadline, damnit!  it'll be nice to pick up a book at leisure and read those big, thick terribly long novels that take me weeks to finish. 

86, 87, 88. seem too good to be true?

.... it's not.  since this weekend was thanksgiving weekend, infamous for time spent around the house doing absolutely nothing except being around family, i took full advantage and read like a mofo.  Peony in Love by Lisa See came in at spot 86, and i really enjoyed it.  i liked how see worked around the plot line of the classic Chinese opera (i'm assuming it actually exists: The Peony Pavilion.... if not, it was still cool) and molded it to her character, while still throwing in some crazy twists and turns.  it managed to be a bit depressing at times, but overall the message of despair was overcome by love and family yada yada yada.  there was also a lot of reference to the intricacies of literary analysis and early female writers barging through the male dominated politics and improprieties.  i liked that.  this would be a good read for any female literature student.  not to be sexist, but it was quite girly and girl-power centered, so yeah. 

number 87: I'm Down by Mishna Wolff
another memoir piece.... its interesting how these are soooooo popular right now.  i'm even writing one for a class (in fact, i should be doing that right now instead of writing this.....) this was one of the more light hearted ones that i have read and i actually laughed out loud at some points.  it was ridiculous.  but enjoyable.  and also really easy and quick, which is an important quality in books i read these days.  mishna is a completely white child that is part of a completely white family but they live in a predominately black neighborhood in seattle that her dad grew up in and therefore identifies more with the african american culture than anything else.  so mishna tries to fit in and "be down" like her dad and little sister but has troubles.... hilarity ensues.  blah blah blah  this would make a funny movie (not as funny as borat though)

number 88: The Bad Girl's Guide to Getting What You Want by Cameron Tuttle
an oldie but goodie.  i read it every time i need a pick me up that makes me feel less guilty and more excited to be alive and do good bad things.  if you haven't read this book, definitely grab it.  again though, more of a women's book.  and it is a little corny, but it tries to be, and its soooo good that it cancels out any corniness.  sooooooo great.  read it now.