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? 

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.