Well the first full year of blogging is drawing to the end and now I look back on the year I ve had highs and lows but am coming out of it looking forward to new challenges and new books to read .But for this year I ve decide to go round world pick best I ve read from various areas of the world .
AFRICA –
books read – 14
countries -11
WELL my favourite african book this year is Purple violets of oshaantu ,thisNambian story was a wonderful insight into village life and really deserves a wider audience .other highlights have been the Ben Okri non fiction I read .
Next year I want read more francophile african lit and some african classics .
WESTERN EUROPE –
BOOKS READ – 28
COUNTRIES READ – 9
Highlights wonder Hugo Claus has won many awards and you can see why ,a gripping look at post war Beligum ,other highlights have been the three Peirene titles all have been quality novellas ,stones in landslide touch me the most with yet again its tales of village life .also Dion Quixote which is the greatest classic I ve read and the start of novel writing in europe .
next year – the next three Peirene are eagerly awaited here ,I ve a couple of Portuguese novels I want to read as well .
EASTERN EUROPE –
BOOKS READ -11
COUNTRIES READ -7
Highlights Mati Unt Brecht at night was a revelation a unusal book from Estonia , circus Bulgaria as well is probably my book of the year by Deyan Enev .
Next year -plan to read a Serbian novel and some polish novels also the long haul of war and peace starting in the new year .also my Hungarian week is planned have 4 novels ready .
UK
BOOKS READ -12
Highlight Coconut unlimited loved ,loved this coming of age novel ,also vivanne and I was a great Biography .
next year book three of Powell and got Ballards autobiography to read .
MIDDLE EAST –
BOOKS READ -9
COUNTRIES READ -6
to the end of the land is the best book from the israeli point of view and Yalo a powerful book about Lebanon .
next year -More same really maybe some Saudi lit next year .
NORTH AMERICA –
BOOKS READ -13
COUNTRIES – 3
Highlight the end Salvatore Sciobona ,a huge new talent from america maybe the heir to Bellow .
Next year – got a mexican week planned have 5 novels awaiting to be read .Also the new David Vann novel Caribou island to read in January .
SOUTH AMERICA
BOOKS READ -14
COUNTRIES READ -8
Highlight ,Library at night ,just read and yet to review it enliven my mind and made me want to blog on ,Nazi Literatures in Americas was a quirky book and show Bolanos love of Borges and my last highlight is Borges Labyrinths which I ve just finished .
Next year have a book from Paraguay I want to get and read also Cesar Aira is some one I want to read next year .
ASIA AND AUSTRALIA –
BOOKS READ – 8
COUNTRIES READ – 5
highlights the Korean novel the guest was a wonderful look a the divide in that country ,also the patience stone from Afghanistan was a harrowing tale of a women’s life in that country .
next year -aim to read more asian lit next year it is my real weak area of world lit and I need to get some more depth ,have a chinese novel and a books from New Zealand and Malaysia to be read .
SCANDINAVIA-
BOOKS READ -7
COUNTRIES READ FROM – 3
I ve enjoyed the Nordic crime fiction I ve read this year Jo Nesbo is some one I ll read More of ,but Tove Jansson has been my favourite female writer of the year and someone I treasure .
Next year – got danish and Icelandic novels on TBR PILE ,want read more Jo Nesbo and start on the Martin Beck books later in the year .
well that is the year shall round up December in new year .
WHAT WAS YOUR HIGHLIGHT ?
This is an impressive reading. Covering the world isn’t an easy task and you have carried it well. Next year (2011) I am reading a lot of African books from different parts of the continent. I hope I enjoy it. Can’t provide my highlights now: would work on it as I am reading my last novel for 2010.
Thanks nana yes been wonderful first year think managed to read a lot from everywhere ,all the best stu
Congratulations on your first full year of blogging, Stu!
There’s some great looking books you’ve read there and here’s to another fantastic year of sharing your love of reading (minus the threats to leave this year, I hope? ;))
Thanks boof here to stay now ,yes been some real gems ,this year ,all the best stu
Congratulations on a productive reading and blogging year, Stu!
Thanks Emily ,all the best stu
Wow Stu! That is a hugely impressive list of countries read! I hope to read more like you in the coming years 🙂
Thanks Amy hope you have a good year next year ,all best stu
Congratulations on your first year, Stu! I’m just finishing my second, and I know it can be hard at times 🙂 That’s an impressive variety of reading!
Have you found it hard moving around like that? I’ve chosen to specialise in a few areas, and I think I’d miss that if I tied to spread myself all over the world!
I don’t find it that hard, like variety of books want focus bit more on Asia next year ,all best stu
What a wonderful way of summarising your reading year! I haven’t read any of your favourites, but they are all tempting. I especially like the sound of The Guest and will try to get hold of a copy in 2011.
Thanks Jackie yes seemed best way as I’ve read from round the world ,the guest is very good ,all the best stu
I found it interesting that you divided Europe into UK, eastern, western, and scandinavia, while putting Asia and Australia in one big group. I would probably do it the other way around :). Just shows where your strong and weak reading areas are..
The Guest sounds interesting as I’ve been looking for book on North Korea. But I’d probably go for Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick first. Have you read that one?
I need to read more Asian books next year ,getting book they call the Korean ulysses next year day in life of north Korean ,all the best stu
Stu – a fascinating list. Don’t you read a lot of international books. I think my best book this year was Magda Szabo’s The Door, which to me was exceptional. I will publish my own best of list soon
Thanks tom ,try to cover the world best i can ,all the best stu
Hi stu have Circus Bulgaria sat next to me, waiting to go, you already know of my love of Bolano & Borges. Surprised Ilustrado is not there, as I read this book because of a heads up from you & thought it a fantastic debut with its nod to both Borgs & Bolano. best of luck with any new challenges & another year of blogging as I need somewhere to get book ideas.
Parrish.
It’ll will be a year for me come April, but more about that soon.
I did miss illustrado ,should be there ,hope you enjoy circus Bulgaria it is very good ,all the best stu
You cover such a wide range Stu – so impressive!
Thanks verity ,all the best stu
Impressive Stu – well done. Stone in a landslide was my favourite of the 3 Peirene books too. I will have to look up the Scibona – sounds right up my street. My fave translated novel this year was ‘The Concert Ticket’ by Olga Grushin – stunning book about Russia, queuing and daydreaming.
I ve one olga books waiting to be read ,think the village life appealed in stones ,all the best stu
Well done, Stu. Such diverse reading. I’m looking forward to your next 52! And thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Thanks kinna ,all the best stu
That is an impressive list! I can’t wait to try Tove Jansson myself. And I hope next year will be just as good!
thanks Iris ,sure it will ,all the best stu
I love seeing the variety in your reading, Stu. Best wishes for next year!
Thanks Trevor ,try and have a lot variety ,all the best stu
Stu this only shows how great your blog is and your reading too when you see a list like this. You have given me so many nods to books I would never have heard of let alone read and thats been great. Looking forward to many more reviews and recommendations in 2011.
Many thanks for your kind words Simon ,when I worked out what I’d read and where from was really happy ,all the best stu
Thank you for introducing us to a wider world of books, Stu – wouldn’t I love to have you as a dinner party guest!
welcome lisa ,all the best stu