Today is the official start of the Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge. Please post links to your individual posts/reviews for your challenge books in the comments section for this sticky post. Please do not post book links to the comments section for the original challenge announcement post as they may not be read. Thanks and happy travels!
If you want to join after July 1st you are more than welcome, just go here to sign up via Mr. Linky.
I’ve got a couple prizes to mark the first day of the challenge, so following Maggie’s example, I had my husband randomly call out 3 numbers between 1 and 38 (the number of participants thus far) and the winners are: Crystal at Elementary Penguin, Jennifer at Snapshot, and Janet at Joyful Jottings. Congratulations!
This is a sticky post – please scroll down for most recent posts.
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[...] July BBQ, helping people move…But I’m aware and in fact can’t wait to start the Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge, which has kicked off on the 1st of this month except that I have to come up with a list of books. [...]
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[...] to class discussion. Then I headed out to the indie/used bookstores to look up titles for the Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge, but I couldn’t locate any of the books on my tentative list. So I’ll be on a slow [...]
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[...] This was the first book in my Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge. [...]
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[...] This was the first book in my Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge. [...]
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[...] is the third book in my Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge and one that I’m least likely to actually [...]
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[...] The Egyptian: A Novel by Finnish writer Mika Waltari. I’m not sure if it qualifies for the Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge since the book sets in 14th century BCE Egypt, when pharaohs and gods contended with the [...]
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[...] my fourth book in the Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge, I decided to pick up Chuck Palahniuk’s Fugitives and Refugees: A Walk in Portland, Oregon. I [...]
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[...] a hiatus from the Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge, I’m returning with one of the latest acquisition to my piles, The Dud Avocado by Elaine [...]
http://dilettantedabbling.blogspot.com/2007/08/gone-to-new-york-book-one-armchair.html
Finally, my first post!
Gone to New York: Adventure in the City by Ian Frazier
Sounds like a great book! And I’ve never read anything by Ian Frazier.
Just finished reading ‘Samarkand’ by Amin Maalouf – review up here : http://51stories.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/more-travelling/
Enjoy
That’s an excellent review and it sounds like a very interesting book.
I am off to a slow start. Here is my first completed book: Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
http://beastmomma.squarespace.com/from-shelf-to-hand/2007/8/12/nany-diaries-complete.html
You’ve got plenty of time! Are you going to see the movie?
Oops! I’ve been reading and forgot to post each book as I read it. And it seems I have already finished six books in six weeks for this challenge. I’ll probably read and post reviews for more books that “travel” all over the place, but this is my official post for completing the challenge:
http://bonniesbooks.blogspot.com/2007/08/armchair-traveler-reading-challenge.html
And here are the six books I have read:
1. Adios Hemingway ~ by Leonardo Padura Fuentes ~ Cuba
2. Beneath a Marble Sky ~ by John Shors ~ India
3. Language of Threads ~ by Gail Tsukiyama ~ Hong Kong
4. Latitudes of Melt ~ by Joan Clark ~ Newfoundland
5. Place Last Seen ~ by Charlotte Freeman ~ Sierra Nevadas
6. Shadows on the Rocks ~ by Willa Cather ~ Quebec
Wow, that’s impressive! I’ve added Latitudes of Melt to my wishlist – I can’t resist a book about Newfoundland.
Here are two reviews:
Anything Considered by Peter Mayle and Condominium by John D. MacDonald.
Wow, that sounds like a creepy movie. I hope you didn’t get nightmares.
Wow! I thought I had left two comments on this post and I can’t even find one. So just in case I never did officially join this challenge here’s the post from my blog for when I intended to join. I’ve already read 3 of my 5 choices. It’s better late than never, right?
I remember reading your signup post – maybe you linked it in the original challenge announcement post. I think it’s time for me to create a new sticky post – the comments are getting so long it’s difficult to sort through them!
Whoops! I meant I’ve read 4 out of 6. Sometimes I scare myself!
You’re on a roll and ahead of schedule!
I finished the third one, Burmese Days by George Orwell.
http://mattviews.wordpress.com/2007/08/12/89-burmese-days-george-orwell/
As a former English major, I’m ashamed to say I’ve never read 1984. This one sounds quite intriguing!
Here is my second review, for “Daughter of Fortune,” by Isabel Allende. (Not on my original list, but seems like it meets the criteria
)
http://enna-bookmania.blogspot.com/2007/08/gold-rush.html
Leslie, re: Arctic/Antarctic stories, I haven’t read “The Terror” but it is definitely on my list. Another good one is “The Voyage of the Narwhal” by Andrea Barrett.
I have Narwhal on my shelf, too. As well as her other book, Ship Fever. Both as yet unread.
Here is my second book:
http://beastmomma.squarespace.com/from-shelf-to-hand/2007/8/15/memoirs-from-the-womens-prison-complete.html
That sounds like quite an interesting book – I may have to add that to my ever-expanding wishlist.
I am really impressed by the speed with which everyone is going through stories and books I have never even come across. It’s amazing… Am on my fourth, but am also distracted by other books that don’t qualify. Plus writing….
Yup, me too (but substitute writing for work) … and I’m behind on my own challenge!
Here’s the second book which i forgot to post:
http://mattviews.wordpress.com/2007/07/30/87-snow-orhan-pamuk/
Entangled in the midst of many books and reading challenges!
I have had My Name Is Red on my bedside table for several months – still unread. I really, really, need to read it. And I have Snow downstairs on one of my shelves, unread as well! Shameful …
My third book is complete and review posted.
I read Joan Anderson’s “A Year By the Sea” which was also not on my original list… I wonder if I’ll read anything on my original list!
http://katekosior.blogspot.com/2007/08/armchair-traveler-book-challenge-entry.html
I love when you read (and especially enjoy) books that I have on my ‘to read’ shelf. Glad to hear this one is a goodie! I have her followup book as well – do you plan to read it?
I just got back from my big trip to Alaska! During the trip I polished off 3 of my challenge books! Only 2 more to go!
Book # 2 – True Noth
http://melissaamory.blogspot.com/2007/08/armchair-traveler-reading-challenge-2.html
Book #3 – The Serpents Trail
http://melissaamory.blogspot.com/2007/08/armchair-traveler-challenge-book-3.html
Book #4 – Sitka
http://melissaamory.blogspot.com/2007/08/armchair-traveler-challenge-book-4.html
Lucky you getting to go to Alaska! I’d love to visit there someday. If you’re not sick of reading about it yet, another good book with an Alaskan setting is the memoir Road Song, which I wrote about a few months ago.
Last week I posted
my review of One Year Off. I loved it. I think that’s book 3 of 6. I also finished the 4th, the Kite Runner, but I haven’t gotten that review up yet
That sounds like a great book. I’m always in awe – and a wee bit envious – of people who have those sort of life adventures.
I have surprised myself and have just reviewed my next book, Kiran Desai’s visit to India through the Inheritance of Loss. Great book! You can find it here:
http://51stories.wordpress.com/
I keep wanting to pick up this book, but knowing it will probably be quite some time before I read it, have held off for now. Glad to hear it’s been worth all the hype!
Book 2 done!
http://cafeshree.wordpress.com/2007/08/19/armchair-travel-reading-challenge-2/
LOVE Michael Palin – his travel specials on TV are great fun, too.
I’ve written my review of Rowing to Latitude by Jill Fredston
Another one added to my wishlist – thanks! (I think
)
I finished my first:
http://joshandloraena.blogspot.com/2007/08/no-graven-image.html
Congratulations – 1 down, 5 to go!
I just finished my second review, this one for James Dickey’s Deliverance, which takes us to rural Georgia. Enjoy!
http://www.readertravels.com/2007/08/Competitive-Reading-in-Northern-Georgia.php
It sounds much more complex than the movie. Have you since seen it and how they compare?
My first review for “The Blood of Flowers” by Anita Amirrezvani
http://twolittlevikings.blogspot.com/2007/08/armchair-traveler-reading-challenge_22.html
Sounds like an interesting book!
Here’s my third book, “A Walk in the Woods,” by Bill Bryson.
http://enna-bookmania.blogspot.com/2007/08/very-long-walk.html
Bryson is one of my favorite writers, and this was my introduction to him. Glad to hear you enjoyed it as well!
My second review for Austenland by Shannon Hale
http://twolittlevikings.blogspot.com/2007/08/armchair-traveler-reading-challenge_25.html
Sounds like a cute book – and I could totally see a place like that actually existing. And I will admit harboring a long-time crush on Mr. Darcy – due in large part to his portrayal by Colin Firth.
I finished my second book last week – Anything Considered by Peter Mayle:
http://krinek.blogspot.com/2007/08/anything-considered-by-peter-mayle.html
I’ve never read anything by Mayle but his books strike me as the perfect armchair getaway. Have you read Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris?
Recently finished, books 3:
In Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson:
http://leabhran.blogspot.com/2007/08/book-review-in-sunburned-country-bill.html
and 4:
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle:
http://leabhran.blogspot.com/2007/08/book-review-year-in-provence-peter.html
I read (and loved) Sunburned Country for this challenge as well – glad to hear you enjoyed it, too!
I just returned from Iran, compliments of The Blood of Flowers…
http://fizzybeverage.blogspot.com/2007/08/blood-of-flowers.html
Beth read this book for the challenge too (scroll up a bit in the comments to see the link to her post) – I’d never even heard of it before, surprisingly. Thanks for the review!
Just completed Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha for the Irish leg of my tour.
I’ve never read anything by Doyle, but I loved the movies ‘The Commitments’ and ‘The Snapper’ – based on two of his books.
I just finished reading IRELAND by Frank Delaney. Loved this book! The review is here: http://lynneslittlecorner.blogspot.com/2007/09/ireland.html
Reminds me of Edward Rutherford’s books, have you read any of his?
Just completed a visit to the Congo with John le Carre’s The Mission Song. Come and see for yourself! http://51stories.wordpress.com/2007/09/02/going-to-the-congo/
I need to pay a literary visit to Africa myself, but my challenge booklist keeps changing, too!
Here’s my reading list. I’ll post reviews on my blog, with a notice here.
1. David Grossman See Under: Love (Israel)
2. Carl Friedman The Nightfather (The Netherlands)
3. Jane Brox Clearing Land: Legacies of the American Farm (rural New England)
4. Gao Xingjian Soul Mountain (China)
5. Thomas Mann The Magic Mountain (German/Swiss Alps)
6. Gabriel Garcia Marquez Collected Stories (Colombia)
Interesting list!
I recently finished “The House of Spirits” by Isabel Allende, and loved it! I posted my review on my blog at: http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com/2007/09/august-book-report.html (It’s the third title listed.)
Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
http://theindividualvoice.blogspot.com/2007/09/nightfather-by-carl-friedman-visiting.html
the individual voice: Nightfather by Carl Friedman: Visiting the Holocaust
Here’s my review of a book that takes place in two places at once: Holland and Poland.
Thank you for writing such a personal review – and I’m glad you were able to chalk one off on your ‘to read list.’
I finished my 5th book a few weeks ago but am finally posting the review. Just one more to go!
http://melissaamory.blogspot.com/2007/08/armchair-traveler-challenge-book-5.html
Wow, you’re breezing through! But it sounds like you saved a biggie for last.
I have now (half) read number 7 I think, but I found it very hard going and have given up: Hamida Ghafour ‘ the Sleeping Buddha’, it’s reviewed here: http://51stories.wordpress.com/2007/09/09/more-musings-on-books-authors-and-writing/
I just lost the will the finish it….. anyway I seem to have read the travelling armchair quota. Some books listed above are just great, and I love Isabelle Allende and Herman Hesse – however, cannot count those as I read them a long long time ago!
Sorry to hear that didn’t work out for you, but glad to know you enjoyed the Winterson book!
Book 3 done.
http://cafeshree.wordpress.com/2007/09/10/armchair-travel-reading-challenge-3/
That sounds like quite a difficult, but powerful, book to have read.
A (very) late first review: http://tropicalmarginalia.wordpress.com/2007/09/10/the-impressionist-by-hari-kunzru/
I’ve actually finished one more–”The Diamond Age” by Neal Stephenson–but I’ve not written a review for it yet. ;_; Shameful.
I haven’t read – nor even heard of – that book and it sounds quite interesting – thanks for reviewing! I’m behind on reviews, too, so don’t feel bad.
I’m way behind… I finally finished selection #2, Henry Beston’s The Outermost House. It wasn’t a quick read, but it was an enjoyable one. My review is here.
Hmmm, it sounds like a good book, but one that I’d keep by my bedside table in the summer, to dip into every so often.
I just finished my second book for the challenge, The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt. I wrote about it here:
http://ilovepancakes.typepad.com/wildwood_cottage/2007/09/armchair-travel.html
I’ve been tempted to get this book – I love the title – and now you’ve tipped me even more in that direction.
I last posted July 23.
Its now September and I have just discovered that I have to read 6 books? Oh darn. I thought I only had to read 5. Drats. Oh well I have time.
Anyway between the last post I have undergone brain surgery and am recovering nicely. Except for the Diplopia (Double vision) I recently developed which means I cant read too much because my eyes have gone crazy!!
As for the 4th and 5th books I have posted my reviews here
http://bibliobiography.blogspot.com/2007/08/mystery-of-nile.html
http://bibliobiography.blogspot.com/2007/09/cleopatras-needles-by-anne-mustoe.html
Now I have to find one more book. I even posted that I was finished. See what happens when you have brain surgery. LOL You forget things!!!
Oh my goodness! I’m glad to hear you’re healing and on the mend. Take care and be well.
I’ve completed my 4th book, Carolyn Parkhurst’s Lost and Found. Review can be found at: http://katekosior.blogspot.com/2007/09/armchair-traveler-book-challenge-entry.html
Sounds like quite a good book, Susan! I haven’t read Babel either, but knowing you enjoyed it so much has me wanting to a bit more. And I can vouch for the appeal of Stockholm! Although I think Oslo was my favorite Scandinavian city – I still remember the beautiful sculpture park.
Two down….Four to go…WOOT
The Poet of Loch Ness:
http://www.redroomlibrary.com/2007/09/brian-jay-corrigans-poet-of-loch-ness.html
A Thousand Splendid Suns:
http://www.redroomlibrary.com/2007/08/hosseinis-one-thousand-splendid-suns.html
Hmmm … I hadn’t heard of the Loch Ness book but it sounds like it’d be worth a read. And Suns is on my wishlist.
Okay, well, I’m late getting started. I just ordered most of my books from half.com, since I haven’t had any success in getting them at Half-Price Books.
Here are my thoughts on my first book, The Archivist’s Story, by Travis Holland:
http://chauceriangirl.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/two-books-two-challenges/
Oooh, that sounds like a great book – thanks for the review!
Here’s review for #4, only 2 left!
http://cafeshree.wordpress.com/2007/09/14/armchair-travel-reading-challenge-4/
Quite an adventure, attempting to row down the Nile solo!