Saturday, March 8, 2014

Weekly Geeks Revisited: World Travel 2.0

I first began participating in the "Weekly Geeks" meme back in 2009 and continued on until its end in 2011.  For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, "Weekly Geeks" was a weekly meme for book bloggers to discuss various aspects of reading.  Topics were given, and we would each write a post pertaining to it.  I've decided to re-visit some of my favorite posts and update my thoughts and responses.

Back in July of 2009, we were asked to create a picture map (using this website) showing the "travel" we had done through reading.  We could use our own criteria for choosing where to place each book, and I decided to go with the book's setting only.  Here is what my reading map looked like then.


Looking back on it now, it seems rather pathetic.  It is pretty obvious that the majority of my reading life prior to that time was firmly rooted in American and British literature.  I've since made a somewhat conscious effort to expand my reading horizons.  Here is what my book travel map looks like today.


Much better.  I've added several countries to my map over the last few years including China, South Africa, Australia, and Columbia.  I am, of course, nowhere near done and can see some glaring deficiencies still.  I need to really add some South American, African, and Middle Eastern literature to my diet.  If you have any recommendations on good novels set in any of these places, please share (bonus points for books written by authors from the country the story is set in)!

What does your reading map look like?  What areas are you lacking in?  Share with us in the comments, and let me know if you decide to do a blog post on this topic!

2 comments:

Hannah said...

My current reading map is probably worse than your original! British and American settings dominate the books that I read - apart from a few books that have been set in France, Ireland and Russia. Could you recommend any books to ME? :D I'd be especially interested in any good books that are set in Spain or Australia but if you can think of any other good books that you've enjoyed then please let me know.

I've been meaning to read 'Tales from the Arabian Night' and Chinua Achebe's 'Things Fall Apart. I've not read them myself but I've heard good things and they would fill up your map a bit more.

bookwormans said...

Hannah,

I've found that it does take a conscious effort to break out of one's reading norms. Here are a few books I've read that might help you:

South Africa - "Cry the Beloved Country" by Alan Paton. This is a must read in my opinion. See my review under June 2011.

Australia - "My Brilliant Career" by Miles Franklin. Review under December 2011.

Germany - "Buddenbrooks" by Thomas Mann. Review under October 2010

Canada - "Anne of Green Gables" by L. M. Montgomery. The fact that you haven't read this did NOT escape my notice. ;)

Unfortunately I can't really recommend any Spanish lit as I haven't read any (except for halfway finishing "Don Quioxte").

Hope this helps. And thanks for your recommendations!