Since I have relocated to Singapore, I have been reading more books based in East and Southeast Asia. When I was living in India, I couldn’t differentiate between different nationalities, say an Indonesian and a Korean. But now I think I have a wider if not complete knowledge of these countries, mostly because I feel blessed to live in a place where I can experience, even from a distance, a wide variety of cultures and traditions, either via traveling or through a book. And trust me, it’s fascinating.
I’m surprised by the lack of reviews based in these countries around the blogspere (except maybe Vietnam and China). So one of my bookish goals in 2011 is to read more books that take place in these countries. I’m almost making it a challenge for myself. East and Southeast Asian countries include: Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Mongolia, North Korea, People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, South Korea, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, East Timor (Timor-Leste), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam
See? These are a lot of countries right? If you are similarly inclined and want to broaden your reading horizon, join me in this Challenge. I’ll make it a proper challenge if anyone wants to join me (even if it just one person). Let me know in the comments.
I would definitely join such a challenge. I used to read quite a number of fiction of the region. This year, for some reason, I did not read as much. I think a challenge will help me.
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awesome, I’ll set it up soon.
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Hi Violet,
I have often thought that I should broaden my horizons and read a selection of world literature, but there are just so many books out there and I want to read them all!!!
Also, I tend to read quite slowly, compared to many other bloggers, as I only get a short time each day to shut myself off from the world with a good book, but if you do start a challenge, I will be stopping by often to keep up with your progress.
Below is a link to another blogger who reads a lot of world literature and has some great reviews and recommendations. If you scroll down her ‘Category’ listings on the right hand side of the page, I am sure you will find something interesting to take a look at
http://marywhipplereviews.com/books/
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I know what you mean, I want to read them all too 🙂
Thanks for the link.
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I have some suggestions for you if you’d like them! 🙂 I’m not officially joining challenges anymore, but I’ve made a few lists focused on SE Asia, and I’m working on a South Korea list right now, lol. So I share your interest!
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Great, you make the best lists and I would definitely like some suggestions!!!
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Swapna does a challenge similar to that – you can read about it here. I’m pretty sure she’s doing it again in 2011.
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Oh no, that’s South Asia, this is East and SouthEast Asia 🙂
I know she does a Challenge like that, that’s why I excluded South Asia. I’m joining her challenge next year too.
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Good luck with your reading! I look forward to see which books you choose.
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count me in!!!!
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Count me in too… I think I can 3 books, or atleast I can try 🙂
My inly qualm is getting these books 😦
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Thanks for joining, don’t worry about the books, I will have a recommendations list up later and you’ll be surprised that there are many popular books in there.
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