Dear Constant Reader,
In January and February I participate in the Boston Public Library Winter Reading Challenge — to read a book by an author from 6 different geographical areas of the world. As always, I end up reading new books that I wouldn’t necessarily have found otherwise.
Here’s this year’s list:
Africa: Binti: Home, Nnedi Okorafor (Nigeria)
I read Binti last year and was looking forward to her further adventures. Just a warning, no spoilers: make sure you have the third book ready to go as you’re not going to want to wait to read it.
The Americas: Turtle Island: Foods and Traditions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America, Sean Sherman (Turtle Island/North America)
This was probably my favorite book of the bunch. I learned so much about Indigenous foodways and regional foodstuffs. I’ve made a handful of recipes so far and all of them have been very good and worth making again.
Asia: Island Witch, Amanda Jayatissa (Sri Lanka)
This novel takes place in Sri Lanka during the Colonial era, but the theme of women’s rage is universal.
Europe: Strong Roots, Olia Hercules (Ukraine)
I have read a couple of her cookbooks (and cooked from them), but this is a memoir about her family and their roots in Ukraine. Of course, food is a thread running through the story.
The Middle East: Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middle East Needs a Sexual Revolution, Mona Eltahawy (Egypt)
I read one of her books for last year’s challenge and this is just as powerful. It was published ten years ago, but is sadly still just as relevant.
Oceania: Leave the Girls Behind, Jacqueline Bublitz (Aotearoa/New Zealand and Australia)
I think this was my least favorite. It’s a thriller, which mostly takes place in New York, although there are some scenes in New Zealand. I learned very little about the author’s home, which to me is the whole point of this challenge. I felt like the thread of the plot got a bit tangled and knotted up and the ending did not satisfy me. Alas.
I just realized that only two of the authors on this list were new to me. One of my rules is no re-reads. Maybe next year I’ll add in only authors I’ve never read before, or at least a majority of them.
Have you read anything good this year?
These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 20 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.
Oh, The Glamourous Life! 
Leave a comment