Summer 2018 Reading Challenge: Backpack Across Europe
Challenge is closed. Please stay tuned. I’m verifying all the scores and it’s taking me a while. Winners will be announced in the next few days.
Update September 17
Travel hub for the week: Italy
Weather delay: No more delays for the final weeks
Traveler delay: No more traveler delays for the final month.
Creativity points: @bookandcat, the Other Diane (goodreads), @Simona, and Kelly (GoodReads). You each get an extra 2 points added to your score.
Special challenge: As we wrap up the challenge, it’s time for you to create your travel scrapbooks of places visited. This challenge will close on the last day of the challenge (Sept 30). You must create some kind of log, photo “album”, to show off the countries visited, books read, or landmarks. Show us your favorite and least favorite stops, show us where you traveled and some of the highlights (best books, etc.)
This special challenge is open to all participants. If you complete this challenge, you get to add a whopping 10 points to your final score. You can use bullet journal, photo collage, diary logs, maps, etc. If you are on Litsy, you may use several posts to fully illustrate your travels.
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Welcome to our summer 2018 reading challenge where together we will read our way across Europe! The goal of the challenge is to backpack (a.k.a. read) across Europe and amass the highest points. The challenge will begin July 2 and will end September 30 at midnight EST.
How to play:
All players will begin in their home country and will fly to one of the following airports: Heathrow (UK), Charles de Gaulle (France), or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Netherlands). Once you arrive you must read a book from that country in order to begin your travels and move on to the next country.
To travel across the Europe you must read and review books corresponding to each country that you visit. The book either must be predominantly set in that country or the author has to be from that country. You will be awarded points for each country that you visit. To fully participate you must travel to at least 4 European countries prior to arriving back home. You must move across the continent in the same way you would travel over land. You can’t skip over countries (see exception below) by using water travel. You may only use water travel to visit island countries.
To move across a continent you must complete your book and post a mini review (or link to your review on Goodreads or your blog) as a comment on this page.
Four bonus points will be awarded for visiting landmarks. To get credit for visiting a landmark, you must be able to draw a link between your book and the landmark. This can be a quote, a reference to a historical event, a central theme of the book, or another type of tie-in (character in the book visits the location, etc). A moderator (Book Worm or myself will determine whether the reason you provide is sufficient to merit the landmark points). The landmarks are the following:
Mont-Saint-Michel, France
Alhambra
Parthenon, Greece
The Charles Bridge, Prague
La Grand-Place, Brussels
Brandenburg Gate
The Gran Bazaar, Istanbul
Old city of Dubrovnik
Buda Castle
Your trip will end when you arrive back in your home country and complete a book for your home country. To travel back to your home country, you must depart from one of the following airports: Frankfurt (Germany), Istanbul (Turkey), or Adolfo Suarez Madrid (Spain). If you live in Europe you may travel back to your home country over land, bypassing the final air travel requirement.
Travel Exceptions: Each Monday (starting July 2) three types of major events will happen that can impact your game. One event type will advance your game and the other two event types will delay you. In addition, a fourth type of event will pop up periodically and could help you.
- Travel hubs: Each Monday we will use random.org to select 1 country that will become a travel hub for the week (Monday-Sunday). If you arrive in this country any time in the week it is the designated travel hub, you will be able to move to any other European country from that travel hub. In order to take advantage of this opportunity you must declare that you are using the travel hub and where you are going before the end of the week.
- Travel delays: Two randomly selected participants will be picked each Monday to experience a travel delay. If you are selected, then you will not be able to advance to a new country until the following Monday. You can finish your current book but will not be able to start a new book until your travel restriction is lifted. You may be delayed multiple times throughout the game. We want you to take your time “traveling” and enjoying the sites. Speeding through countries too fast may result in more frequent travel delays. Each week players’ names will be entered into the randomizer for travel delays based on how many countries they visited in the prior week. So if you didn’t complete any books your name won’t be entered into the randomizer but if you complete 5 books in a week, your name will be entered 5 times and the likelihood that you will be delayed will increase.
- Weather warning. Two countries will be randomly selected as blackout countries each Monday. This means that for that week, you will be unable to travel through that country. If you are already in that country when the weather warning occurs, you may finish your current book but may not start your next country until the blackout is over. If you are adjacent to that country and want to travel through it, you must either wait until the end of the week OR find a alternate route.
- Special events. At periodic times through the challenge, special events will be announced that impact a specific country. If you happen to be located in that country in the week of the special event, you will have the opportunity to participate in a special (non-reading) mini-challenge to earn more points.
Additional Rules:
- You can only read one book/country at a time.
- You may only get points for a country once. If you travel through it again, you need to read a new book in order to pass through the country BUT you will not get points for reading that book. We suggest you plan a trip that avoids visiting the same country more than once.
- You must complete the book and write a mini review BEFORE you move onto the next country.
- Please keep track of your own score on this page. You can start a thread for yourself by posting a comment with your name. Then each time you return to update, just hit reply to your original comment with the mini review and score update. I will double check all scores.
- Books must be over 120 pages.
Travel by Ferry. We are limiting ferry travel. You are backpacking through Europe and are strapped for cash so you can’t afford to travel by Ferry or airline. You may use ferry for the following:
–Iceland to and from Norway & any UK country
–UK (we will allow any UK country to count) to and from France
–Greece to and from Italy
Be Creative and make it fun!
For a truly immersive experience, go the extra mile. Post photos, journal entries, maps, quotes, etc! Photoshop yourself into travel pictures, write short stories about your experiences “visiting” each country. We want you to tell your travel story. At the end of the game, we’ll be picking 5 people who’ve done the best job in creating a complete travel experience and our readers will pick their favorite. You can post your updates on Litsy (but make sure to tag both me @jenP and @bookwormM and use #backpackEurope. You can also post your journey on your own blogs, goodreads, or instagram – just make sure to let us know so we see the posts.
Points & Prizes:
-Country points: 1 point per country completed. NOTE: You will only receive point the first time you visit a country.
-Landmark points: You can earn 4 bonus points for each landmark visited. Your must post how your book ties into the landmark and a moderator must approve the tie in for you to receive these bonus points. NOTE: You will only receive points the first time you visit a landmark.
-creativity points: Each week I will award one participant with 1 bonus point for creativity. The person who is most creative in their posts (photos, stories of their travels, tie-in, etc) will be awarded with an extra point. I will announce that person at the beginning of the week.
Grand Prize: Fabulous mystery box filled with books and bookish items. To win this prize you must a) reach your home country AND b) have the highest number of points among all those who also reach home. If you have the most points but fail to reach your home country by end of game (September 30) you will not be eligible for the grand prize.
Creative Reader: One lucky winner will be selected who best represents the spirit of the game and immerses themselves in the experience. Myself and Book Worm will select 5 top contenders and everyone will have a change to view their posts and vote on their favorite.
Early Bird prize: $25 Amazon gift card for the first person to arrive home (must visit at least 4 countries prior to returning home).
TO SIGN UP: Simply create a thread in the comments section here for yourself. See the example I created for myself.
List of participants:
- Diane S
- Jen (Goodreads & Litsy)
- Jamie B (Goodreads & Listy)
- The Other Jen (Goodreads 1001 member)
- Paula S (Goodreads 1001 member)
- Claire B (Litsy @Dulcinella & Goodreads)
- Kelly (Goodreads and Litsy)
- The other Diane (P) (goodreads 1001 member)
- Liz M (goodreads 1001 member & Litsy)
- Tatjana (Goodreads 1001 member)
- WanderingLynn (Litsy)
- Tatiana (TCLinrow on Litsy)
- Katja (Litsy)
- Cindy (Litsy @cinfhen)
- Tanya D (here)
- Andrea J. (Litsy)
- Jan H (wordpress blog)
- Rachel O (Litsy)
- Molly G (Litsy)
- Allissa (@lapreader Litsy)
- Parzival
- Jessica H (Litsy)
- Nicole D
- Charisma
- Rachel N
- Tessa B
- Denise (jerdencon Litsy)
- mhillis (mhillis Litsy)
- Cindy (here)
- Ashley (Ash.on.The.Line Litsy)
- Simona (Litsy)
- Nikki (@VeganCleopatra Litsy)
- Juliana Brina (blog: The blank Garden)
- Elizabeth G (@Mabell Litsy)
- Jo (Litsy)
- Hilde (GR and Litsy)
- Hallie (@Hes7 Litsy)
- Amelia (Litsy @schmia)
- Amanda (Litsy @Amanda61)
- Linsy (Litsy)
- April (@AAdamson Litsy)
- Kristel (goodreads and Litsy)
- Barbara (@Barbarabb)
jenp27
Nicole Del Sesto
The Reader's Room 
Jen’s European Travels
Starting Location: Massachusetts, USA
Traveling to: xx airport
Location of updates: I will be posting on Litsy (JenP) and Goodreads.
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: USA
Currently reading: N/a
Current score: n/a
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I will be deleting this comment right before the game starts. So if you want to create your individual thread just see my example below and you can create something similar. Then you’ll simply “reply” to that message for future updates.
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I will be deleting this comment right before the game starts. So if you want to create your individual thread just see my example below and you can create something similar. Then you’ll simply “reply” to that message for future updates.
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I’m looking forward to it! I am Dulcinella on Litsy and Claire Bolsens on GR
Starting in Belgium, Antwerp..
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I am Dulcinella on Litsy and Claire Bolsens on GR
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Thanks that is helpful!
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Can I get a fiat for the book ‘Old Bones’ of Aaron Elkins? The book is set at the mont. St. Michel
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Travelling in France now. Started in Belgium this morning and arrived by car in France where reading ‘Old Bones’ of Aaron Elkins
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Yup. Works for me
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so this is a weird question but which Diane are you? In other words, do I know you from Litsy, blog, or goodreads? I have several participants named Diane so I want to make sure I’m not mixing you up. I know you’ve participated in other blog challenges but I’m not sure if you’re also one of the Diane’s from the goodreads group.
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Looks like fun 🤩
I’ll be departing from Ben Gurion, Tel Aviv
Destination undecided
I’ll be posting on Litsy
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I’m in, but I really need to plan my trip! I just need to be sure, I’m from Denmark, but I still need to start from one of the three airports, right? 🙂
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Yes but to travel home you can return via land and bypass air travel requirement
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Okay, but I’m just know trying to plan my trip, and Denmark is only connected land-wise to Germany. Does that mean, that I have to travel through Germany to get to Denmark in the end, or can I go through Norway or Sweden, which have water borders with Denmark?
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Denmark you can go to Sweden via bridge
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Sounds like fun! I’m in!
Lynn’s European Travels
Starting Location: Washington, DC USA
Traveling to: TBD
Location of updates: I will be posting on Litsy (wanderinglynn) and Goodreads (wanderinglynn).
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: USA
Currently reading: TBD
Current score: TBD
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Tatiana’s European Travels
Starting Location: Isle of Man
Traveling to: Heathrow airport
Status: Packing my backpack
Currently reading:
Current score:
I’ll be posting on Litsy (TCLinrow) and sometimes also on Goodreads (Tatiana) but I’m still new to it so not often.
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Traveling to: Heathrow airport
Status: Cursing London traffic on my way to Bath, and considering a tour of the middle countries fine houses
Currently reading: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Current score: 0
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Traveling to: Port of Calais, France
Status: Questioning my choice of transport as the hatch closes and we make our way across the English Channel. Can this tin can really get me there in one piece? Maybe I should have just forked out the extra for the ferry.
Currently reading: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne
Current score: 1
Review of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen on Litsy #BackpackEurope
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Traveling to: Granada, Spain
Status: Making my way across Spain to enjoy the sun in Granada and take in the sights. Might even take a look around the Alhambra while I’m there…
Currently reading: Court of Lions by Jane Johnson
Current score: 2
Review of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne on Litsy
#BackpackEurope
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Traveling to: Lisbon, Portugal
Status: Travelling to Portugal to see a King about an Elephant.
Currently reading: Court of Lions by Jane Johnson
Current score: 7 (3 for books, 4 for Alhambra in Court of Lions)
Review of Court of Lions by Jane Johnson on Litsy (Posted it as a blurb because I’m not settled on how much I liked the book)
#BackpackEurope
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Traveling to: Andalusia, Spain
Status: Travelling through Spain, considering joining forces with some Expats and making a go of it here. The Heat is killing me though!
Just finished: The Elephants Journey by Jose Saramago
Currently reading:
Current score: 8 (4 for books, 4 for Alhambra in Court of Lions)
Review of The Elephant’s Journey on Litsy
#BackpackEurope
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Traveling to: Andorra
Status: Making my way to the lands of Andorra to explore the little republic
Just finished: Driving Over Lemons by Chris Stewart
Currently reading: The Road to Andorra by Shirley Deane
Current score: 8 (4 for books, 4 for Alhambra in Court of Lions. 2nd book for Spain so I don’t think it counts)
Review of Driving Over Lemons on Litsy
#BackpackEurope
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Traveling to: France
Status: Heading back over the mountains and into France for another look at the French countryside, and maybe a tour of some museums while I’m at it.
Just finished: The Road to Andorra by Shirley Deane
Currently reading: The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
Current score: 9 (5 for books, 4 for Alhambra in Court of Lions.)
Review of The Road to Andorra by Shirley Deane on Litsy
#BackpackEurope
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Traveling to: Austria (from Switzerland)
Status: Having just cracked a murder in the Swiss Alps I’m working my way through Austria to see what adventure awaits me there
Just finished: Swiss Vendetta by Tracee de Hahn
Currently reading: Trapped by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen
Current score: 10 (6 for books, 4 for Alhambra in Court of Lions.)
Reviews of The Lady and the Unicorn and Swiss Vendetta on Litsy
#BackpackEurope
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Travelling to: Poland (from the Czech Republic)
Status: After just narrowly escaping the blizzard in the Austrian Alps (I’d already posted the review on litsy), and touring Prague’s finest sights, I’ve decided to hitch a ride to tour through Poland
Just finished: Trapped by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen and The Woman From Prague by Rob Hart
Currently reading: Solaris by Stanislaw Lem
Current score: 16 (8 for books, 4 for Alhambra and 4 for Charles Bridge.)
Reviews of Trapped and The Woman From Prague on Litsy
#BackpackEurope
I’m all caught up with reviews for this game now 🙂 but hopefully I’ll finish Solaris tonight or tomorrow.
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Travelling to: Finland (from the Belarus)
Status: I managed to get some cheap flights and figured the more distance I could put between me and the creepy forest of Belarus the better… or at least the most distance without breaking budget
Just finished: Solaris by Stanislaw Len and Gingerbread by Robert Dinsdale
Currently reading: The Kalevala (collected by Elias Lonnrot)
Current score: 18 (10 for books, 4 for Alhambra and 4 for Charles Bridge.)
Reviews of Solaris and Gingerbread on Litsy
#BackpackEurope
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Hi there, this is ‘the other Jen’ from Goodreads, looking forward to this!
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I’m in! This sounds like so much fun!
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Kristel
Starting location: Minnesota, USA
Traveling:
Countries visited.
Currently reading:
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Left on 7/2/18, for Heathrow UK,
First place, Yorkshire (Elmet) England, Read/completed Elmet by Fiona Mozley. (I liked it)
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Total points 1
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Second book completed,
Location; Goleen and Dublin Ireland, Completed The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne.
Countries visited, England, Ireland
Destination: To Be Determined
Total points 2
(I am not in the above list of participants? any reason? Did I fail to do something that I needed to do?)
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No, let me fix that when I get home
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Completed Rob Roy, Scotland
total points 3
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I am going to Iceland with Independent People. I think I can go there from Scotland, if not let me know.
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I will leave Iceland tonight and will go by Ferry to Norway. I will either read Hamsun or Knauscaard.
Total points 4
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Just finished Hunger, set in Oslo, written by Knut Hamsun. Points 5
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I’m always up for travel!
Starting Location: Wisconsin USA
Travelling to: TBD
Countries visited:
Currently reading:
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QUESTION …. do WE choose our starting airport, or will you assign us a starting airport?
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You may choose your airport.
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Oh, My Stars …. I completely forgot about this challenge! In my defense we had a few crazy days in late June early July and I just was not focused on reading and reading challenges.
So, I am sadly staying put in the USA and not joining the backpack brigade. I’ll enjoy reading your reviews and travelling vicariously with you all, though.
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I thought I finally read my first book for the challenge just a couple of days ago, only to discover it was only about 1/2 set in France, so I’m still at 0 myself! Still going to see if I can get a bit done, though… eventually! Have till the end of September, so…
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I will allow that book to count.
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Ah, really!? Thank you! I’ll go get my review and post it in my “section”.
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Rachel N’s European Travels
Starting Location: Michigan, USA
Traveling to: Heathrow airport
Location of updates: on blog, Goodreads and maybe litsy if I can figure it out better.
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: USA
Currently reading: N/a
Current score: n/a
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I have a question. I understand I can travel to Ireland by boat from the UK since it’s another island country. After that am I allowed to travel to any coastal country since there aren’t any other island countries? I would want to travel to Portugal or Spain from Ireland but want to check that is okay before I begin looking for books.
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So, that’s a tricky one. You’d have to go back to closest port. But you can use Scotland, Wales, and England so you don’t use the same country more than once. Let me think about that and I’ll get back to you.
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There is 1 ferry route running between Ireland and Spain operated by 1 ferry company, Brittany Ferries. The Cork to Santander ferry crossing operates weekly with a scheduled sailing duration from about 26 hours 30 minutes.
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Yes, but we are (for the most part) not allowing ferry transports to circumvent travel rules of skipping over countries. A 26 hour ferry suggests that it’s not really a route someone would take if backpacking across Europe. I will be clarifying which ferries are allowed in the next few days
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So does that mean we can also not travel (via ferry) from England to Spain? If so, then what are the options for getting out of the UK if we want to fly into Heathrow?
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UK to France. If wanted to do England to Ireland to Scotland/Wales then you can take from UK to France. I will think about other options. But either way I will post the allowable ferries in the next few days
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There are also airports in Ireland, could that not just become a hub? Because other wise we’d have to chase ourselves round in a circle to do the UK countries.
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Yup, you would. Part of the challenge is to pick wisely or risk doing some circles. We won’t be making any other airports hubs. Also remember that over the course of the summer, countries will be designated travel hubs for a whole week. These hubs will let you skip over to wherever you like. We’ve intentionally made some of the hubs/locations harder to get to – or more likely to slow people down.
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You may also travel from Ireland to Iceland. And from Iceland you can travel to Ireland, Scotland, or Norway.
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So, based on what you’ve posted below, for the purposes of the game, all of Ireland is considered the UK, even though most of it isn’t actually?
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I’m leaving that up to individual players to decide but essentially for purposes of the game, yes.
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I’ve finally arrived in England and have started my England book today, guess that’s what happens when you’re on a budget and flying standby you get delayed for a week :-).
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England book completed
Foreign Affairs by Alison Lurie 3 stars
Two professors are visiting England on separate grants from their colleges English department to do research for books. Both also end up involved in romantic relationships. The book alternates between the two characters. I like Vinnie, the female professors, POV a lot better than Fred’s.
Current points =1
Now I’m hopping a ferry to France and starting my France book today.
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Special event Avignon festival
While enjoying my time in France with Chief of Police Bruno I caught the first episode of the miniseries La Mante. Jeanne Deber has been in prison for 25 years for serial killing men who had cheated or abused their family. She’s known as The Mantis which is where the name of the show comes from. Now a copycat is recreating Jeanne’s murders and the police need her help but she’ll only help them if her son, who is a police officer, is her contact. There were definitely some gruesome parts showing the murders but overall I found the episode interesting. It ended with quite a cliff hanger so I’ll be looking to watch more episodes as I continue my Europe trip. I hear the show is also available on Netflix.
2 bonus points
Total score = 3 points
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France book completed
Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker 4 stars
Bruno is chief of police in rural St. Denis, France. An elderly local man originally from Algeria and a French war hero is found murdered with a swastika carved in his chest. The case involves a lot of history France during WWII especially the involvement and treatment of Algerians who helped the French. I like Bruno as a character and appreciated learning more about French history and rural France.
1 point
Total score = 4 points
Heading to Luxembourg next
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Luxembourg book completed
The Expats by Chris Pavone 3 stars
Kate Moore works for the CIA. Then her husband Dexter wants to move the family to Luxembourg for his job in bank security. After the move Kate becomes a stay at home mom but she is still suspicious of people, especially another pair of newly relocated Americans. The story moves very slowly and there are lots of needlessly long descriptive passages. The book also ends very abruptly.
1 point
Total score = 5 points
Next stop Belgium
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Belgium book completed
The Midas Murders by Pieter Aspe 1 star
The book is nominally about Inspector Van In of the Bruges police investigating the murder of a German who had a mysterious meeting in a bar before his death and the bombing of a statue. The book switches viewpoints constantly and it’s hard to keep track of who is who. Van In is an obnoxious drunk and I have no idea why his girlfriend stays with him. Every woman in the book is treated as a sex object and has no personality.
Needless to say I did not enjoy my stay in Belgium.
1 point
total score = 6 points
Moving on to the Netherlands
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Netherlands book completed
Outsider in Amsterdam by Janwillem van de Wetering 3 stars
Gripstra and De Dier are on the police force and are assigned to investigate a man found hanging in the Hindist Society who may not be a suicide. These two definitely have some unorthodox police procedures including napping on the job and taste testing items to see if they are drugs. The whole investigation was rather slow and there is definitely some dated treatment of women in the book but it was way better than my Belgium book.
1 point
total score = 7 points
Moving on to Germany
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Germany book completed
The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff 3 stars
Noa has been kicked out of her house after becoming pregnant by a Nazi officer and after giving birth her baby is taken away and she finds work as a cleaner at a German railway station. A train car full of babies without parents stops at the station and Noa takes one and flees. She ends up at a circuses winter quarters and is paired with Astrid to learn the trapeze. Half the book occurs in Germany and half in occupied France. The story was well told but for whatever reason I never connected with Noa or Astrid.
1 point
total score = 8 points
Moving on to Switzerland
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Switzerland book completed
A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax 3 stars
Mrs. Pollifax is a widow who unexpectedly became a CIA agent. This time around she is sent to a clinic in Switzerland where stolen plutonium may have been shipped. Mrs. Pollifax befriends several other people at the clinic including a young boy named Hafez and a jewel thief. This book was written in the 1970’s so parts seem a bit dated, such as giving a briefing using a slide projector. Mrs. Pollifax is always fun and this book is no exception.
1 point
total score = 9 points
Since September is going to be busy for me I’m using the travel hub to fly to Turkey.
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The Other Diane’s European Tour:
Starting Location: Hartsfield-Jackson airport in Atlanta, GA
Traveling to: Heathrow
Location of updates: I will be posting on Goodreads.
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: USA
Currently reading: n/a
Current score: n/a
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Updating my list from the 1001 group site:
I changed by starting location Charles DeGaulle airport and Read Mrs. ‘Arris goes to Paris for France.
See my travel journal here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour
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From France, I went to Belgium and read Fear and Trembling by Amelie Nothomb.
Landmark: La Grand-Place
See my travel journal here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour
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From Belgium, I went to the Netherlands with The Laws by Connie Palmen.
See my travel journal here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour
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From the Netherlands, I went to Germany with Effi Briest.
Landmark: Brandenburg Gate
See my travel journal here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour
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From Germany, I went to Denmark with Quicksand by Nella Larsen
See my travel journal here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour
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From Denmark, I went to Sweden with The Red Room by August Strindberg.
See my travel journal here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour
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From Sweden, I went to Finland with Unknown Soldiers by Vaino Linna
See my travel journal here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour
I am now grounded in Norway for the next week. 😦
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I heard Norway is lovely 😬
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I was unable to travel for a week due to the shrapnel wounds I received in Finland, along with a nasty case of impetigo. I was transported by helo to a hospital in Norway. Read about my adventures here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19371259-instructions-and-rules
I have since explored northern Norway with Alberta and Jacob by Cora Sandel. Go to the above link to hear about my travels.
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I hitched a free ride to Iceland on the boat Jacob Selmer is working on as a sailor. I visited Iceland with Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne. Read about my adventures here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19371259-instructions-and-rules.
I am now riding to Scotland aboard the Valkyrie, the ship that brought Professor Liedenbrock and his nephew to Iceland. Since they have emerged from a volcano in Italy, they have requested that the boat return there to pick them up. Scotland happens to be on the way.
Current score: 18
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I am behind on my updates here (GR is up to date):
2 weeks ago:
~Scotland: Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stephenson (1 pt)
~Ireland: The Poor Mouth by Flann O’Brien (1 pt)
~Wales: Everything You Need by A.L. Kennedy (1 pt)
~England: Crash by J.G. Ballard (1 pt)
~France: Old Bones by Aaron Elkins (0 pts – repeat country)
~~Landmark: Mont St. Michel (4 pts – approved)
~Switzerland: Homo Faber by Max Frisch (1 pt)
~Creativity point (1 pt)
_____________________________
Running total: 27 points
See my updates here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour
Last Week
~Austria: Yes by Thomas Bernhard (1 pt)
______________________________
Running total: 28 points
See my update here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
This Week:
~Czech Republic: Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar (1 pt)
~~Landmark pending: Main character crossed the Charles Bridge twice (into Old Town and back) and spent time on the bridge describing a caricature artist, the Vitava River, and the statues of saints.
~Poland: The Street of Crocodiles by Bruno Schulz (1 pt)
~Lithuania: Moscow to the end of the Line by Venedikt Erofeev (1 pt)
~Belarus: Summer in Baden-Baden by Leonid Tsypkin (1 pt)
~Russia: A Lear of the Steppes by Ivan Turgenev (1 pt)
~Georgia: A Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov (1 pt)
_________________________________
Running Total: 37 + 14 pts pending (Czech Republic)
Goodreads Total: 36 + 4 pts pending
See my updates here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
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Update for week of 8/6-8/12 (last week)
All details can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
Countries visited
~Armenia: Retreat Before Song by Shahan Shahnour (Armenian author) – 1 pt
~Turkey: Black Milk by Elif Shafak (Turkish author + set in Turkey) – 1 pt
~~~Landmark visited: The Grand Bazaar (4 pts pending)
~~~~~~Chapter in book is about the Grand Bazaar titled “When the Grand Bazaar Smiles”
~~~~~~Author proposed to her future husband in the Grand Bazaar, and recounted the event
~~~~~~Here is a quote where the author describes the Grand Bazaar: “A rumpus is going on around us. Young men pushing carts loaded with merchandise, old men playing backgammon, merchants haggling in every language known to humankind, tourists struggling to keep pushy seller at bay, apprentices carrying tea glasses on silver trays, cats meowing in front of restaurants, children feeding the cats when their parents are not looking – everyone is in their own world.”
~Bulgaria: The Green Hat by Michael Arlen (Bulgarian-born author) – 1 pt
~Ukraine: In the Heart of the Seas by S.Y. Agnon (Ukrainian-born author + Ukrainian setting) – 1 pt
~Slovakia: Embers by Sandor Marai (Slovakia-born author – present-day Slovakia) – 1 pt
Landmark visited: The Grand Bazaar (see above)
Other points
~Creativity point – 1 pt
_________________________________________________________
Running Total: 42 + 8 pts pending (Czech Republic + Turkey Landmarks)
Goodreads 1001 Total: 40 + 4 pts pending
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Oops. I forgot to include Romania, between Bulgaria and Ukraine, finished 8/11
Book read: The Forest of the Hanged by Liviu Rebreanu (Romanian author and setting) – 1 pt
See update here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
____________________________________________________________
Running Total: 43 + 8 pts pending (Czech Republic + Turkey Landmarks)
Goodreads 1001 Total: 41 + 8 pts pending
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Update for week of 8/16-8/22
~Hungary (1 pt): Celestial Harmonies by Péter Esterházy (Hungarian author & setting).
~~~~Visited Buda Castle (4 pt- received credit already- approval post 76) See details here on post 71: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~~~~Special event: Made appetizer and entree (4 pts) see above post for pics and recipes.
~Slovenia (1 pt): Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho (Slovenian setting). See post 72 for update: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Croatia (1 pt): The Walnut Mansion by Miljenko Jergović (Croatian setting, author resides in Croatia). See post 73 for update: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~~~~Visited Old City of Dubrovnik (4 pts- book mostly set there – already received credit – approval post 75)
~~~~Special event: made Croatian dessert (2 pts). See pic and recipe in above post.
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Update for 8/24-9/2:
~Bosnia and Herzegovina (8/24 – 1 pt): The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andrić. (Bosnian author and setting). See update on post 76: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Serbia (8/25 – 1pt): Garden, Ashes by Danilo Kiš. (Serbian author and setting). See update in post 77: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Montenegro (8/26 – 1 pt): The Coming by Andrej Nikolaidis. (Montenegrin author and setting). See update on post 78: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Albania (8/31 – 1 pt): Spring Flowers, Spring Frost by Ismail Kadare (Albanian author and setting). See my update on post 79: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~~~~Special event: Visited two museums (?? points). See above post for details.
~Macedonia (9/1 – 1 pt): The Legend of Kalesh Andja by Stale Popov. (Macedonian author and setting). See my update on post 80: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~~~~Special event: Visited museum during stay.
~Greece (9/2 – 1 pt): Deadline in Athens by Petros Markaris. (Greek author and setting). See my update on post 81: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
____________________________________________________
Running Total: 74 pts
Goodreads Total: 70 pts
Currently visiting Malta with Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain
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I visited 3 museums in two different countries last week (Albania and Macedonia). I couldn’t find how much they were worth and I haven’t received approval. I did see other members receiving approval, so it must be an event that does require approval whether or not there are points involved. I did spend a lot of time in the museums. The details can be found on my links for Albania and Macedonia above.
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Let me get back to you. You only get points once for visiting them or not. You don’t get points for each one
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Travel update for the week of 9/3-9/9:
~Malta (1 pt): Read Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain. Brittain spent a year in Malta during WWI and part of the book chronicles her stay in Malta as a military nurse. Details can be found here (post 82): https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Italy (1 pt): Read The Path to the Spider’s Nest of Spiders by Italo Calvino. The book is set in Italy and written by an Italian author. Details can be found here (post 85): https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
_______________________________________________________________
Running total: 76 points
GR total: 72 points
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Travel updates (My originals are on Goodreads)
~Greece (0 pts): Hyperion by Friedrich Holderlin
LANDMARK ALERT: Main character visits the Parthenon. There is also this quote from the book “O Parthenon! Pride of the world! At your feet lies the kingdom of Neptune like a conquered lion, and the other temples gather around you like children, and the eloquent Agora and the Grove of Academe.”
See my update on post #86 of my travel journal: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Italy (0 pts) One, None, and One Hundred Thousand by Luigi Pirandello. My update can be found on post #87: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Monaco (1 pt): Twenty Four Hours in the Life of a Woman & the Royal Game by Stefan Zweig. My update can be seen on post #90: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~France (0 pt): Pere Goriot by Honore de Balzac. My update can be seen on post #91: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Andorra (1 pt): Andorra by Peter Cameron. My update can be seen on post #92: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Spain (1 pt): Journey to the Alcarria by Camilo Jose Cela. My update can be seen on post #93: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Portugal (1 pt): Pereira Maintains by Antonio Tabucchi. My update can be seen on post #94: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Spain (0 pt): Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving; My update can be seen on post #95: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2. LANDMARK ALERT: Landmark has already been approved in above link (4 pts)
~France (0 pt): Strait Is the Gate by Andre Gide. My update can be seen on post #98: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Luxembourg (1 pt): Priestblock 25487 by Jean Bernard. My update can be seen on post #99: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~France (0 pt): The Devil in the Flesh by Raymond Radiguet. My update can be seen on post #100: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Switzerland (0 pt): The Black Spider by Jeremias Gotthelf. My update can be read here in post #101: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
~Liechtenstein (1 pt): Stamping Grounds by Charlie Connelly. My update can be read here in post #102: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
=======================
Total 86 + 4 pts pending for Greece landmark and + ? for museums
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Add 5 points for museums challenge
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From Liechtenstein, I went to …
~Austria (0 pt): Concrete by Thomas Bernhard. See my update in post #104: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
~Italy again (0 pts): The Clovent Viscount by Italo Calvino. See my update in post #105: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
~Vatican City (1 pt): Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis. See my update in post #106: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
~Italy (0 pt): The Baron in the Trees by Italo Calvino. See my update in post #107: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
~San Marino (1 pt): San Marino: The History in Miniature by Pierluigi Taddei. See my update in post #108: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
~Italy (0 pt): The Nonexistent Knight by Italo Calvino. See my update in post #109: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
==================================
My count was off earlier, it should be 91 + 4 for pending landmark (Greece) + ?? for museum special challenge.
I used the hub status for Italy to travel to Moldova, a country I skipped on the first run…
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~Moldova (1 pt): Missionary, Me? by Matthew Skirton. See my update in post #110: https://img0.etsystatic.com/160/0/5136579/il_340x270.1084914518_5uxx.jpg
~Ukraine (0 pt): Memories of Babi by Aranka Siegal. See my update in post #111: https://img0.etsystatic.com/160/0/5136579/il_340x270.1084914518_5uxx.jpg
~Belarus (0 pt): The Dybbuk by S. Ansky. See my update in post #112: https://img0.etsystatic.com/160/0/5136579/il_340x270.1084914518_5uxx.jpg
~Latvia (1 pt): Soviet Milk by Nora Ikstena. See my update in post #113: https://img0.etsystatic.com/160/0/5136579/il_340x270.1084914518_5uxx.jpg
~Estonia (1 pt): The Brother by Rein Raud. See my update in post #114: https://img0.etsystatic.com/160/0/5136579/il_340x270.1084914518_5uxx.jpg
~Russia (0 pt): Ada by Vladimir Nabokov. See my update in post #115: https://img0.etsystatic.com/160/0/5136579/il_340x270.1084914518_5uxx.jpg
~Azerbaijan (1 pt): On the Shores of the Khazar Sea by Jasmina Mihajlovic. See my update in post # 116: https://img0.etsystatic.com/160/0/5136579/il_340x270.1084914518_5uxx.jpg
~Armenia (0 pt): An Armenian Sketchbook by Vasily Grossman. See my update in post # 117: https://img0.etsystatic.com/160/0/5136579/il_340x270.1084914518_5uxx.jpg
~Turkey (0 pt): The White Castle by Orhan Pamuk. See my update in post # 118: https://img0.etsystatic.com/160/0/5136579/il_340x270.1084914518_5uxx.jpg
~Cyprus (1 pt): Bitter Lemons of Cyprus by Lawrence Durrell. See my update in post # 119: https://img0.etsystatic.com/160/0/5136579/il_340x270.1084914518_5uxx.jpg
~Turkey (0 pt): Motherland Hotel by Yusuf Atiljan. See my updates in posts # 120 & 121: https://img0.etsystatic.com/160/0/5136579/il_340x270.1084914518_5uxx.jpg
~USA (1 pt): Sula by Toni Morrison. See my update in post # 122: https://img0.etsystatic.com/160/0/5136579/il_340x270.1084914518_5uxx.jpg
___________________________________________
52 points for countries
32 points for landmarks + 4 pending (Greece)
13 points special events
5 points creativity
=================
Total: 102 + 4 points pending for GREECE LANDMARK
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See my travel summary in post #123:https://img0.etsystatic.com/160/0/5136579/il_340x270.1084914518_5uxx.jpg
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I don’t know how to edit my posts. Please disregard the links on my last 2 posts. The links should be as follows:
Moldova: Post #110: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
Ukraine: Post #111: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
Belarus: Post #112: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
Latvia: Post #113: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
Estonia: Post #114: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
Russia: Post #115: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
Azerbaijan: Post #116: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
Armenia: Post #117: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
Turkey: Post #118: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
Cyprus: Post #119: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
Turkey: Posts #120 & 121: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
USA: Post #122: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
Travel summary: Post #123: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
___________________________________________
52 points for countries
32 points for landmarks + 4 pending (Greece)
13 points special events
5 points creativity
=================
Total: 102 + 4 points pending for GREECE LANDMARK
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I have added an additional page to my travel summary (posts 123 & 124): https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
Point Summary:
52 points for countries (Every UN recognized country, plus the countries of the UK)
32 points for landmarks + 4 pending (Greece)
13 points special events
5 points creativity
10 points pending for special challenge (Travel scrapbook)
=================
Total: 102 + 14 points pending for Travel scrapbook + GREECE LANDMARK
Potential points: 116.
See my entire travel journal here:
~Page 1: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=1
~Page 2: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=2
~Page 3: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
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Jen,
I have two items pending:
~The special challenge travel scrapbook (10 points) – See posts 123 & 124: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19373257-the-other-diane-s-european-1001-tour?page=3
~Greece Landmark (4 pts)
I read two books for Greece and I think both may qualify.
*Hyperion; or, The Hermit in Greece
****In this book, the narrator cries “O Parthenon! Pride of the world! At your feet lies the kingdom of Neptune like a conquered lion, and the other temples gather around you like children, and the eloquent Agora and the Grove of Academe-”
****The narrator later visits the ruins of the Parthenon and other structures surrounding it.
I also read Deadline in Athens by Petros Markaris Deadline in Athens by Petros Markaris. There is a picture of the Parthenon on the cover. There is also a reference about the Acropolis in the book.
My non-1001 score is 102 + the pending 14 points, for a possible total of 116.
Thanks so much for hosting this challenge! I had a lot of fun and learned many new things!
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Diane’s European tour
Starting location: Austin Strabel airport in Green Bay, WI
Traveling to: Heathrow
Location of updates: Goodreads (I will probably set up a steady stream post.
Status: Booking my trip
Current location: USA
Currently reading: n/a
Current score: n/a
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I’ve had to alter my trip. I will now be traveling to: Charles de Gaulle in France. I have a Goodreads group with only me for updating. And, I can officially move my status to PACKING!
Here is my opening entry to my journal.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19414500-backpack-through-europe#comment_181611418
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Ok. Let me know if you need me to delete anything
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Diane’s European tour
Starting location: Austin Strabel airport in Green Bay, WI
Traveling to: Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, France
Location of updates: Goodreads
Status: Starting my journey
Current location: USA
Currently reading: n/a
Current score: n/a
Journal link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19414500-backpack-through-europe#comment_181733016
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Status: Exploring Paris!
Current location: Paris, France
Currently reading: The Cairo Diary by Maxime Chattam
Current score: n/a
Journal link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19414500-backpack-through-europe#comment_181752325
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For your approval of a landmark
The Cairo Diary: At location 176 “She had arrived at the bottom of what was going to be her retreat for the weeks, or maybe months, to come. Mont-Saint-Michel.”
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Yes! Well done
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So when you are done with the book you will have earned a total of 5 points for that book.” (1 for country and 4 for landmark)
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Diane’s European tour
Status: Traveling between France & Belgium
Current location: Brussels, Belgium
Currently reading: Cross My Heart by Carmen Reid
Current score: 5
Link to thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19414500-backpack-through-europe#comment_182099047
Link to The Cairo Diary by Maxime Chattam: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2436387204?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
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Ghent Festival Playlist:
For Cross My Heart by Carmen Reid
1. Imperial March from Star Wars (the Nazis invade and occupy Belgium)
2. Fight Song by Rachel Platten (Nicole joins the Resistance)
3. La Resistance from South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut (Nicole helps blow up a train)
4. War by Edwin Starr (Gestapo cracks down on resistance in Brussels)
5. Brick House by The Commodores (Nicole gets interrogated by the Nazis)
6. We’ll Meet Again by Vera Lynn (This was a popular song during WW2 and represents Nicole getting sent away.)
7. One Day More from Les Miserables (Ending: I haven’t read it yet, but I think it will fit…I hope)
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Nice!
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Diane’s European tour
Status: Traveling between Belgium & Germany
Current location: Berlin, Germany
Currently reading: Brandenburg Gate by Henry Porter
Current score: 8
Link to thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19414500-backpack-through-europe#comment_182326398
Link to Cross My Heart by Carmen Reid: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17456967-cross-my-heart
My book is titled Brandenburg Gate, so I’m assuming that will count for the bonus points.
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yes, definitely counts for the landmark
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Unfortunately, I just could not get into Brandenburg Gate, so I have switched to Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. I will have to forgo the bonus points this stop.
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Diane’s European tour
Status: Traveling between Germany & either Poland or Prague, Czech Republic
Current location: Dresden, Germany
Currently reading: I haven’t decided yet.
Current score: 9
Link to thread: I did not update my thread as I have been sick and I’m spending as little time out of bed as possible.
Link to Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8123395-slaughterhouse-five
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I decided to go to Prague, Czech Republic and read Daughter of Smoke & Bone. On pg. 33, “Karou crossed the Charles Bridge and took the tram…” for the bonus!
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Diane’s European tour
Status: Getting settled in Austria
Current location: Vienna, Austria
Currently reading: The Accidental Empress
Current score: 14 (I never got an approval on my bonus points, but I assume they are approved)
Link to thread: They finally figured out that I’ve been sick because of a massive kidney stone (not my first, but my largest). I had surgery this past Tuesday and I go in for a second surgery on 8/20. Due to the amount of pain, discomfort, and attempt to heal, I am spending a minimal amount of time on the computer. Therefore, I will post my completions, but there is a serious lack of creativity and I apologize for that. Maybe my pain meds will increase my creativity one of these days.
Link to Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10763598-daughter-of-smoke-and-bone
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Yes, sorry. Bonus points are approved. Hope
You feel better soon
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Charisma’s European Travels
Starting Location: Fremont, CA USA
Traveling to: TBD
Location of updates: I will be posting on Litsy (Charisma) and Goodreads (Charisma).
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: USA
Currently reading: TBD
Current score: TBD
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Traveling to: UK
I think…
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Currently Reading: 1984 by George Orwell
http://lukutoukkia.makovey.net/2018/07/day-2-favorite-quotes-so-far/
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I don’t know how I’ll do this with Booker, but I’m in
Nicole’s European Travels
Starting Location: San Diego, CA
Traveling to: Amsterdam
Location of updates: Goodreads, Nicole D.
Status: Hiring someone to carry my backpack
Current location: USA
Currently reading: N/a
Current score: n/a
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changing to the Netherlands for a start point. Who knew?
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finished Midwinter Break …4,5/5
great story, review to come, falling asleep in Mayalsia right now but didn’t want to miss posting my check in. Moving to Germany. I don’t know what day it is,lol, I didn’t want to lose another week.
My little something “extra” for Amsterdam is my blog from my trip there
http://thesardonictraveler.blogspot.com/2011/06/roxanne-well-leave-light-on-for-you.html
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My review of Midwinter Break https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2376575450?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
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Status: On my way to Poland
Current location: Germany
Currently reading: Madonna in a Fur Coat
Current score: 1
Finished Madonna in a Fur Coat which takes place in Turkey and Berlin (using it for Germany) .
Link to review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1849600996
Extra something: http://thesardonictraveler.blogspot.com/2012/04/some-things-are-sacred.html
Current score: 2
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Status: On my way to Czech Republic
Current location: Poland
Finished: Anna and the Swallow Man
Current score: 3
Review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1859746341?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
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Status: On my way to Austria
Current location: Czech Republic
Finished: The Trial – Franz Kafka
Current score: 4
Review
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This book was weird and not in the way I expected it to be weird. I just don’t get Kafka …
Everybody in this book either mysteriously loved Joseph K. or was mysteriously out to get Joseph K. There seemed to be no middle ground. I never knew what was going on, or why it was going on. I’m just completely baffled.
I’m definitely done with Kafka.
View all my reviews
I had two choices for Czech Rep … The Trial and a book called The Lost Time Accidents. Both were painful, The Trial was shorter. I’m done with Kafka … just not my thing.
I’m really trying for these landmarks but not having much luck. I mean, to read a book set in Berlin and not have the gate mentioned? Grrr … Same with Charles Bridge. This is the only connection I can make.
Franz Kafka museum view from Charles Bridge
https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g274707-d678544-i107887509-Franz_Kafka_Muzeum-Prague_Bohemia.html
Though I do have to say that there’s absolutely NO WAY the actual author didn’t cross that actual bridge, but assuming none of this counts. LOL. Let me know if otherwise.
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Let me think about that for a moment. It’s probably a no for landmark points but it’s a good effort
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Status: On my way to Italy
Current location: Austria
Finished: The Third Man – Graham Green
Current score: 5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2440404006?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
Is there a prize for reaching home with the least points? haha
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Status: In the Greek Isles
Current location: Italy
Finished: Death in Venice – Thomas Mann
Current score: 6
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2488547379?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
Tearing. It. Up. LOL.
Wish I had time to be creative, I had ideas.
BTW – I’ve been to Venice 3 times, and I don’t get it. Just does nothing for me. Maybe fiction has ruined it for me? Or, it’s just overrated. Pretty, for certain … but not magical (to me), but the potential is absolutely there.
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Status: Weather delay in Greece
Current Location: Greece
Finished – Circe – Madeline Miller
Current Score: 7 (rawr)
Circe – Madeline Miller 4.25/5
The group I follow for about Booker had this on lists as a possibility, having read [book:The Song of Achilles|11250317] I really didn’t think so, but these people really know their Booker stuff so I thought it would spectacular and I put it on my list. LOL. It was really good, and I was very entertained.
I enjoyed Circe as a character, and particularly learning a mythology story I didn’t know. It REALLY bugs me that Miller puts f-bombs in these stories though. It jars me out of the time and place.
Other than that, no complaints (except my cats crawling all over me as I try to write this for the 2nd time.)
Heading to Turkey after delay
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I went to Greece back before Greek Yogurt was a “thing” in the States. We were there for 3 weeks and I’m pretty sure we ate Yogurt and Honey at every meal. Technically it was dessert, but we’d order it before a meal and after a meal. We’d order it twice in the same meal. We loved it. Somewhere around here I have a journal from that trip where I probably documented how many times I ate it. LOL
https://scontent.fsan1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/39468153_2055248531160639_915666617822609408_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=ca3081a925271d52d596cc09adbc277f&oe=5BF906FB
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0-4 on Landmarks
Status: departing
Current Location: Turkey
Finished: Birds Without Wings – Louis DB
Current score: 8
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1515728105?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
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I’m home!
Fear – Bob Woodward 3/5
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19548458-fear—bob-woodward-3-5
TOTAL score: 9 LOL I am the champion, my friends….
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Jessica
Start at Heathrow
Update on Litsy @jhod
Excited!
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Great to see you here! I will write soon. 😘
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Rachel O’s Armchair Travels Across Europe
Starting Location: Devon, England
Traveling to: xx airport
Location of updates: Litsy (@RachelO)
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: UK
Currently reading: N/a
Current score: n/a
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Hooray! I officially cancelled my IRL travel plans yesterday, so v happy to be backpacking with you all summer instead! I’ll be breaking out the maps and the kindle to make a plan any second now. And my aim this year is to beat last summer’s rather pathetic 3 books.
A question about landmarks. Do you have to be logging a book for that country to get landmark points? For eg if I’m logging a book for Sweden, and hit a discussion about/link/connection to hidden treasure buried at Mont St Michel, does that count? Or would it only count if I was logging the book for France? Thank you!
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That is a great question. You have to be in the country of the landmark. So logging a book for that country. I imagine it will be fairly challenging to get those extra points 😬
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😂 Thought that was probably it. I’ll be looking for creativity points! Last question: I’m in the UK. OK to fly to Paris/Netherlands to start? Or do I need to start at Heathrow? Ta.
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Yes, you will need to read your home country when you return but you can skip the first flight and just start your travels from the UK. If you do want to fly you can only fly to one of the starting airports. Otherwise you can take the “ferry” to France or Iceland since those are to two ways out of the UK (that we are allowing for the game.
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Update: http://litsy.com/p/cjV1bEVPUmRQ
Status: Too hot. What’s with all the sunshine? T’aint right. Anyone’d think it was summer!
Current location: On Ferry from Plymouth, England to Roscoff, France
Just finished reading: The Juniper Gin Joint (England)
Next book/location: Blackberry Wine (France)
Current score: 1 point
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Forgot to bore you with my photos from earlier in the week. This was us packing up the van: http://litsy.com/p/ekVPaFNzRTBt
And this was what we’ve actually been doing this week: http://litsy.com/p/c1JTRGw0Wm9C
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We love seeing the photos
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Parzival’s European Travels
Starting Location: US
Traveling to: TBD
Location of updates: here
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: US
Currently reading: TBD
Current score: TBD
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Traveling to: UK
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Here’s the entry for Pimm’s extra credits:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/19441473-parzival-s-travels
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Code Name Verity is a beautifully written novel that is written as a “confession” of a captured English Scottish spy during WWII. This is a must read for anyone who likes suspenseful WWII books.
Traveling to: France
Currently reading: Rose Under Fire
Current score: 1
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It seems that the book’s locations is not mainly in France, so will switch to Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico.
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Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris is a beautiful tale of kindness and compassion that follows Mrs. Harris on her quest to buy herself a Dior dress in Paris, no matter what difficulties arise. A great book for all readers.
Traveling to: Belgium
Currently reading: Noah’s Child by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt
Current score: 2
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Noah’s Child is a heartwarming story about human kindness during WWII that shows the workings of one of the many orphanages in Belgium that took in Jewish children. This is a must-read for compassionate souls.
Traveling to: Germany
Currently reading: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Current score: 3
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Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer follows the story of young Oscar Schell who after his father’s death finds a key hidden in his dad’s room. Throughout the story, we delve into the past and see Oscar’s grandfather in Dresden, Germany, writing to his unborn son. This story requires commitment to reach the end, but it’s worth it.
Returning home: USA
Currently reading: Contain by Saul W. Tanpepper
Current score: 4
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Contain by Saul W. Tanpepper is a post-apocalyptic novel in which there is an extremely contagious disease that is transmitted by touch. A group of thirty people is locked in a bunker and problems are beginning to occur. It looks a lot like sabotage and Finn takes it upon himself to find the cause of these strange occurrences.
How it relates to my return home? The author is an American and also currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Home Sweet Home
Status: DONE
Current score: 5
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Allissa backpacks Europe via books whilst in real life does France in swanky hotels while reading said books
Starting Country: UK
Travelling to: Germany
Location of updates: Litsy
Status:Packing my bag
Current Location: Australia
Currently Reading: Another Wonan’s Husband by Gill Paul
Current Score:
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You’ll have to post some photos of your swanky in real life travels!
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Happy to
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I see you got me listed here. I will be tracking on Goodreads and making posts to Litsy. Excited to start!
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Home country = USA
Traveling to: xx airport
Location of updates: I will be posting primarily on Litsy and Goodreads. Photos of travels on Litsy and travel diary here and Litsy.
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: US
Currently reading: N/a
Current score: n/a
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Visited England and read Through the Looking Glass for 1 point. I am now in Ireland.
Current location: Ireland
Currently reading: The Story of Lucy Gault
Current score: 1
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Status: Loving Ireland! I will linger here for a bit while I read the Diversify challenge book and then I will head to Scotland
Current location: Ireland
Currently reading: n/a — completed the Ireland book
Current score: 2
Books completed:
England – Through the Looking Glass
Ireland – The Story of Lucy Gault
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Status: In Scotland helping Mr Hannay solve his case. This one is a working stop.
Current location: Scotland
Currently reading: The 39 Steps
Current score: 2
Books completed:
England – Through the Looking Glass
Ireland – The Story of Lucy Gault
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Status: preparing for a trip over to Sweden
Current location: Norway
Currently reading: finished Hunger — I will read Pippi Longstocking next
Current score: 5
Books completed:
England – Through the Looking Glass
Ireland – The Story of Lucy Gault
Scotland – The 39 Steps
Iceland – Independent People
Norway – Hunger
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Status: enjoying Sweden while I am dealing with a lost passport, a head cold and poor weather!
Current location: Sweden
Currently reading: finished Pippi Longstocking
Current score: 6
Books completed:
England – Through the Looking Glass
Ireland – The Story of Lucy Gault
Scotland – The 39 Steps
Iceland – Independent People
Norway – Hunger
Sweden – Pippi Longstocking
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tatus: enjoying Berlin
Current location: Berlin, Germany
Currently reading: All Soul’s Day
1001 Score: 7
Overall Score: 7
Books completed:
England – Through the Looking Glass
Ireland – The Story of Lucy Gault
Scotland – The 39 Steps
Iceland – Independent People
Norway – Hunger
Sweden – Pippi Longstocking
Denmark – Quicksand
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status: traveling to France
Current location: On the road to France
Currently reading: Starting The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Country Points:
England 1
Ireland 1
Scotland 1
Iceland 1
Norway 1
Sweden 1
Denmark 1
Germany 1
The Netherlands 1
Belgium 1
Landmark Points:
Brandenburg Gate 4
La Grand Place 4
Other Points:
TOTAL:
1001 Score: 18
Overall Score: 18
Books completed:
England – Through the Looking Glass
Ireland – The Story of Lucy Gault
Scotland – The 39 Steps
Iceland – Independent People
Norway – Hunger
Sweden – Pippi Longstocking
Denmark – Quicksand
Germany – All Souls Day ** visited Brandenburg Gate
the Netherlands – The Twins
Belgium – The Parable of the Blind ** visited the Gran Place
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status: traveling back to Spain from Portugal
Current location: Spain
Currently reading: Starting The Sun Also Rises
Country Points:
England 1
Ireland 1
Scotland 1
Iceland 1
Norway 1
Sweden 1
Denmark 1
Germany 1
The Netherlands 1
Belgium 1
France 1
Spain 1 non-1001 point
Portugal 1
Landmark Points:
Brandenburg Gate 4
Alhambra 4
Other Points:
Avignon Festival 2
Creativity Point 7/24 1
TOTAL:
1001 Score: 23
Overall (non-1001) Score: 24
Books completed:
England – Through the Looking Glass
Ireland – The Story of Lucy Gault
Scotland – The 39 Steps
Iceland – Independent People
Norway – Hunger
Sweden – Pippi Longstocking
Denmark – Quicksand
Germany – All Souls Day ** visited Brandenburg Gate
the Netherlands – The Twins
Belgium – The Parable of the Blind
France – The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Spain – Tales of the Alhambra ** visited Alhambra
Portugal – The History of the Siege of Lisbon
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status: in Italy
Current location: Italy
Currently reading: Starting I’m Not Scared
Country Points:
England 1
Ireland 1
Scotland 1
Iceland 1
Norway 1
Sweden 1
Denmark 1
Germany 1
The Netherlands 1
Belgium 1
France 1
Spain 1 non-1001 point
Portugal 1
Spain 0 points for revisit
France 0 points for revisit
Switzerland 1
Landmark Points:
Brandenburg Gate 4
Alhambra 4
Mont Saint Michel 4
Other Points:
Avignon Festival 2
Creativity Point 7/24 1
TOTAL:
1001 Score: 28
Overall (non-1001) Score: 29
Books completed:
England – Through the Looking Glass
Ireland – The Story of Lucy Gault
Scotland – The 39 Steps
Iceland – Independent People
Norway – Hunger
Sweden – Pippi Longstocking
Denmark – Quicksand
Germany – All Souls Day ** visited Brandenburg Gate
the Netherlands – The Twins
Belgium – The Parable of the Blind
France – The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Spain – Tales of the Alhambra ** visited Alhambra
Portugal – The History of the Siege of Lisbon
Spain – The Sun Also Rises (no points)
France – Old Bones (no points for country) ** Mont Saint-Michel
Switzerland – Smiley’s People
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I just finished Slovenia, and my book for Croatia hasnt arrived – does this mean I am still in Slovenia?
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No as long as you finished your book for Slovenia and posted the review before the update then you can be considered in Croatia
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status:
Current location:
Currently reading:
Country Points:
England 1
Ireland 1
Scotland 1
Iceland 1
Norway 1
Sweden 1
Denmark 1
Germany 1
The Netherlands 1
Belgium 1
France 1
Spain 1 non-1001 point
Portugal 1
Spain 0 points for revisit
France 0 points for revisit
Switzerland 1
Italy 1
Austria 1
Slovenia 1
Landmark Points:
Brandenburg Gate 4
Alhambra 4
Mont Saint Michel 4
Other Points:
Avignon Festival 2
Creativity Point 7/24 1
Creativity Point 8/6 1
TOTAL:
1001 Score: 32
Overall (non-1001) Score: 33
Books completed:
England – Through the Looking Glass
Ireland – The Story of Lucy Gault
Scotland – The 39 Steps
Iceland – Independent People
Norway – Hunger
Sweden – Pippi Longstocking
Denmark – Quicksand
Germany – All Souls Day ** visited Brandenburg Gate
the Netherlands – The Twins
Belgium – The Parable of the Blind
France – The Elegance of the Hedgehog
Spain – Tales of the Alhambra ** visited Alhambra
Portugal – The History of the Siege of Lisbon
Spain – The Sun Also Rises (no points)
France – Old Bones (no points for country) ** Mont Saint-Michel
Switzerland – Smiley’s People
Italy – I’m Not Scared
Austria – The Third Man
Slovenia – Veronika Decides to Die
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This sounds like fun, I’m definitely interested!
Molly’s European Travels
Starting location: Madison, WI, USA
Traveling to: TBA
Location of updates: Litsy (Shadowfat), possibly Goodreads
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: USA
Currently reading: TBA
Current Score: TBD
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I hope I’m doing this the right way.
Tatjana’s European 1001 list Travels
Starting Location: Belgrade Serbia
Traveling to: xx airport
Location of updates: I will be posting on Goodreads.
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: Serbia
Currently reading: N/a
Current score: n/a
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Yes, perfect
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Jan’s Bookpacking Backpack Around Europe
Starting Location: England
Traveling to: Scotland
Location of updates: thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com
Status: Writing a list of what to put in my backpack
Current location: England
Currently reading: tba
Current score: tba
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Oh, hang on. I’m in England so does that mean I need to fly to another airport first, not hitch hike to Scotland? I’ll go to Amsterdam if I do!
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Nope. You if you live in Europe you may start from your home country. You may travel to Scotland as your first country then.
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Thanks, Jen. I’ll stick with my original plan in that case.
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Status: finishing a book I started weeks ago
Current location: Scotland
Next book: The Letters of Ivor Punch by Colin MacIntyre
Current score: 0
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Status: I finished a book from my TBR! Unfortunately, while actually in the country I visited for the challenge, I accidentally visited Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book Town and bought four books. I might need a bigger backpack.
Current location: Scotland
Travelling to: Iceland
Next Book: Last Rituals by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
Current score: 1
Review of The Letters of Ivor Punch (with holiday snaps) here https://thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com/2018/07/15/the-letters-of-ivor-punch/
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Status: Hoping Norway’s literary offering will be a big improvement on Iceland’s
Current location: Iceland
Travelling to: Norway
Next Book: The Bat by Jo Nesbø
Current score: 2
Review of how awful Last Rituals was is here https://thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com/2018/07/24/last-rituals/
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Status: happy to be heading off to see my Finnish penpal Tove Jansson
Current location: Norway
Travelling to: Finland
Next Book: Letters from Klara
Current score: 3
Review of the laughable The Bat is here https://thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com/2018/08/07/the-bat/
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Status: Tove and I had a great time getting reacquainted, even if some of her subtle political points did get me overheated. She’s an excellent book pal. Now I’ve got to see a Stieg about a Girl.
Current location: Finland
Travelling to: Sweden
Next Book: The Girl Who Played with Fire
Current score: 4
Review of the excellent Letters from Klara is here https://thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com/2018/08/11/letters-from-klara/
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Status: Coming up for air after a fraught time in Sweden with Lisbeth Salander and waiting to cross the border into Denmark to meet up with Peter Hoeg’s friend Susan (if she ever gets herself back from India/the library).
Current location: Sweden
Travelling to: Denmark
Next Book: The Susan Effect
Current score: 5
Review of The Girl Who Played With Fire here https://thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com/2018/09/08/the-girl-who-played-with-fire/
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Status: floating over the Øresund near Copenhagen, on my way to meet Christopher Isherwood in Berlin and his friend Mr Norris.
Current location: Denmark
Travelling to: Germany
Next Book: Mr Norris Changes Trains
Current score: 6
Review of The Susan Effect here https://thinkaboutreading.wordpress.com/2018/09/25/the-susan-effect/
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Andrea’s backpacking through Europe
Starting Location: UK (found a very good fare)
Traveling to: Heathrow, England
Location of updates: Litsy
Status: Looking in the closet for my old backpack
Current location: Costa Rica
Currently reading: N/a
Current score: n/a
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After a long delay I decided to start a blog, so I will be posting there. Here´s the link:
https://mochileera.wordpress.com/
Just finished touring in UK
Traveling to: Iceland
Location of updates: https://mochileera.wordpress.com/
Status: On the ferry to Iceland
Currently reading: The blue fox: A novel by Sjön
Current score: 1
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Just finished touring in Iceland
Traveling to: Norway
Location of updates: https://mochileera.wordpress.com/
Status: Still freezing in the ferry to Norway
Currently reading: The cross (Kristin Lavransdatter #3)
Current score: 2
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Finished Norway!
Traveling to: Sweden
Location of updates: https://mochileera.wordpress.com/
Status: On the train to Sweden
Currently reading: The girl in the woods
Current score: 3
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Traveling to: Denmark
Location of updates: https://mochileera.wordpress.com/
Status: Waiting for the weather to clear up
Currently reading: Out of Africa
Current score: 4
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I’m in! I missed last years summer challenge. Hopefully this will get me out of my reading slump.
Tanya’s European Travels
Starting Location: US
Traveling to: TBD
Location of updates: here
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: US
Currently reading: TBD
Current score: TBD
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Quick question: Since I keep seeing a mention of UK, does UK as a whole count for a point, or can we get points for each country of the UK?
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Points for each country
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Thanks. Also, if I understand the conversation above correctly, we can only reach Ireland from either Iceland or by leaving a travel hub country, correct?
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From Scotland, Wales, England, or Iceland.
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Tanya’s European Travels
Starting Location: US
Traveling to: Heathrow
Location of updates: Litsy (tdrosebud)
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: US
Currently reading: The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie
Current score: 0
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Current Location: Scotland
Currently Reading: The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
Current Score: 1
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See update on Litsy @tdrosebud
Current Location: Ireland
Currently Reading: In the Woods by Tana French
Current Score: 2
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I’m hoping to be able to keep up! I’m not too late right?
Ashley’s European Travels
Starting location: Indiana
Traveling to: TBD
Location of updates: here and Litsy (Ash.On.The.Line)
Status: trying to fold up my map!
Currently reading:TBD
Current Score:N/A
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Nope, it starts July 2
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First stop: Heathrow airport, going to explore England especially since they are having such lovely weather! Now to adjust to the 5 hour time difference. I’ll be reading Northanger Abbey. Hopefully I’ll be able to see the countryside of England on my journey. I’ll be back to update on my travels and reading soon!
Ash x.
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Northanger Abbey, was a great story that surprised me. It showed a love of reading and how they can mess with our imagination. Smart but fun characters and there was a darker theme compared to other Austen novels.
England has been amazing! Lovely weather and all the World Cup games have made it more exciting! I may have been caught in a pub cheering with some locals! I have loved joining in on the fun. Did some sightseeing, but enjoyed my time away from the busy cities. You have been grand England but I am off to my next destination. -Ash x
(Haven’t posted on Litsy yet due to technical difficulties, of course lol)
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Tomorrow I will be heading to Iceland. There will be a dramatic change in weather. It is supposed to be rainy in the lower 50s. I won’t let that stop me from experiencing the country. I am hoping to find some comfort food. I will be reading Burial Rites during my time here. I need some travel books to know what goes on here, let’s hope I can figure something out! Catch you guys later! -ash x
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Burial Rites was a mesmerizing story about a rather morbid subject. Based on real events we see a touching side to Agnes, a women convicted of murder. We see farm life at its hardest, as a tragic back story unfolds.
Iceland has been cold, but the scenes can be breathtaking. Bundle up and see hard living with lovely people. The Icelandic people are fond of reading as well so staying inside to read isn’t frowned upon! I was able to look up some tidbits about the book I was reading since it was based on a true event. Iceland you have been cold so now I’m off to Ireland! -Ash x
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Off to Ireland now! I’ll be reading Light a Penny Candle. It’s a thick book but hoping it doesn’t take me too long. Still spending some time in the land of my ancestors will be fun. Hopefully I can feel some connection as I grab a pint and enjoy the views. Also to learn more about Ireland since it’s never been on my radar. Slight temperature change, still rainy but it’s low 70s! I can’t wait to drink and be merry! -ash x
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Boy I have ever overstayed my welcome in Ireland! Was it my Irish roots that kept me there or was it that I read a chunkster of 500+ pages? Light A Penny Candle was a great book about friendship and relationships over a long period of time. We go between Ireland and England. I really enjoyed the book but parts moved slowly. I’m happy I finished and am off to my next country.
Ireland has beautiful countrysides and lovely pubs. My last name used to have an O’ in front of it long ago so I really wanted to embrace that here! Unfortunately I’m off to France. Maybe not so unfortunate haha! -Ash X
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I am off to France! I’ll be reading “The Marseille Caper” for this trip. I’ll need a lot of translate for this trip. Also are they still celebrating their World Cup win? I want to indulge just a bit here. Give me great food as I read on a balcony. I don’t enough about France to plan but I’m happy to learn. Weather is looking hot with a mix of rain. Hopefully I’ll find a fashionable rain coat in the cities! I’m excited to learn more about this country! -Ash x
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I wasn’t in France long, possibly because the book wasn’t that great. I sped through it so I could finish! The description of France was great! The story itself was weak. A sort of mystery but barely there and no one really stood out in the story. Overall it just wasn’t satisfying.
The French countryside is breathtaking. Surrounded but amazing food and fashion, had my dreaming goggles on. Unfortunately I can’t stay long because France isn’t calling my name, name anymore. I am off to Italy because I love pasta way more! -ash x
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The beautiful Italy, someone get me a plate of pasta! I will be reading Pompeii for my trip. The weather is supposed to be very hot but I have my sun hat, and spf! I am ready to see some pizzas being made and drink at a cafe! I can’t wait to see some breathtaking views and keep things small while here! Now let’s explore! -ash x
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Italy I’m late in my updating. Pompeii was a decent book especially since we now the ending. Learning about the water system that was the result of the impending eruption was interesting. The characters were a little flat but overall the story was good.
Italy is better than imagined. I eat pasta and stare at the sea and I’m content. It’s beautiful and the people have made me feel so welcomed here. Give me this any day and id he happy. Though now I’m moving on to Austria. -ash x
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Hello Austria! I’m reading Marrying Mozart for this trip. The weather is fine and I honestly don’t know much about this lovely country. Hopefully while here I get a lot of info and this book holds up! So I’ll be playing somebMozart and enjoying this new country! -ash x
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Starting location: Japan
Traveling to: Charles de Gaulle airport
Location of updates: Litsy @mhillis
Status: packing my backpack
Current location: Japan
Currently reading:
Current score:
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I enjoyed the US one last year, so I’ll give this a try! I work the next few days, then will be away for a few days, so I won’t likely even start the planning until I’m back home July 4.
Starting Location: Alberta, Canada
Traveling to: TBD
Location of updates: here, GR, LT, Litsy
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: Canada
Currently reading: TBD
Current score: 0
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Ok, I’ve decided to start in France.
Starting Location: Alberta, Canada
Traveling to: Charles de Gaulle (France)
Status: Packing my backpack, studying travel guides
Current score: 0
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Sigh, I finally started my “France” book only to discover it starts in France, but move to and seems to be primarily set in New York. May be back to the drawing board. I’ll see where it leads…
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So, the characters went back and forth to/from France a few times, but I think the France portion was still only about 1/2 the book, which is not “predominantly”, so I’ll have to find something else.
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Yay! I’m told my France book will work, after all. Thanks, Jen!
Location: France
Score: 1
Traveling to: Italy
The Paris Seamstress / Natasha Lester
4 stars
In the early 1940s, Estella, in her early 20s, is sent away by her mother to the United States when the Germans are coming close to Paris. Estella takes with her the knowledge of Paris fashion, how to design, and how to sew. In 2015, Estella is in her late 90s and lives in New York City. Her son has recently died, and she has a very close relationship with her granddaughter, Fabienne. Fabienne hasn’t heard her family’s story. In fact, much of Estelle’s own family history was a surprise to her when she arrived in New York in the 40s.
I really liked this. I got caught up in it early on, and I was kept wanting to read to find out. I don’t feel like there were many twists, but I thought the secrets were unraveled very nicely. One thing that did come as a surprise to me was in the author’s note about what events were historically true.
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Location: Italy
Score: 1 (Italy) + 1 (France) = 2
Travelling to: Austria
Blood & Beauty / Sarah Dunant
2.5 stars
This book follows a fictional account of the Borgias. Rodrigo became pope in the late 1400s. He had four(?) children, including Cesare and Lucrezia. History has not looked upon them kindly. Rodrigo had a number of mistresses. Cesare, though becoming a cardinal (for a while) also slept around. There were rumors of incest among them, and murders happened. This book opens when the conclave is happening just as Rodrigo will be voted in as the new pope and Lucrezia is 13 years old and soon to be married.
How was this even acceptable for a pope!? How did he get voted in? (Hmmm, missed in in my reading of the book, but the summary tells me he bought his way to the papacy.) And for a cardinal (Cesare)? All the sleeping around. Even if there wasn’t any incest going on, Rodrigo’s children made it obvious he wasn’t celibate. Was this not a requirement of priests and higher ups in the Catholic Church at the time!? Anyway, I just didn’t find most of the book very interesting. I found the parts that focused on Lucrezia the most interesting and paid most attention to that, otherwise I was often skimming.
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Location: Austria
Score: 1 Austria + 1 (Italy) + 1 (France) = 3
Travelling to: Hungary
3,096 Days / Natascha Kampusch
4 stars
Natascha Kampusch was 10 years old in 1998 when, walking to school alone for the first time, she was grabbed and thrown into a white delivery van. She was kept prisoner, mostly in a “dungeon” underground in her kidnapper’s house for 8 years before she escaped.
This is the first kidnapping story that I remember being so blown up in the media. (Sadly, there have been a number of them since). For those who are squeamish about sex/rape, she leaves this out; it doesn’t actually sound like there was a lot of that, anyway. There is plenty of physical abuse, though.
It is a translation, so there is the occasional awkward phrase or sentence, but I was certainly interested in her story. I think it gave a really good insight into how dependent she was on her kidnapper, especially since she was with him during those formative years between the ages of 10 and 18, and why she might have mixed feelings towards him. I feel so badly that she was not always treated well after she escaped due to those mixed feelings towards her former captor.
Something interesting about this book that I’ve not seen before (though I don’t have a Smartphone, so couldn’t take advantage of them) were the QR codes for more information at the end of each chapter. The book was published in 2010, so it’s possible the codes may not work anymore. However, as with many true crime stories I read, I had to look up more information online to find out how she’s been doing since the book was published.
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Location: Hungary
Score: 1 Hungary + 1 (Austria) + 1 (Italy) + 1 (France) = 4
Travelling to: Romania
The Door / Magda Szabo
3 stars
The narrator (I don’t think we ever learn her name in the book, though the blurb on the back calls her Magda) is a writer who hires an older woman, Emerence, to do her housekeeping. Emerence does lots of cleaning jobs and shows up when she feels like it. The two women form a friendship, despise Emerence’s “quirks”, including where she doesn’t ever let anyone, anyone at all, see inside her home.
I hated Emerence and didn’t see how there was any kind of friendship on either side. I would, in fact, call Emerence a crazy old b**** – seriously crazy. She had temper tantrums that she took out on everyone around her, including the narrator’s dog, Viola. Not sure why Viola liked Emerence so much, when Emerence periodically beat Viola for no reason to do with the dog. Emerence also had cats and I worried for their safety, in addition to Viola’s. Though the book was pretty slow-moving, it did pick up a bit toward the end. But, I still hated Emerence and didn’t “get” the friendship, at all.
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Location: Romania (the author was born in Romania)
Score: 1 Romania +1 (Hungary) +1 (Austria) +1 (Italy) +1 (France) = 5
Travelling to: Ukraine
Dawn / Elie Weisel
2 stars
Set after WWII, Elisha had been in a concentration camp, but when he got out, he wasn’t sure what to do with himself. He was then recruited into a terrorist group in Israel. At 18 years old, Elisha is told he is to murder a kidnapped English soldier. The (very short) book (in the intro, Wiesel calls it a novel, but it’s under 100 pages) is the day or two leading up to the murder, as Elisha is coming to terms with what he has been tasked to do.
Boring. The premise doesn’t sound too bad, but ultimately, it was mostly Elisha discussing philosophy with his fellow terrorists. It is billed as book 2 after “Night”, but it was fiction whereas Night was a memoir. I won’t be reading the 3rd book.
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I have a question. I just finished my Ukraine book. I usually don’t remember to check on Mondays where the delays are, etc. It seems Ukraine was weather delayed this week (I see this now). I probably started the book after the weather delay.
Not sure what to do. I won’t be reading another Ukraine book (was hard enough to find this one; I didn’t have any on my tbr, and that’s primarily what I try to choose from).
I guess if I’m done here, I’m done here. I don’t have many points and it’s almost over, anyway. I plan to keep going on my own, anyway, as I had planned it all out ahead of time.
Thanks!
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Just use the delay this next week. So don’t move on until the following monday
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That works for me! Thank you. So, I can still post the review now and just not start reading for the next country until Mon. the 24th?
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Yes
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Location: Ukraine (read last week, not realizing there was a delay; will sit out now until next Monday)
Score: 1 Ukraine + 1 (Romania) +1 (Hungary) +1 (Austria) +1 (Italy) +1 (France) = 6
Travelling to: Poland
Everything is Illuminated / Jonathan Safran Foer
1.5 stars
I don’t even have a summary. There was a Ukrainian translator with horrible English. There was an author visiting Ukraine, who met up with the translator and they, along with the translator’s grandfather were looking for a village that didn’t seem to exist, so it seemed. And, throughout the book, some chapters backed up in time to Jewish people starting in the 1700s, but I never quite figured out what was going on there, as the time jumped forward in other chapters; at some point it was during WWII. Apparently, these were ancestors of the author (the author character, not the actual author)?
This was weird. It is going to be my lowest rated book of the year (I think this is only the 2nd book, ever, I’ve rated less than 2 stars). I couldn’t figure out how the translator could even be a translator with his awful English; the author had the same name as the actual author of the book, Jonathan Safran Foer, so that simply confused me for ages. There were other odd parts written like a play or written like Bible verses. Weird. Not good. At all. It’s too bad – I think the only other book I’ve read by this author (nonfiction) made it on my favourites list for that year.
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Well, I never did get back to my next book, so my journey (within this timeline) will end here. I am planning to continue on my own time, as I did have my entire trip planned out, so I will finish off, hopefully by the end of this calendar year. That’s my goal for it, anyway!
I end with 6 points. Fun challenge and it helped me finish up some books from my tbr!
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Fun! I’m in!
Hallie’s European Travels
Starting Location: Colorado, USA
Location of updates: Litsy (@hes7)
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Love backpacking, this will be fun!:)
Hilde’s European Travels
Will be reading a mix of 1001 list books and non-list books
Starting location: Norway
Traveling to: TBD
Location of update: Litsy (hilded) and GR (Reading 1001 Group)
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: Norway
Currently reading: n/a
Current score: n/a
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First stop will be Sweden, where I will read Ildvitnet/The Fire Witness by Lars Kepler. I have read the first two in the series, not a big fan – but enjoyable enough to continue on with the series. Sweden though; big fan! Was in Stockholm just a couple of weeks ago, may have to dig up some of my pictures from that trip.
Excited to start my backpack tour tomorrow!:)
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Finally the weather cleared up, and I am now on my way from Sweden to Denmark after finishing my Sweden book, The Fire Witness.
Status: Just arrived in sunny Denmark
Current location: Denmark
Currently reading: Smila’s sense of snow
Current score: 1
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After a great stay in Denmark with Smilla, I have just artived in Germany. Looking forward to exploring 🙂
Status: Just started my third book
Current location: Germany
Currently reading: The Book Thief
Current score: 3
(Books for Sweden and Denmark + 1 creativity point)
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I had a long stay in Germany, enjoying my trip!:)
I have finally decided to move on to France. Here I will be accompanied by Madame Rosa and Momo in The Life Before Us by Emilie Ajar (pseduo for Romian Gary). I am really looking forward to exploring France with Madame Rosa and Momo, I have a feeling this is an excellent book, hope I will not be let down.
Status: Currently in the wonderful city of Paris, reading my fourth book for the trip
Current location: France
Currently reading: The Life Before Us (La vie deviant soi)
Current score: 4
(Books for Swede, Denmark and Germany + 1 creativity point)
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Status: in Scotland
Reading: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Current score: 5
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Status: Moving on to England
Currently reading: The Sense of an Ending
Current score: 6
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Hi I am considering this but just wanted to check something before I commit? The instructions limit ferry travel except for a few options – does that mean I can’t travel to say Malta or Cyprus at all? Would books set in the Greek Islands or the Balearics be allowed for Greece or Spain? my reason for asking is not to be pernickety but just because I am also trying to read through some of a fairly epic TBR pile.
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Yes, to islands you can take a ferry from the nearest country. And yes to your second question too
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Excellent in that case with the hopenof wiping a few of the odder books on my kindle off the TBR I am in!!
Itchyfeetreader’s Europe on a Shoestring
Starting Location: I’m in London already!
Traveling to Amsterdam first! After that who knows.
Location of updates: Mainly on Litsy
Status: Thumbing the lonely planet!
Current location: London
Currently reading: N/a
Current score: n/a
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23 July Update. I’ve been a bad correspondent whilst travelling! my short reviews are on litsy longer ones on Goodreads and Library thing.. I am at 3 points
Amsterdam (the miniaturist),
Germany (Alone in Berlin … side note pretty much every Berlin landmark is visited except for the Brandemberg Gate!)l
Austria – Night Falls in the City
Now heading slowly over the Alps and into Italy where I have a couple of options in my unread piles!
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Do make sure you check in after each book because travel delays are selected using the randomizer and a player’s name is thrown in to the randomizer the same number of times as the books they complete each week. So next week I will have to add your name in for the past books plus any new books.
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Elizabeth’s Whimsical European Tour
Starting Location: St. Louis, USA
Traveling to: TBD
Location of updates: I will be posting on Litsy (mabell).
Status: Studying my Satchel Guide
Current location: USA
Currently reading: n/a
Current score: n/a
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Status: Savoring my book and delicious bitterballen
Current location: The Netherlands
Currently reading: The Letter for the King, Tonke Dragt
Current score: 0
(In addition to Litsy, I am also posting on my blog – http://www.graymyrtle.com/book-blog/)
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Status: Taking in historic Brussels
Current location: Belgium
Currently reading: The Infamous Army, Georgette Heyer
Current score: 1
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(Oops, forgot link to The Letter for the King review http://www.graymyrtle.com/book-blog/2018/7/11/the-netherlands)
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Yay, my blog post for Belgium is complete! http://www.graymyrtle.com/book-blog/2018/7/18/belgium
I have a question about landmarks. In this case, does the book need to say the “Grand Place?” In the book, the ball in honor of the Duke takes place at the Hotel de Ville on the Grand Place – one quote is as follows, “The Earl of Worth’s small party arrived at the Hotel de Ville shortly after eight o’clock, to find a long line of carriages setting down their burdens one after another…” Would this count as visiting the landmark?
Thanks!
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That would count for the landmark. It doesn’t have to mention the place but you have to make a case for it and the we approve it before you can count it. I do approve this one
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Great, thank you!! 🙂
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Status: Boating
Current location: Luxembourg
Currently reading: A Small Boat to Luxembourg, Roger Pilkington
Current score: 9
Countries – 2
Ghent Festival – 2
Creativity – 1
Landmarks – 4
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My review on Litsy and my blog are both up for Small Boat to Luxembourg! http://www.graymyrtle.com/book-blog/2018/7/18/luxembourg
Status: Stepping off the Boat
Current location: France
Currently reading: Old Bones, Aaron Elkins
Current score: 10
Countries – 3
Ghent Festival – 2
Creativity – 1
Landmarks – 4
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My Litsy review for Old Bones has posted (blog post still in progress…)
I would like to request landmark credit for this one, “And when the tide is in, the plain becomes a vast, rolling ocean from which the great abbey-citadel of Mont St. Michel – St. Michael’s Mount – rears like some stupendous God-made thing of dark and gloomy granite…” pg 1 Old Bones
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Status: Stepping Off the Ferry
Current location: England
Currently reading: August Folly, Angela Thirkell
Current score: 14
Countries – 4
Ghent Festival – 2
Avignon Festival – 2
Creativity – 2
Landmarks – 4
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I have posted England on my blog – http://www.graymyrtle.com/book-blog/2018/8/5/england
Status: Trying to pick up a few phrases in Welsh
Current location: Wales
Currently reading: Evan and Elle, Rhys Bowen
Current score: 19
Countries – 5
Ghent Festival – 2
Avignon Festival – 2
Creativity – 2
Landmarks – 8
(I saw you had approved Old Bones, so I added Mont St. Michel in the Landmark points)
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To update my travels here:
Since I last updated my status, I have finished Evan and Elle (Wales), On An Irish Jaunting-Car Through Donegal And Connemara by Samuel Bayne (Ireland), Winking at the Brim by Gladys Mitchell (Scotland); the reviews are on Litsy. Blog posts to come…
Current Status: Wandering around lost in Prague
Current location: Czech Republic
Currently reading: Saturnin by Zdeněk Jirotka
Current score: 29
Countries – 8
Ghent Festival – 2
Avignon Festival – 2
Food Challenge – 5 (Wales – appetizer, Ireland – main, Scotland – appetizer)
Creativity – 4
Landmarks – 8
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Progress has been slow. I have completed my Wales blog post; others still to come.
Current Status: Following the circus!
Current location: Austria
Currently reading: Airs Above the Ground, Mary Stewart
Current score: 30
Countries – 9
Ghent Festival – 2
Avignon Festival – 2
Food Challenge – 5 (Wales – appetizer, Ireland – main, Scotland – appetizer)
Creativity – 4
Landmarks – 8
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Last status:
Traveled from Austria to Germany, read The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, flew from Germany to New York, and finished by reading Summer at Tiffany by Marjorie Hart.
Final Score: 32
Countries – 11 (Not counting USA)
Ghent Festival – 2
Avignon Festival – 2
Food Challenge – 5 (Wales – appetizer, Ireland – main, Scotland – appetizer)
Creativity – 4
Landmarks – 8
Thank you so much for hosting this!
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This is so fun! I am in 🙂
Juliana’s travels
Starting Location: Germany
Traveling to: Destination unknown
Location of updates: I will be posting on my blog and Goodreads.
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: Germany
Currently reading: N/a
Countries visited so far: n/a
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I’ve just published my sign-up post, with possible destinations and the corresponding books:
https://theblankgarden.com/2018/06/27/backpack-through-europe-summer-reading-challenge-2018/
🙂
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Status: Heading to the UK in the company of Mary Shelley!
Current location: flying to the UK
Currently reading: Mathilda, by Mary Shelley (1819)
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Here the edition I am reading: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/398156.Mathilda
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My updates for the week:
– Current location: UK
– Here is my post for Special Event (The Henley Regatta): https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk5Sa4klllN/?taken-by=blankgarden
I posted it on Instagram, using #backpackEurope
– Status: I am still in the UK, but I am finished with Mary Shelley!
– Traveling to: Destination unknown. I may choose France or Iceland
– Finished Reading: Mathilda, by Mary Shelley (1819). My Review: https://theblankgarden.com/2018/07/06/review-mathilda-mary-shelley/
– Currently reading: N/a
– Countries visited so far: UK
🙂
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– Status: Heading to France in the company of George Sand!
– Current location: on my way to France
– Currently reading: Valentine, by George Sand (1832)
– Edition I am reading: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17720258-valentine
– Current score: 1 (UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta)
🙂
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Hi, Jen!
I have a question: I departed from my country (Germany) – can a pass through it (provided that I read a book) to go to another bordering country? Example: If I am in Luxembourg (I am not), can I go to Germany to then be able to go to Austria? Or can I only go to my country at the end of the journey? Sorry if the question is stupid 🙂
Thank you!
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My updates for the week:
– Finished Reading: Valentine, by George Sand (1832). My review: https://theblankgarden.com/2018/07/12/review-valentine-george-sand/
– Status: Left France, and have just arrived in Belgium in the company of Amélie Nothomb!
– Current location: Belgium
– Currently reading: Kosmetik des Bösen by Amélie Nothomb, translated by Brigitte Große (originally published in 2001).
– Edition I am reading: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1878412.Kosmetik_des_B_sen
– Here is my post for Special Event (Ghent Festival): https://open.spotify.com/user/11185354508/playlist/3dyqca35lunWPNql00aKHq?si=L8UUuQ8aRxmjxv5Ehz-R8w
I created it on Spotify: it is composed of strange sounding classical musics (the book is disturbing so far), airport songs (it’s the book’s setting), duets (the book is a written as a long dialogue) and one song by a Belgium singersongwriter (just because :)).
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, now Belgium
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival)
– Once I finish and review the Belgian book, I intend to go to The Netherlans -> then Germany (I don’t want to finish my journey there yet, so I will just visit it and read a book for it – if this is allowed…) -> then Switzerland -> and then I don’t know yet! 🙂
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Weekend updates:
– Finished Reading: Kosmetik des Bösen by Amélie Nothomb, translated by Brigitte Große (originally published in 2001). My review: https://theblankgarden.com/2018/07/15/review-the-enemys-cosmetique-cosmetique-de-lennemi-amelie-nothomb/
– Status: Left Belgium, and have just arrived in The Netherlands in the company of Connie Palmen!
– Current location: The Netherlands
– Currently reading: The Laws, by Connie Palmen, t r. Richard Huijing (1993)
– Edition I am reading: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1041392.The_Laws
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium)
🙂
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Updates:
– Finished Reading: The Laws, by Connie Palmen, tr. Richard Huijing (1993. De Wetten, 1991). My review: https://theblankgarden.com/2018/07/17/review-the-laws-de-wetten-connie-palmen/
– Status: Left The Netherlands, and have just arrived in Germany (vor a vsiti) in the company of W. G. Sebald!
– Current location: Germany
– Currently reading: The Rings of Saturn, by W. G. Sebald, tr. Michael Hulse (1999. Die Ringe des Saturn, 1995)
– Edition I am reading: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/434903.The_Rings_of_Saturn
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands
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Weekly update:
– Finished Reading: The Rings of Saturn, by W. G. Sebald, tr. Michael Hulse (1999. Die Ringe des Saturn, 1995).
– My review: https://theblankgarden.com/2018/07/25/review-the-rings-of-saturn-by-wg-sebald/
– Status: Left Germany and have just arrived in Switzerland, in the company of Fleur Jaeggy!
– Current location: Switzerland
– Currently reading: I Am the Brother of XX, by Fleur Jaeggy. Edition I am reading: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32491801-i-am-the-brother-of-xx
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands) + 1 (Germany)
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found it. For some reason it was listed as needing approval.
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Thank you! 🙂
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Weekend updates!
– Finished Reading: I Am The Brother of XX, by Fleur Jaeggy
– Status: Left Switzerland, and have just arrived in Italy in the company of Anna Banti!
– Current location: Italy
– Currently reading: Artemisia, by Anna Banti
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands) + 1 (Germany) + 1 (Switzerland)
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Update:
– Finished Reading: Artemisia, by Anna Banti
– Status: Left Italy – I am going to Austria in the company of Elfriede Jelinek!
– Current location: in transit
– Currently reading: I will start The Piano Teacher, by Elfriede Jelinek
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands) + 1 (Germany) + 1 (Switzerland) + 1 (Italy)
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Weekend updates:
– Finished Reading: The Piano Teacher, by Elfriede Jelinek (Review on my blog)
– Status: Left Austria and am going to Czechia in the company of Daniela Hodrová!
– Current location: in transit
– Currently reading: I will start A Kingdom of Souls, by Daniela Hodrová, tr. Véronique Firkusny & Elena Sokol (2015, 200 p.. Original: Podoboji – Edice Jadra, 1991)
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands) + 1 (Germany) + 1 (Switzerland) + 1 (Italy) + 1 (Austria)
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Weekly updates!
– Finished Reading: A Kingdom of Souls, by Daniela Hodrová, tr. Véronique Firkusny & Elena Sokol (2015. Original: Podoboji – Edice Jadra, 1991)
– Status: I am stuck in the Czech Republic since last week, waiting for the weather to clear up in Poland!
– Current location: stuck in the Czech Republic!
– Currently reading: nothing!
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands) + 1 (Germany) + 1 (Switzerland) + 1 (Italy) + 1 (Austria) + 1 (Czech Republic)
– Question: Poland has been on weather delay since August, 6th, and it seems it will continue this week, too, until August, 17th. Am I right? Can it be on delay for more than a week in a row?
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Since I am waiting for the weather in Poland to clear up, I wrote a partial wrap-up of my challenge so far: https://theblankgarden.com/2018/08/14/literary-backpack-through-europe-wrap-up-1/
Hope you enjoy! 🙂
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Weekly updates!
– Status: I am in Poland in the company of Olga Tokarczuk!
– Current location: Poland!
– Currently reading: Flights, by Olga Tokarczuk, tr. Jennifer Croft (2017. Original: Bieguni, 2007)
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands) + 1 (Germany) + 1 (Switzerland) + 1 (Italy) + 1 (Austria) + 1 (Czech Republic)
🙂
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Weekly update!
– Status: I’ve left Poland, and I’ve just arrived in Lithuania in the company of Laura Sintija Černiauskaitė!
– Current location: Lithuania
– Currently reading: Breathing into Marble, by Laura Sintija Černiauskaitė, tr. Marija Marcinkute (2016. Original: Kvėpavimas į marmurą, 2006)
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands) + 1 (Germany) + 1 (Switzerland) + 1 (Italy) + 1 (Austria) + 1 (Czech Republic) + 1 (Poland)
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Weekly update!
– Status: I’ve left Lithuania, and I’ve just arrived in Latvia in the company of Nora Ikstena!
– Current location: Latvia
– Currently reading: Soviet Milk, by Nora Ikstena, tr. Margita Gailitis (2018. Original: Mātes piens, 2015)
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands) + 1 (Germany) + 1 (Switzerland) + 1 (Italy) + 1 (Austria) + 1 (Czech Republic) + 1 (Poland) + 1 (Lithuania)
🙂
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Weekly update!
– Status: I’ve left Latvia, and I’ve just arrived in Estonia in the company of Doris Kareva!
– Current location: Estonia
– Currently reading: Shape of Time, by Doris Kareva, tr. Tiina Aleman (2010)
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands) + 1 (Germany) + 1 (Switzerland) + 1 (Italy) + 1 (Austria) + 1 (Czech Republic) + 1 (Poland) + 1 (Lithuania) + 1 (Latvia)
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Weekend update!
– Status: I’ve left Estonia, and arrived in Russia in the company of Nadezhda Khvoshchinskaya!
– Current location: Russia
– Currently reading: The Boarding-School Girl, by Nadezhda Khvoshchinskaya, tr. Karen Rosneck (2000)
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands) + 1 (Germany) + 1 (Switzerland) + 1 (Italy) + 1 (Austria) + 1 (Czech Republic) + 1 (Poland) + 1 (Lithuania) + 1 (Latvia) + 1 (Estonia)
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Weekly update!
– Status: I’ve left Russia, and arrived in Finland in the company of Leena Krohn!
– Current location: Finland
– Currently reading: Doña Quixote and Other Citizens/Gold of Ophir, by Leena Krohn, tr. Hildi Hawkins (1996. Original: Donna Quijote ja muita kaupunkilaisia: Muotokuvia, 1983)
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands) + 1 (Germany) + 1 (Switzerland) + 1 (Italy) + 1 (Austria) + 1 (Czech Republic) + 1 (Poland) + 1 (Lithuania) + 1 (Latvia) + 1 (Estonia) + 1 (Russia)
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Weekend update!
– Status: I’ve left Finland, and I am going to Sweden in the company of Karin Boye!
– Current location: Sweden
– Currently reading: Complete Poems, by Karin Boye, tr. David McDuff (1994)
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands) + 1 (Germany) + 1 (Switzerland) + 1 (Italy) + 1 (Austria) + 1 (Czech Republic) + 1 (Poland) + 1 (Lithuania) + 1 (Latvia) + 1 (Estonia) + 1 (Russia) + 1 (Finland)
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Weekly update!
– Status: I’ve left Sweden, and I am going to Norway in the company of Hanne Ørstavik!
– Current location: Norway
– Currently reading: The Blue Room, by Hanne Ørstavik, tr. Deborah Dawkin (2014. Original: Like sant som jeg er virkelig, 1999)
– Countries visited so far: England (UK), France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland, Sweden
– Current score: 1 (England, UK) + 2 (Special Event – The Henley Regatta) + 1 (France) + 2 (Special Event – Ghent Festival) + 1 (Belgium) + 1 (The Netherlands) + 1 (Germany) + 1 (Switzerland) + 1 (Italy) + 1 (Austria) + 1 (Czech Republic) + 1 (Poland) + 1 (Lithuania) + 1 (Latvia) + 1 (Estonia) + 1 (Russia) + 1 (Finland) + 1 (Sweden)
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VeganCleopatra’s European Travels
Starting Location: Colorado, USA
Traveling to: xx airport
Location of updates: I will be posting on Litsy (VeganCleopatra) and Goodreads.
Status: Packing my backpack…sorta
Current location: USA
Currently reading: n/a
Current score: n/a
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VeganCleopatra’s European Travels
Starting Location: Colorado, USA
Traveling to: Heathrow (UK)
Location of updates: I will be posting on Litsy (VeganCleopatra) and Goodreads.
Status: Determining next country, likely Ireland or Wales.
Current location: England
Currently reading: n/a
Current score: 1
Still in England, waiting to determine travel plans. Finished Sometimes I Lie for 1 point.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2204130654
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Status: Off to Ireland or Scotland.
Current location: Wales
Currently reading: n/a
Current score: 2
1)England: Sometimes I Lie (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2204130654
2)Wales: Howl’s Moving Castle (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1091912782
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Status: In Scotland!
Current location: Scotland
Currently reading: The Highland Witch
Current score: 3
1)England: Sometimes I Lie (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2204130654
2)Wales: Howl’s Moving Castle (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1091912782
3)Ireland: Dreamer’s Pool (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/701491632
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Status: About to begin book for Norway
Current location: Norway
Currently reading: Out Stealing Horses
Current score: 5
1)England: Sometimes I Lie (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2204130654
2)Wales: Howl’s Moving Castle (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1091912782
3)Ireland: Dreamer’s Pool (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/701491632
4)Scotland: The Highland Witch (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/698436958
5)Iceland: Beautiful Wreck (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1098801449
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Status: Beginning tour of Sweden
Current location: Sweden
Currently reading: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry
Current score: 6
1)England: Sometimes I Lie (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2204130654
2)Wales: Howl’s Moving Castle (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1091912782
3)Ireland: Dreamer’s Pool (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/701491632
4)Scotland: The Highland Witch (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/698436958
5)Iceland: Beautiful Wreck (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1098801449
6)Norway: Out Stealing Horses (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/83563197
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Status: Beginning tour of Finland
Current location: Finland
Currently reading: The Year of the Hare
Current score: 7
1)England: Sometimes I Lie (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2204130654
2)Wales: Howl’s Moving Castle (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1091912782
3)Ireland: Dreamer’s Pool (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/701491632
4)Scotland: The Highland Witch (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/698436958
5)Iceland: Beautiful Wreck (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1098801449
6)Norway: Out Stealing Horses (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/83563197
7)Sweden: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1438581247
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Status: Beginning tour of Russia
Current location: Russia
Currently reading: ??
Current score: 8
1)England: Sometimes I Lie (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2204130654
2)Wales: Howl’s Moving Castle (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1091912782
3)Ireland: Dreamer’s Pool (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/701491632
4)Scotland: The Highland Witch (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/698436958
5)Iceland: Beautiful Wreck (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1098801449
6)Norway: Out Stealing Horses (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/83563197
7)Sweden: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1438581247
8)Finland: The Year of the Hare
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2442716968
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Status: Leaving Russia for unknown country nearby
Current location: ?
Currently reading: ??
Current score: 9
1)England: Sometimes I Lie (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2204130654
2)Wales: Howl’s Moving Castle (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1091912782
3)Ireland: Dreamer’s Pool (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/701491632
4)Scotland: The Highland Witch (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/698436958
5)Iceland: Beautiful Wreck (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1098801449
6)Norway: Out Stealing Horses (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/83563197
7)Sweden: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1438581247
8)Finland: The Year of the Hare (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2442716968
9)Russia: Dreams of My Russian Summers (1 point)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/123729221
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A couple of questions:
1. When we pick an airport to fly to, do we just need to read for that country? Or are we supposed to read for that airport/city?
2. I am looking at a book I own about the Hapsburg dynasty of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Would I be able to still count that for Australia?
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1. The country. 2)Australia?
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Sorry, Austria. How silly!
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I assumed that’s what you meant but just checking. That’s fine then
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Simona’s EU route
Starting location: Slovenija
Traveling to: Amsterdam airport
Updates: Litsy @Simona
Status: Ready to go
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Current location: Amsterdam
Currently reading: H.Koch, Summer House with Swimming Pool
http://litsy.com/p/WWxNekxrM2xU
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Status: packing for next location – Belgium 🇧🇪, Brussels
Currently reading: A.Nothomb, Fear and Trembling
Current points: 1
link to the review: http://litsy.com/p/UjY5d1JBSEVX
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Train from Amsterdam to my quick, one day visit in Brussels (it’s expensive city).
http://litsy.com/p/aEZkTzRHOVFl
Current location: in transit from Netherlands to Belgium
Currently reading: A.Nothomb, S strahospoštovanjem
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Current location: La Grande Place in Brussels, Belgium
Currently reading: just finished S strahospoštovanjem, A.Nothomb
Review: http://litsy.com/p/SXFnemllVFA2
Current points: 2
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Current location/situation: breakfast in Paris, France 🇫🇷
Currently reading: HHhH, L. Binet
http://litsy.com/p/UVNZeFdHeENl
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Currently reading: finished HHhH, L.Binet
Current points: 3
review: http://litsy.com/p/OTl2clVRdTJ1
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Current location/situation: Berlin, Germany 🇩🇪
Currently reading: Babylon Berlin, V. Kutscher
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Landmark approval for Brandenburg Gate
http://litsy.com/p/QTZvZGgxNDVo
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My updates for two weeks of traveling http://litsy.com/p/MzVZNDZKblp1
Germany, review for V. Kutscher, Babylon Berlin http://litsy.com/p/VUV0cGkxenFX
Czech, review for M.Viewegh, Bringing Up Girls in Bohemia http://litsy.com/p/Uk5PZnBMMFh0
Austria, review for R.Musil, The Confusion of Young Törless http://litsy.com/p/THdCUEVMWlR4
Hungary, review for M.Szabo, The Door http://litsy.com/p/Z1VXZmpjWXFZ
Croatia, review for D.Ugrešić, The Culture of Lies http://litsy.com/p/NmhKelZHa1J6
Serbia, review for D.Kiš, A Tomb for Boris Davidovich http://litsy.com/p/UDZIVkdzY0Ru
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Landmark approval for Old city of Dubrovnik
http://litsy.com/p/SkZXRGZOdUlG
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Approved
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Review for Bulgaria http://litsy.com/p/em5RNkdHNGxJ
Current location: Greece 🇬🇷, reading Song of Achilles, M.Miller
Points: 10 for books, 1 for creativity, 8 for two landmarks
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Review for M.Miller, Song of Achilles http://litsy.com/p/ZkQyblEwZlZa
#Greece 🇬🇷 was my next-to-last stop before returning to home in this #BackPackEurope adventure. I’m already in Turkey, reading Selcuk Altun – Song My Mother Never Taught Me.
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Post for landmark approval http://litsy.com/p/YVp3UWlZWDEx
Grand Bazaar, S.Altun – Song My Mother Never Taught Me
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Post for challenge http://litsy.com/p/MWdQZWFFOXk0
I’m still in Turkey, so I visited Chora Church which is now museum.
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Turkey 🇹🇷 Review for Songs My Mother Never Taught Me, Selcuk Altun https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatih
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Current status: I’m already at home (Slovenia) reading Drago Jančar, Galjot (The Galley Slave).
Current points: 11 for books, 1 for creativity, 12 for three landmarks.
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Update post http://litsy.com/p/Zlc2QUtlZ2tp
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Review for D.Jančar, Galjot http://litsy.com/p/ZWk4dUdjNDFp
Current status: Back to work …
Final points: 25 (12 for books, 12 for landmarks and 1 for creativity).
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My last post for the challenge http://litsy.com/p/aWViVU01U25l
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Because this can’t end worse than my World Cup bracket will. And vicarious travel is one of my favorite kinds of travel!
Starting location: Washington DC
Traveling to: Heathrow (UK)
Updates: Litsy @schmia
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Amanda’s European Adventure
Starting Location: Michigan, USA
Traveling to: Amsterdam airport
Location of updates: Litsy @Amanda61
Status: Packing my backpack
Current location: USA
Currently reading: N/a
Current score: n/a
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Current location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Currently reading: Girl in the Blue Coat
Current score: 0
http://litsy.com/p/N3RjblR5c0w2
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Traveling to: Germany
Status: Waiting for the train
Currently reading: N/a
Current score: 1
1. Netherlands: The Girl in the Blue Coat
http://litsy.com/p/V2RwckdGTmM0
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Change of plans! Went to Belgium rather than Germany.
Status: Walking the streets of Belgium
Current location: Belgium
Currently reading: The Angel Maker
Current score: 1
1. Netherlands: The Girl in the Blue Coat
http://litsy.com/p/V2RwckdGTmM0
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SPECIAL EVENT: Ghent Festival
Below is my festival playlist for “The Angel Maker”. The story is a new modern Frankenstein with a very unexpected twisted!
1. Life, Life (by Roger Bart)
2. There’s an Answer (Patrick Doyle)
3. Wait ‘Til You See What’s Next (Jason Robert Brown)
4. The Little Sandman (Robert Kochis)
5. God’s Gonna Cut You Down (Johnny Cash)
6. Hallelujah (Jeff Buckley)
7. Judgement Day (Stealth)
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Status: Just arrived in France
Currently reading: The Island of Books
Current score: 4
1. Netherlands: ‘The Girl in the Blue Coat’ (1 Point)
http://litsy.com/p/V2RwckdGTmM0
2. Belgium: ‘The Angel Maker’ & The Ghent Festival (3 Points)
http://litsy.com/p/ZTdFVFZHTDNN
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MONUMENT: Mont St. Michel
“A blind woman from the hamlet of Asteriac, not far from Mont Saint-Michel, suddenly recovered her sight. It was said that she cried, ‘It is so beautiful to see!’ The Hamlet changed its name and still bears the name of Beauvoir – beautiful to see. So Aubert chose to erect the sanctuary on the little island…” The Island of Books, Dominique Fortier
http://litsy.com/p/dU1pNXI4cnYx
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SPECIAL EVENT: Avignon Festival
I’ve spent the week in France, admiring the beauty and history of Mont St. Michel but made a special trip to Avignon for the Avignon Festival. I caught two films at the festival, Évolution (directed by Lucile Hadzihalilovic) and Mustang (directed by Turkish-French Deniz Gamze Ergüven).
Évolution was about a boy, living on an island full of mothers and their sons, who finds a boy in the ocean with a starfish on his belly. The mothers put their sons to bed at night with a black “medicine”, while they quietly slip out at night. The film took an even more unexpected turn when the mother leaves the boy at the hospital for an “injection” that quickly spirals into something darker. While the movie had a hopeful ending, it did leave me with alot of questions and feeling very confused.
I caught Mustang right after Évolution, and enjoyed Mustang significantly more. In this film, 5 sister, who have lost their parents and are being raised by their grandmother and uncle now, are seen flirting with boys. When their grandmother and uncle hear about this, their lives begin to drastically change as they’re put under lock and key, confined to the house, and taught to be wives. The film captured the anger, hopelessness and drive for more that so many girls have felt being raised in societies where their chastity must be guarded, women are traded away for marriage and their only value lays in what they can do in the home.
Overall, the evening spent at the Avignon Festival was wonderful!
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Status: Packing my things and headed for the train station
Traveling to: Italy!
Currently reading: Exploring my Italian options
Current score: 11
1. Netherlands: ‘The Girl in the Blue Coat’ (1 Point)
http://litsy.com/p/V2RwckdGTmM0
2. Belgium: ‘The Angel Maker’ & The Ghent Festival (3 Points)
http://litsy.com/p/ZTdFVFZHTDNN
3. France: ‘The Island of Books’, Mont St. Michel & the Avignon Festival (7 Points)
http://litsy.com/p/dU1pNXI4cnYx
http://litsy.com/p/YVQ1aW5uVFZI
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Travel Hub: Using travel hub and will fly to UK once done
Status: Currently exploring Florence, Italy
Current location: Italy
Currently reading: A Room with a View
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Status: Just got off the ferry in Greece
Current location: Greece
Currently reading: The Colossus of Maroussi
Current score: 12
1. Netherlands: ‘The Girl in the Blue Coat’ (1 Point)
http://litsy.com/p/V2RwckdGTmM0
2. Belgium: ‘The Angel Maker’ & The Ghent Festival (3 Points)
http://litsy.com/p/ZTdFVFZHTDNN
3. France: ‘The Island of Books’, Mont St. Michel & the Avignon Festival (7 Points)
http://litsy.com/p/dU1pNXI4cnYx
http://litsy.com/p/YVQ1aW5uVFZI
4. Italy: ‘A Room with a View’ (1 Point)
http://litsy.com/p/Q2FtUzJVSU51
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Switching my Greece book. Struggling getting into this one at all.
(new) Currently reading: Little Infamies
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MONUMENT: Parthenon
“‘Listen,’ he said slowly. ‘I’m immortal. I was around when they built the Parthenon. Don’t try to fool me, stupid gorgon.'”
“She showed us a glass bottle with a gold cork, shaped to the colonnaded facade of a miniature Parthenon, where naked girls danced around a fountain.”
– Little Infamies, by Panos Karnezis
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Status: Planning my next destination
Current location: Leaving Greece
Current score: 17
1. Netherlands: ‘The Girl in the Blue Coat’ (1 Point)
http://litsy.com/p/V2RwckdGTmM0
2. Belgium: ‘The Angel Maker’ & The Ghent Festival (3 Points)
http://litsy.com/p/ZTdFVFZHTDNN
3. France: ‘The Island of Books’, Mont St. Michel & the Avignon Festival (7 Points)
http://litsy.com/p/dU1pNXI4cnYx
http://litsy.com/p/YVQ1aW5uVFZI
4. Italy: ‘A Room with a View’ (1 Point)
http://litsy.com/p/Q2FtUzJVSU51
5. Greece: ‘Little Infamies’ & the Parthenon (5 Points)
http://litsy.com/p/UGhYTVpyNDdq
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👍
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Status: Exploring the history of Albania
Current location: Albania
Currently reading: Chronicle in Stone, by Ismail Kadare
Current score: 17
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Hermyknee Reads Europe
Starting Location: Texas, USA
Traveling to: London – Heathrow
Location of updates: Litsy @hermyknee #hermykneereadseurope
Status: Hopping on the plane!
Current location: In transit: DFW International – London Heathrow
Currently reading: Fatal Throne: The Wives of Henry VIII Tell All
Current score: 0
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This sounds like great fun.
Starting Location: USA
Traveling to: London–Heathrow
Location of updates: Litsy @AAdamson
Status: Reading
Current location: Connecticut, USA
Currently reading: As Close to Us as Breathing by Elizabeth Poliner
Current score: 0
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Woo hoo! I’m in London!
Status: Reading
Traveling to: France or Belgium next
Current location: England
Currently reading: The Annotated Mansfield Park by Jane Austen (annotations by David M. Shapard)
Current score: 1
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I’m off to Hungary!
Status: Reading
Traveling to: Hungary
Current location: a remote village in Hungary
Currently reading: The Angel Makers by Jessica Gregson
Current score: 2
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Status: Reading
Current location: Paris, France
Currently reading: The Black Tower by Louis Bayard
Current score: 3
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Italy, here I come!
Status: Just arrived
Traveling to: Italy, 1490’s during the Borgias
Current location: Rome
Currently reading: about to begin The Pope’s Daughter by Dario Fo
Current score: 4
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Status: Traveling
Traveling to: Austria
Current location: on the road
Currently reading: picking next book
Current score: 5
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Status: Moving
Traveling to: Czech Republic
Current location: on the road
Currently reading: The Prague Sonata by Bradford Morrow
Current score: 6
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Status: On the Road
Traveling to: Poland
Current location: on the road
Currently reading: haven’t decided
Current score: 11 (1 point for country visited, 4 points for landmark–Charles Bridge)
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Status: Finished reading The True Story of Hansel and Gretel in Poland (1 point).
Traveling to: Germany
Current location: Germany
Currently reading: The Sandman by E.T.A. Hoffman
Current score: 12
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I’m heading home now, but I have already read my U.S. book.
Status: Traveling home
Current score: 13
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Okay, I’m going to try it!
Starting location: USA
Traveling to: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Location of updates: iwilltellyoumine.wordpress.com
Status: Planning and packing
Current location:
Currently reading:
Current score:
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Current location: on the plane to Amsterdam
Currently reading: The Storm, by Margriet de Moor
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Current location: crossing into Germany on my way to Düsseldorf
Current score: 1
Post for the Netherlands (including a map!):
Now reading: Accident: A Day’s News, by Christa Wolf
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Current location: Czech Republic, heading for Prague
Current score: 2
Post for Germany:
https://wordpress.com/post/iwilltellyoumine.wordpress.com/26341
Now reading: Mendelssohn is on the Roof, by Jiří Weil
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I just realized my link is wrong for this one—it goes to the edit page, not the published post. Here’s the real thing:
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Current location: traveling along Brünner Str./B7 from Brno to Vienna (only 26 hours on foot!)
Current score: 7
Post for Czech Republic, including a scene on the Charles Bridge in Prague:
Now reading: Beware of Pity, by Stefan Zweig
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Current location: on Route 84 from Vienna toward Sopron, Hungary.
Current score: 8
Post for Austria, including photos of the fabulous Bohemian restaurant where we had Czech, German, and Austrian food and beer:
Now reading: The Door, by Magda Szabó
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Current location: crossing from Hungary into Croatia
Current score: 9
I didn’t write a full post for The Door, but I would give it three and a half or four stars. It’s the story of a strange, dysfunctional relationship between two strange women who are both uniquely intimate and completely closed off to each other. I found it difficult at times, how deeply (and pretty frequently) they hurt each other, but the exploration of their perverse relationship is compelling.
Now reading: A Guided Tour Through the Museum of Communism, by Slavenka Drakulić
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Current location: traveling southeast through Serbia
Current score: 10
Post for Croatia:
Now reading: The Tiger’s Wife, by Téa Obreht
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Current location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Current score: 11
The Tiger’s Wife was lovely. I didn’t know much about it, just that I remembered wanting to read it a few years ago when it came out. It was a little hard to follow, though that may have been exacerbated because I was listening on audio instead of seeing it in print. The story moves between past and present, following multiple threads and characters through war and medical school and family and the ugliness of people who hurt others because they’re afraid.
Now reading: Nine Rabbits, by Virginia Zaharieva
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Current location: waiting out the weather before I can get to Greece!
Current score: 12
Post for Bulgaria:
Up next: The Green Shore, by Natalie Bakopoulos
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Current location: leaving Greece, heading into Turkey, which will be my last stop before heading home!
Current score: 17
I haven’t written a post about The Green Shore yet, but I gave it four stars and am trying to decide whether to bump it up to five. I found this book deeply engaging and absolutely loved the way it ended, after having spent most of the book unable to guess where it might go. It’s about the military coup in Athens in the 60s, following multiple members of a Greek family through their experiences fighting and living under the junta. This seems to be her only novel so far, but Bakopoulos does excellent character development; though there are bombs and arrests and violent encounters with the police, the majority of the drama in this book comes from characters’ internal and interpersonal struggles. Which is funny because I just pulled up Goodreads and saw that many people said the exact opposite, feeling the characters weren’t developed enough, so maybe it’s a matter of personal taste. I really liked the book, and I hope Bakopoulos will be writing more.
Landmark points for the Parthenon: two of the protagonists, the most radical ones who fight out of a deep passion for their home country, each spend time walking through Athens, looking up at the Parthenon and thinking about what their city means to them.
Up next: The White Castle, by Orhan Pamuk
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Current location: Istanbul Atatürk Airport! Waiting for my flight back to the U.S.
Current score: 22
Post for Turkey:
Landmark: the Grand Bazaar, which the protagonists examine in their calculations as they try to figure out how to stop the plague that’s spreading through Istanbul, putting up stops at the markets and various places throughout the city—just guessing, because they have no actual idea what causes the sickness or how it spreads.
Up next (and last): American Canopy, by Eric Rutkow
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Last book for the challenge!
Current score: 23
American Canopy is the only nonfiction book I read, because it was the only one of the books I’d been about to get into before the challenge that I could find a way to incorporate. In this case I was traveling too, through time instead of space; American Canopy is about the way trees shaped the country throughout history, and made me deeply sad that I’ll never be able to see the majestic primeval forests that were “capable of growing taller than nearly any others on earth, to reach proportions almost incomprehensible to London shipwrights (or, for that matter, modern-day Americans)”. I have a particular love for trees, and though I have a particular not love for American history, this was a lovely and much preferable angle from which to go through it.
I’m hoping to include a wrap-up post later tonight. This has been one of my favorite reading challenges, and the first in a long time that I’ve actually finished! Really great idea.
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Scrapbook post! Pictures, favorite books from the challenge, etc.
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And I’m off!
Starting location: Denmark
Flying to: London, Heathrow
Currently reading: The Years – Virginia Woolf
Updating: Litsy @kalalalatja
Current score: 0
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Make sure you see the update for special event. Once you start your book today, you are eligible for the mini challenge.
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First book finished: The Years – Virginia Woolf
Review: Woolf really isn’t my cup of tea. This is the second novel of hers I have read, and I just can’t get into her style. Although, I can imagine the London she describes, but I really don’t like her characters or dialogue. So yeah, not a great first book, but now I’m on to the next one!
Litsy post: http://litsy.com/p/V1RzWGluNjVh
Current location: Sleeping on the ferry on my way to Paris, France
Current score: 3 (2 point for Henley Regatta mini challenge + 1 point for finishing book)
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Second book: History of Violence – Edouard Louis
Review: What a complex, gut-punching book! In just a little over 200 pages, Louis tells the story of his sexual assault. He tells it in a way that shows the importance of having a narrative, and how other people’s reactions can inflict pain in a different, but very hurtful, manner. A very sad read! Also, tje victim blaming Louis describes, both by himself and others, makes my blood boil. I can’t believe this is how we treat victims of sexual assault!
Current location: eating all the baked goods in France till my library book for Belgien comes in
Current score: 4 points
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Third book: The Lady and the Unicorn – Tracy Chevalier
Review: I’m not really impressed by this book, which never got beyond just being okay, for me. The writing felt a bit off, which might be due to the translation, and it had way more sex than I expected. I know it is a novel set in Medieval times, but it felt more sexist than I thought it needed to. With so many PoVs it was a bit hard to really connect to the characters, which didn’t really help the reading experience.
Points for this book: 7 (1 for the book, 2 for mini challenge, 4 for landmark)
Current score: 11 points
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Fourth book: Girl with a Pearl Earring – Tracy Chevalier
Review: While I enjoyed spending time in the City of Delft, I did not enjoy the company of my travelling buddies much. I found it hard to find positive characteristics, and especially the Vermeer family was a struggle to be with! Would you believe, one of the children even stole my passport, so now I have to stay here till Monday when I can get a new one 🙄
The story could have been great, but Chevalier’s style is just not for me. The “intense” emotions between Griet and Vermeer just felt superficial, and not that interesting. If Chevalier spent more time on her characters instead of descriping the paintings, it might have worked better for me.
Current score: 12
Next stop: Germany once my travel ban is liftet on Monday!
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Fifth book: The Neverending Story – Michael Ende (German author)
Review: While this book felt really nostalgic, it was also a bit too much. It could have done with some editing, because sooo much happened! You could definitely feel it was a product of its time (written in 1979), with some themes I found problematic. And almost no female characters! I’m sure a kid would love this wild adventure story, but it didn’t work 100% for me as an adult.
Current score: 13
Next stop: I’m thinking Austria
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Jen, I’m reading my U.S. book now before I travel to England. Does that count? I see in the descriptions that you said to read a book from our home country when we get back home.
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Sure that’s fine
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Since I’ve just returned from my vacation “home”, I am just starting my planning now, so sorry for “belated” questions. I also thought I was understanding that we had to read a book set in our home country before we leave for Europe. Is that wrong? Do I pick where I’m starting in Europe and just start there? Thanks!
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You have to pick one of the starting locations for your first stop unless you live in Europe (which you don’t). They are all listed in this post so you can choose which one. You should be starting with Europe airport destination and reading your home country when you get back but I’ve allowed a few people to reverse that if they needed.
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Ok, thank you! Since I haven’t started planning yet, I can easily work that in!
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To say an author is from a country, if they were born there, is that enough? Or should they be living there? Thanks!
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It doesn’t really matter. Up to you to set how rigid or not you want to be
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I forgot to sign up, but I’m joining in Litsy!
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Great!
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Jenny’s European Travel Plans
Starting Location: PHL (Philadelphia International Airport)
Traveling to: Heathrow (UK)
Location Update: Litsy via Captivatedbybooks (will use #jennyseuropeantravels) and personal blog (will update with address)
Status: Looking for my passport!!!! 😲
Current Location: USA
Currently Reading: 🤷🏽♀️
Current Score: zero my friend
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I finally have left and made it safely to London.
Previous Stop: Home
Current Location: London
Currently Reading: Secret Diary of a London Call Girl by Belle de Jour
Current Score: 0
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Learned the ropes of being a call girl in London from Belle and made some cheddar off a call with N. Thanks to my sugar daddy I can afford the ferry to Iceland.
Previous Stop: London
Finished Reading: Secret Diary of a London Call Girl by Belle de Jour
Review: thecaptivatedbybooks.wordpress.com & Litsy via Captivatedybooks
Traveling to: Iceland via book Last Rituals by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
Current Score: 1
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Learned about witches in Iceland similar to like the Salem witch trails here in the States.
Caught the ferry to Norway, hope it’s not colder!
Previous Stop: London
Finished Reading: Last Rituals by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
Review: thecaptivatedbybooks.wordpress.com & Litsy via Captivatedbybooks
Traveling to: Norway via book Burned by Thomas Enger
Score: 1
Current Score: 2
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In addition to posting updates on Litsy, I’m also posting on my blog http://www.wanderinglynn.com.
Current location: Le Havre, Normandy, France to visit Mont Saint-Michel
Current Read: The Island of Books by Dominque Fortier
Current score: 3 (2 point for Henley Regatta mini challenge + 1 point for England)
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