For 2021, I set monthly categories to read from, in an effort to feel less constrained by reading challenges that I’d participated in previously, while continuing to work through the massive collection of books that I already own or have borrowed from friends and family. Each month I’ll include the books that I finished within the month’s category reading, books finished outside of the category reading, books in progress, and books abandoned. And I’ll tell you where the book was sourced from. For March 2021, my reading list is from the category of International Authors!
International Authors Finished:
Land of a Thousand Hills: My Life in Rwanda by Rosamond Halsey Carr with Ann Howard Halsey
Already owned physical book.
This is a memoir of a life lived in Rwanda from 1949 to the author’s (Rosamond Halsey Carr) death in 2006. She lived in the country during the independence movements in several of the African countries in the region, as well as during the civil war and genocide in Rwanda in the 1990s. Her story is fascinating. At times, it struck me as a little colonialist and patronizing, but mostly was respectful of the peoples that she interacted with. It seemed that her views of the native Africans did evolve over the course of her life, but was probably pretty progessive compared to those of her Western counterparts. Although the author is American by birth, she most definitely had moved to Rwanda and spent her life there, so I’m counting this as a book by an international author.
The Price of Paradise by Susana Lopez Rubio
Already owned Kindle e-book.
The story of two star-crosssed lovers in Cuba in the 1950s, there were portions of this book that really bothered me. The story involves the marriage and ultimate rape and abuse of a young teenage girl. It involves gratuitous murder and a corrupt police force. At times the story felt like it was dragging, but then picked back up and moved along. Their love is true, and I wondered repeatedly throughout the story whether they would end up together. I was happy with the ending, and did enjoy the journey to get there.
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
Borrowed from library using Libby.
A friend from my book club recommended this book. He said that it wasn’t really what the title suggested. And that’s sort of accurate. This is a story of women looking out for one another, while also uncovering the true story behind a death in their community. But it also does include erotic stories by and for Punjabi women. It was kind of strange, but also a fun read. And it is a glimpse into a community, religion, and a group of people that I’ve never read about previously.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Borrowed from library using Libby.
This book was a little eerie, and for the longest time while reading it, I had guessed what was going on but at the same time didn’t want to believe that what I’d guessed was actually what was happening. And this seemed to be totally intentional. It wasn’t a long read, but seemed to be just the right length to really set things up and pay them off. I’ll definitely be reading more by Ishiguro.
A Room Full of Bones by Elly Griffiths
Borrowed from library using Libby.
This is book number four in the Ruth Galloway mystery series. I just love these for the escape and palette-cleansing books that they are. If you’re looking for a delightful mystery that will keep you guessing until the end, but won’t take up too much of your time, this is a great option.
Gerta by Katerina Tuckova
Previously owned Kindle e-book.
This was a hard book to read. The subject matter is difficult, with a lot of abuse, sexual assaults, and trauma during and after World War II in Czechoslavakia. The protagonist is the daughter of a Czech mother and a German father, so she is never good enough. The violence seemed over the top and superfluous to me. I was really hoping that the story would redeem itself, but it never actually came around in the end. I actually sort of wish that I’d stopped reading, as this book just really didn’t do it for me.
Other Books Finished:
Hounded, Grimoire of the Lamb, Hexed, Hammered, Two Tales of the Iron Druid Chronicles (Kaibab Unbound, A Test of Mettle) by Kevin Hearne
Already owned audiobooks.
These are all re-reads for me. I previously read (listened to) the entire Iron Druid Chronicles series on audiobook. I loved it so much that I decided to listen to them again in order after my book club read the first book earlier this year.
Books in Progress:
Taste for Truth: A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study
Year of Wonder: Classical Music to Enjoy Day by Day
Giants in the Earth: A Saga of the Prairie by O.E. Rolvaag (Borrowed from father-in-law Fuzz.)
Books Abandoned:
Love in the Blitz: The Long-Lost Letters of a Brilliant Young Woman to Her Beloved on the Front by Eileen Alexander (Borrowed from the library using Libby.)
The Girl in the Tree by Sebnem Isiguzel (Previously owned Kindle e-book.)