One of my challenges is to read a book from every country. But I have no idea where to start. What books are good to read? I’ve mostly read books from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and a handful from other countries like Japan and Greece. I want to know what is out there. It’s difficult to choose. So, I need your help. I need a lot of people’s help.
Here’s what I propose. It’s very simple. All you need to do is leave a comment stating which country you’re from and which book you’d recommend from your country. It could be a book that defines literature in your country, or it could be a book that’s your favourite. Anything is fine, as long as you’d recommend it.
Second, and this is important, I’m asking you to share this post with your friends and family. Do it on Facebook, Twitter, Google +, Pinterest, Reddit, WordPress, StumbleUpon, anything. I want to see how far this goes. I want to see which countries this reaches, and what books everyone recommends. If you can do that, it would be wonderful, and I would appreciate it very much.
Once this is done, I’ll compile a reading list that I’ll attempt. I’m hoping to have a great list of books. Thank you very much. I’m excited to see where this goes.
Let the recommendations begin!
I Read Encyclopedias for Fun 
Interesting question and a good quest Jay. I tend to only read the books I want and forget about which country the author is from.
For what it is worth, I’m British and would recommend Sebastian Faulks. Specifically Bird Song. I heard an interview with him once where he was told by a woman she divorced her husband after reading that book. She wanted to experience love like he wrote, and she didn’t have it with her current husband.
Thanks for the recommendation.
I’m hoping this picks up some steam, though. So far, pretty quiet. Must start the marketing of this post, I think š
From Ireland: A Star Called Henry by Roddy Doyle or Star of the Sea by Joseph O’ Connor
Thank you! Seems the Irish have the most suggestions so far.
Again from Ireland, The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry or The Closet of Savage Mementoes by Nuala NiChonchuir.
Thanks, Irish person number two!
Yes, the Secret Scripture is great. We could give you hundreds of books for Ireland.
That’s good, but I’d also like books from the other couple hundred countries š Maybe I won’t be able to read them all. Haha.
Reblogged this on Top of JC's Mind and commented:
Readers from around the world, Jay Dee needs your help! He is looking for book recommendations from as many countries as possible. Please help him out!
From Japan, Oshin by Sugako Hashida help us to see the character of Japanese and the reason why the Japanese economy developed rapidly after World War.
Thanks. I have to admit that all Japanese books I’ve read have been easy to read, mostly children’s stories and fairy tales. I need to expand that.
Reblogged this on Annas Art – FƤrgaregĆ„rdsAnna and commented:
Please visit the original post and help him out.
My book tip from Sweden would be:
The Emigrants (novels) – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emigrants_(novels)
The novels moved me deep in my Swedish heart and will stay forever in my mind/Anna
“Things Fall Apart” Chinua Achebe..
Just mentioning only one š
You’re from Nigeria? Nice, a Nigerian suggestion š Thank you very much!
Yeah Yeah from Nigeria and I think a very fine Nigeria suggestion I think š
Well, thanks for the suggestion. It’s rare I get many comments from Africa. However, I know several people from Nigeria and Ghana.
Really!!
Africans are good and intelligent people, regardless all misconceptions š
Of course. I don’t like to listen to misconceptions and stereotypes. I want to know the real people.
You so on the right track š
Thanks for sharing with the community hun š
You’re welcome. And thanks again!
Bless š
From the US here. For truly American novelists, it’s hard beat anything by Mark Twain or Ernest Hemingway. If ones vision of America is of the Wild West, Louis L’Amore is probably best. In the modern era, I’ll take Stephen King. Good luck on your quest.
Thank you! For both the suggestions and the luck.
No worries. š
Desde EspaƱa el libro de los libros, DON QUIJOTE DE LA MANCHA de Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. Saludos.
Ā”Muchas gracias!
Hello Jay,
It’s Richard from Canada. We are friends on Goodreads. My two favorite authors are Robertson Davies (prolific but perhaps best known for Fifth Business), and Alice Munro (who is best known for several collections of fine short stories–I would recommend almost anything written by her).
Thanks for the recommendations. Even though I’m Canadian, I haven’t heard of Roberson Davies. I’ve heard of Alice Munro, though.
I’m from the Philippines and I highly recommend Without Seeing the Dawn by Stevan Javellana. It takes place during World War II when we were occupied by the Japanese. It’s a heart-wrenching story and I hope you get to read it soon.
Also, our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, was a prolific writer whose works have been translated into English. I recommend that you check them out: Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) and El Filibusterismo (The Filibustering).
On another note, do you know about Ann Morgan’s A Year of Reading the World? Back in 2012, she read a book from every country and compiled a list. Here’s a link to her site: http://ayearofreadingtheworld.com/
Best of luck and I hope you get to “visit” the Philippines!
Thanks for the recommendations!
Yes, I’ve read some of her blog. She inspired me to read books from around the world. But I wanted to try gather some suggestions myself, especially since it has been four years, and there are new books that may be highly recommended.
From the U.S.
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. It’s a great poem and it is considered the first ‘American’ poem because it uses long breath lines and American idiom.
Thanks for the comment. Whitman is definitely famous.
He is also a gay hero.
Good to hear. My main memory of Whitman is an episode of The Simpsons, though.
…that works