Passport to New Worlds: Reading Around the World

Are you ready to embark on a journey that will take you to the far corners of the globe without leaving the comfort of your favorite reading nook? Our Read Around the World Challenge is here to take you on an extraordinary journey through the pages of captivating books from every continent. This exciting challenge invites you to immerse yourself in diverse cultures, landscapes, and stories, broadening your horizons and deepening your understanding of the world. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a curious armchair explorer, this literary adventure is guaranteed to broaden your horizons.

The Read Around the World Challenge has been around for a while and has quickly become one of the most engaging and exciting feats for readers looking to challenge themselves to get outside their comfort zone. This challenge offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in diverse cultures, landscapes, and stories, broadening your horizons and deepening your appreciation for the richness of global literature. Much like last month's Rainbow Reading Challenge, the Read Around the World challenge can be executed in various ways. Whether you choose to do it by continent, country, region, or city, it is important to recognize how much of a commitment you are ready and willing to make. Once you have decided what you will do, you find a book set in each location or written by an author from that location.

As you read below, you will find that we have elected to do it by continent, allowing us to focus solely on seven books. However, in addition to selecting a book set on each continent, we have taken it a step further and challenged ourselves to match the setting and pick a book whose author is also from that same continent. This extra requirement is for those of us overachievers who love to make everything complicated, but you can be sure that the book will be all the more authentic because of the author's native perspective.

Disclaimer: This blog post discusses books that may contain sensitive material, including themes such as violence, mental health issues, and other potentially triggering subjects. Reader discretion is advised. Please use your judgment and conduct further research if you have specific concerns.

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NORTH AMERICA

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead Setting: United States Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel takes readers on a harrowing journey through the American South. Following Cora, a runaway slave, the story reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual network of trains and tracks, highlighting the brutal realities of slavery and the relentless pursuit of freedom. Learn More on Goodreads

SOUTH AMERICA

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez Setting: Colombia This landmark work of magical realism chronicles the rise and fall of the Buendía family in the fictional town of Macondo. Gabriel García Márquez's rich narrative and vivid descriptions transport readers to the heart of South America, blending myth, history, and reality in a timeless tale. Learn More on Goodreads

EUROPE

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón Setting: Spain Set in post-World War II Barcelona, this atmospheric novel follows young Daniel as he discovers a mysterious book that leads him into a labyrinth of secrets and intrigue. Carlos Ruiz Zafón's masterful storytelling captures the essence of European literature with its gothic overtones and intricate plot. Learn More on Goodreads

AFRICA

Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Setting: Nigeria This powerful novel explores the Nigerian Civil War through the lives of three interconnected characters. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie paints a vivid picture of the cultural, political, and social landscape of Nigeria, offering a deeply human perspective on a tumultuous period in African history. Learn More on Goodreads

ASIA

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee Setting: Korea & Japan "Pachinko" is a sweeping multi-generational saga that follows a Korean family living in Japan. Min Jin Lee's novel delves into themes of identity, resilience, and the immigrant experience, providing a profound exploration of the complexities of life in Asia. Learn More on Goodreads

AUSTRALIA

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman Setting: Australia Set on a remote island off the coast of Western Australia, this novel tells the story of a lighthouse keeper and his wife who discover a baby washed ashore in a boat. M.L. Stedman’s evocative prose captures the rugged beauty of the Australian landscape and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters. Learn More on Goodreads

ANTARCTICA

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing Setting: Antarctica Although not a work of fiction, this gripping account of Sir Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition is a testament to human endurance and survival. Alfred Lansing’s detailed narrative immerses readers in the icy expanse of Antarctica, chronicling the harrowing journey of Shackleton and his crew. Learn More on Goodreads

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Round Trip

Welcome to the end of our journey to every corner of the world—or at least every continent. Hopefully, you have gained some insight into the amazing and diverse cultures and stories from all over with this challenge. We must make a note regarding our selection for Antarctica, which, due to being an uninhabited continent, we could not find a novel published by an author hailing from there. That said, we picked a novel that, while written by an American author, details the true story of a real-life expedition to the barren continent.

Participating in this challenge will not only enhance your reading list but also enrich your understanding of different cultures and perspectives. You'll discover new authors, connect with diverse cultures, and enjoy the satisfaction of completing a global literary adventure. Are you ready to travel the world through books? Grab your first title, settle into your favorite reading spot, and let the adventure begin. Happy reading!