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Infinite Country by Patricia Engel | Thoughts

   Published : 2021   ||    Format : print   ||    Location : Colombia ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆   What was it about the country that kept everyone hostage to its fantasy? The previous month, on its own soil, an American man went to his job at a plant and gunned down fourteen coworkers, and last spring alone there were four different school shootings. A nation at war with itself, yet people still spoke of it as some kind of paradise.. Thoughts : Infinite Country follows two characters - young Talia, who at the beginning of this book, escapes a girl’s reform school in North Colombia so that she can make her previously booked flight to the US. Before she can do that, she needs to travel many miles to reach her father and get her ticket to the rest of her family. As we follow Talia’s treacherous journey south, we learn about how she ended up in the reform school in the first place and why half her family resides in the US. Infinite Country tells the story of her family through the other protagonist, El

Announcing.... Shantaram Read-along


At the start of this year, I made a commitment to read at least 5 books from my PIE list. Since that's not going too well (yet), I won't bring your attention to that just now. One of the books in that list is Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. My first introduction to that book was when I saw my roommate in India read that HUGE book at a bookstore. She eventually completed it and raved about it, enough to make me curious and still petrified at the thought of going through such a huge tome. So then Helen mentioned that she would be interested in reading it too, and soon we made a pact to read it over the summer. So, tada, we're holding the Shantaram read-along this summer!


Helen made this reading schedule that I have posted below:

June 1 to 8--Chapters 1 through 4
June 8 to 15--Chapters 5 through 9
June 15 to 22--Chapters 10 through 14
June 22 to 29--Chapters 15 through 19
June 29 to July 6--Chapters 20 through 23
July 6 to 13--Chapters 24 through 27
July 13 to 20--Chapters 28 through 32
July 20 to 27--Chapters 33 through 37
July 27 to August 3--Chapters 38 through 40
August 3 through 10--Chapters 41 to the end

After I posted about this readalong on my blog, and then Helen also announced it on hers, we got quite a lot of people interested in reading with us. I have already been in touch with some of you, but here's the Linky, all the same, so that Helen and I could have a single place with a list of members. If you're a blogger, please include your blog link. If you're not, any link to your online profile would work. Either way, please make sure there's some way we can contact you. I'm thinking of having a Google or Goodreads group for this read-along, because that just might be better and more interactive than posting about this once a week.

So go on ahead, sign up, especially if this book is in your must-read-now or better in your should-i-try-it list!



Comments

Misha said…
 Have fun in the read-along! I read Shantaram last year - quite an enjoyable read!
Hcmurdoch said…
I've officially signed up (but, you knew I would since we're sharing!)
Jackie Bailey said…
I've been wanting to read this for a long time. I'm not sure I'll be able to stick to your schedule exactly (as I'll be reading Gormenghast at the same time) but I'll do my best to keep up and join in the discussion. 
Jackie Bailey said…
I've been wanting to read this for a long time. I'm not sure I'll be able to stick to your schedule exactly (as I'll be reading Gormenghast at the same time) but I'll do my best to keep up and join in the discussion. 
Jackie Bailey said…
I've been wanting to read this for a long time. I'm not sure I'll be able to stick to your schedule exactly (as I'll be reading Gormenghast at the same time) but I'll do my best to keep up and join in the discussion. 
Young1 said…
 Ooh now that is weird - on the tube from work yesterday the woman next to me had this - i think i will invest and join in!
Kim @ Sophisticated Dorkiness said…
 Good luck, sounds like fun! I'm in the middle of too many long books to join, but will be curious to hear your thoughts. 
Lena said…
How many pages is the book? I see it has over 41 chapters, so I imagine alot. 
Josh's mom said…
 I read the book last year - be prepared to not be able to put it down! 
Vasilly said…
 I don't know if I will be able to participate in your read-along but I will definitely follow along with your discussions. Happy reading!
Athira / Aths said…
That would be fine too! I hope we manage to make the book look really fun!
Athira / Aths said…
Oh my! That is certainly great to hear! Since it's such a huge book, I need all the motivation possible.
Athira / Aths said…
@0b6659ba8823733961eaebcccb372409:disqus  My paperback edition has a whopping 944 pages. :-o :-o :-o
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks! I can't wait to start.
Athira / Aths said…
 @theyoung1:twitter  Are you still interested in the readalong? I wasn't sure since you hadn't signed up in this post. But if you are, do let me know, so I can add you in the email list.
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks! That's great to hear that you liked the book!
Darlene said…
I'm in! I forgot to put Peeking Between the Pages after my name as you can so plainly see. It's been one of those days. Lol.
Athira / Aths said…
Well, whatever pace suits you. That was just a guideline. If it turns out to be too strenuous, we can always stretch it out a bit. I'm glad you are joining us though! 
Athira / Aths said…
 Haha! It's alright! Since you're the only Darlene I know, at least I won't be making a mistake. Glad to have you on board!
Cathy Crane11 said…
I have already started Shantaram.  It is a very different book that what I would normally read, but so far so good.  Discussion should be really interested. ---Cathy 
Young1 said…
Back in Bucks and signing up now! Add me to the list!!! Can't wait to get my copy - it should be with me in a couple days!
spatinkin said…
I'd love to join in the read-along. I don't have a blog--so will I still be able to join the read-along?
Athira / Aths said…
I'm glad to hear that it is good so far! I can't wait to start it!
Athira / Aths said…
@spatinkin:disqus  Yes! We are doing the readalong on Goodreads. I will include you in the email loop so that you are on track with everyone. So glad to have you join!!
Athira / Aths said…
@spatinkin:disqus  Can you share your email ID? You can email me at ReadingOnARainyDay AT gmail DOT com
Athira / Aths said…
Yay! So glad to have you on board!!
Nycn93 said…
I'd like to join you on Goodreads...Cheryl Kennedy.
Athira / Aths said…
So glad to have you join!! 
Lena said…
I'm reading so slow...but it's good. I am very fond of Prabakar thus far.
Athira / Aths said…
Me too! I'm only 50 pages in! I hope I can make some real progress today and tomorrow.
Delia said…
I've heard good things about this book but the size of it put me off for now. I intend to read it at some point but until then it will be interesting to see what you guys think about it. Happy reading!
Athira / Aths said…
Thanks Delia! I just saw that you have linked yourself to the Linky above. Would you like to still join us?
Delia said…
Yes, I would like to, as soon as I find the book. It might take a week or two, not longer, I hope. Is that ok?
Athira / Aths said…
No issues! We are 5 weeks in, but I'm way behind, so no issues. :)
Delia said…
Hi Athira,

Looks like I've managed to catch up with the Shantaram reading plan. I'm reading Chapter 31 and enjoying every word. This book is making me so emotional...I cried my eyes out at the end of Chapter 30 but I won't tell you why in case you're not there yet.
Delia said…
Hi,
I finished Shantaram. What an amazing book, I absolutely loved it! I'm glad I found your blog, it did give me that extra push to go and buy the book and read it. I'll try and write a review for it these days.
Athira / Aths said…
Wow Delia!! I still haven't finished it. Yay for you! I'm planning to read it this weekend and the next week so hopefully I'll be caught up soon.
Faye Crathern said…
I am just getting to chapter 32 and it seems like the book has no end! I am gonna finish my assignment and get back to it!!!