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
One of the tasks I look forward to every summer is planning my summer reading list. Some years, this has involved an actual list of quite a few books. Other years, it was replaced by a single book, usually a chunkster, and sometimes as a part of a readalong.
Let me take this opportunity to mention that I am yet to complete a summer reading plan successfully. Yep. A few years ago, I joined a readalong for Shantaram. I didn't get beyond a few chapters, though in my defense, the protagonist/author was very condescending towards the local peoples and that was irritating me to no end. The year after, it was the turn of Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy. This one was actually interesting and going well, but something that I don't remember any longer came up during that time and derailed my reading.
But that doesn't stop me from planning. There is a great feeling that accompanies making summer reading lists and plans, that for me, generally ends with the list making. This time again, I want to give a chunkster a go, but with a few changes to that concept. Rather than trying to tackle a book that I probably won't read even in my right mind, I'm hoping to pick something really riveting, light, fun, epic, and maybe even saga-ish. I definitely don't want to do intense or deep reads. The other change is that it doesn't have to be a single book. It can be a really long series. And I have a few books in mind.
One of them is the Song of Ice and Fire series, or better known as the Game of Thrones series. This would be a perfect candidate because I love the TV show, this is an epic and a saga, there are so many characters in here. What's not to love? Two things are however holding me back:
The other set of books I have been pondering is Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. The premise of these books do not sound very exciting to me and I am not sure if this falls into my intense-read red flag. But many have loved and recommended these books, and they have been languishing on my shelves forever.
My third candidate is Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Of my three options so far, this is the one that's most appealing to me. I love literary magic, and by that I mean books like Harry Potter and The Night Circus. Ever since I heard Sam rave about this book, especially in comparison to The Night Circus, which I loved, I have been meaning to read this book.
And since we are speaking of magic, my last choice is also magical - Lev Grossman's The Magicians series. Ever since the first of these books came out, this series has been on my must-read list. And now, with the third book slated for release in August, seems to be the perfect time to read it.
If you were me, which one would you choose?
If you have actually read all these books, which did you like best?
Oh, and if any of these books are in your wishlist too, do you want to join me in a readalong?
Let me take this opportunity to mention that I am yet to complete a summer reading plan successfully. Yep. A few years ago, I joined a readalong for Shantaram. I didn't get beyond a few chapters, though in my defense, the protagonist/author was very condescending towards the local peoples and that was irritating me to no end. The year after, it was the turn of Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy. This one was actually interesting and going well, but something that I don't remember any longer came up during that time and derailed my reading.
But that doesn't stop me from planning. There is a great feeling that accompanies making summer reading lists and plans, that for me, generally ends with the list making. This time again, I want to give a chunkster a go, but with a few changes to that concept. Rather than trying to tackle a book that I probably won't read even in my right mind, I'm hoping to pick something really riveting, light, fun, epic, and maybe even saga-ish. I definitely don't want to do intense or deep reads. The other change is that it doesn't have to be a single book. It can be a really long series. And I have a few books in mind.
- I love the unpredictability of each TV episode as it comes, and I don't know if I'm prepared to give up all that thrill of anticipation. If I had read even one book in the series, I would have made a point of catching up with the books before watching the show. But since I haven't started yet, I feel more content sitting back and watching the show for now.
- The other issue is that only five books have been released so far. It's been a long time since I have spent years between series books. Waiting for the Harry Potter books was one thing - it didn't take long to reread them if needed. Rereading the GoT books is sure to be a humongous chore.
My third candidate is Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Of my three options so far, this is the one that's most appealing to me. I love literary magic, and by that I mean books like Harry Potter and The Night Circus. Ever since I heard Sam rave about this book, especially in comparison to The Night Circus, which I loved, I have been meaning to read this book.
And since we are speaking of magic, my last choice is also magical - Lev Grossman's The Magicians series. Ever since the first of these books came out, this series has been on my must-read list. And now, with the third book slated for release in August, seems to be the perfect time to read it.
If you were me, which one would you choose?
If you have actually read all these books, which did you like best?
Oh, and if any of these books are in your wishlist too, do you want to join me in a readalong?
Comments
I didn't personally like Jonathan Strange and Mr.Norell much, but I think it might make a satisfying chunkster read.
Meanwhile I have ~issues~ with GRR Martin and have been, frankly, unimpressed with the dull, boilerplate writing style he uses.
PLUS, PLUS, they are having that BBC miniseries adaptation of it later this year! And once you have read the book you will be ready for the miniseries to happen!
I also wouldn't go withe The Magicians, unless you can deal with a main character who's going to annoy you. The rest I haven't read.
Tanya Patrice
Girlxoxo.com
I really liked The Pillars of the Earth when I read it. I never read the follow-up and can't say I plan to.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell was such a delicious read! It's one of my husband's favorites and I'm quite fond of it too.
I haven't read Lev Grossman's books but I do want to at some point.
Good luck choosing!