My Interest
Reading challenges have been working well for me the last few years aside from November and December of 2021. Losing a job bites into all aspects of life. Reading challenges went to the wayside in those two months for the most part. I’m happy to have stumbled up this one at “You Might As Well Read”. It would be tough to fail with a goal of one book, wouldn’t it? I am planning to do the Spanish and German literature months again so there’s two books. Plus, one of my 2022 goals (yet to be posted) is to read from a new-to-me-country in translation. There’s three, right off the bat. Win!
You can read all about this Challenge–which sets out to be a European tour through books, at Rose City Reader’s 2022 European Challenge sign up post.
These 50 European sovereign states are:
Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vatican City.
I fully admit to having never heard of San Marino….. I have Miss Iceland so it is one possibility.
Some possibilities:
Some Short Book Suggestions
Links to my reviews:
Are you participating in this Challenge? Leave me a link to your post!
Hopewell's Public Library of Life 
I loved Meet Me at the Museum (even with its open ended ending)!
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I so want a sequel!
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Definitely! šÆ
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Hi Hopewell–thanks for the mention! I’m happy to see that you’re participating in the European Reading Challenge, which really looks fun. Among your possibilities I’ve read Erpenbeck’s Go, Went, Gone last year (didn’t post; last year was not a good one for me writing-wise), didn’t expect much but quickly became utterly absorbed. It just worked on so many levels, as a picture of life after unification in the former East Germany; as a depiction of the challenges and possibilities of life in retirement but most of all in its portrayal of the would-be immigrants who were hoping to find some chance of a new life in Europe. Tremendous! I’ve also read Miss Iceland, which I liked very, very much; it’s a coming of age tale of a young female writer in the 60s and her struggles in an Iceland that’s very far from the country that exists today (at least I hope so). I’ve looked at KƤsebier Takes Berlin and Road to Santiago; both look good and I hope to get to them. One Day!
Good luck on your Challenge; I’ll be very eager to see your selections and what you think of them.
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Thank you!
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Good luck with the challenge. Some interesting choices on your list.
I did know San Marino but only because of the Grand Prix. It was discontinued there though I think.
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Grand Prix is pretty much unknown where I live, though Indianapolis does (did??) have it.
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I used to watch it a lot when I was in college, but after that have lost all track. Indianapolis I think still has it.
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I did this last year, managing six countries. Are you doing it based on European setting or authors country?
I used the news about your job Iām sorry. That must have been a horrid time for you.
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Thanks about the job–7% job cuts in Nov, more in December–I was in the Nov batch. I turn 60 in March. It isn’t going to be easy but I’m in there trying most days š As for the challenge who knows–I haven’t really picked specific books ahead of time, though I have those few lingering ones I’d like to read.
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sigh. My last sentence should have read āmissedā not āusedā
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Back in 2016/17 I set myself an EU27 Challenge – to read a book from each of the countries remaining in the EU after Brexit – my way of protesting the Brexit vote, I suppose. Sadly, I got stumped and sidetracked at some point, but might revive it to follow you for at least part of the way around the continent.
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Go for it!
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A friend of mine ran in each country for the same reason! He did manage it and is writing a book!
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Very cool!
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I love Europe, but wow I didn’t realize just how many countries there were. I guess I’m not as familiar with many of the eastern European ones. Enjoy the challenge! How is the job search going? Praying that you’ll find the right one …
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Job search? Zip so far except for those “although your qualifications were excellent…..” emails. Keep praying please.
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Afropean is brilliant. Have fun with this!
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Good luck Lisa. I hope you enjoy your travels.
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