A myth revisited

Binu and the Great Wall by Su Tong is part of the Myth Series. Previously I have read Alexander McCall-Smith's take on Scottish myth of Dream Angus. It's an interesting concept taking old myths and re-energise them, taking traditional storytelling taking to a new level.

In short, Binu and the Great Wall is the story of Binu travelling across China to the Great Wall to give her husband a winter coat where he was conscripted by the King to work on the wall. However, the story behind the story is about sadness and greed that Binu meets on her travels, at the heart she is a traditionalists believing in the good of people but her heart is shattered again and again by the people she meet on the way.
Josefine

Title: Binu and the Great Wall Author: Su Tong ISBN: 978-1-84195-904-7

The smell of sunshine, sandy beaches and frangipani blossom

Just like I imagine Tahiti to be warm and sunny, so is Célestine Hitiura Vaites book Frangipani which takes place in Tahiti. It's a story about relationships between mothers and daughters, but also about taking chances when they are given to you. It is sad, serious, sweet and funny all bundled into one fast paced, flowing novel.

Read this book for a taste of the flavours of Tahiti and family life in general.
Josefine

Title: Frangipani Author: Célestine Hitiura Vaite ISBN: 978-0-0917-9715-2

2012 Book race

I have now finished nine countries (4,39 per cent) in my effort to read a book from every country that will participate in the 2012 summer Olympics. I think I have to step it up a bit to be able to make it. My next conquest is George-Marc Benamou’s book The Ghost of Munich (France).
Josefine

My recommendations: Miss Smilla’s feeling for snow by Peter Höeg (Denmark)

The Olympic games of authors

I have always like a challenge and I read on Bookcrossing.com that one of the members had decided to read at least one author from all the countries sending a delegation to the Olympic Games in London 2012, before the games begins. Surrounded by London 2012 preparations, it feels right to take up the challenge. Who’s with me?
My rule to be able to count the author/book is that I have read or re-read it after December 1, 2009 (when I started). Firstly I will look to the country the author was born in then I have to see how strictly I will stick to it (it can be complicated when it comes to ex. Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union). Currently I can tick off Peru (Allende) and Australia (Brooks), I will keep you updated on my quest.

And if I don’t get to the computer again this year, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Josefine

Ps. To further increase my knowledge of the authors I will also compile a short bio of each of them as I finish their book.

My recommendations: The house of the spirits by Isabel Allende