10 Books Set Outside the USA

I'm a big fan of reading books set in different countries, so much so that I am participating in Around the World in 80 Books.  I feel like I get to travel to another world, another country, another continent without the expenses.  I learn about other cultures, histories, and times through this world of reading.

Karen wrote a post yesterday about this topic, but I didn't notice that it was inspired by a link-up.  After seeing Heather's post about 10 Books that she enjoys that are set in other countries (besides the USA), I knew I needed to jump on that post idea.  After all, my love for the following books inspired my interest in the Around the World book challenge.  So, I will be linking as well with The Broke and The Bookish my recommendations as well for the Top 10 Books Set Outside the USA.

1.  The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (England) - I don't re-read books.  I can't think of one novel that I've read more than once, except this one.  I took a class in university about Children's Literature. I remember re-reading the book then (having read it as a young girl) and enjoying it. Unfortunately, I was too hungover most lecture days that I don't remember much else about the class. I'm glad I re-read it again (and again) at different stages of adulthood. It's even more delightful of a story the third (and fourth) time. I'm a sucker for a transformation story, and the combined transformations of characters and the garden is a winner. 

2.  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (Guernsey, United Kingdom) - Delightful.  That is the word that I use to describe this book.  It made me giggle.  It made me cry.  It gave me warm feelings all over. 

3.  The Ed Loy series by Declan Hughes (5 books in all, set in Ireland) - Gritty, dark, suspenseful mysteries that follow the cases of private detective Ed Loy.  The underworld of Dublin comes to life in these books.

4.  The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (France, during the German occupation of WWII) - A book that has received a lot of attention, deservedly so, in my opinion.  If you like historical fiction, read this book. If you like strong female characters, read this book. And, have a box of Kleenex next to you for the last 50 pages or so...and preferably don't read those pages in public.

5.  The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Germany) - Yes, another WWII book.  Yes, another book that has received a lot of praise.  Remember that I said I don't re-read books?  I plan to re-read this one this year.  I want to experience it again.  The characters are brilliant, and a love of books and stories are prevalent.  The narrator is unique and poignant.

6.  Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys (Lithuania/Serbia) - Last WWII book, I promise.  I love a historical fiction book that actually expands my knowledge. This book did just that. While reading, I found myself googling things about Lithuania, the Balkans, and Stalin. This book is heart-wrenching, even horrific at times, with tales of brutality, starvation, disease, and loss...but it is wonderful and beautiful, and I highly recommend it.

7.  Burial Rites by Hannah Kent (Iceland) - I'm certainly glad I didn't discard this one just because it is based on a true story set in Iceland in the 1800s, and I was slightly intimidated by it. What a beauty of a book; heavy with dark imagery, but beautiful nonetheless. As I was reading, I wanted to know more and more of Agnes's story. I became emotionally invested in her and other characters.

8.  Saving Francesca & The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta (Australia) - For YA fans, I have so much love for these books.  They follow the same group of friends but different lead character in each book; in Saving Francesca, from a high school girl's perspective, and in The Piper's Son, a twenty-something year old boy.  Both are stories of self-growth and finding oneself with the spirit of Sydney suburbs accurately depicted.

9.  The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi (Afghanistan) - If you've read Khaled Hosseini's books (which I recommend as well) and found them fascinating and powerful, then add this to your "to read" list. A captivating book that is both emotional and educational about two generations of Afghan women who faced hardships including abuse (physical, sexual, verbal, emotional), loss, loneliness, abandonment, betrayal, and more. If you are like me, you'll read this book, then want to go save alllllll the girls of the world that are denied opportunities and treated as inferiors for being female.

10.  The Power of the Dog and The Cartel by Don Winslow (Mexico) - Ruthless, brutal, and violent. Think The Godfather; instead of The Mafia, it focuses on Mexican drug cartels. No, not The Godfather. That isn't violent or horrific enough. Think The Sopranos multiplied by 1000.  This is an epic story spanning decades about the rise of Mexican drug cartels, the DEA that hunts them, and the effects of the drug trade to all involved and surrounded by it.  Much like Law & Order: SVU takes real stories and headlines and fictionalizes them for a television show, the author has done the same for these books. 

Have you read any of these?  What others would you recommend?

	Linking up for Top Ten Tuesday at The Broke and The Bookish

Ten Books from Childhood/Teen Years That I'd Re-Visit

Every Tuesday, bookworms unite at "The Broke and the Bookish" for a link-up of top ten book related items.  This week was "Ten Books from our Childhood/Teen Years that We'd Like to Re-Visit".  I'm writing this without much thought...just what comes to me right now, so let's see how this plays out...

1.  The Poky Little Puppy by Janett Sebring Lowrey, Gustaf Tenggren (Illustrator) - This is the book that I remember loving the most in early childhood.  I liked puppies.  I probably could relate to a poky little puppy that got distracted by all the things.  I remember reading it or it being read to me over and over again. I even had a 45 record that played on a record player that I could read along to. This was my most beloved book at the time. 

2. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls - The first book to make me sob.  The end.

3. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson -A beautiful friendship sprinkled with some creative imaginations and more tears.  This is one fine book.

4.  The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett - A few months ago, I read this for a book challenge that wanted us to read something written before we were born.  I read it as a child, I read it in my early 20s for a Children's Lit course, and I read it again a few months ago.  It gets better each time I read it.

5.  The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger - I remember reading this in high school and truly enjoying it (not feeling like I had to read it for school).  That being said I don't remember exactly why I liked it.  I can't tell you much of the story line; I can't tell you what I thought of the lead character.  So, this is one I will definitely re-visit.  

6.  Lord of the Flies by William Golding - This is one of those books that I cheated during school.  Well, I didn't cheat exactly.  I just read the Cliff's Notes and listened intently during class to get the gist of the story.  I think as an adult, I would appreciate the dynamics of the story so much more.  Another to definitely re-visit.

7. Flowers in the Attic by V.C Andrews - Still to this day, I enjoy reading somewhat emotionally distressing or disturbing books.  This one may have started that for me.  I'd like to re-visit and see if it is as messed up as I remember.

8.  Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi with Curt Gentry -  I went through a period of time in my teens when I read a lot of true crime.  Yes, my mother was worried about my fascination with serial killers.  But, I wasn't fascinated with only the killer.  I was/am fascinated with the crime, the investigation, the prosecution, the justice, and the mind behind the killer.  This one has all of that.

9.  Hammer of the Gods by Stephen Davis - To this day, I still read and enjoy a lot of rock biographies.  This one was my first.  I read it as a teenager, a somewhat naive teenager and definitely many of the stories were quite scandalous to read.  From the stories of groupies, debauchery, and Jimmy Page's interest in the occult, my eyes were opened a little wider to the excess of rock 'n' roll.  I need to read this again.

10.  Rules of Prey by John Sandford - I've read every piece of fiction that John Sandford has written, and it began with this my Senior year of high school.  A bad ass detective hunts a madman killer.  Most of his books follow the same premise, and I've read all 20-30 or more of them.  Probably should go back and visit this one to remember when I was first introduced to Lucas Davenport (aforementioned bad ass detective).

Would any of these be on your list?  What are some books from your childhood or teenage years that you'd like to re-visit?