Monday, July 18, 2016

Ten Books Set Outside the US (Top Ten Tuesday #6)

Via The Broke and BookishTen Books Set Outside The US (I don't know about you but sooo much of what I read is set in the US and I love finding new recs of stuff set outside of it!)

The Philippines
1. Tall Story by Candy Gourlay - other parts of this are also set in the UK, where Bernardo flies to join his mother's new family. 
2. In the Country: Stories by Mia Alvar - some stories are also set in the Middle East, where overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) had gone to secure better futures for their families back home.
3. Sixty-Six by Russell Molina - Tino, at 66, suddenly gains super strength and becomes a vigilante, fighting crime on the streets of Manila.

Asia
4. Crazy Rich Asians (and China Rich Girlfriend) by Kevin Kwan -
set all over Asia (and all over the world, tbh), this follows several elite families in a super gossipy, super entertaining style.


South America
5. Night Flight by Antoine de Saint-Exupery - all over South America but mostly in Argentina, this is about the commercial flights used to send mail overnight in the most perilous of journeys.
6. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett - in an unnamed nation, this is about a hostage situation that goes on for much longer than anyone would have expected. One of the best books I've ever read.

Africa

7. Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton - set in South Africa, about a pastor and his son Absalom and their struggles. (I just realized I haven't read that many books set in Africa.)

Europe
8. Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes - an American writer moves to Italy and restores an old house with her husband. Lots of mouthwatering food writing.

Australia
9. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion - about a socially challenged professor who uses science and logic to search for true love.

Elsewhere
10. The Martian by Andy Weir - does this count? It's a whole new landscape out there. An astronaut gets left behind on Mars and has to survive until the next Mars mission. He has a little help from the people on Earth.



22 comments

  1. Cool list of books! I haven't read any of them... Although, I've heard of a few of the titles you've mentioned in your post this week.

    Here's a link to my TTT post for this week: http://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2016/07/top-ten-tuesday-ten-books-set-outside-us.html

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  2. Oh wow it makes me so happy to see a book from South Africa. I love Cry the Beloved Country, very special. :) My TTT

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  3. That's a really diverse list. Thanks for sharing!
    Here's my list:
    https://travellingthroughwords.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/top-10-tuesday-4-books-set-outside-the-us/

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  4. I have Alan Paton's book on my list too.Under the Tuscan Sun has been on my TBR.This post reminds me that I need to read it soon. Great post.

    Here is my TTT:https://ahavenforbooklovers.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/top-ten-tuesday-ten-books-set-outside-the-us/

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  5. Oh I want to read The Martian! Mars definitely counts as outside the USA, right?!? hahah. And I still need to read The Rosie project too since it's Australian and I'm Australian and shame on me for not having read it when it's so famous. :P Here's my TTT!

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  6. I really like that you added The Martian to your list. Very creative!

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  7. Interesting selection. I have only read two of your books: Under the Tuscan Sun and Cry, The Beloved Country which I also put on my own TTT. But many of the others are on my wishlist.

    Thank you for such a wonderful list.

    Marianne from
    Let's Read

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  8. This is a worthy list. The Martian made me laugh. Thank you!

    http://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2016/07/ten-great-books-set-in-paris.html

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  9. These are all new books to me. I'm familiar with Under the Tuscan Sun because of the movie. Thanks for visiting me!

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  10. I also enjoyed Cry the Beloved Country and Under the Tuscan Sun. And, as a science fiction fan, of course the Martian counts! (I put a science fiction book on my list too, but it is set in China.)

    Ardene, http://booksnpeaches.blogspot.com/2016/07/top-ten-tuesday-books-set-outside-usa.html

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  11. ha-ha. I consider THE MARTIAN, too. Great minds...and all that jazz.

    I was trying to find books I've read from all around the world and I got really stuck when I thought of South America. I should read Bel Canto, many of my friends tell me how good it is.

    My TTT

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  12. I would definitely count The Martian. :)

    Thanks for visiting my blog earlier!

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  13. Mars totally counts:)! I've heard some interesting things about Crazy Rich Asians and would like to read it sometime. I haven't heard of but like the sound of Sixty-Six!

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  14. I really need to read more books set in South America. I’ll have to check out the ones on your list.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  15. Great list set in many countries. I decided against using The Martian as it is not on earth.

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  16. Yes to Tall Story! I really enjoyed reading that one too. I also liked The Rosie Project but when it comes to Aussie books, I think I like Aussie contemporary YA and fantasy more.

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  17. Interesting list. I want to read Bel Canto and her other books. Your remark about not having read many books set in Africa makes me think I should make a list of African books I love. Thanks for the list. Mine is at https://reviewsviewsinterviews.wordpress.com/2016/07/19/ten-books-set-outside-the-us/

    Hope to see you there :-)

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  20. Interesting, especially Night Flight. I was about to write that it was turned into a Cary Grant movie (Only Angels Have Wings), but then I Googled it to be sure. Good thing; while the story lines are similar, they're unconnected. My TTT.

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