Expanding Horizons Challenge Wrap-Up

Well, we have finally moved the computer out of our bedroom, where Maya also sleeps. Which means I can now update my blog and browse the internet after 7pm, which is usually the only point in the day I have the time! I have a back log of 1000+ posts to visit, at least everyone else has been busy blogging!

I came so close to finishing this challenge, with the Indian/Indian-American category left unfinished. I don't feel too bad about this. I read a lot of Indian fiction and planned on reading less this year so I can catch up on some other regions (mainly Africa and the Middle East).

UPDATE: How could I forget a big thank you to Melissa at Book Nut! First, for hosting this wonderful challenge, and second, for sending me the lovely Bride and Prejudice DVD for posting the 100th review. THANK YOU MELISSA!!!

1. African/African-American
Links - Nuruddin Farah (Somalia) (Finished 08 Jan 2008)

2. Asian/Asian-American
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See (Finished 27 April 2008)

3. Hispanic/Latin American
The Motorcycle Diaries - Che Guevera (Finished 20 April 2008)

4. Indian/Indian-American - DNF

5. Middle Eastern (Iran, Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Turkey...)
Gate of the Sun - Elias Khoury (Lebanon) (finished 28 March 2008)

6. Native Peoples 
The Birchbark House - Louise Erdrich (finished 7 April 2008)

The best book: Definitely Gate of the Sun by Elias Khoury. While I didn't dislike any of the books, quite a few of the others only generated lukewarm feelings.

What book could I have done without: The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevera. It wasn't what I expected, and I like some of his other writing much more.

Any new authors: Lisa See, Louise Erdrich, Elias Khoury, and Nuruddin Farah were all new to me. With the exception of Lisa See, I would love to read these authors again.