Paruline's demographic reading

I'm back for another year!

This year I'm going to try to read more diversely. I will do my best to read only books written by women, by visible minorities, or books translated from a language other than French and English. I've had fun lately looking at Statistics Canada Census data and their numbers are going to be my benchmarks.

EXCEPTIONS: books I've started reading before 2016 and have yet to finish (The Plot against America) and The Martian because I've had that book on hold at the library for the last 4 months and I'm still only number 12 on the waiting list.

Onward!

Books written by women

Statistics Canada benchmark: women make up 51% of the Canadian population.

My goal will therefore be to read at least 51% of books by women authors.

Books written by visible minorities

Statistics Canada defines visible minorities as people that self identify as South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Latin American, Arab, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean, Japanese, and from mixed backgrounds including one of these categories. Based on the 2006 Census, visible minorities make up 16% of the population.

Furthermore, First Nations, Inuit and Metis people make up 4% of the population.

My goal will therefore be to read at least 20% of books by visible minorities authors.

Books translated from a language other than English or French

Statistics Canada reports that the mother tongue of 21% of Canadians is either a non-official language, English and a non-official language, French and a non-official language, or English, French and a non-official language (people can have more than one mother tongue).

My goal will therefore be to read at least 21% of books originally written in a language other than English or French.

Love your Stats Can-oriented goals! I love geeking out over Stats Can data.

Yep, the stats are interesting. I'm wondering what percent of the other mother tongue speakers speak Innuit. I know the language has another name like Innuktitut but I can't remember what it is. Some of those languages might not have a lot of coverage in books.

Who knew that Statistics can be fun? Enjoy!

What an interesting set-up for your challenge. Good luck with your reading year!

Great idea to use statistics for your challenge. Enoy your reading!

Great to see you all set up for 2016. I love the stats. and you also remind me that I need to read more books by Canadian authors!

Yay, you're here! :) Have a great reading year!!

Yeah visitors! Welcome!

>5 lkernagh: They have a Youtube channel! You know, just in case you ever want to learn how to calculate the GDP…

>6 cammykitty: I think there are about 35,000 people that speak Inuit in Canada, including the Inuvialuktun, Innuinaqtun and Inuttut dialects.

>7 MissWatson: haha, my husband is a statistician, he thinks statistics are fun. YMMV.

>8 AHS-Wolfy: Thanks!

>9 Chrischi_HH: Thanks, I will!

>10 DeltaQueen50: I'm always glad when I pick up a Canadian author. I then feel very patriotic :)

>11 rabbitprincess: Thanks rp, you've been up and running for a while!

I'll be watching your reading to help me fill a few of the blocks in the Bingo and Women's Pup cards. Glad you're back.

Great theme, very interesting. I'll be following closely.

Very nice theme - looking forward to the trip!

I like how you have given us non-Canadians a glimpse into your country. I look forward to seeing what books you select to fill up your categories.

Interesting categories, Paruline. Hope you have a great reading year.

Love your use of statistics to shape your challenge this year!

>13 dudes22: I'm glad to be back!

>14 VivienneR: And I'll be following you!

>15 -Eva-: Thanks Eva, already so behind on your thread :(

>16 mamzel: Thanks and welcome to my thread!

>17 VioletBramble: You too! Looking forward to seeing which books you read.

>18 LisaMorr: Thanks!

I'm looking forward to your choices and reviews. Have a great year!

1- The plot against America



In this alternative history of the US during WWII, a young Jewish boys grows up while a Fascist/Nazi sympathizer has been elected president. A little-too-neat ending for my taste.

Tally:
Books written by women: 0
Books written by a visible minority: 0
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 0
Country visited: USA

3.5/5

2- Things fall apart



The destabilizing effects of colonialism on a Nigerian village are shown through the eyes of Okonkwo, whose prestige and position are dependent on the traditional values of his culture.

Tally:
Books written by women: 0/2
Books written by a visible minority: 1/2
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 0/2
Country visited: Nigeria

3.5/5

3- Graceling



Standard fantasy book where some are born with special abilities (the Gracelings). Katsa's special "talent" is fighting and she can disable hundreds of soldiers singlehandedly. She's unhappy though about her king's use of her talent for his own selfish ends while she dreams of helping others. Circumstances will conspire for her to meet another Graceling and to go on many adventures.

Tally:
Books written by women: 1/3
Books written by a visible minority: 1/3
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 0/3
Country visited: Imaginary

3/5

4- A Pale View of Hills



After her daughter's suicide, a woman reminisces about a particular summer in Nagasaki and her friendship with an unconventional neighbour. Not sure if the ambiguous ending was on purpose.

Atmospheric and thoughtful.

Tally:
Books written by women: 1/4
Books written by a visible minority: 2/4
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 0/4
Country visited: Japan

4/5

5- Chi's sweet home, volume 10



and 6- Chi's sweet home, volume 11



Chi continues to delight.

Tally:
Books written by women: 3/6
Books written by a visible minority: 4/6
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 2/6
Country visited: Japan

4/5

Already the end of January! Six books read, including two mangas, so not too bad.

Currently reading:
Song of Solomon
The Voyage Out
The heart of redness
Foreigner

Birding highlights of the month:
- two Snowy Owls
- 1 Bald Eagle
- Several Boreal Waxwings
- 1 Pileated Woodpecker

>26 paruline: Ooh, snowy owls! Did you get photos? Also did you see the one flying near the traffic camera in Montreal? It was beautiful.

­>27 rabbitprincess: I'm afraid I'm not as good a photographer as that traffic cam :) No, I saw the Snowy Owls while driving along highways as they are often perched on street lamps and road signs.

Love your birding highlights!

7- Song of Solomon



This was hard going at first, as I was introduced to a dysfunctional family, with a very unpleasant dynamic. But as the main character goes on a quest of self realization and independance, I became simpathetic to his struggles and growth and admired the way he reflected on his life choices.

Trivia: Song of Solomon is the favourite book of Barack Obama.

Tally:
Books written by women: 4/7
Books written by a visible minority: 5/7
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 2/7
Country visited: USA

4/5

How did you fare in the snowstorm yesterday? Were you able to work from home? I should have done...

­>31 rabbitprincess: they let us go home early at the office, and a good thing too because my car was buried! And my husband had to help shovel the school's driveway with other parents. At least everybody had a good story to tell the morning after :) You?

>32 paruline: We were allowed to leave early as well, but I left at my usual time because I thought the crowds would have thinned out by then. Took forever to get a bus, but once I was on the bus it was fine.

8- Au pays de l'ocre rouge - The heart of redness



Because of the title, I was expecting some response to or parallels with Heart of darkness.

But no. Two families in South Africa clash over modernity and tradition, with one family embracing modernity (i.e. building a casino and resort on the adjacent beach) and the other rejecting it (let's go with ecotourism instead). The division started generations ago when the traditionalists listened to their prophet's injonction to destroy all their cattle which brought them death and starvation for years and was a deciding factor in helping white settlers to colonise the region.

So a nice exploration of the risks associated with following traditions and modernity, depending on context, and of how historical events inform the present. I just wished the characters were not so petty, vengeful and unpleasant.

Tally:
Books written by women: 4/8
Books written by a visible minority: 6/8
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 2/8
Country visited: South Africa

3/5

9- The storied life of A. J. Fikry



Charming story about the owner of an independent bookstore, who gets a second lease on life following the delivery of a mysterious package.

Tally:
Books written by women: 5/9
Books written by a visible minority: 7/9
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 2/9
Country visited: USA

4/5

February round up! Only three books read but I'm going to blame it all on The voyage out which is taking forever.

Currently reading:
The Voyage Out - almost done!
Foreigner - was put on hold
The Reef
The Moor's last sigh

Birding highlights of the month:

I only went birding once this month so meager offerings.
- Common Goldeneye - many
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Northern Cardinal - they've started singing! Spring is on the way :)
- White-breasted Nuthatch - love their antics

10- The Voyage Out



Not as sleep-inducing as To the Lighthouse, but still pretty boring story of bored snobbish characters doing boring things while thinking about boring feelings. I feel awful saying this, but I think Rachel dodged a bullet by dying and not marrying Terence there at the end. Was not a fan of his, in case you're wondering ;)

Tally:
Books written by women: 6/10
Books written by a visible minority: 7/10
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 2/10
Country visited: Imaginary South American country

2.5/5

11- The Reef



A bit of a palate cleanser after To the Lighthouse, but I'm not the target audience for romance books. I find them too predictable. The marine archeology angle was interesting though and earned the book and extra half star.

Tally:
Books written by women: 7/11
Books written by a visible minority: 7/11
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 2/11
Country visited: USA, St Kitts

2.5/5

12- Incidents in the life of a slave girl



This narrative was one of the first to focus on how the institution of slavery was specifically horrifying for slave women. Rage inducing.

Tally:
Books written by women: 8/12
Books written by a visible minority: 8/12
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 2/12
Country visited: USA

4/5

13- Ottolenghi



I was looking for ways to make vegetables more appealing and this cookbook delivers. Me and my husband loved every recipe I've tried. The children were not fans of the asparagus recipe, but liked the roasted sweet potatoes in a cream sauce (who wouldn't?), the cucumber and sweet pepper salad, and the carrots and sweet peas casserole. I've written down several more recipes from this library book and am looking forward to trying them out.

Tally:
Books written by women: 8/13
Books written by a visible minority: 9/13
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 2/13
Country visited: Not applicable

4/5

14- The Moor's last sigh



Family saga told in the first person, so superficially similar to Midnight's Children which I read a couple of years ago. Once again, information overload mixed in with some magical realism. Stalled a little bit at the end.

Tally:
Books written by women: 8/14
Books written by a visible minority: 10/14
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 2/14
Countries visited: India, Spain

3.5/5

>40 paruline: Sweet potatoes in cream sauce sounds yummy!

>42 rabbitprincess: It was! Most of the recipes asked for interesting blends of spices that gave Middle Eastern flavours to traditional dishes.

Both my husband and I like dishes with Mid Eastern spices. Might see if I can find this at the library.

ETA: Yes they do. Will check it out next week.

Let me know what you think!

>40 paruline:
I've tried a few of his recipes, but they tend to have 200+ ingredients, so it's not an everyday thing. :)

>40 paruline: - Just requested it from my library - very interested in trying out some of the recipes based on your description!

>46 -Eva-:, well I wasn't shy about using substitutes. No poppy seeds? I used sesame seeds. No fresh mint? I've got some dried right here! And no way I'll make my dough from scratch but I can use bought etc etc

>47 LittleTaiko:, I'll be curious about the recipes you try!

>40 paruline: The recipes you mention sound good, but my library doesn't have this cookbook. :-(

>48 paruline: Substitutions are the best. I very rarely make a recipe as it is printed. I wish more people would get comfortable using substitutions so maybe they would make more recipes that they think are too fancy or too complicated. The more you do substitutions the easier it is because you learn what works and what doesn't etc.

>38 paruline: reminds me a little of Doubloon by Jay Amberg.

Just popping in to say thanks for last year's BB The Windup Girl. I finished it earlier this week and really liked it. :)

I say, would you be interested in going here for this year's LT Summit? http://www.thevanitearoom.com/dining-2/

15- Testament of Youth



Autobiographical account of a young woman life before, during and after the World War. She became a Voluntary Aid Detachment nurse during the war to be closer to her soldier friends at the front. Moving, not least because of the restraint of her writing.

Tally:
Books written by women: 9/15
Books written by a visible minority: 10/15
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 2/15
Countries visited: Great Britain, France, Italy

4/5

16- The Martian



Much funnier, detailed and suspenseful than the movie. Loved it.

Tally:
Books written by women: 9/16
Books written by a visible minority: 10/16
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 2/16
Countries visited: future USA and China, planet Mars

4/5

>53 paruline: Thanks for the review, Testament of Youth sounds interesting!

17- Fictions



This book reconciled me with short stories by creating complex worlds and characters in few words. Amazing writing and highly recommended.

Tally:
Books written by women: 9/17
Books written by a visible minority: 11/17
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 3/17
Countries visited: Imaginary

5/5

18- Scènes de la vie d'un propre à rien (Life of a good-for-nothing)



An amusing tale of a lazy, hedonist, harmless, romantic young man, whose main answer to life problems is to play his violin.

Tally:
Books written by women: 9/18
Books written by a visible minority: 11/18
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 4/18
Countries visited: Germany, Italy

3.5/5

19- The House of the Spirits



Four generations of a well-to-do family navigate love, relationships and political changes. All with a healthy dose of magical realism.

Lost a bit of focus at the end.

Tally:
Books written by women: 10/19
Books written by a visible minority: 12/19
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 5/19
Countries visited: non specified South American country, probably Chile

4/5

>57 paruline: We had to read this for German class in school and all I remember about it is that the teacher gleefully pointed out how Eichendorff got his seasons mixed up, describing golden wheatfields at the wrong time of year. Your summary makes me want to re-read it.

Taking advantage of sub par weather this weekend to get caught up with some thread.

>53 paruline: - This looks intriguing.

>54 paruline: - So happy to see you loved the book. Like you, I found book better than the movie.

>56 paruline:
One of my favorites at Uni - need a reread, for sure!

20- Foreigner



After the failure of their spaceship, several hundred colonists reach a planet already inhabited by the Atevi.

Two hundred years later, the diplomat Bren Cameron is the only point of contact between the Atevi and the colonists, and must navigate cross-cultural differences. All is going relatively well until an attempt is made on his life.

Pretty good exploration of an alien culture.

Tally:
Books written by women: 11/20
Books written by a visible minority: 12/20
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 5/20
Countries visited: Atevi world

3.5/5

21- Possession



Two literary critics pair up to solve the mystery of a famous author's secret love affair.

I think it was a mistake reading this in translation as I didn't perceive what were supposed to be distinct voices in the text.

Tally:
Books written by women: 12/21
Books written by a visible minority: 12/21
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 5/21
Countries visited: England, France

3.5/5

>63 paruline: I didn't care for that one either.

>64 VictoriaPL: I liked the fairy tales, and the description of Brittany, but the mystery itself left me rather cold.

22- Two old women



Two old women are abandoned by their tribe during an especially difficult winter. They will have to rely on the strength they didn't know they had to survive.

Wonderful.

Tally:
Books written by women: 13/22
Books written by a visible minority: 13/22
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 5/22
Countries visited: USA

3.5/5

23- Kitchen



I wasn't particularly taken with this short story of a young woman dealing with grief and loneliness by using food and a love for kitchens.

Original.

Tally:
Books written by women: 14/23
Books written by a visible minority: 14/23
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 6/23
Countries visited: Japan

3/5

I've taken a BB for Two Old Women, it sounds like a book that I would love.

Hope you like it when you get to it!

24- Le joueur d'échecs (Chess story)



Wonderful psychological thriller, and a metaphor for living under a fascist regime.

Tally:
Books written by women: 14/24
Books written by a visible minority: 14/24
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 7/24
Countries visited: Austria

4/5

25- Inconnu a cette adresse (Address unknown)



Perfectly written epistolary novella of the correspondance between a Jew and his German business partner during WW2.

Tally:
Books written by women: 15/25
Books written by a visible minority: 14/25
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 7/25
Countries visited: USA, Germany

4.5/5

26- Among others



A young girl with magical powers, and who is an avid reader of 1970s science fiction, goes to the most unmagical boarding school imaginable. For fans of sci-fi and fantasy.

Tally:
Books written by women: 16/26
Books written by a visible minority: 14/26
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 7/26
Countries visited: England

4.5/5

27- Carry on



Drarry fanfiction in an alternate universe. Some good dialogues and a few twists in the usual Chosen One narrative.

Tally:
Books written by women: 17/27
Books written by a visible minority: 14/27
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 7/27
Countries visited: England

4/5

28- Chi's Sweet Home, volume 12



Conclusion of this sweet kitten story. Will Chi choose to stay with her birth or human family?

Tally:
Books written by women: 18/28
Books written by a visible minority: 15/28
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 8/28
Countries visited: Japan

4/5

29- Contes de Grimm



Some tales are horrifying, others are charming, most repeat the same elements over and over again.

Tally:
Books written by women: 18/29
Books written by a visible minority: 15/29
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 9/29
Countries visited: Germany

4/5

30- Mal de pierres (From the land of the moon)



A woman clumsily tries to lead a passionate life as narrated by her granddaughter. Kind of hard to discuss without spoilers.

Tally:
Books written by women: 19/30
Books written by a visible minority: 15/30
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 10/30
Countries visited: Italy

3.5/5

31- We have always lived in the castle



Two sisters and their disabled uncle try to live down the fact that one of them probably poisoned the rest of their family. While being hated by the surrounding villagers. Let's just say it's a volatile and suspenseful situation.

Tally:
Books written by women: 20/31
Books written by a visible minority: 15/31
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 10/31
Countries visited: USA?

4/5

Looks like you've had a pretty good run of reading lately! Lots of four stars :)

I read those a while ago. I'm so behind! But yeah, most of my summer reads were good.

>77 paruline: I'm planning to read We Have Always Lived in the Castle this month...looks creepy in a good way!

Great choice for an Halloween read!

>72 paruline: I loved Among Others and am a big fan of Jo Walton. That one made me feel quite nostalgic.

Hi everyone! I'm getting back on LT after a few sporadic appearances in the last few months. My reading has been a bit slower this year but I still have to review several books.

My daughter has expressed an interest in being a writer so we've been reading and sharing books and experiencing different styles and genres.

32- The hundred and one dalmatians



Quite a lovely adventure story told from the point of view of dalmatians. Some outdated views on race and gender got on my nerves though.

Tally:
Books written by women: 21/32
Books written by a visible minority: 15/32
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 10/32
Countries visited: England

4/5

33- Daddy long legs



One-sided correspondance between a orphan girl and her anonymous benefactor. She describes her daily life and small triumphs and setbacks over the course of several years. Because she calls her benefactor Daddy (short for Daddy long legs), I kept envisioning her as a small child which was jarring.

Tally:
Books written by women: 22/33
Books written by a visible minority: 15/33
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 10/33
Countries visited: England

3.5/5

34- Harriet the spy



Did not really enjoy this one, and neither did my daughter, mostly because of the main character who was not someone very sympathetic or interesting. Harriet spies on people and writes down her observations in her notebook. When her friends read those notes, they ostracize her.

Tally:
Books written by women: 23/34
Books written by a visible minority: 15/34
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 10/34
Countries visited: USA

3/5

35- Histoire d'une mouette et du chat qui lui apprit à voler (The story of a seagull and the cat who taught her to fly)



Touching children's story of a cat who adopts an orphaned seagull. Touches on many themes, such as the perils of pollution, the importance of poetry, the challenges of keeping one's promises, and the love that overcomes differences.

Charming.

Tally:
Books written by women: 23/35
Books written by a visible minority: 16/35
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 11/35
Countries visited: Unknown

4/5

36- Mary Poppins



After watching "Saving Mr. Banks" earlier this year, I became interested in reading the original. Good storytelling, even though as many books from that era, there are some outdated and offensive stereotypes of minorities.

Tally:
Books written by women: 24/36
Books written by a visible minority: 16/36
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 11/36
Countries visited: England

3.5/5

37- La quête de Despereaux (The Tale of Despereaux)



Another one I read with my daughter over the summer. A small mouse falls in love with a princess and attempts to save her from a vengeful rat.

A bit of a confusing plot, with one of the main character made so unpleasant it was hard to commiserate with her awful life.

My daughter was tickled pink by the fact that the author spoke directly to the reader.

Tally:
Books written by women: 25/37
Books written by a visible minority: 16/37
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 11/37
Countries visited: non specified medieval country

3.5/5

38- La pourpre du guerrier (Warrior Scarlet)



Coming of age story of a young boy who aspires to wear the scarlet cloth of the warrior. Many setbacks will be encountered.

Some long descriptive passages made my eyes glaze over and make me think that this book would be better for a teen rather than a children audience.

Tally:
Books written by women: 26/38
Books written by a visible minority: 16/38
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 11/38
Countries visited: Bronze Age Britain

3/5

>88 paruline:
I just picked up a copy of that - we were talking about the movie at work and someone mentioned that the book is very different. I shall find out. :)

>91 -Eva-: Hope you like it!

Taking the morning to play catch-up on all the threads in the group.

Agreeing with your thoughts regarding Banana Yoshimoto's Kitchen. Yoshimoto seems to imbue darkness into her stories. I liked reading them but there is a unique distance to how she presents the story and her characters.

Hi Lori! I have to catch-up not only on everybody's thread but also on my own! And I'd like to set up my 2017 challenge before 2017 actually starts.

39- The Mysteries of Udolpho



This felt like an overly long episode of Scooby doo (but with more fainting and crying) in that all the mysterious ghostly apparitions are explained at the end. Very readable though.

Now I can read Northanger Abbey.

Tally:
Books written by women: 27/39
Books written by a visible minority: 16/39
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 11/39
Countries visited: France, Italy

3/5

40- Nous autres (We)



Precursor to much of dystopian literature, this slim novel explores the tensions between conformity and imagination, stability and uncertainty, the power of state and the power of the individual.

Thought provoking.

Tally:
Books written by women: 27/40
Books written by a visible minority: 16/40
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 12/40
Countries visited: Imaginary dystopia

4/5

>95 paruline: Udolpho would have gotten away with it, too, if it hadn't been for those pesky kids ;)

>97 rabbitprincess: Ha ha ha!

41- Les amants du Spoutnik (Sputnik Sweetheart)



Unrequited love, dreams, cats, disappearances, friendship, miscommunications and ... something darker? Hard to tell with so many unreliable narrators.

Tally:
Books written by women: 27/41
Books written by a visible minority: 17/41
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 13/41
Countries visited: Japan, Greece

3.5/5

42- Miramar



The same tragic events get recounted from the viewpoints of several renters from a pension house in Alexandria.

Atmospheric.

Tally:
Books written by women: 27/42
Books written by a visible minority: 18/42
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 14/42
Countries visited: Egypt

3.5/5

43- Twelve years a slave



More detailed than the movie version, but just as brutal and horrifying.

Tally:
Books written by women: 27/43
Books written by a visible minority: 19/43
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 14/43
Countries visited: USA

4/5

44- Cat's eye



Very effective portrayal of the lifelong effects that bullying can have. Fortunately, Atwood's special brand of subtle humour keeps this from becoming too dark.

Tally:
Books written by women: 28/44
Books written by a visible minority: 19/44
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 14/44
Countries visited: Canada

3.5/5

45- Pas de lettre pour le colonel (No one writes to the colonel)



I hear some people think this book is great. I am not one of them.

Tally:
Books written by women: 28/45
Books written by a visible minority: 20/45
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 15/45
Countries visited: Unspecified Latin American Country

3/5

46- Un coeur si blanc (A heart so white)



A newlywed man can't seem to shake off a feeling of impending doom. After an explosive start, the novel meanders through seemingly random asides, discussing the role of interpreters and translators, art museums, children's nursery rhymes, the New York dating scene, and memories, among others. But it all comes together beautifully in the last chapter.

Very impressive and recommended.

Tally:
Books written by women: 28/46
Books written by a visible minority: 20/46
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 16/46
Countries visited: Spain, Cuba, USA

4/5

>103 paruline: I chuckled out loud at your review of this one. :)

47- Woman on the edge of time



A sci-fi story exploring the power of marginalized individual to influence society. A bit dated but fascinating and still relevant.

Tally:
Books written by women: 29/47
Books written by a visible minority: 20/47
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 16/47
Countries visited: USA

4/5

48- The three body problem



How would human society evolve if we knew that in 400 years an alien invasion force was going to enslave Earth? Who among the humans would welcome the invaders and who would fight them?

Intriguing novel, especially since it incorporates cultural and historical aspects of Chinese society.

Tally:
Books written by women: 29/48
Books written by a visible minority: 21/48
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 17/48
Countries visited: China

4/5

49- Doomsday Book



A reread during Christmas. Still wonderful. Still a favorite.

Tally:
Books written by women: 30/49
Books written by a visible minority: 21/49
Books translated from a language other than English or French: 17/49
Countries visited: England

5/5

And that completes my reviews for 2016!

Books written by women:
- goal = 51%
- final tally = 61,2%

Books written by a visible minority:
- goal = 23%
- final tally = 42,9%

Books translated from a language other than English or French:
- goal = 21%
- final tally = 34,7%

Favorite books read in 2016:
Fictions
Doomsday Book
Address unknown
Among others

Honorable mentions (thought provoking, moving, or otherwise noteworthy):
Chess Story
Woman on the edge of time
The story of a seagull and the cat who taught her to fly
The Martian

Opposite of favorites read in 2016:
The Reef
The Voyage Out

Great work on exceeding all your percentage goals!!

Congratulations for 2016!

>108 paruline: I re-read Doomsday Book at Christmas time every few years. My favorite Willis novel.

>110 rabbitprincess: >111 mstrust: >112 VioletBramble: Thank you all. I'll try and find you all at the 2017 Challenge group!