Reading - Countries Starting with I

Books with links (to Goodreads), are books that I have read. I also included how I rated the book out of 5. If you follow the link to Goodreads you can get all the information you need about the book.

Books without links are suggested reads (suggested by friends, or other blogs I have found) for those countries.

Iceland

Miss Icleand - by Audur Ava Olafsdottir. My score 4/5. Read in May 2021

Set mainly in Iceland this book is about Hekla, an aspiring woman writer in the 1960's. This book felt almost like a poem although it was written in prose style. It was an ode to life in Iceland in the 60's. It explores themes of gender bias (at home, at work and in society), homophobia and friendship. This is a beautifully written book that I would definitely recommend!

India

Secret Daughter - by Shilpi Somaya Gowda. My score 4/5. Read in January 2011.

Waiting for the Monsoon - by Threes Anna. My score 4/5. Read in August 2012.

The Henna Artist - by Alka Joshi. My score 4/5. Read in January 2021. 

I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. I should trust my friends more! 😀 I enjoyed the historical aspect (set in the 1950's), the setting, and a glimpse into a lifestyle I don't know much about. I also enjoyed the story, which culminated in a satisfying ending.

Indonesia

Eat, Pray, Love - By Elizabeth Gilbert. My score 5/5. Read in March 2008. Also set in Italy and India

Iran

Honeymoon in Purdah: An Iranian Journey - By Alison Wearing. My score 5/5. Read in December 2013.

The Stationery Shop - by Marjan Kamali. My score 5/5. Read in March 2020.

Reading Lolita in Tehran - by Azar Nafisi. My score 3/5. Read in November 2020.

Iraq

Homes - by Abu Bakr Al Rabeeah. My score 5/5. Read in April 2020.

Ireland

The Woman Who Stole my Life - By Marian Keyes. My score 4/5. Read in September 2015. 

Note-- Marian Keyes is one of my favourite humourous chick-lit authors. If you are looking for something light and entertaining you can pick almost any of her books!

The Guest List - by Lucy Foley. My score 4/5. Read in January 2021. 

Set on a fictional island off the coast of Connemara, Ireland. A very enjoyable thriller. Written from multiple viewpoints (which often throws me off, but didn't in this case.) This is a book that has well developed characters with interesting back stories. I felt the story grow more and more gripping as we moved towards the ending. Several surprises that I didn't see coming, and a great setting that had my imagination in full gear visualizing it.

Night Boat to Tangier - By Kevin Barry. My score 4/5. 

Read in February 2021. Set mainly in Algeciras ferry terminal, but also other areas in Spain and Ireland. A hauntingly sad book about the tolls of drugs and criminal life. Strong characters which I felt empathy for despite the many bad choices they made.

Israel

Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak - By Deborah Ellis. My score 5/5. Read in January 2008. 

This is a book intended for middle grades. Also set in Palestine.

Italy

The House by the Sea - by Santa Montefiore. My score 4/5. Read in July 2019.

The Midwife of Venice - by Roberta Rich. My score 4/5. Read in June 2013. Also set in Malta.