By the skin of my teeth, I FINISHED MY FIRST ONLINE READING CHALLENGE!!!! I was reading and listening to the last two books until 8:00 p.m. EST. I really enjoyed all the selections and ended up only swapping out two.  Ironically, the two that I swapped in were set in New York. I am taking this as a sign that I should go to New York! Now, I am just keeping my fingers crossed that I get selected for the grand prize :)

Click on the link to get more information about the Armchair Traveler Reading Challenge.  I went through my bookshelf and pulled out six books which meet the criteria that I have not yet read.  Although, I did get some great suggestions for folks for alternates in case I get bored or want to treat myself to another book.  For now, here are my six gems: (Bolded titles are complete)

• What the Body Remembers (India as it is dividing into India and Pakistan) by Shauna Singh Baldwin
• The Chin Kiss King (Cuba and Miami) by Ana Vecianna Suarez. Here is my review.
• The Enigma of Arrival (Trinidad and England) by V.S. Naipaul
• Memoirs from the Women's Prison (Egypt) by Nawal El Saadawi, translated by Marilyn Booth. Here is my review.
• A Walk In the Woods (Appalachian Trial, United States) by Bill Bryson. Here is my review.
• Midnight's Children (India as it is becomes an independent country) by Salman Rushdie. Here is my review.  
• The Nanny Diaries (New York, USA) by Emma McClaughlin and Nicola Kraus.  Here is my review.
• Garlic and Sapphires (New York, USA) by Ruth Reichl.  Here is my review.

From looking at this list, I also realize that all of these books were presents; I got them as gifts from people who thought that I would enjoy the story.  It's so exciting to still be unrwapping gifts years later.