Beastmomma

**Unfortunately, I did not make my goal for 2011 of this challenge.  I read up to the explorer level. Hopefully, I will have better luck next year**

I failed miserably at this challenge last year, but I am determined to do better in 2011.  I have more than enough books on my shelves to qualify for this challenge, so maybe I can look at this as a reducing my TBR pile.

From Swapna's site, here are some basics:

There are two ways for a book to qualify for the South Asian Challenge

(1) A book must be by a South Asian author.  For these purposes, South Asia includes the following countries: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives. 

2) A book must be about South Asia.  In this case, it can be set in a South Asian country or be about South Asians living abroad.  It can also be a biography or memoir of a South Asian, or of a non-South Asian traveling or working in South Asia.  In this case, the author does not need to be South Asian, as long as the subject matter focuses on the region, peoples, or cultures in some way.

Any type book qualifies, as long as it meets one of the two guidelines above - a cookbook, short story or essay collection, travel guide - I’m not picky!

What dates does the challenge run?

January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011

What are the levels?

South Asian Encounter - 1 book

South Asian Wanderer - 3 books

South Asian Explorer - 5 books

South Asian Adventurer - 7 books

South Asian Hero/Heroine - 10 books

South Asian Guru - Over 10 books (you can set your own goal)

I am going to be ambitious and aim for the South Asian Explorer level. Here are the books I completed for the challenge:

1. One Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. The author is South Asian. My review here.
2. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. The author is South Asian. My review is here. 
3. The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee The author is South Asian. My review is here.