Last week, in my capacity as learning support teacher, I taught a lesson to the whole grade 4 cohort about my book project. Why you might ask. The Grade 4s are looking at why we read. I presented my project and blog then set them on their own discovery task, linked here. Thanks to the amazing work of the book girls guide, who provide readers with great documents to chronicle their reading journeys. My students were impressed with my blog and project, one student asked you did all this yourself, another said show me your entry for the Czech Republic then, another didn’t believe I had read anything representing Turkey. A bunch of students asked what my last ten entries were. It is hard to believe that my book project has come to an end.

My project has been to read a piece of writing by a woman from every country in the world. I started this project almost four years ago not knowing where it would take me. I hoped to finish it by Christmas 2022, but the pandemic, having a baby and returning to work have all got in the way, so that was an unrealistic goal. Like many, I have lost my reading mojo at times over the last couple of years, but it is back now.

These are the final 10 entries in my book project, I am yet to write them up:

Liechtenstein: I wanted to read a poetry collection by Iren Nigg, I struggled to find it in an English translation but after some digging, I discovered it was available in and English translation, entitled “Nuestras Palabras, Nuestros Lectores.” I got it sent to a Spanish friend’s house in Spain (gracias Cristina) and she brought it back to Cambodia for me.

Madagascar: an excerpt from a novel by Magali Nirina Marson

Mali: I read an article called Women in Mali by Dr Madina Thiam, shared with me by the author, for this entry.

Monaco: Archipel des Passions by Charlotte Casiraghi, a selection of essays by Casiraghi and her former university professor, in French.

Nauru: it was extremely difficult to find an entry for Nauru.

Palau: Calls of Youth by Hermana Ramanui

Saint Kitts and Nevis: She’s got Harlem on her mind by Eulalie Spence.

Saint Lucia: Shabine and other stories by Hazel Simmons-McDonald

Seychelles: Echoes from the Oasis by A.R Tirant

Togo: Do They Hear You When You Cry by Fauziya Kassindja.

Books and languages have been a perfect combination in this book project. I am fortunate enough to read in French, Spanish and English. Without this ability to read in other languages, I would have struggled to have included an entry for some countries, like Cameroon and Paraguay.

I always regarded myself as being well read but I have realized the world of literature beyond English Francophone or Spanish speaking authors. What I have loved about this project is I am reading books by authors from countries that I know little about, I am learning about a country’s history, culture, and society. That is the beauty of translation; to be taken into a new world that is familiar yet so very different. I should always stress the importance of the small indie publishers to discover books, authors, and translators. They give literature a chance to be read. I have also valued modern tools like the country and book finding tool on Words Without Borders and reviews on Twitter to connect with authors and translators in a way I could never have dreamt of as a child. Special thanks go to my family and friends, the WIT community- Meytal, GLLI and others- as well as bookshops all over the world.

What a joy it has been to read the world through the female lens.

A bit about me!

A bit about me, my name is Jess Andoh-Thayre. I am from Brixton, South London. I currently live in Cambodia. Before living here in Cambodia, I lived in Tanzania with my husband, who is a diplomat. I have also lived in Chile and Spain. I am a French, Spanish and English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher. I recently qualified as a SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator). After taking three years off to have a baby in a pandemic and also retrain, I have just returned to work as an Elementary Learning Support Teacher.