It's Summer Somewhere....

December 21 (aside from the Mayan Apocalypse!) marks the first day of Winter - in our hemisphere anyway. However in the Southern Hemisphere, it marks the first day of Summer. Here are some books that take place in these lucky countries where Summer is just starting:

Turing's Delirium by Edmundo Paz Soldan

A thriller follows the leader of a group of computer hackers who oppose the government and the big corporations, the founder of the government's code-breaking unit, and a government agent who fears he works for the wrong side.

(Bolivia)

By Night in Chile by Roberto Bolaño

In a deathbed confession, Father Urrutia, a Jesual priest and conservative literary critic, shares his memories of his work with agents of Opus Dei and his secret job of instructing Pinochet about Marxism to the Chilean junta generals can understand their enemy. Original..

(Chile)

The Pickup by Nadine Gordimer

A love affair between a wealthy South African woman and an Arab illegal alien challenges their notions of race, class, and citizenship.

(South Africa)

Baking Cakes in Kigali by Gaile Parkin

Rendered a confidant and supportive friend for her willingness to listen to her neighbors in genocide-stricken Rwanda, baker Angel Tungaraza provides decadent confections and transforming counsel to a series of troubled customers.

(Rwanda)

Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

In small-town Australia, teens Jasper and Charlie form an unlikely friendship when one asks the other to help him cover up a murder until they can prove who is responsible.

(Australia)

Frangipani by Celestine Hitiura Vaite

In Tahiti, it's a well-known fact that women are wisest, mothers know best, and Materena Mahi knows best of all--or so everyone except for her own daughter thinks. Soon enough, mother and daughter are engaged in a tug-of-war that tests the bonds of their love.

(Tahiti)

The White Mary by Kira Salak
War reporter Marika Vecera learns that her long-time hero, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Robert Lewis, has committed suicide and sets out to write his biography, only to hear rumors that he may still be alive in Papua New Guinea.
(Papua New Guinea)