68 - Shanghai Girls; Lisa See

Shanghai Girls: A Novel, is a story of (2) sisters: Pearl and May Chin who are born to well off parents and enjoying their high style life in Shanghai. One day their father tells his daughters that he has gambled all of their money and that in order to satisfy his debts he has arranged to sell his daughters to Chinese men from the United States. The sisters oppose the arranged marriages, but before they have a chance to make other plans, the Japanese invade China and the girls and their mother are forced to quickly flee. Horrible events occur while they are trying to leave China for the US, and the sisters make some difficult choices along the way including one secret with life changing consequences.

Lisa See does an amazing job detailing the horrific events faced by the Chinese people before WWII. at the hands of brutal soldiers. I loved the way that the strong bond between sisters was so vividly portrayed, and although the ending seemed a bit abrupt for my taste, I am hoping that this was done on purpose to leave the possibility open for a sequel in the future.

I would like to thank Random House for sending me a signed advance reader's edition, as Lisa See has become favorite author of mine. Additional thanks to Lisa See for helping me out of my reading slump with (2) great back-to-back novels that I really enjoyed.

Although Snow Flower and the Secret Fan: A Novel, will probably always remain at the top of my favorites list, Shanghai Girls: A Novel (which will be released on May 26, 2009) is a wonderful story as well, that comes highly recommended.

RATING - 4.5/5 - COMPLETED - 5/11/09

WHERE FROM: My Review Stacks.

67 - Peony in Love; Lisa See

I started this audio book about a week ago, and was immediately hooked (even though I've been in a bit of a reading slump). The reader Jodi Long was amazing. I have also started Lisa's soon to be released at the end of May (it's wonderful): Shanghai Girls: A Novel

It seems Lisa See has helped me to ease out of my slump thanks to her beautiful way with words.

Peony in Love: A Novel

about the book"Peony is the cherished only child of the first wife of a wealthy Chinese nobleman. Yet she is betrothed to a man she has never met and, as her sixteenth birthday approaches, she has neither seen nor spoken to any man other than her father and has never ventured outside the cloistered women's quarters of the Chen Family Villa. She is trapped like a good-luck Chinese epic opera The Peony Pavilion mirror her own longings. Though raised to be obedient, Peony has dreams of her own.

Her father engages a small theatrical troupe to perform scenes from The Peony Pavilion in their garden amidst the scent of ginger, green tea and jasmine. Peony's mother is against the production: "Unmarried girls should not be seen in public." But Peony's father prevails, assuring his wife that proprieties will be maintained. Women will watch the opera from behind a screen to hide them from view. Yet through a crack, Peony catches sight of an elegant, handsome man with hair as black as a cave and is immediately bewitched by him.So begins Peony's unforgettable journey of love, desire, sorrow and redemption. Lisa See's compelling new novel takes readers back to seventeenth-century China and into the heart and soul of an unforgettable heroine."

I am fascinated by stories about China and Lisa See's book provides an enchanting journey through ancient China with thoughtful, loving women the reader will not easily forget. The story offers glimpses into Chinese traditions and superstitions about how the dead and ancestors are treated.

(SPOILERS) At first I thought this was going to be a strange kind of love story. Then WOW.... Peony dies! She ends up wandering the earth as a hungry ghost. She learned the lessons of life that she couldn't have possibly learned in her short life on earth.

A heartbreaking beautiful love story with richly crafted characters. This audio book is highly recommended.

RATING - 4.5/5 - COMPLETED - 5/9/09

WHERE FROM: Library

Firsts - - - a meme

Well since I don't have a book review to post, I thought I'd tag on to Wendy at We Read for a fun "meme".

Feel free to follow suit. Here are the questions:

( I just realized that my answers are going to date me big-time)...Yikes


First Book I Remember Reading: Heidi

First Job: Dietary Aide at a Hospital

First Real Job: Clerical Assistant at an Insurance Company

First Favorite Politician: John F. Kennedy

First Car: 1971 Chevy Chevelle

First Record/CD: Beatles ??

First Sport Played: Volley Ball

First Concert: Three Dog Night

First Foreign Country Visited: France & Switzerland (same trip)

First Favorite TV Show: I Love Lucy

First Favorite Actor: Jerry Mathers ( Leave it to Beaver)

First Favorite Actress: Sally Field (Gidget)

First Girlfriend/Boyfriend: Dennis ---quite the nerd

First Encounter with a Famous Person: Shook hands with Uncle Junior of the Sopranos

First Brush With Death: I've been fortunate (none)

First House/Condo Owned: A cute little Cape Cod Style house (6 rooms, garage, fireplace, small lot) that we paid $19,300 for in 1973 --(kept it 3 years then sold it and built a home.

First Film Seen: Toby Tyler

First Favorite Recording Artist: Beatles

First Favorite Radio Station: do not recall

First Meme You Answered on Your Blog: Not sure

May Reading Slump --- Help!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm in an official reading slump. I think all the excitement about our move, and now the last 10 days settling in, has sent me in a bit of a funk. All I really want to do is nap (like Freckles), sit in front of the "boob tube" (something I rarely do) or, make lists of things we still need to do.

But, I am having some fun. Yesterday my husband and I went out for lunch and did a little shopping. We ordered some custom bar stools for out new kitchen, brought home (2) new lamps which look great, and ordered another lamp which should be in soon. I joined the Friends of the Library in our new Town and will be helping at an upcoming book sale --- now any book lover would find that fun right??

But back to my reading slump ----maybe unpacking 500++ books turned me off books for good??? I hope not!!!! I did start a good book several days ago, but it seems I only read a chapter on 2 and turn off the lights. Any suggestions?? More Prozac?? What helped you out of your funk/reading slump in the past? I'm desperate!

Waiting of Wednesday: Secrets She Left Behind

Hosted by Jill, at Breaking the Spine, Here's my pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection:



Title:Secrets She Left Behind

Author: Diane Chamberlain
Pub. Date: May 26, 2009

Product Description - from Amazon

One afternoon, single mother Sara Weston says that she's going to the store—and never returns. In her absence, she leaves her teenage son alone with his damaged past and a legacy of secrets.

Keith Weston nearly lost his life in an act of arson. He survived—but with devastating physical and emotional scars. Without his mother, he has no one to help him heal, no money, nothing to live for but the medications that numb his pain. Isolated and angry, his hatred has one tight focus: his half sister, Maggie Lockwood.

Nineteen-year-old Maggie Lockwood spent a year in prison for the acts that led up to the fire. Now she's back home. But her release cannot free her from the burden of guilt she carries. She grew up with Keith Weston, played with him as a child…and recently learned they share the same father.

Now the person Keith despises most is the closest thing he has to family—until Sara returns. If Sara returns….

What's your pick this week?

66 - Apologize, Apologize; Elizabeth Kelly

Apologize, Apologize is an off beat debut novel by Elizabeth Kelly. The audio version which I listened to was fairly well done by Jeff Woodman.

In this story, Collie ( yes....named after a dog) Flanagan, tells the story of his eccentric relatives, most of whom are alcoholics living on Martha's Vineyard. Collie is the dullest, but most normal character of the bunch. Anais, is Collie's neurotic, vindictive mother. Charlie, is the father; a heavy drinker, and a womanizing Irishman. Then there is a brother Bingo (also named after a dog) who is the favored son: he flunks out of prep school and he is all charm and gloss. If these characters are not enough to land a few laughs from the reader, there is still a pigeon-breeding uncle and a super-rich grandfather to round out the motley cast. The story is told in wry, apologetic tones.

While Collie, is truly trying to find his place in life, he clearly needs the support of family to help him find his way...something he never seems to find. The true weakness of this story is that the characters are too quirky to be believable (at least for me), and that the story lacks a sense of focus. It seems to move all over the place without satisfactory closure. Despite this there were some humorous scenes that made my struggle with this book a bit more bearable.

RATING - 2/5 - COMPLETED - 5/3/2009

WHERE FROM: My Stacks

65 - The Simplest of Acts and Other Stories; Melanie Haney

I do not read many short stories collections, but when I was asked to review Melanie Haney's recent book: The Simplest of Acts and Other Stories, I did not realize what a treat I was in for.

This collection of (11) stories, just 102 pages was excellent. Each story was well written, and kept my interest. I especially enjoyed the fact that I could actually relate to the characters in most of the stories, as they were every day people, and the stories were about every day life: joy and sadness, love and loss.

My favorite story was : An Ordinary Evening where a devoted mother spends long periods of time at her daughter's bedside in the hospital. She is faced with a difficult decision regarding terminating life support; poignantly written. While this story of some of the others might lead you to believe they might be terribly depressing, I found the opposite to be true. There seemed to be a message of hope and renewal throughout these stories, that made the reading so rewarding. I hope to see more books from the promising new author in the future.

RATING - 4/5 - COMPLETED - 5/1/09

WHERE FROM - My Stacks (review)