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Peach Blossom Spring
Peach Blossom Spring: A Novel | Melissa Fu
A moving debut novel about war, migration, and the power of telling stories, Peach Blossom Spring follows three generations of a Chinese family on their search for a place to call home. With every misfortune there is a blessing and within every blessing, the seeds of misfortune, and so it goes, until the end of time. It is 1938 in China and, as a young wife, Meilins future is bright. But with the Japanese army approaching, Meilin and her four year old son, Renshu, are forced to flee their home. Relying on little but their wits and a beautifully illustrated hand scroll, filled with ancient fables that offer solace and wisdom, they must travel through a ravaged country, seeking refuge. Years later, Renshu has settled in America as Henry Dao. Though his daughter is desperate to understand her heritage, he refuses to talk about his childhood. How can he keep his family safe in this new land when the weight of his history threatens to drag them down? Yet how can Lily learn who she is if she can never know her familys story? Spanning continents and generations, Peach Blossom Spring is a bold and moving look at the history of modern China, told through the story of one family. Its about the power of our past, the hope for a better future, and the haunting question: What would it mean to finally be home?
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Eggs
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“We can forgive without understanding. Sometimes we must. Maybe that‘s what forgiveness is – accepting someone‘s actions, even if there are no good explanations.”

#War

#ItTakesAllKinds

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 📚🩷🫶🏻 3w
Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💔😔❤️‍🩹 3w
47 likes2 comments
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Eggs
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Pickpick

Beautiful HF prose about a time period in China that I knew little about, between 1938 / 1946. A debut novel for Fu, she based it on some of her birth family‘s experiences. Published February 2022. Well done 👍🏼

#Sharreadathon Day 3
#ReadAway 2024

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

DieAReader 🥳Great! 2mo
Eggs @DieAReader 💛🥰 2mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Stacked! ❤️❤️ 2mo
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Gissy Loved this book, incredible that is her first novel 2mo
Eggs @Gissy Agree 💯 2mo
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Gissy
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#12Booksof2023 @Andrew65

Sorry but in February 2023 I had 3 great books and they deserve to be mentioned because I 😭a lot

Peach Blossom Spring was a beautiful debut
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo and
The Cost Of Knowing by Brittney Morris

Andrew65 Excellent choices, some months you just can‘t choose only 1! 3mo
tpixie Gorgeous cover! 3mo
Gissy @tpixie Yes! And that novel was so beautiful inspired in some real events in the author‘s life, she explained it at the end of the novel❤️ 3mo
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tpixie @Gissy I‘ll have to look into it. Janie Chang & Jennifer Rossner are 2 new favorite authors of mine. They write beautifully. 3mo
Gissy @tpixie I read Three Souls and it was beautiful! I need to read the other two books I have. I only read one book by Rossner and it was also beautiful. I like that kind of writing style. If you haven‘t read this one, you probably will like it. (edited) 3mo
tpixie @Gissy il going to read this book! oh I‘m glad you read & enjoyed 3 souls. I just bought porcelain moon, and I have another of hers to read. Rosner‘s Yellow bird is good and I just finished her 3mo
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Gissy
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Late #WondrousWednesday @Eggs

📖tagged
📖The author writing style (it was a debut book-looking forward her next book), the story and the characters, everything, even the cover
📖Depend, I like different settings, depend on the story I‘m reading. What I like, love prioritize is when that setting is well described that you feel the atmosphere, you feel that you are in that place, you are seeing it through the character‘s eyes.

Gissy Thank you @The_Peniless_Author
Just a little late but it was posted🤗♥️♥️♥️

These questions make you reflect about your books and reading habits😃
8mo
Eggs Lovely responses 👏🏻🙌🏻 Thanks for playing 🥳👍🏼 8mo
32 likes2 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

In 1938 Meilin and Renshu had to flee their home in China. For years they searched for someplace to grow roots and finally found it in Taiwan. Eventually they each found stability- Meilin in Taiwan and Renshu in the states. Neither really ever felt safe though until they learned to confront the past. This book was heartbreaking, but in the very best way. You all should read it.

mcctrish I loved this book 9mo
kspenmoll I second @mcctrish ! 9mo
76 likes2 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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The view from my reading chair today. This book is engrossing. I hope I have time to finish today.

dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 9mo
65 likes1 comment
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coffees
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Pickpick

I really like to read books that teach me about things and this Delivered. But I also just loved Meilin. Like WOW. The first part is told from her pov and as the years pass we move from one gen to the next. It's such a heartbreaking story and it resonated so much with me. It made me wonder about my own family and what their stories were.

Def check it out. I was very emotional by the end. It's hopeful but also very sad

6 likes1 comment
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Gissy
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Pickpick

A sad story but beautifully written. The life of these four generations I would say, from 1938 to 2005. How war, political and social situations in China impacted these families. Fear didn‘t stop with the immigration to US. You will love Meilin as a woman, mother, daughter and grandmother. I can‘t imagine how, in this present day, some countries are still facing the consequences of war😢Fiction but maybe inspired in author‘s family story. 4.5/5⭐️

Librarybelle So glad you liked it! 13mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 13mo
46 likes3 comments
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janeycanuck
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Pickpick

This piqued my interest after hearing several comparison to Pachinko. It didn‘t quite have that same emotional gut punch that Pachinko did but it was a moving story in its own way.

Thank you to @Librarybelle for guiding the discussion on this #LiteraryCrew #buddyread

Librarybelle Hooray! Glad you liked this! 14mo
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AllDebooks
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Pickpick

Peach Blossom Spring traces the story of one Chinese family over three generations. In 1938, Meilin and her son, Renshu, flee the Japanese war on China, escaping to Taiwan. As refugees, fleeing conflict, there are numerous horrors and obstacles on their arduous journey. Meilin uses a painted scroll to tell traditional stories, to connect with her culture, tradition, roots, husband and son. These episodes of calm among the chaos, ⬇cont.

AllDebooks help settle 4-year-old Renshu, distracting him from the surrounding terror and grief.
This focus on the power of storytelling threads through their lives, reinforcing the importance of family, hope, history and tradition. As we move through the decades, Renshu (now Henry) relocates to America to build his own life, he often reflects on these stories his mother told and the deep, meaningful impact they had on him as a child. ⬇cont.
14mo
AllDebooks Melissa Lu has deftly demonstrated how locked we can become in our own past traumas, as Henry struggles to come to terms with his past, his refusal to talk about his heritage or past and deal with life in America. This in turn traumatises his own daughter, Lily, as she tries to find her sense of self.
This book is a very moving, intelligent and compassionate tale, set in one of the most heinous periods of Chinese history. It challenges the need ⬇
14mo
AllDebooks for a modern China while recognising centuries of history and tradition. Lu uses family at the centre of this tumultuous period as a theme for our search for our identity and place in this world. She emphasises the need for hope, especially in the darkest of times, in picking up and moving forward, no matter how many times we have to.
This is my book of the month for January 2023.
14mo
29 likes3 comments
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mrp27
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Pickpick

#Literarycrew #BuddyRead #JumpStart2023

Book 11 of the month. ⭐️⭐️⭐️ A multi generational story of survival, success & discovery. The first half of the book is set during the Japanese/Chinese war of aggression and WWll and the second half in the US. Typically this is exactly the kind of historical, immigrant story I like but the writing was simple, bordering on mediocre and the plot dragged in places. Overall, glad I read it, just wasn‘t wowed

Clwojick Great job! ❤️ 14mo
Librarybelle Thanks for joining us this month! 14mo
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Deblovestoread
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Pickpick

Thanks to #20in4 I finished the tagged book in time for today‘s discussion with the #LiteraryCrew group. It covers a lot of historical ground from 1938 - 2005 of one Chinese family beginning with the War of Aggression between China and Japan. I loved the character Meilin but Renshu felt a little flat to me. The tension he lived with wasn‘t fully realized IMO.

Librarybelle Glad it was a pick for you! 14mo
Andrew65 That‘s brilliant, thanks for playing along 👏👏👏🙌🥳🍾🥂🥰📚 14mo
47 likes2 comments
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Librarybelle
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It is time for this month‘s discussion of the #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead . I have 6 questions posted under the spoiler - you can find them on my feed, through the book‘s feed, or by searching the hashtags. If there is anything else you wish to discuss with the group not covered by the questions, comment below!

Also, next month‘s book is Matrix by Lauren Groff. If you have not already asked me to tag you for the posts, let me know below! Thanks!!

julieclair I will be a few days late to the discussion this month, but really looking forward to it. My hold for Matrix just came in today, so I‘m all set for February! 14mo
Bklover I‘m like @julieclair - I‘m still a few days out. I‘ll check back to the discussion as soon as I finish. 14mo
mrp27 Picked up Matrix from the library so I‘m all set for February. 14mo
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PurpleyPumpkin I‘m hoping to finish this by the weekend. 😅 I‘ll be sure to check back then. Thanks for posting the questions! 14mo
janeycanuck I finished up on Sunday! Heading off to the questions now 😊 14mo
Librarybelle I‘m behind with reading too, @julieclair @Bklover @PurpleyPumpkin …hopefully soon! 14mo
Librarybelle So glad you‘re ready for February, @julieclair @mrp27 ! 14mo
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Librarybelle
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6. Each of the main characters, Meilin, Renshu/Henry, and Lily goes on a kind of journey. For each of them, what is the journey? How are their journeys similar—and how are they different? What are the events that change them the most and how are they changed? ~from publisher reading group guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Deblovestoread Meilin‘s journey was about survival and finding a home. Renshu lived the journey parents want for their children a good education, a good job and a happy family. Lily needed to figure who she was and strive for what she wanted not what was expected of her. 14mo
mrp27 Agreed. Merlin‘s journey was one of survival, Henry‘s journey was to succeed and Lily‘s journey was one of discovery, herself and her family‘s. 14mo
janeycanuck Their journeys really moved up the hierarchy of needs, didn‘t they? Meilin‘s journey was about getting that physical safety & struggling for basic needs. She was able to provide that as a foundation for Renshu, who then went on a journey of psychological development - getting past his worry that the govt would be able to get him, he never felt that safety, and of wanting to just belong and be like everyone else. But Lily - she wanted to feel like 14mo
janeycanuck She had purpose and was making a difference in the lives of others. 14mo
Sargar114 Well said @mrp27 (edited) 14mo
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Librarybelle
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5. Discuss how the novel explores motherhood. What does a mother owe to her children? Is Meilin a good mother? Is Rachel? How is raising a child different during a time of great struggle—such as during a war? In what ways are their challenges the same? ~from publisher reading group guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

Deblovestoread Yes, I think Meilin was a wonderful mother, always striving to find safety, always providing in rough times, encouraging Renshu in his studies and not trying to hold him back. Rachel was a good mom, too but got lost a bit when she couldn‘t pursue her dreams alongside Henry‘s choices. 14mo
janeycanuck For Meilin, mothering Renshu was about physically keeping him safe - she threw herself over him more than once to protect him. But for Rachel, in a different time and place, I think it was more about emotional safety for Lily. She knew it hurt Lily to be cut off from her heritage and she did what she could to provide that to Lily but she couldn‘t do much given Henry‘s stance. 14mo
Sargar114 @janeycanuck well said. 14mo
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Librarybelle
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4. Languages are important in this book. How is language used both to bring people together as well as keep people apart? ~from publisher reading group guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

mcctrish Language certainly made Meilin an other in Renshu/Henry‘s house and it broke my heart 14mo
mrp27 It broke my heart when Henry stopped speaking it out of fear and when he stopped Lily from learning it. That kept them apart. I loved how Lily and her grandma didn‘t let the language differences keep them from happily communicating. 14mo
janeycanuck @mrp27 yes, I felt the same. And it just ended up hurting Lily because she felt like she didn‘t belong anywhere. 14mo
janeycanuck Meilin used language to build connections and relationships several times - she learned several new dialects in China and then when she was in Taiwan, she knew the way to get rice was by learning some of the language. Language helped her adapt and fit in wherever she went. 14mo
Sargar114 @janeycanuck you bring up a good point along with @mrp27 Meilin used language to build connections and Renshu/Henry saw language as a barrier and by doing that forced Lily to find a way to connect with Meilin despite they‘re inability to speak the same language. 14mo
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Librarybelle
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3. What was your favorite fable in the novel? Was there one lesson that resonated with you more than the others? ~from publisher reading group guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

mrp27 I didn‘t really have a favorite fable. I know it‘s a big part of the story but other than peach blossom spring I don‘t even really remember the others. 14mo
janeycanuck Hmmm… I don‘t really remember any of the stories either, aside from Peach Blossom Spring. 14mo
Sargar114 The one that stood out to me was the monk that grew the fruit tree in seconds. I think this is where the audio version also wasn‘t as good. It was hard to differentiate the fables from the overall story at that point. 14mo
9 likes3 comments
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Librarybelle
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2. How do ideas from Tao Qian‘s poem ‘Peach Blossom Spring‘ echo with larger themes in the novel? What was your reaction when Henry discovered how the original poem differed from Meilin‘s version? Why did Meilin change the story? ~from publisher reading group guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

mcctrish I think Meilin changed the ending so Renshu/Henry would make choices always looking forward and not to second guess himself. It‘s true that you can‘t go back to what was. I wondered how many of the students who went west for school went back to China. It would have been hard work in school and settling in but after 8 years that‘s a significant amount of time. The differences between the 2 places would be big 14mo
Deblovestoread Completing the story would have suggested loss. Meilin was all about moving forward and finding home wherever you were. 14mo
mrp27 I got a little confused by this. Didn‘t the book say that Meilin didn‘t even know the ending because she never fully unrolled the scroll? Either way, I think she left it with a positive ending to give hope to both her and Renshu. I also found the poem also mirrored Henry‘s life. 14mo
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janeycanuck For me, it felt like she was trying to protect him from the way life usually goes - keep the rose-coloured glasses on, for lack of a better phrase. He was just a kid, he didn‘t need to know that life is full of unwinnable choices yes! 14mo
janeycanuck Oh, and I think that America was Renshu‘s Peach Blossom Spring. I think he felt that returning to Taiwan could do nothing good for his life, so he stayed in the US, thinking it was his Peach Blossom Spring. But really, it wasn‘t because he was trying to force it to be something it wasn‘t. The political challenges just followed him there and continued to hang over his head. 14mo
Sargar114 @janeycanuck I gathered it was her way of protecting Renshu/Henry as well. 14mo
10 likes6 comments
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Librarybelle
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1. What purposes do Meilin‘s scroll stories serve throughout the narrative? What do they mean to Meilin? In what ways do they shape the person Renshu/Henry becomes? ~from publisher reading group guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead

AllDebooks I loved this part of the story. I thought they were Meikin's way of connecting to her roots, her lost husband and Renshu. The way she used them to ground him during periods of trauma or when he was unsettled were very moving. The stories from the scrolls helped her focus on the here and now, to ''keep moving forward", teaching Renshu to do the same x 14mo
AllDebooks *Meilin 14mo
mcctrish I agree with @AllDebooks it was a favourite part of mine as well, for a little while I read with fear thinking it would be stolen. I thought it was a way to make the two of them a family of 3 14mo
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Deblovestoread I agree with these comments. It was a way for Meilin to share Renshu‘s heritage with him while also providing the comfort stories can give in times of upheaval. 14mo
mrp27 I agree with everything said here. The scroll was a connection to her husband and to their dreams they had, their future. I felt too that it grounded her and gave her strength. 14mo
janeycanuck Yes, the scroll stories were definitely a grounding presence for Renshu. I think they also helped Meilin feel like she had some semblance of control in a world that turned upside down over and over. It was the one thing that was constant, her tie to the past and what she put her future hope in. 14mo
10 likes6 comments
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AllDebooks

Wow, I started and finished this extraordinary book in 24 hours! I thought I might be able to read enough to comment on #literarycrew #buddyread never expected to race through it so quickly.
2nd book completed for #20in4

@Andrew65 @Librarybelle

Librarybelle Wow! So glad you liked this! 14mo
Andrew65 Great progress 👏👏👏 14mo
28 likes2 comments
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AllDebooks
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#Literarycrew #buddyread @Librarybelle

So behind, finally started this magnificent book this morning. What an opening!!! I'm already 100 pages in ❤️👀❤️

Librarybelle Yay!! 14mo
43 likes1 comment
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Deblovestoread
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#January #20in4Readathon

I‘m joining @Andrew65 for this weekend readathon. We have a busy weekend planned but am hoping to get 20 chapters read.

Andrew65 Great to have you with us. Good luck and hope you have a good weekend. 😁 1y
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Librarybelle
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We‘re a little over a week away from this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead discussion! I know a few of us have finished and others have not had an opportunity to start (myself included!), but there is still time.

Any thoughts to share with the group at this point?

Jerdencon I didn‘t get to this one this month - but planning to join next month. 1y
Cinfhen I have the audio but the narration is NOT working for me😝 1y
PurpleyPumpkin I haven‘t started either! But you‘re right, there‘s still time. 😅 1y
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AllDebooks I got delayed, will start this week 1y
janeycanuck It‘s the next book I pick up once I finish my library book. Looking forward to it! 1y
julieclair Looking forward to our discussion. Haven‘t started yet, but this book looks so good! 1y
Deblovestoread Starting today so should be finished in time 😊 1y
Lunakay Good to know, that I'm not the only one, who is somewhat late😂 1y
mrp27 I‘m enjoying and I should be finished! 1y
mamareading I finished it yesterday. I enjoyed it, I thought it dragged at points, but overall it was a good book and I learned a lot 1y
Librarybelle No worries, @Jerdencon ! Glad you can join next month! 1y
Librarybelle Audio can be so hit or miss, @Cinfhen ! 1y
kspenmoll I have enjoyed the book & there seems to be much to discuss! 1y
Librarybelle So good to hear, @kspenmoll ! 1y
Sargar114 @Cinfhen that‘s how I “read” it too. I agree, it started out kinda as more background noise. But something finally clicked and I ended up enjoying it. 1y
Cinfhen @Sargar114 good to know!!!! I‘m gonna try again on audio otherwise I‘ll see if I can borrow a digital copy @Librarybelle 😊 1y
Librarybelle @Sargar114 I‘m glad you enjoyed it by the end! Good luck with your listening, @Cinfhen ! 1y
Bklover I‘m about a third of the way and enjoying it so far. Should be ready! 1y
63 likes20 comments
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Cathyloves2read
Pickpick

This book was different than any I‘ve read in a long time. I found it extremely enjoyable. It had a little bit of everything. It was educational, sad, happy, and it contained love stories. I learned a lot about China and its politics. I also learned a lot about its folklore. This book left me wanting to read more of this type. I highly recommend it.

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kspenmoll
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There were a few generations of characters so I made a character web to help me keep track of names & relationships.
Only 51 pages in & so much has happened to this family as the Japanese invade China,1938.

Librarybelle Good idea! 1y
Suet624 That‘s a great way to keep track and enjoy the book. 1y
dabbe How many times I tried to tell my students that sometimes readers actually take notes VOLUNTARILY. Their response? 😳 1y
kspenmoll @dabbe Startling idea! 1y
kspenmoll @Suet624 @Librarybelle My eyes were glazing over the first page or two- making the web really made a difference in my attention & enjoyment. 1y
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Sargar114
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Pickpick

Listened to this one for #literarycrew. Quite a beautiful, epic, and sometimes sad story of Mailin, her son Renshu (Henry), and his daughter Lily and their lives. I‘ll admit it took me a while to get engaged in it but that was more likely because I was listening while working and not because of the story itself. This tale spans the three generations from China in the 30s to America in the 90s. I really loved the bond between mother and son.

TheBookHippie I read this as an ARC. I agree with your review! 1y
Librarybelle So glad you liked this! 1y
AmyG I liked this one, too. 1y
TL_Clanton Just getting started, but I love the imagery so far! 1y
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kspenmoll
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Librarybelle Hooray!! 1y
Cinfhen I find it‘s hard to have so many books going at once!! I admire your ability to keep track 😅 1y
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mcctrish
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Pickpick

Well it‘s a bitter sweet moment. I FLEW through this lovely book! I am so glad I threw my hat in with the #literarycrew #buddyread and discovered this story BUT the end of the month is a long way off. I hope I can hold onto this feeling 💕💕 this story spans almost 70 years, covers a lot of Chinese history I really didn‘t know and is heartwarming through and through

Librarybelle Wow! So glad you liked this one! 😁 1y
JillR This is on my to read list, glad to hear it‘s good! 1y
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mcctrish
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Made turkey dinner soup for lunch and getting my read on. I got an alert from the library this is due back in 3 days and some bloody person has put a hold on it so I can‘t renew it 🤣🤣 #literarycrew #buddyread

CoverToCoverGirl Tick-Tock! 🤞 1y
mcctrish @CoverToCoverGirl 🤣🤣 I made it to page 158 this afternoon 🙏🏻 1y
Sargar114 That happened to me with last months book! So frustrating!!! 1y
Librarybelle Oh no! 1y
mcctrish @Sargar114 I‘m clearly spoiled buying so many books and reading on my own time 🤣🤦🏻‍♀️ it is driving me nuts to finish this so far ahead of chatting about it but I can‘t really buy every book for Litsy buddy reads? Can I? 1y
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LitsyEvents
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Repost for @Librarybelle

This month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead follows three generations of a family searching for home.

Read at your own pace; discussion questions posted on January 31st.

Tagging those who have already expressed interest - if you would also like to be tagged, comment below! I‘ll post periodic check ins throughout the month.

Librarybelle Thank you for reposting! 1y
41 likes2 comments
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Librarybelle
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This month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead follows three generations of a family searching for home.

Read at your own pace; discussion questions posted on January 31st.

Tagging those who have already expressed interest - if you would also like to be tagged, comment below! I‘ll post periodic check ins throughout the month.

mrp27 Waiting in my library hold to come in. Hoping it comes in Tuesday. 1y
melissajayne Picking up my hold from my library this week. 1y
See All 15 Comments
janeycanuck I pulled this off the shelf today! I have a couple of library books I should get to before it but I‘m hoping to start soon. 1y
Bklover ThriftBooks copy ready to go! 1y
Cinfhen Thanks, Jessie💖Happy New Year 1y
Lunakay I'd like to join😊 1y
Librarybelle Hooray! My library copy arrived last week, so I‘m hoping to start it this week! @mrp27 @melissajayne @janeycanuck @Bklover @Cinfhen 1y
Librarybelle @Lunakay Awesome! Welcome to the #buddyread ! 1y
TL_Clanton I‘d like to join! 1y
Librarybelle That‘s great, @TL_Clanton ! Welcome! 1y
julieclair Library copy in hand. Ready to go! Looking forward to another year of reading great books together. 1y
BookNAround I pulled my copy out today but I‘m terrible at actually reading along and commenting. 1y
Librarybelle @BookNAround I‘ll tag you, just in case! 1y
55 likes1 stack add15 comments
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LitsyEvents
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repost for @Librarybelle:

Reminder - January‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead starts in a few days!

All are welcome to join. Tagging those who have expressed interest in this book specifically - comment below to let me know if you would also like to be tagged. I post periodically throughout the month, with discussion questions posted on January 31st.

To see the 2023 list, view the previous posting by searching the #LiteraryCrew hashtag!!

Librarybelle Thanks for reposting! 1y
Vansa Please include me, I would like to participate! 1y
Librarybelle Thanks, @Liz_M ! Will do, @Vansa ! 1y
31 likes4 comments
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Librarybelle
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Reminder - January‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead starts in a few days!

All are welcome to join. Tagging those who have expressed interest in this book specifically - comment below to let me know if you would also like to be tagged. I post periodically throughout the month, with discussion questions posted on January 31st.

To see the 2023 list, view the previous posting by searching the #LiteraryCrew hashtag!!

mcctrish I started it today ❤️❤️❤️ 1y
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kspenmoll Yes! 1y
Jerdencon I will try to join - have a lot for #auldlanspine but this sounds good and would like to get to it! 1y
Librarybelle @Jerdencon I know what you mean about next month! I want to get through as many of my #AuldLangSpine selections too! I‘ll tag you for this one and the others…saw your comment on the other post 😁 1y
mrp27 Looking forward to this! 1y
KristiAhlers This will be a fun one to discuss! 1y
Librarybelle Looking forward to it as well, @mrp27 @KristiAhlers ! 1y
BethM I‘ll skip this one but tag me for the next! 1y
Librarybelle Will do, @BethM ! 1y
Cinfhen Yes!!! Thanks, Jessie! I have a lot of reading “obligations” in January but I will try my best to get to this one 💜 1y
AnneCecilie I would like to join in on this one. 1y
Bklover I have my book ready- could you tag me for this too? (I may have already asked you- can‘t remember!) 1y
Librarybelle I‘ve added you to the tag list, @Bklover ! Hooray!! 1y
mamareading I would like to join, please add me to the tag list! 1y
Librarybelle Of course, @mamareading ! Welcome! 1y
69 likes20 comments
review
sprainedbrain
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Pickpick

This was hovering between a pick and a so-so for me, but the feelings I have for these characters can‘t be ignored. Well written, solid historical fiction spanning three generations, starting in 1940s China and ending in 2000s United States. It‘s an immigrant story, a family saga, and a bit of a love letter to storytelling. Pretty solid for a debut!

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

85 likes1 stack add
review
marleed
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Pickpick

What a beautiful, bittersweet 3-generation family saga. While reading the early years of Renshu I couldn‘t help but think of the many fleeing their homes and homeland in Ukraine. I find it heartbreaking that even though he gained citizenship in a new country his justified fear lasted a lifetime.

Aims42 This was definitely a top favorite of 2022 for me 🥰 2y
65 likes1 stack add1 comment
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kellyann28
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Hello Group C for #LMPBC! I'm so happy others have a big backlog to get through 😂 I usually only submit top 4 choices but I submitted more since I know some might have been read by others. So here are some that I would like to read! What do you think? Any that stand out to you, or any that you've read already?
@Cwarnier @Staci.reads @allureofbeauty

staci.reads I just finished Black Cake yesterday (and it was great). That's the only one that I've read. I would really be good with any of the others, but The Book of Cold Cases and Peach Blossom Spring really tempted me when they were options. 2y
allureofbeauty The book of cold cases or the Paris apartment are ones I‘d like to read 2y
cwarnier I am not a huge fan of Simone st. James, otherwise I am game for any of these options 2y
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kellyann28 @staci.reads @allureofbeauty @cwarnier Thanks for your responses. Would everyone be okay with The Paris Apartment, then? 2y
cwarnier I am fine with Paris Apartment 2y
staci.reads @kellyann28 I'm good with that 2y
kellyann28 I know Andrea is so that will my be pick 😊 2y
cwarnier Paris Apartment sounds wonderful 💖 2y
24 likes8 comments
review
jlhammar
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Pickpick

Not a strong pick, but this was a decent historical fiction debut. We follow three generations of one family from 1930s China to 1990s U.S.

Something, not sure exactly what, kept this from really working for me. Read more like a list—this happened, then that happened, then this—rather than things unfolding organically. I never felt truly captivated by the story or connected to the characters. I did really enjoy the Chinese fable element.
#BOTM

review
KristiAhlers
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Pickpick

I really loved this book. #travelthroughbooks this story is set in #china during the war and tells of a mother and her son and how they flee Japanese occupied China. I highly recommend this titled if you are a fan of family saga-esq type reads.

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KristiAhlers
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The weather here today is stupid. Like thunderstorms and wind blowing fences down stupid. So I‘m going to curl up with this book now.

AmyG I really liked this book. Enjoy. (edited) 2y
46 likes1 comment
review
AmyK1
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Pickpick

“Within every misfortune there is a blessing, and within every blessing, the seeds of misfortune. And so it goes, until the end of time.”

This is the story of how war affects generations of families, even long after it has ended.

This is my May #doublespin @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
39 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
TEArificbooks
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Pickpick

If you like Lisa See, you will like this book. This was really good for a debut. The book follows three generations of a Chinese family and how the trauma of war can affect the generations to come.

Cathythoughts I really enjoyed this too! 2y
Aims42 Loved this book!! 🌸🍑🌸 2y
46 likes2 comments
review
Cathythoughts
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Pickpick

A wonderful book that I couldn‘t put down. Following the life of Renshu from 1938 in China to the present day. I loved the significance of the title in the book, and the stories and wisdom. Peach Blossom Spring is moving and a great read, and a few tears at the end ♥️

rockpools Gorgeous! 2y
squirrelbrain Lovely review - stacked! 2y
erzascarletbookgasm Nice review, pretty cover too! 2y
See All 11 Comments
Tamra I will check it out! 😁 2y
BookBosomed1 Been wondering about this one - adding it to the stack 2y
jlhammar Planning to read this one next month. Can't wait! 2y
LeahBergen Another lovely photo! 🌸 2y
Cathythoughts @Tamra I really enjoyed this one. It‘s not a five star read , but there‘s something about it .. I‘ll remember it. 2y
Cathythoughts @BookBosomed1 @jlhammer looking forward to your thoughts whenever ye may get there 👍🏻😁 2y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Thanks Leah 😘 2y
65 likes6 stack adds11 comments
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Cathythoughts
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“Today is the Lunar New Year, I wonder what you are doing. Are you making radish cakes for the Huangs ? Sharing a fish and gossiping with Auntie Chin?
Do you remember when we lit lanterns and made wishes in the streets of Shanghai…”

It‘s the ‘ do you remember‘ that is breaking my heart.
This is such a powerful book in a gentle and unassuming way. ♥️

LeahBergen Beautiful! 2y
Cathythoughts @LeahBergen It‘s a lovely read ❤️ 2y
marleed Your photo is gorgeous. This is on my TBR! 2y
Cathythoughts @marleed Thanks Marlee ! I look forward to your thoughts whenever you get to it 👍🏻♥️ 2y
59 likes4 comments
review
j9brown
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Pickpick

In a bit of a slump this month but I finished my #bookspin
This was really good, a story about three generations starting in China during WWII and after (I didn't know very much about what went on there, heartbreaking) then in America. The first half was really excellent. The second half did drag a little. Overall a pick!

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Cathythoughts
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To know a story is to stroke the silken surfaces of loss, to feel the weight of beauty in his hands.
To know a story is to carry it always, etched in his bones, even if dormant for decades.
Tell us , they insist.
To tell a story , he realises, is to plant a seed and let it grow.

tpixie Lovely 2y
squirrelbrain 💕🌸 2y
LeahBergen Beautiful! 💞 2y
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CarolynM Beautiful 💖 2y
Nute I love this type of writing. I plan to read this first after Poetry Month is over. 2y
56 likes7 comments
review
TrishB
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this historical novel, from China in the 1930s to present day US. Learned a lot about that period too. A really good read.
#setinchina #booked2022

Cinfhen Yay!! 2y
Cinfhen Gorgeous cover 😍 2y
TrishB @Cinfhen the cover is lovely and the reveal about the title ♥️ 2y
See All 7 Comments
Cathythoughts Oh good ! I just read this post and now have ordered it ….. and Flamingo too .. early morning book shopping 🛒😁 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage I almost grabbed this one from #botm. But then I restrained myself. Still, I‘m sure I‘ll read or listen based on reviews like yours. 2y
TrishB @Cathythoughts love that early morning shopping! 2y
TrishB @BarbaraTheBibliophage hope you enjoy when you get to it👍🏻 2y
105 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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TrishB
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#quicklunchtimeread
Loving this book so far.

LeahBergen Sammy time! 🥪 2y
Cathythoughts Oh good ! I see I have it stacked already 😁 2y
91 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Aims42
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This month was such a hard pick for me, I just finished ‘Tobacco Wives‘ and it was so riveting!!! But, I still think about ‘Peach Blossom Spring‘ and all the characters so that‘s my March pick for my #ReadingBracket2022

Thank you for the template flip @chasjjlee ☺️

AmyG I really enjoyed this book. 2y
Aims42 @AmyG I went in not sure what to expect and I was blown away ☺️ Glad you enjoyed it too!! 2y
WJCintron I just added it to my TBR. Thanks for sharing!! 😃 2y
Aims42 @WJCintron You‘re welcome!! I hope you enjoy it 😍 2y
33 likes1 stack add4 comments
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TrishB
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Sansa‘s such a good Doggo 🐶 this is my Mother‘s Day present from her ♥️
Happy Mother‘s Day to all who may have it today, because I‘m never sure when it is everywhere in the world ❤️❤️

Cinfhen What a sweet boy 🐾♥️ Happy Mother‘s Day 2y
julesG Happy Mother's Day! 💕 2y
TrishB @Cinfhen thank you 😘 2y
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TrishB @julesG thank you 😘 I checked I know it‘s not yours today! 2y
rockpools Sansa has great taste in book covers! 🌸 2y
Cathythoughts Nice one Sansa ! ❤️ 2y
AmyG Happy Mother‘s Day! This is a wonderful booj. Enjoy! 2y
MaureenMc Happy Mother‘s Day to you! Good job, Sansa! 2y
TrishB @rockpools @Cathythoughts @AmyG @MaureenMc thank you friends ❤️ Sansa is a clever doggo 🐶 2y
EvieBee Sansa is the best! 🤣 2y
Nute Happy Mother‘s Day, Trish! The book cover even delivers flowers for the occasion.🌸💕🌸 2y
mrp27 Happy Mother‘s Day! 💐 2y
TrishB @EvieBee she definitely is 😁 2y
TrishB @Nute thank you 😘 yes, it does 💐 2y
TrishB @mrp27 thank you 😘 2y
81 likes1 stack add15 comments
review
Aims42
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Pickpick

This book was exquisite and perfect!
🌸🍑🌸🍑🌸🍑🌸🍑🌸🍑🌸🍑🌸🍑🌸🍑🌸🍑
Told over multiple generations of the same family and their struggles during China‘s turbulent 20th century. Words cannot do it justice, a five star read 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

TrishB This sounds fab 👍🏻 2y
Aims42 @TrishB It was so engrossing! I think I held my breath a few times and I definitely put my hand over the upcoming sentences I hadn‘t reached yet while I was reading so I wouldn‘t spoil anything 😆 I love historical fiction from eras I didn‘t learn much about in school. 2y
janeycanuck Ooh, this sounds like it could scratch my Pachinko itch. 2y
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Aims42 @janeycanuck I haven‘t yet read “Pachinko”, but after reading the summary on the book on here, I think it would 👍 Also, “Pachinko” sounds like I need to move it to my TBR list 2y
janeycanuck It‘s definitely similar in that it is multigenerational and is about a family‘s struggle but the family is Korean and lives in Japan. It‘s beautiful writing, as well. 2y
Aims42 @janeycanuck oooh, I‘m sold! 2y
56 likes6 comments