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Wild Swans
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China | Jung Chang
A Chinese woman chronicles the struggle of her grandmother, her mother, and herself to survive in a China torn apart by wars, invasions, revolution, and continuing upheaval, from 1907 to the present.
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Daisey
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Pickpick

This was a sometimes difficult but also fascinating listen. It tells the story of three generations of women in China and provides a personal perspective to life through and after the Communist Revolution.

#audiobook #nonfiction #1001books #ReadTheWorld #ReadingTheWorld #China #DeweysReadathon #DeweysOctober2023

BarbaraBB I read this decades ago but it taught me so much about China under Mao 📕 5mo
Daisey @BarbaraBB Yes, I know bits and pieces, but this was a very informational read and so personal. 5mo
BarbaraBB A memorable read 5mo
43 likes3 comments
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Daisey
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Good morning! I‘m looking forward to listening to lots of audio and reading some print today as I participate in the 24 hour Dewey‘s readathon. I‘m starting my day by listening to Wild Swans while I have breakfast and read some early posts.

#DeweysReadathon #DeweysOctober2023 #Readathon #BookAndBreakfast #audiobook

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RedCurly
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Pickpick

Since I am reading Pearl S. Buck novels I am more open to Chines literature. I saw this one on one of my Litsy friend's profile so THANK YOU if you recognise yourself because it was amazing!

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Daisey
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I‘m enjoying a wonderful fall weekend! Today I‘ve caught up on laundry, canned a batch of apple pie filling, took a 3 mile walk with Luthien, and cooked a pot of chili. For a good part of this afternoon, I‘ve also been listening to this fascinating memoir/biography of a Chinese family. It was my planned September #FoodAndLit book, but I‘m running a bit behind.

#1001books #audiobook #nonfiction #ReadingTheWorld #ReadTheWorld #China

Ruthiella Wild Swans is such a good book! 6mo
Daisey @Ruthiella I‘m really enjoying it so far! 6mo
JamieArc I really liked this one too! 6mo
dabbe Hello there, adorably sweet pup! 🖤🐾🖤 6mo
42 likes4 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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#bookspin #doublespin @thearomaofbooks

Oh this feels like cheating! Both of these books were holdovers from last months #nonfictionNovember and I finished the #bookspin yesterday, and started the #DoubleSpin last night!

This means I can work on the 4 books I didn't get to earlier in the year.

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! It's nice when everything comes together!! 1y
20 likes1 comment
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ChaoticMissAdventures
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This is a very good and engrossing book.
But.
It has been a long while since running into the R slur and seeing it a couple of times here it feels visceral. My whole body clenched. Definitely a word that reminds you this was not written recently.

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jlhammar
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An intimate and inspiring account of three generations of courageous Chinese women. Reading this was a great way to learn more about 20th century Chinese history and culture.

#Courageous #MayMoms
@Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Perfect 🙏🏻 2y
38 likes1 comment
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JamieArc
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Pickpick

It may have taken me two months to read this chunkster, but every page was worth it. Wild Swans tells the story of 19th century communist China through 3 generations of women. I was throwing out tidbits to my husband every time I picked the story up. Chang is a great storyteller, as horrendous as it was to read about a revolving door of hunter and hunted, torture, indoctrination, upside down values. Highly recommend #Booked2022 Set in China

JamieArc Also, this book made me want to read a lot more about China and others‘ experiences. 2y
Cinfhen This has been on my #ReadersRadar for ages!!! So glad you enjoyed it😊 2y
JamieArc @Cinfhen Don‘t let the size stop you! It‘s very readable and engaging. I never would have picked it up if not for the Booked prompt 😊 2y
50 likes1 stack add3 comments
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JamieArc
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April #Bookspin list

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
38 likes1 comment
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JamieArc
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For March‘s #Bookspin list, I included more books that I really want to read and less that I feel I *should* read. Looking forward to whichever numbers are picked!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
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ElectricalJuice
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tokorowilliamwallace I have her expose biography of Mao Tse-Tung! And will be going through a dynastic biography (not possible because of dynastic secrets and influence in the media until it was published in the 80s) of the Soong dynasty which was well-aligned with the revolution of China (madame Sun-Yat Sen) and financing Chiang Kai-Shek (as well as marrying into his politics with madame Chiang Kai-Shek). I'm sure you'd be a better candidate for review for it than me 2y
ElectricalJuice That sounds very interesting! The political aspects as well as the rules of society in China at this time until today were so fascinating to me and also extremely important to read about. 2y
2 likes2 comments
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kaysworld1
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Pickpick

This book is huge! The shocking truth and stories of these brave woman is amazing.
I am glad times have changed now, woman can make their own decisions and have a opinion they do exist. Some parts made me very angry. I loved learning about the hierarchy and behaviour of the wife's and concubines.
#china #readingthelibrary #audiobooks #chinesehistory #chineseauthor #reading #books #librarybook #readingthelibrary #audiobook

Riveted_Reader_Melissa I loved this book when I first read it, so much history in there. It‘s been years though, I should try to re-read it soonish. 3y
EvieBee I loved this book and this very specific audio edition. The narrator was great! 3y
37 likes2 comments
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danni0075
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A book I think all women should read. 3 generations of women living through the political tide and seemingly ever shifting times of China.
What book has really resonated and left its mark on you?

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Ruthiella
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Like @TheSpineView , I‘m picking this fantastic memoir/biography by Jung Chang for this prompt. It wasn‘t a happy book, but it was fascinating to see China through the lens of three generations.

#LitsySpringBreak China

EvieBee I loved this book so much! Good pick! 3y
TheSpineView Great minds! 🤩👍📖 3y
TheKidUpstairs You and @TheSpineView are on the same wave length today! 3y
See All 6 Comments
Jaimelire Great book 3y
BarbaraBB I learned so much when I read this book in the late 80s/early 90s 3y
LeahBergen This was so good. 👏🏻 3y
40 likes1 stack add6 comments
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TheSpineView
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Riveted_Reader_Melissa I loved this book 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks This is on my shelf! 3y
rachaich My mum made me read this many years ago and it was my foray into Chinese autobiographies. 3y
TheKidUpstairs I've never read this one. But anything with a 100% litsy rating intrigues me! 3y
bernadette I loved this book. It was such a compelling family story and helped me get a handle on modern Chinese history. 3y
56 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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BookishRedhead
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Pickpick

I've heard nothing but good things about this book and it didn't disappoint!
Three strong women, not to mess with!

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danx
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Finally getting into this. I always feel apprehensive about fat books but it‘s pretty easy to get through and an important glimpse into life in their place and times.

danx Finished it this morning. What a journey! I highly recommend it. 3y
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llwheeler
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Pickpick

This was my February #doublespin - started it in April? May? and finished it in August... Very long, and I had to read parts of it quite slowly due to the difficult subject matter. But I am very glad I've read it. I knew a bit about some parts of Chinese history covered here, but the personal history made it that much more real.

TheAromaofBooks Looks like a chunkster!!! 4y
Caroline2 I loved this book when I read as a teenager. It blew my mind! 😯 😆 4y
See All 8 Comments
llwheeler @Caroline2 it is very eye opening! 4y
llwheeler @TheAromaofBooks I put a few chunksters on my book spin list originally... I've learned my lesson now haha and I'm mostly adding smaller books 😆 still have a few chunksters left on it that might come up though! 4y
TheAromaofBooks I'm constantly adjusting my #BookSpin strategy!! 😂 4y
Jess861 Definitely stacked - looks like a great read! 4y
llwheeler @Jess861 it's very good. Hope you enjoy if/when you read it! 4y
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llwheeler
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A slightly late - or just on long weekend time - #bookreport and #weeklyforecast

Finished Dragon Springs Road and Sex & Vanity, both of which I really enjoyed. Becoming went into hibernation as I couldn't finish it before its due date; I'll rerequest it.

Somehow started 2 new books even though I want to have fewer on the go. So I'm going to try and finish as many as I can this week - at least 2... hopefully without starting 2 more this time.

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llwheeler
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It's a grey and rainy day here. Feels like a day for tea and an improbably large stack of books to read.

MsMelissa Same here! These are the best days to just sit quietly and read 😊 4y
llwheeler For sure 🙂 enjoy your day! 4y
34 likes2 comments
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llwheeler
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#weeklyforecast #bookreport

I didn't finish Wild Swans, or start Becoming, as I started Sex & Vanity instead, but other than that my forecast was pretty accurate. Next week I just want to finish at least a couple of these. The more the merrier.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Wild Swans was excellent, I‘ve been meaning to reread it for awhile now. 4y
llwheeler @Riveted_Reader_Melissa I'm about 75% through it, and it is very good! I'm learning a lot. It's not lack of interest making me stall on it, mostly it's library holds coming in. 4y
violabrain I agree, Wild Swans is great! I learned so much from that book! 4y
27 likes3 comments
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llwheeler
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I haven't done a #weeklyforecast in ages! Jumping on the bandwagon again. I had way too many books on the go; I've mostly worked myself out of that pile, but still have a couple to finish. Up next to start is Kamouraska for June #doublespin / July #BookSpin

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EadieB
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Here‘s my books for #lmpbc #groupe.

I don‘t mind reading longer books than 400.

Wild Swans by Jung Chang is 508 Pgs

Immortal Life Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is 382 Pgs

Lost City of the Monkey Gods by Douglas Preston 336 Pgs

Starvation Heights by Gregg Olsen is 411 Pgs.

See All 15 Comments
Hestapleton I‘ve already read Henrietta Lacks but I‘m good with all of the others!! 4y
EadieB @Hestapleton I've read Henrietta Lacks too but wouldn't mind reading it again. Wild Swans is suppose to be really good but may be too long for others. So, really doesn't matter to me as I like the others too. 4y
TEArificbooks Not in your group, but I recommend Monkey God. It has both history and medical science in it. 4y
EadieB @mdm139 Yes, Monkey God sounds very good. I did read the description and was intrigued by it. 4y
EadieB @Kaila-ann Thanks for voting! We will wait for the others to vote before deciding which one to read. (edited) 4y
iread2much I‘ve read the immortal life, it‘s good but I don‘t really want to reread it, so I vote for any of the others 😄 4y
EadieB @iread2much @Hestapleton Since @Kaila-ann picked a choice then I think we will go with her choice: (edited) 4y
iread2much Cool! 4y
CafeMom I loved Wild Swans. 4y
EadieB @CafeMom I look forward to reading it. 4y
53 likes15 comments
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Cindyelizavaz
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#nowreading Wild Swans by Jung Chang.

16 likes1 stack add
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Itchyfeetreader
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#7books7days #7days7books day 4 - can‘t resist. This impacted me on all sorts of levels. I bought this volunteering at the in house shop at my local hospice (who looked after my Nan in her last day). First non fiction book that captivated me, a memory of growing up. Vexed I can‘t find this. Opt which I KNOW is in the house somewhere

rockpools ❤️ I used to have a copy of this, but never actually read it. Must have been from when I was working at the RNIB, because it was marked up with pronunciations and things for converting into a Talking Book. Time to re-stack... 4y
49 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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llwheeler
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My #BookSpin list for April, all ready to go 🙂

I haven't managed to get to a #doublespin yet but I'm keeping track of them. Maybe I'll get to them some month.

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great list! I'm not getting to my #doublespin this month either. Such is life sometimes! 4y
llwheeler @TheAromaofBooks yep. It's great to have the option though 🙂 4y
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llwheeler
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Here's my list for #BookSpin! Thanks @TheAromaofBooks for doing this 😊

They've languished on my tbr for different reasons... Non-fic, chunksters, classics I mean to get to, 2nd books in series, short story collections, meant to read for a movie release, read reviews that made me less excited before I got to them, just plain got distracted by newer shiny stuff... Whatever the reason, I'm excited to see what numbers get pulled for me to read!

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Love your stack!! I think it's crazy how we all end up with piles of books we want to read but never do! I'll tag you when I draw the number Thursday!! 4y
llwheeler @TheAromaofBooks definitely a case of too many books, too little time! Excited to see what the first number will be! 😁 Thanks! 4y
34 likes2 comments
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castanheira
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A Merry Christmas with a merry book. I'm loving this book so much I don't even have the words to describe it.
It's an excellent way to know China's history from the inside. And Jung did an amazing work bringing us inside that amazing country trough her pages.

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tricours
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Pickpick

What a masterpiece! (And I need to read more about China.)

BarbaraBB This book learned me so much about Chinese history! If you really want to know more, I can recommend 5y
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JennyM
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Cinfhen Perfect!!! Read this for bookclub years ago!!! So informative. 5y
erzascarletbookgasm I‘ve been meaning to read this 😬 5y
JennyM @erzascarletbookgasm @cinfhen it was a while ago since I read this, too. It‘s really good. I have a friend who has re-read so many times! 5y
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BarbaraBB Me too, I learned so much from this book. 5y
LeeRHarry This is one of those books I distinctly remember where and when I read it and it was 20 years ago 😳 great read and pick 😊 5y
JennyM @LeeRHarry @BarbaraBB I think it‘s one of those books you don‘t forget ❣️ 5y
BooknerdsLife Wow! I still have this book on my bookshelf! 😱 its been so long! 5y
cc2010 Started this book in the Chinese version from my mom‘s collection and finish it reading the English one. Made me think about all the amazing strong women in my life. 4y
56 likes1 stack add8 comments
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arlenefinnigan
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Lizpixie 👍❤️ 5y
34 likes1 comment
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ShookBelf
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Pickpick

Worth every millisecond of the 27 hour, 15 minute audiobook. I have so much love for this book, and so much admiration for the three women whom the story revolves around. It's extremely hard to read (or listen to!) in places, as the hardship, abuse and torture experienced is just diabolical and it's hard to believe that this is not fiction but actual fact.
A definite 5🌟
#52in52-2019 #multigenerationalsaga #popsugar2019 #asianauthor #LitsyAtoZ #C

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violabrain
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Pickpick

A huge thank you to Litsy introducing me to this book! It is Jung Chang‘s memoir of her life, her mother‘s life, and her grandmother‘s life in China. I learned so much about Communist China that I never knew before. I was also struck by the similarities between Mao and Donald Trump… Fantastic read!

RachelAmphlett I read that for the first time about 20 years ago and still remember it vividly. Glad you enjoyed it 5y
violabrain @RachelAmphlett I have a feeling it will stay with me for a very long time, too. I had never even heard of it before I saw somebody post about it on here a couple months back. 5y
cc2010 I thought I was the only one who thought Trump share a lot of similarities with Mao on earth and now I guess I am not the only one. 😂 4y
20 likes3 comments
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violabrain
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Sounds like modern-day Republicans in the US…

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sprainedbrain
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Nonfiction is not usually my thing, but I absolutely loved this sweeping story of three generations of women in 20th century China. It‘s fascinating and reads like a great novel - but this all happened to these women. Really excellent.

#AugustIsATrip #China

Caroline2 I loved this book too! 😍 6y
Laura317 I really liked it too. 6y
RaimeyGallant I loved it as well. 6y
130 likes8 stack adds3 comments
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Weaponxgirl
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I don't read a lot of ya for #yawednesday but when talking about diversity for younger readers I think this would be an amazing option. I hated history at school, mainly because they teach you stuff that can easily be tested so lots of battles and bleugh.
This though is a amazing book to teach you about some Chinese history in a personal way spanning three generations. It's huge but doesn't read like its a large book. @TheFunkyBookworm

TheFunkyBookworm I really enjoy reading about Chinese history so I love this! Thank you for participating 🎉💜 6y
Weaponxgirl @TheFunkyBookworm it's an amazing book so I hope you enjoy it 😀 thank you for inviting me! 6y
arubabookwoman When I read Wild Swans (as an adult) I felt like I had a little bit of an understanding of Chinese history I never had before. For example, I‘d heard the term “Cultural Revolution” for years, and this book brought home that it really wasn‘t a good thing. 6y
Weaponxgirl @arubabookwoman I read this book in my early 20s and your right it really bought to light exactly what happened with the cultural revolution. 6y
47 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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posierope
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Pickpick

This was a joy to read - a literary telling of historical truth by the daughter (and grand-daughter) of the women who lived through it. Absolutely mesmerising and offers a rare insight into the secrets of Communist China.

Horrifying and astounding and thoughtful all rolled into one. I loved it.

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LapReader
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Pickpick

1. Pushing my nephew Ted on his swing at his farm. The flies are so bad he has to wear a screen. He never tries to take it off. 2. No! The only show I watch is Gardening Australia. 3. I loved The Dry by Jane Harper because it kept me entertained on the long bus trip home to visit this gorgeous boy. I read it in a weekend. 4. I have enough book marks and totes. I am also a page folder! 5. The tagged book from St. Paul‘s Thrift shop Stockton.

12 likes2 comments
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Mindyrecycles
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Pickpick

I didn't really know what the cultural revolution was or meant until I listened to this wonderful memoir. #numberintitle @maich #aprilbookishmadness

RaimeyGallant Loved this book. 6y
Minervasbutler Really good 6y
sprainedbrain I loved this one! ❤️ 6y
92 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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DreesReads
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Pickpick

Chang‘s memoir/biography of her life in Mao‘s China, as well as her mother‘s and Grandmother‘s, both before and during Mao‘s control. Depressing, infuriating, and frustrating—these women (especially her grandmother and mother) went through a lot during these years. As did others all over China, and many starved or were killed. Unbelievable bad policy and cruelty as people tried to survive. #1001books #reading1001

Zelma This one has been sitting on my shelves for ages. One of these days I will get to it. 6y
BarbaraBB This was such an impressive book. Glad you liked it too! 6y
45 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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DreesReads
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Trying to finish my last March group read. I was doing great til about page 275. I swear the writing changed, but maybe it‘s just me. 150 pages to go, aiming for25 a day. #1001books #reading1001 #goingtofinish

Leniverse I checked this out of the library but haven't even started it. 😩 I just can't keep up with the Reading 1001 challenges. 6y
DreesReads @Leniverse the last few have been misses for me. I need to read something quick and unputdownable. Both April botms I have already read, so I will be going for current fiction! 6y
30 likes2 comments
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sprainedbrain
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Pickpick

An incredible book—if you are like me and haven‘t read much about life in communist China in the 20th century, this is an excellent place to start. The story of three generations of women and everything their families endured through war and then Mao Zedong, it‘s depressing and horrifying, but the resilience and heart of these women are uplifting.

This book should be required reading for anyone living in a free country.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#1001books

EricaReads It‘s banned here in China of course 😡 6y
sprainedbrain @EricaReads Yes, she actually talks about that at the end of the book. 😞 6y
BarbaraBB This book learned me so much about China under Mao. Great, sad read. In my opinion betten than 6y
See All 6 Comments
Q84 Oh I just unpack this book today! I so need to read it but I already have several going and a stack on my nightstand waiting 6y
sprainedbrain @Q84 I know how that is! 😃 6y
Jaimelire Such a great book 6y
131 likes14 stack adds6 comments
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sprainedbrain
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Loooooong road trip since we made a last minute decision to go to the hockey game. 3.5 hours each way means I will probably finish this book in the wee hours...

Let‘s go Blues! 🏒💙

LibrarianJen My husband is a Blues fan 😃 6y
rustoryhuf That landscape totally looks like Iowa. Oh wait, it is Iowa! I‘d recognized that flat land anywhere. 6y
CarolynM My husband is a Blues fan too, maybe the only one in Australia! 6y
See All 10 Comments
sprainedbrain @rustoryhuf that was actually a little hill. 😂😂😂 6y
mabell Welcome to town 😁👍 Our family lives in Quincy, so we see 61 *very* often. 6y
sprainedbrain @mabell between Blues games and Cardinals games, we see lots of it, too. 😂 6y
mabell @sprainedbrain True fans! 👍😂 6y
rustoryhuf @sprainedbrain Or, a mountain in Iowa terms. 6y
sprainedbrain @rustoryhuf yes! 😂😂😂 6y
111 likes10 comments
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sprainedbrain
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New audiobook! This is one of our selections for Women‘s History Month for the #1001books group. It‘s really fascinating so far.

LeahBergen This is a great read. 👍🏻 6y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa I loved this book when I first read it many years ago. 6y
RaimeyGallant Loved this book. 6y
107 likes5 stack adds3 comments