Diamond Head | 
#MarchMadness #DiamondInTheRough
Since it is a volcanic tuff cone I think Diamond Head on the island of Oahu qualifies as a “diamond in the rough.” Landmark & good hike, it got its English name from 19th century British sailors who thought the calcite crystals on the adjacent beach were diamonds.
I enjoyed the tagged book that shares its name a sweeping saga of a Chinese family who moves to Oahu that covers multiple generations from 1914-1964.
We flew to Oahu on Thursday! We're here for a week and so far we've been swimming in a waterfall, went snorkeling with turtles, bouldered on the beach, drank Mai Tais, ate poke bowls and shaved ice. So much more in store for this week but I am also trying to get some reading in whenever I can! 🌴📚🐢🐬
Did you love this week‘s podcast interview with Cecily Wong? Then enter to win her gorgeous debut novel DIAMOND HEAD. We'll even throw in some of our favorite FBC goodies! Head to bit.ly/FBCgiveaway46 to enter.
Almost done with my second book of the #reversereadathon! #readathon
so-soIf you're looking for the tried and tested Asian family saga with strong matriarchs, sweeping history and heart-rendering drama...this one is not.
That should be fine but, I don't know what it tried to prove either? The red string symbolism was slapped around the narrative. I think the book set out to be ambitious, the usage of multiple 1st persons didn't work in that it fragmented the story and the characters were half-baked, uncompelling.
A recent purchase that is just crying out to be a #bookface!
#AprilBookishMadness @maich
pickBeautifully told, drew me in more & more. The time period jumps were done well, I never felt lost nor wished to stay in one setting. The story of how a family copes from one generation to the next w/mistakes & choices of their ancestors, about duty to family vs. oneself. Loved the scenery too, made me think often of being in Hawaii (23 years ago now, good lord!) Do wish there was a family tree tho, hard to keep some relationships straight. 4/5 ⭐️
Maybe this book plus my memories of a very-long-ago trip to Hawaii will distract me from the cold rainy gloomy AF weather 🌧 #nowreading
I‘m sitting in Barnes and Noble with my boys and I‘m looking at these two books - Citizens Creek has been on my TBR for years and I never heard of Diamond Head but intrigued. Really not trying to buy books right now but look at the price! It‘s like they are begging me to take them home. #bookbuyingissues
#LyricalApril Since it's #AlohaFriday🌴🍍it seemed appropriate to go with Diamond Head for today's #Diamonds prompt. A book I enjoyed when I reviewed it & a national landmark, defining feature, good hike, & tourist attraction on Oahu that I live about 7 miles from. It got its English name from 19th century British sailors who thought the calcite crystals on the adjacent beach 'shine bright like a diamond' & mistook them for precious stones. 🌺💍🌴
#FunFridayPhoto It's been a long day and an even longer week so this is a quick, tired grab of some covers with flowers on them. 🌺🌸🌻
so-soUp and down read for me. Story has so much potential, and there were moments of wonderful writing, though there was much to like and appreciate it was too inconsistent. Loved the settings! And I loved Hong. Pacing and ending were awkward.
pickIn a special interview by Celeste Ng featured at the end of the book, Cecily Wong talks about how the first author/book she really loved as an adult was Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies; she said she was "quietly blown away." I had the same experience with this novel - the sweeping story of three generations of women living on Oahu and the ever-present questions around fate and destiny quietly blew me away. I wait eagerly for her next book!
Boyfriend snapped this of me as we wait in line for ramen. So many lines in SF for food and it's worth it. Because reading 📚⏳.
At 17, my great-grandmother arrived on Oahu from a small town in S. Korea as a picture bride. She raised her family there, and my own grandmother always remembered the island; its music and warm breezes. Even though this book spans generations from China to the shores of Oahu, in reading Diamond Head I feel so close to the women in my own family; I admire their strength to live somewhere new & face the darkness lurking in such a beautiful place.
pickOn sale e-book for $1.99--I enjoyed this book when I reviewed it last year. Historical fiction about a Chinese family, starting in China & immigrating to Oahu. I love to read books set in Hawaii, especially during the WWII years & this one covers it (& the decades between 1914-1964) well. Paired it w/ a local dish of Ahi poke. My full review/recipe is here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-book-tour-stops-here-review-of_6.... 🌴
pickoh the tears! a beautiful, tangled, heartache of a story, of several stories bound together, that ultimately speaks of hope and humanity and love.
pickDespite the girls having a sleepover (which is never a good idea), I was able to finish this in between all of the drama. The ending was very good. Ah, the impact of lies and unsaid truths...
I'd hoped to be reading more in my own bed tonight, but Mother Nature had other plans. Instead I'll make the most of my unexpected night alone by reading in a hotel room instead. Here's hoping I'll find a rental car in the morning. Otherwise my rescheduled flight is at 6:30 pm tomorrow.
"My mom spent and saved her words like gold..." I really like this description. Thank God for this book. It's keeping me good company on my misadventures travel in home today.
My historical fiction month had begun! First up, Diamond Head.
Adding this new paperback to our neighborhood Little Free Library.
Paperbacks headed your way this month!
