pickThe story of a “worthless” girl, her mother, and sisters trying to survive and reunite with their paternal family after they have been abandoned in the midst of the Chinese Civil War. This is about resilience and determination and the strength of women. The end didn‘t entirely deliver but over all a good read. Full review at https://booknaround.blogspot.com/2025/06/daughters-of-shandong-by-eve-j-chung.ht...
The birthday fairies are sprinkling their fairy dust and sending buckets of #birthdaylove to @BiblioLitten today!
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Hope your day is extra special.
pickA translation of an 18th century Chinese novel about a 7th century judge-detective. He was a real person, but as far as we know the cases presented here are fictitious.
Historical mysteries are one of my favourite genres, so I was naturally intrigued by the idea of a historical mystery written 200-odd years ago in China, long before the genre existed in the West. ⬇ ⬇
panThis one wasn‘t for me. I‘ll admit it was a gamble reading the sequel to a book I read eons ago, but I‘m still not sure I would have liked it. It picks up with Pei and Ji Shen moving to Hong Kong and trying to make their own way just in time to get caught up in its WWII occupation by Japan. Many things happen, but the competent, if unadorned, writing lacks much urgency or emotion. As a result, it was just too easy to put down.
pickLisa See brings the 15 century China to life in this book. She details all the cultural that is so disturbing at times, but weaves a story of the woman who have learned to doctor themselves and how friendships are formed from two different classes and the stories that follow them , really well researched
"Things aren't good here, Gul. Even our books could get us thrown in jail now."
"Our books?" I said, confused.
"In Kashgar, they've been burning books, thousands of them. Even Turghun Almas's histories! Dad's put his history books behind some Chinese dictionaries, but if they start looking...
pickThis was a really interesting read! I didn't know much about colonial families in China before starting - in fact, I don't think I even realized there were colonial families in China! Although a memoir, it read like fiction; it was told clearly and it was interesting. So happy that little 22-year-old Emily thought to give this one a chance, even if it took for a great many years to get to it!
