This is where to post the books that you have read in November.

Digging to America byAnne Tyler

This charming story is about how two American families meet at a Baltimore airport one night while waiting for the arrival of their respective Korean-born adopted daughters. This one chance encounter leads to these families' ever-complex, multi-racial but loving relationship through the years.

I bought this because of I am a Korean-born adopted American, but I stayed because the story-telling is astonishing. I think I grieved a bit when the book ended.

I am new to this group but I have had a strong interest in Asian books for some reason over the past few months and have been buying them like crazy. Some that I can highly recommend are Kafka on the Shore, The Teahouse Fire, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, The Commoner and the Wind-Up Bird Chronicles. Hope these help in making choices. I have also noted some of the other choices others have suggested that I have not heard of and can hardly wait to hit the bookstore. Happy reading.

I just finished "Kitchen" by Banana Yoshimoto and would give it 3 stars. It was a completely different book than I expected. Quite frankly, I don't know why it was titled "Kitchen". If anyone has any insights, let me know.

This book could not have been written by an American. America(meaning the USA) is the land of the happy endings. Therefore, most books and movies either have a happy "the good guy always wins" ending, or an ending that is so tragic, we find it cathartic. I have found that Asian literature and cinema are much more fatalistic, and so it is with "Kitchen".

The characters are vivid and very likeable and much of the prose is absolutely remarkable. The book is mostly about grief, and I would probably have connected with it more had I experienced the bone chilling aloneness that grievers experience, thankfully I have not as yet done so. I imagine that those who have would rate the book much higher than I did.

The book contains a novella called "Moonlight Shadows" which I actually enjoyed more than "Kitchen", but it too was about people dealing with their grief. Both are quick reads.

I am on to "The GOod Earth" next.

Wow, you already finished a book?? I am jealous. I haven't even gotten mine yet.

Lyn wrote: "Wow, you already finished a book?? I am jealous. I haven't even gotten mine yet. "

It was short and it was the weekend.

Lynne wrote: "I just finished "Kitchen" by Banana Yoshimoto and would give it 3 stars. It was a completely different book than I expected. Quite frankly, I don't know why it was titled "Kitchen". If anyone ha..."Oh Lynne, I loved Kitchen. I thought that she called it that because kitchens and food featured prominently in the book. (along with death and ambiguous sexual identities). Her first four paragraphs are devoted to kitchens, and they just keep recurring at important parts during the story.....

Lynne wrote: "I just finished "Kitchen" by Banana Yoshimoto and would give it 3 stars. It was a completely different book than I expected. Quite frankly, I don't know why it was titled "Kitchen". If anyone ha..."

One thing to note about Asian literature, particularly Chinese and Japanese, is there always an underlying sense of grief within their stories--even in their happiness. Culturally they pay tribute to the hardships that one must endure in life. You'll read a lot about suicide and untimely death. I read a great explanation of it in the intro to Raise the Red Lantern Three Novellas, which is one of the epitomes of Chinese modern literature.

Sunflower wrote: "Lynne wrote: "I just finished "Kitchen" by Banana Yoshimoto and would give it 3 stars. It was a completely different book than I expected. Quite frankly, I don't know why it was titled "Kitchen"...."

That's true, but it could just have easily been called "Tea".

I have been enjoying the long Melbourne Cup weekend with a lot of reading and I've knocked over a few abridged versions of some Asian classics. I'm taking the opportunity to see which of my Reader's Digests I want to read as a complete version in the future.

Lost Horizon - 3 stars
An interesing story about the mythical Shangri-la. Four very different people find themelves stranded at a monastery in Tibet. They each deal with the mystery in different ways. It was all tied up a little too neatly for my liking with very little suspense. I don't think I would read this again.

The Good Earth - 3.5 stars
I liked this story a lot and it is one I want to read in full. I know others are reading it so I won't say too much more. A lovely, bittersweet story about humanity.

Messer Marco Polo - 2 stars
This was an odd little story about Marco Polo travelling to China after falling in love with a story about Kublai Khan's daughter Golden Bells. I have some lovely illustrations in my copy.

Next I think I would like to try something actually written by an Asian author.

Asian! So much my favourite that I have it divided up into countries. Had trouble finding one that I hadn't already read, but picked up The Street of a Thousand Blossomsat the library. Longish book, but a quick read with interesting charactera and great descriptions of sumo and Noh mask making. I only gave it 3 stars because it seemed somehow superficial, as if the story was secondary to the lessons in culture. Will definitely read more of this author, though.

Sunflower. Have you read The Samurai's Garden by her. It is her best IMO.

Lyn wrote: "Sunflower. Have you read The Samurai's Garden by her. It is her best IMO."

I read that a few months ago, a lovely read.

I read Falling Leaves The Memoir of an Unwanted Chinese Daughter by Adeline Yen Mah
(5 stars)

A Chinese proverb says that falling leaves return to their roots. In this memoir, Adeline Yen Mah, discusses her childhood and growing up in China. As an adult, she moved to America and worked as a doctor but she always felt a pull towards her family and her hometown of Shanghai despite the tense relationship she had with certain members of her family and the political changes of her mother country. In my opinion, this is one of the best memoirs written. I think her book says a lot about family roots and how sometimes those ties never break.

Great review Lennie. I may have to check that book out.

Thanks Lyn! :)

Lyn wrote: "Sunflower. Have you read The Samurai's Garden by her. It is her best IMO." Thanks! I'll put it on my wanted list.

Sunflower wrote: "Lyn wrote: "Sunflower. Have you read The Samurai's Garden by her. It is her best IMO." Thanks! I'll put it on my wanted list.

"
Oh, you definitely should. I LOVED that book. So quiet and lovely. The characters will stay with me forever.

Also, you should try an old book called "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" about a missionary woman who goes to China right before WWII and ends up helping orphans escape from the Japanese. It is a lovely book.

So - How come you haven't told me about "The In of the Sixth Happiness"?? Holding out?? I think the copy of "Samurai's Garden" I have is yours. I should get it back to you.

Lyn wrote: "So - How come you haven't told me about "The In of the Sixth Happiness"?? Holding out?? I think the copy of "Samurai's Garden" I have is yours. I should get it back to you."

I can't believe I haven't. It is a pretty good movie too. Although like most, the book is better. I saw the movie first (with Dad) and then read the book from the library. You should check it out.

You saw the movie with Dad? Where?

I have just finished "Geisha, A Life" by Mineko Iwasaki. This is a true story of one of Japan's star geisha until she retired at the age of 29. She trained to become a geisha from the age of 5. This is the first time in the 300 year history of the karyukai that anyone has ever come out in public with information about what goes on inside the gates. I would highly recommend this book.

Lyn wrote: "You saw the movie with Dad? Where?"

At home. It is an old movie from like the 60s. The woman who plays the lead was really famous (I can't think of her name right now). And all the Chinese people are played by whites in really bad makeup. But the story is great.

Linda wrote: "I have just finished "Geisha, A Life" by Mineko Iwasaki. This is a true story of one of Japan's star geisha until she retired at the age of 29. She trained to become a geisha from the age of 5. ..."

This book sounds great. I really enjoyed Memoirs of a Geisha, so I would probably like this since it is on the same subject.

I read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and gave it four stars. Though I didn't really connect with the narrator I still enjoyed reading about her travels and her quest for a more spiritual life and self-knowledge.

Ingrid Bergman was in the movie of Inn of the Sixth Happiness, I think. It was made in the late 50s ('58, I think) and is available on Netflix.

Yes, that's who it was. I could see her face, but not remember her name. I kept thinking, Grace Kelly, and I knew that wasn't right.

Linda wrote: "I have just finished "Geisha, A Life" by Mineko Iwasaki. This is a true story of one of Japan's star geisha until she retired at the age of 29. She trained to become a geisha from the age of 5. ..."

Linda, this sounds wonderful (I agree with you Lyn) Have added it to my list as well as 'Memoirs Of A Geisha'. Thankyou both.

Saving Fish from Drowning A Novel 4 stars
The story is about a group of tourists traveling to China and Burma told from the perspective of the ghost of the original tour organizer. The interesting view allows her to visit the minds of the people in the group as well as people that they interact with.

A Rabbit's Eyes 3 1/2 stars

It is a story about a young teacher in Japan as she struggles with reaching 2 students with disabilities and injustices of the society. It is almost a coming of age for the teacher. It gives some insight to the culture of Japan and some of the issues both with class and in marriage.

Salty A Novel by Mark Haskell Smith 3.5 stars

The wife of a semi-retired rockstar is kidnapped in Thailand in this screwball caper. The characters are interesting and the plot keeps you going.

The Art of War The Denma Translation by Sun Tzu

Basically, this is a military strategy guide. Although the concepts in the text can be applied to various aspects of business and life's general problems. What I appreciated was how common knowledge the ideas are from this book--which shows how pervasive the information has been throughout history (other countries have read this and adapted into their own ways of thinking).

I would strongly discourage anyone reading this particular translation though. I was greatly disappointed by it and felt it was terrible in every way possible for a translation. But the book itself is good and worth a peak, especially if your a strategy buff.

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (5 stars)

I've been meaning to read this book for years, ever since I saw the movie and loved it. The book was equally great. I'll definitley have to read more books by Amy Tan.

Linda, I have Geisha, A Life on my shelf at home. Maybe I should try to read that this month.

I just finished Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress A Novel and enjoyed it. I give it 3 3/4 stars. I almost wish it had been a little longer. It was interesting to read about a historical time in Chinese history through younger eyes (late teens).

Sara☺ wrote: "I just finished Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress A Novel and enjoyed it. I give it 3 3/4 stars. I almost wish it had been a little longer. It was interesting to read about..."

Sarah - I am partway through. When I get a little farther, I'll PM you to discuss.

Lyn wrote: "Sara☺ wrote: "I just finished Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress A Novel and enjoyed it. I give it 3 3/4 stars. I almost wish it had been a little longer. It was interesting..."

Yeah! Can't wait! The last half was really fast.

I'm liking it so far. It's interesting.

How many more people have to read Balzac? I don't want to post anything on here until everyone's done -- I read it last September.

I have finished Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress A Novel as well. At the moment I'm hovering around a 2 1/2 - 3 star rating. I think a lot of the general fears of the Chinese cultural revolution were well captured, though I thought in detail the urgency of danger that would have surrounded the central characters was lost somewhere along the way. It is not a period of history that I know a lot about, I enjoyed the read along with the opportunity to learn more.

Melissa wrote: "How many more people have to read Balzac? I don't want to post anything on here until everyone's done -- I read it last September."

There's a few more to go Melissa. It should make for interesting discussion by the looks.

Cam wrote: "I have finished Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress A Novel as well. At the moment I'm hovering around a 2 1/2 - 3 star rating. I think a lot of the general fears of the Chinese..."

I'm not a huge fan of Da Sijie. I think his storytelling is very authentically Chinese, but somehow it loses something in the translation. I've read better accounts.

Lyn wrote: "I'm liking it so far. It's interesting. "

Im about halfway through, I'm enjoying it, but I can see your point Cam about losing something in the translation.

Meghan wrote: "Cam wrote: "I have finished Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress A Novel as well. At the moment I'm hovering around a 2 1/2 - 3 star rating. I think a lot of the general fears of..."

Yes, I definitely think I'm in your camp of thinking there Meghan. I'll be reading Vagrants next I think out of my selections as it gives the impression of a more realistic interpretation of village life & what happens when someone was deemed as losing their faith in communism during that same period.

Colleen wrote: "Lyn wrote: "I'm liking it so far. It's interesting. "

Im about halfway through, I'm enjoying it, but I can see your point Cam about losing something in the translation."

I'm certainly not sorry that I read it, it's given me a starting point in something I knew nothing about really. Look forward to hearing more of your thoughts at the end Colleen, glad your enjoying it.

Meghan wrote: "Cam wrote: "I have finished Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress A Novel as well. At the moment I'm hovering around a 2 1/2 - 3 star rating. I think a lot of the general fears of..."

Thanks Megan for your insight! I was assuming it was authentic in the way the story was told. And the translating, well, it was noticeable in many parts where you could assume they were trying to find a Western way to translate. I am surprised though, considering it was originally written in French.

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress A Novel by Dai Sijie

I am hoping to finish it today. I have to agree with the majority. I am definitely glad to have read it, as it is an era/situation that I know almost nothing about. On the other hand, it does not have the beautiful lyrical style that I am used to from reading Gail Tsukiyama, Lisa See, or Amy Tan. That said, I will definitely be looking for additional reading on this subject. I think this book was a good place to start my exploration. I'm not sure I will be in a hurry to read anything else by this author, though. I give it 3 stars.

Now I need to decide whether I want to read Way of the Traitor, or The Street of a Thousand Blossoms next.

Sara☺ wrote: "Meghan wrote: "Cam wrote: "I have finished Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress A Novel as well. At the moment I'm hovering around a 2 1/2 - 3 star rating. I think a lot of the g..."

originally written in French - that's interesting

Lyn wrote: "Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress A Novel by Dai Sijie

I am hoping to finish it today. I have to agree with the majority. I am definitely glad to have read..."

Ooh, Ooh, pick "The Street of a THousand Blossoms" please. And preferably, buy it, then I can borrow it when you are done! Happy Birthday BTW.

I already have that book somewhere. I had it at Tahoe with me, but the bookbag it was in may have gotten moved into Joe's dorm room with his stuff. I think that is my next choice, though. I'll loan it to you when I am done.

Just found the bookbag, so Street of A Thousand Blossoms it is.