Buddy Read for The Chinese Groove [Unofficial Trim]

[Jen K]

Setting up a buddy read to discuss The Chinese Groove. It is a buddy read through unofficial trim but all are welcome.

I will probably start next week.

[Booknblues]

Jen K wrote: "Setting up a buddy read to discuss The Chinese Groove. It is a buddy read through unofficial trim but all are welcome.

I will probably start next week."

Jen, next will work just right for me. I've a couple of books to finish and then will look forward to reading Chinese Groove with you.

[Booknblues]

Jen K wrote: "Setting up a buddy read to discuss The Chinese Groove. It is a buddy read through unofficial trim but all are welcome.

I will probably start next week."

Jen, I started it this morning. I have another book which I am reading, so won't be sailing through it without you. From the first couple of pages, I am enjoying the style.

[Jen K]

Glad you are enjoying!!

I may bump this one a few more days to read my next Steeplechase book. I had one that fits already borrowed and queued up to go. I should still be able to get to this one next week.

[Booknblues]

Sounds good. I'll keep working on my other books and just dab into The Chinese Groove

[Jen K]

Thanks for flexibility!! I am excited to start.

[Jen K]

So I changed mind and started this one today. I'm in Chapter 3 and I really like the voice. Shelley is so optimistic!

[Booknblues]

Jen K wrote: "So I changed mind and started this one today. I'm in Chapter 3 and I really like the voice. Shelley is so optimistic!"

I had a feeling you would like the voice. I'm excited to be reading it.

[Jen K]

I'm quite enjoying Shelley. The narrator was throwing me off a bit until the aunt noted that Shelley spoke with an affected British accent and now it truly fits.

I'm not sure how his "uncle" and aunt thought he was going to make it on his own. Just met Henry.

[Booknblues]

You must be a bit a head of me as I just now met Henry or I should say Shelley figured out who he was.

[Holly R W]

I read the book when it was first published and loved it. I'm following your conversation and will chime in when I have something to add, but I promise not to give spoilers. This is a book that delighted me.

[Jen K]

I wrote at the end of chapter 8. I kept putting it down and then picking it up for just one more chapter. :) I'm so entranced by Shelley.

I got through Chapter 9 and halfway through Chapter 10 on my commute to the office this morning. I'm so intrigued by the Henry factor. (view spoiler)[ Why was Ted so against Shelley meeting Henry? They put him out without any real confirmation of money or housing to make SF work. Staying with Henry is such an obvious solution even if he was clear on not having Henry "take advantage" of Shelley. (hide spoiler)]

@Holly, I can see why you loved this one. Very happy to have you join the discussion!

[Booknblues]

I am just at the point where Shelley moves in with Henry and cooks him some soup. Going to pick it back up now,

[Booknblues]

This is such an interesting book that I wanted to read an interview with the author to find out a little bit about her thinking. In one she says:

"KM: The way I write is building scene by scene. I don’t outline too far in advance, though I might at the end of a day’s work, sketch out a sentence or two where I might go the next day. I try to keep the flow going, but I don’t write every single day because after a few big days—and for me that’s a page and a half and five to six hours of work—I’m mentally spent.

I did want a plot and subplots that held the reader’s attention. As I wrote, I had an image in my head of planes zooming all around, and I’d ask myself, which planes haven’t I looked at in a while? I felt like an air traffic controller: where are the planes, how are their contrails intersect—I couldn’t have them collide, and I wanted them all to land safely at the very last moment."

https://themillions.com/2023/06/kathr...

[Holly R W]

I also tend to watch authors' book discussions for authors that interest me. Here is a video with Kathryn Ma that I watched when I read the book. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CBpL...
(You may want to watch it after you finish the novel.)

[Booknblues]

I've finished. I loved it. I'll have more to say later.

[Holly R W]

Here's a question/opinion that I mull over. I love playful books like these that have both depth and heart. Usually, I have to stumble across these books to find them. Even though The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store is vastly different from this one, don't you see some similarities? I would love to share books that we think have these qualities.

[Booknblues]

Holly R W wrote: "Here's a question/opinion that I mull over. I love playful books like these that have both depth and heart. Usually, I have to stumble across these books to find them. Even though [book:The Heaven ..."

Holly, yes, I do. That humorous side to them while dealing with very serious issues and at the same time delivering an optimistic and hopeful message.

Also, they both have created quirky characters that you come to love.

They both go to lengths to create a communities which are loving and welcoming to all.

[Jen K]

You finished? I'm only just over halfway at Chapter 15. I've been savoring a small bit and worried that I won't like the ending for some reason. I'm not sure how I want it to end but your quick read is very promising!

[Booknblues]

Jen K wrote: "You finished? I'm only just over halfway at Chapter 15. I've been savoring a small bit and worried that I won't like the ending for some reason. I'm not sure how I want it to end but your quick rea..."

I kept having that feeling as well. It wasn't the ending I foresaw, but I'm happy with it.

[Jen K]

Excellent! It is unsettling I guess to not be able to guess but also a marker of a good book!

[Holly R W]

I remember enjoying the small surprises in the book. Just as Fran said, I wasn't able to foresee how the book would end, but it was satisfying.

[Jen K]

On Chapter 27 and should be able to finish tomorrow. Definitely some twists and turns. My heart is going out to these sons and fathers.

[Booknblues]

Jen K wrote: "On Chapter 27 and should be able to finish tomorrow. Definitely some twists and turns. My heart is going out to these sons and fathers."

I'm impressed with Ma's ability to write a book about father and sons relationships and to write a book from a young adult perspective.

[Jen K]

I finished this one yesterday and it was lovely! Not what I expected for the ending but definitely satisfactory.

[Booknblues]

Jen K wrote: "I finished this one yesterday and it was lovely! Not what I expected for the ending but definitely satisfactory."

I did not foresee that he would return to China, but it did make sense.

[Jen K]

Me neither and I kept thinking he would fall for his friend with the baby so the ending was so much better somehow!

[Booknblues]

Jen K wrote: "Me neither and I kept thinking he would fall for his friend with the baby so the ending was so much better somehow!"

That is what I thought as well.

[Holly R W]

I have a GR shelf for playful books such as this one. Are there any books that you've read that have a similar vibe to Chinese Groove that you could recommend? Some that I can vouch for are:

Mary Jane
Miss Benson's Beetle
The Last Animal
Esperanza's Box of Saints
The Bird Hotel
Peace Like a River

Do you have some favorites?

[Jen K]

Hmmm... I'm not so good at thinking of similar apparently. I can see the eternal optimistic vibe of Mrs Benson being somewhat similar to Shelley.

I'm not sure I can think of others but I've only read 2 of the above suggestions so I will need to check them out.

[Holly R W]

Thanks, Jen. It seems that I just happen to stumble into this type of book, every so often. If you stumble into any, please let me know.

[Jen K]

Will definitely keep an eye out now that it is in my head!!