Traipsing Through China

07.13.12

To my lovely readers,

I actually composed this update a few days ago but it seems that I either failed to save or post it so here’s the new, updated, and corrected post on the book “A Hundred Flowers,” by: Gail Tsukiyama.   Chairman Mao declared “let a hundred flowers bloom; let a hundred schools of thought contend” to encourage Chinese citizens with viable criticisms to open their thoughts of change to the government.  Unfortunately for most of the outspoken population, this then turned into a motion for the re-education of Chinese citizens in 1957.  This story follows a family whose patriarch has been forcibly removed for writing a letter to Chairman Mao describing changes that must be made and the way this effects their lives for a couple of months.  Beautifully written and wonderfully developed, this story may just be the best that I’ve read all year.  Though it only occurs over a period of a couple of months, you come to know and almost understand Communist China and the way that people lived during that time.  If you appreciate a well written story that takes you to another time and place, read this.  It may just be the best that you will read for a while. Look for it this August.

Bedside Table, Oh là là!

06. 21. 12

Bonjour tous! (Hello all…)

I realize that as of this date I have not posted on my Blogspot.com blog, http://raptusreading.blogspot.com/, for almost a month.  I’m sorry and I can only blame Blogspot.com because I’ve had four or five ready posts that weren’t able to publish to by blog.  So here’s a post that will hopefully turn out the way it should.

It’s been insanely busy at the bookstore lately, especially with the poor weather and relatively mild temperatures.  The customers haven’t been very nice but at least I’ve gotten a bunch of good recommendations.  Right now I have four or five books on my bedside table, all of which have been recommended by friends, family, and customers. 

1. The Forgotten Garden by: Kate Morton

This is a local book club pick, as well as a previous New York Times bestseller. 

My mother says that it is wonderful!

2.  The Outer Banks House by: Diann Ducharme

This is a regional fiction novel written by the sweetest woman ever. 

Local fiction set in the Civil War Era. My boss highly recommends it.

3. The School of Essential Ingredients by: Erica Bauermeister

Recommended by Nichol last summer, who said that it was a compilation of ingredients that make up Life. 

What a delicious looking pear.

4.  The Kite Runner by: Khaled Hosseini

This is usually required reading for the 10th graders at First Flight High School but I have yet to read it.

Probably not a “read before bed” book.

5. The Magician’s Secret by: J. G. Sauls

A locally based story about an FBI agent and a murder mystery! 

Definitely not a “read before bed” book.

And finally, on top of all of those books, I have a couple copies of advanced-reader copies.  These are copies of books pre-publication that are mailed around to booksellers and editors alike for editing and reviews. 

6. Thomas Jefferson’s Crème Brûlèe; How a Founding Father and His Slave James Hemings Introduced French Cuisine to America by: Thomas J. Craughwell

7.  A Hundred Flowers by:Gail Tsukiyama

8. The Boy Recession by: Flynn Meaney

 

Well, that’s all I have time for right now but I will make sure to post more often.

xoxo

Katie