Book Reviews By Melanie Meyer

Books for the whole family

(right) Melanie's Family

Winter is here, and what better time to settle down with a good book!

Hello Book Lovers!

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The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

A novel with a secret that becomes so overwhelming that it not only affects one life but those of others. This novel dates us to a time when mental illness led to discrimination. Dr. David Henry delivers his own twins one stormy, snowy night. His son is born healthy, his daughter is born with Down's syndrome. In a split second he makes a decision that will haunt him and his family forever, a decision based on his own fears and past, a decision that becomes a secret that change everyone's lives and relationships forever.

This was wonderful first novel written by the short story author of The Secrets of a Fire King.

Women of Silk by Gail Tsukiyama

This novel is a story of a girl born in China in the early 1900's. Her story begins with life with her family, until they can no longer financially support her. She is then sent to work at a silk factory. The story follows her life, her family, and her friendship. It is a story of friendship, sisterhood and the strength of women who turn their misfortunes into a better life. Excellent book.

The Myth of you and Me By Leah Stewart

Have you ever had a friendship that is so close that you do not know where one begins and the other ends? This novel shows 2 girls that have such a friendship. They are so close until one day the friendships just ends. The story really begins after the friendship ends. Their paths then turn to road of finding out true meaning for the loss, and their true selves while searching. When you finish you will not want it to end...you want the characters to keep on living.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

This is wonderful novel written- About a girl’s friendship in the 19th century. A time when wives and daughters had their feet bound, lived in more or less isolation. During this time girls were matched emotionally with another girl laotongs "old names", these are the friendships that carried them through the many things they had to face in life. These friendships lasted throughout their lives. Reaching out from their isolation they created a secret way of writing to each other nu shu, which allowed them to communicate with their laotong of their hopes and dreams. This was done by embroidery, painting on fans, quilting, and composed stories. This beautiful and realistic story takes place in Hunan.

Note: Lisa See has a wonderful website. You can even email her! Click here to visit Lisa's site.

I have read many stories- About Chinese woman. I crave to learn as much as I can because my two daughters are from China. When I read these stories I think- About how this is my daughter’s ancestors. The lives that they many have or have led. If I could choose the books I think I like best that depicted different times in China they would be:

Orchid Empress by Anchee Min (about the last empress)

Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck (time of famine)

Red Azalea by Anchee Min (Cultural Revolution)

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (a girl’s life of the 19th century)

Sky Burial an Epic Love Story of Tibet By X. Xinran

This is a beautiful love story- About one woman's love that is so deep it takes her places she never would have imagined. It is a true story that speaks of love, loss , family and adventure. The story begins in China in the 1950's and follows this woman's love story for 40 years. I read this book in one sitting. A wonderful book to read.

Becoming Madame Mao by Anchee Min

This book tells the story of Chairman Mao's wife, who many Chinese people despised and thought of as evil. I found the book to be interesting in regards to knowing more- About Chairman Mao's wife, but otherwise it was a bit dry. The book is written more like a text than a story. Personally I did not enjoy 'Becoming Madame Mao' Min is also the author of 'Orchid Empress' which I reviewed earlier. Anchee was born in China in 1957, during Chairman Mao's China. She was part of the Cultural revolution. She was recruited from a Chinese worker camp to be in Chairman Mao's wife's operas. She received the starring role in an opera 3 weeks before Madame Mao fell from power. Anchee Min immigrated to the USA in 1987 unable to speak a word of English. Ten years later she wrote her first novel and a bestseller memoir in Chinese. A new novel 'The Last Empress' is due out in 2007.

The Way the Crow Flies by Ann-Marie MacDonald

A book that takes place in the early sixties It is narrated by a 9 year little girl going in to her 4th grade year. She has just moved with her family to a new home on a Canadian Air force Base. This book will be nostalgic if you grew up in the Cold War years with "duck and cover" drills, backyard potluck barbeques, jello mold salads, and when smoking was wasn't bad for you.

Nine Year Old Madeleine learns in her 4th grade year that all is not what it seems. She has to make decisions about what is right and telling the truth. Small lies weave big webs that will affect many for the rest of their lives.

This is a murder mystery. Madeleine will be forced to learn lessons, will carry truths untold into her adulthood, and will find other truths that will change perceptions of loved ones forever.

It is a very long book, at times too much dialogue. lf you can make it to the end your will be very surprised by the conclusion. As a parent I found the book to be a bit disturbing. Some things could still take place today.

The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd

This book is written by the same author of The Secret Life of Bees. A delightful book that brings you into the life of a woman that is dealing with the empty nest, midlife, and trying to find out who she beside a wife and a mother. She faces the difficulties of an aging parent and childhood memories. IN this book you will find love, sadness, awakening and renewal.

My Friend Leonard by James Frey

This book is a continuation from the controversial book A Million Little Pieces . I actually think I enjoyed this book more then the first. It took a little while to get me passed "the James Frey" controversy to get into the book. Once I did I couldn't put the book down. This book gave closure to the first book A Million Little Pieces. Would you have to read the first book to enjoy this book? I would say no, but highly recommend it. When reading a book it comes down to this for me, I want to read a book that is well written. In my opinion James Frey is a really good writer.

Blackbird by Jennifer Lauck

and the sequel Still Waters by Jennifer Lauck

I am presenting these books together because I feel you can not read the first one without the conclusion of the second. Jennifer Lauck writes this memoir through her voice as a child. It is a story of that starts with a 7 years olds loss of her mother and an unraveling childhood that follows. The challenge this child faces is more the people face in a lifetime. It is a story- About survival written by a survivor. It will keep you turning the pages trough the first book to continue through the second book. This book stayed with me for a long time. I highly recommend this book once you are finish you will want to share it with others.

Pope Joan

by Donna Woolfolk Cross

This book I can say is one of the best written books I have ever read. If you liked the book The Da Vinci Code with all its twists you will really like this book.

This is a book is a novel of historical fiction- About a woman that held the title of pope.. Pope Joan, a woman who as a young girl was brilliant and never taken seriously because she was a girl. After her brother dies after being attacked by the Vikings Joan assumes his identify. She enters a monetary portraying her brother as John Anglicus. Through her wisdom, brilliance and understanding of medicine she finds herself rising in the religious world, but facing the difficulties of keeping her true identity hidden even after she falls in love with a man. After I read this book I immediately recommended it to friends. You will not be disappointed, you will not want to put it down.

Kite Runner

by Khaled Hosseini

This book is based on a modern Afghanistan. It is- About a boy whom comes of age right before the revolution. He comes from a very well to do family. He then leaves Afghanistan to live in he USA. It is a story- About family and relationships. It paints a picture of what the lives are of the people who live there.

Excellent book.

Empress Orchid

by Anchee Min

A historical novel- About the Forbidden City and a young concubine that becomes China's last empress. Excellent book that not only teaches you- About history in China, but also gives a great story that you can't put down.

Another book I just read that is not internationally based but I highly recommend is

My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult. This book is a moving novel- About a controversy subject of stem cells. It is written so you are connected to the characters as if you know them personally. It puts you in a place that you really reflect at yourself and wonder would I make the same decisions.

Children's Books:

Jalapeno Bagel

by: Natasha Wing

A little boy needs to bring a treat to international day at school that represents his culture. His mother is Mexican and his father is Jewish. This story goes through the many foods of his cultures and how reached his decision.

This is an excellent book for those going through the process of adopting through China.

It gives insight to the emotions one feels during the process, beginning with the frustrations of paper work all the way through to bringing your child home. I Could completely relate to Karin Evans feelings of emotions during the wait for her daughter. It would be a great book to share with family members as well as friends. This book gives great history to women in China. It explains the reasons for the situation today and why the girls are being

abandoned. It answers many questions that I have had to answer when asked- About the girls in China. It truly gives a better understanding of women in China and what they have faced and are still facing.

Karin Evans is a journalist that Writes from personal experience as well from research. Karin’s depiction and explanations of the situation in China is done out of compassion to have people understand the history of Chinese women, adoption, and adoptive parents.

She has hopes that our adoptive daughters will one day play a part in influencing changes in China.

I feel this is an important book to have in my personal library for my daughter to one day read.

A story inspired by the author's Grandmother- About a young girl in China that has an independent spirit and thrives to get an education when girls in China were not given the opportunity. Ages 4-10, and excellent book.

This book is- About a cute little bird that is looking for his mother. He keeps looking for a mother that looks like him, only to find the one to be his mother does not have to look like him but just love him. Very sweet, my daughter loves it.