amitymamaThe Attachment Parenting Community

Candace · 03-19-2004, 11:57 PM

You know how sometimes you come across a really good book that is just a must read? Well, my current must read is "Red Scarf Girl" by Ji Li Jiang about experiencing the Cultural Revolution in China when she was a girl. I first saw it in the Asia For Kids catalog, but then was lucky enough to find it in our little tiny library! I am finding it really fascinating, especially having already read "Life and Death in Shanghai" by Nien Ching, which is written about the same thing from an adult's point of view. (Nien Ching became a political prisoner during the same period.) It has made me weep more than once and strikes fear into my heart that people can do the things that were done (and are likely still going on somewhere in the world.) I suppose it also hits home because when we lived in Hong Kong, there were students on the campus where we lived who had scars from shark bites they had received while swimming to escape the aftermath of the revolution.

This book just gives me chills, but is fascinating and also touches on regular day to day life.

So what have you discovered recently (or not so recently) that you think is a must read?

Radha · 03-20-2004, 10:07 AM

Wow, I'm going to read that book. I love anything eastern lit.

I just finished up Scandalmonger by W. Safire. It was a wonderful look into the Presidencies of Washington-Jefferson and the scandals that they endured (Hamilton's indiscretion and fiduciary misconduct, Jefferson's liasons with his slave Sally and misconduct with another woman earlier in his life, the XYZ affair, etc.) Some apparently find his reading "dry" but it's quite wonderful, if you ask me!

Candace · 03-20-2004, 11:53 PM

Ooh - I'll have to look for that one!

jacNal'smom · 03-21-2004, 12:06 PM

I just read Automatic Millionaire by David Bach (or something like that).... I just keep reading it. No new information, really, just everything laid out in such a positive, makes me feel hopeful light....Not hopeful to be a millionaire, lol, just hopeful I won't be eating dog food when I'm 70....

I'm currently reading Dr. Laura's book-The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands....don't know how I feel about it...

And, I'm rereading my all time favorite book, My Antonia by Willa Cather. I LOVE this book!

Candace · 03-21-2004, 12:25 PM

I'm making a list!

Keep them coming!

I just finished re-reading a bunch of Orson Scott Card books, and went on to read some of the newer ones in the series - both the Enser's Shadow series and the Call of Earth (or Homecoming?) series. They reminded me again of why he is one of my favourite all time authors! I finished Red Scarf Girl on Fri night (got sucked in and had to keep reading till I was done!) and now I'm reading Sarah (by Card) which is also looking like it will be a winner!

I, too, have been recently making reading (for myself) a priority again (hence my scarcity online) and it has been wonderful!