Flygirl

I finished Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith.  This is a young adult historical novel about WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) during WWII.  The extra twist is that the main character is an African American who is light-skinned enough to "pass" and is able to make it through the training and become a WASP, but this adds much risk to her position.

The story does a good job of depicting the feelings on the home front during the war.  People really felt like they were doing their part by saving bacon grease, turning in their silk stockings, and using rationing coupons.  The WASP life seemed somewhat glamorized, but usually pilots are seen as romantic characters (i.e. "Top Gun") so I guess that was to be expected.  I think young adults, both girls and boys, will find this novel interesting and easy to read.

Shanghai Girls

This was a wonderful book.  A bit long, but very enjoyable.  This story follows the lives of two sisters born in China.  We begin in the late 1930s in Shanghai when the sisters are teenagers.  The story follows the lives of these two girls through the Japanese invasion of China, their escape to the U.S., World War II, the Korean War, China's fall to communism, and everything in between.  I didn't realize how oppressed the Chinese were in this country.  They were very segregated and hated -- just like African Americans -- possibly even worse, because the Chinese could not become citizens and had to live in constant fear of being deported back to China.

The Chinese culture is fascinating, and these sisters, as most Chinese people, tried to keep as much of their heritage and traditions alive in this country while trying to fit in and be loyal Americans.  It was a difficult life, and became more difficult with each passing generation.  I loved Lisa See's Snowflower and the Secret Fan, and this book did not disapoint.  I would highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in historical fiction, and especially the Chinese culture.

I've decided I'm not going to post about what I'm reading -- I will only post about books when I am finished with them.  So you will have to wait to see what I've decided to read next.

My summer library

I brought the library home.  I'm going to try to read a lot this summer, and I chose a wide variety of books and brought them all home, so I can just choose what I'm in the mood for.  Just like when I browse the library deciding what to read.  I've already read 3 books since school is out, so I've got a good start.  I'll keep you posted on the good, the bad, and the ugly books as I go along.

Shanghai Girls

I finished True Colors and absolutely loved it.  What an epic tale, following three sisters, basically for about 25 years.  The setting was beautifully told -- a ranch in Washington State.  The characters each had such distinct personalities, and through many tough trials, continued to return to each other.  I really had a hard time putting this one down, and it was a little bit longer than an average novel.  Well worth it.  I cried several times, but not uncomfortably (I quit reading Nicholas Sparks because I couldn't stop crying all the way through his novels -- ruining contacts and giving me a headache.)  The emotional journey through good times and bad with this family was a very satisfying experience.

Now I'm reading Shanghai Girls by Lisa See.  I read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan a few years ago, and really loved that book, so I'm looking forward to this one.

A reading weekend . . .

I finished Drowning Ruth and it was very satisfying.  It was a little slow, not much action, but that's not the kind of book it is.  The characters were very well developed and you could feel the heartbreak.  I'm always frustrated by situations that cause extreme discomfort and are based on misunderstandings.  If only people would talk to each other, ask questions, and explain their actions.  But that wouldn't make for a very entertaining novel, and that's what this was.

I then read Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods.  I have read books by him before, but it's been a while.  It just amazes me how every woman that Stone Barrington (the main character) meets ends up falling into bed with him!  He must be irresistible.  Anyway, a good story happens between all that sex, and it was a fun, suspenseful read.

Now I am reading True Colors by Kristin Hannah.  Her books are just feel-good entertaining reads.  Well, the entire book isn't "feel good."  I'm about half way through, and things have pretty much fallen apart around the three sisters that are the main characters in this book.  I have to hurry and finish this post so I can get back to the book to find out what happens!

Drowning Ruth

I finished the sappy Love is a Four-Legged Word and it was, well, sappy.  Very.  I got really tired of her describing how turned on she got by his muscles and him describing how very sexy he thought she was, yada, yada, yada.  I almost didn't finish it, but it was a feel-good happy ending (predictable) and so I stuck it out.  And now I feel good and happy.

Now I am going to read Drowning Ruth, by Christina Schwarz.  It's about sisters, right after World War I.  I love historical fiction, so I'm looking forward to this one.

I love doggie stories

I finished North of Beautiful and it was a good teen love story/problem novel.  I liked the dynamic and resolution of the abusive father problem -- he is just awful to both his daughter and his wife.  I liked the progression of the relationship of the two teens.  I really didn't feel the impact of the birthmark on Terrra's life.  Maybe this would come through better in movie form.  I kept forgetting about her appearance.  The author mentions that she gets stared at once in a while, and then I would think -- oh yeah, she's got that birthmark on her face.  The same for the cleft pallette scar.  There were a few moments, in the orphanage, and throughout the end of the book that the impact of these defects was felt, but I didn't think it was the main theme of the book.  The book was well written and I enjoyed reading it.

Now I'm reading Love is a Four-Legged Word, by Kandy Shepherd.  It's a light-hearted romance featuring a dog.  I can't resist a sappy dog book once in a while. 

Next book . . .

Absolute Brightness was a very interesting book.  Not what I expected, but I really enjoyed it.  The characters are well developed and realistically portrayed and it is easy to feel their struggles.  Not a book for every teen, but I would certainly recommend it to some of my avid readers.  Deals with issues of bullying, GLBT teens, parental abuse, death, and the death penalty.  Lots here to think about and there are enough surprises in the book to keep you interested.

My next choice is another teen book, North of Beautiful, by by Justina Chen Headley.  This is another book about teens with problems -- a port-wine birthmark, a cleft pallette, and an abusive parent.  The message is supposed to be about beauty coming from within.  I'll let you know.

Another book

I really enjoy Alex Cross novels.  They are so easy to read and once I start it, I can't put it down.  I always picture Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross, since he played that character in the movies.  I really haven't been able to get into Patterson's other series, The Women's Murder Club.  I find those characters too contrived.  But I enjoy Alex Cross (and yes, I know it's also very contrived.) It's just a personal opinion.

Now I'm going to read Absolute Brightness by James Lecesne.  I just picked this one up off the library shelves because it looked interesting, so I'll let you know.

Two books again . . .

I finished The Hobbit, and really enjoyed it again.  I kept comparing it to Harry Potter, and I think both authors did a great job of creating many different species and developing them fully enough to allow them to grow and evolve through several books.  Both were able to create very intricate, rich adventures that can be read over and over.  I can't say that about many books, and I certainly cannot say I'm a big fan of fantasy -- but I do read them and there are many that I enjoy including The Hobbit.

Since we were camping again this weekend, I also read A Long Way Down, by Nick Hornby.  I've read about this book repeatedly, but I don't remember what compelled me to add it to my list.  I really like the beginning of the book -- I was laughing out loud in several places.  Which is a funny thing to say when, at the beginning of the book four different people are contemplating suicide.  These four people meet on New Year's Eve on the top of a building that they all intend to jump off of.  There is where a relationship begins.  The rest of the book I found rather plodding, and not nearly as entertaining.  The book doesn't even had an ending.  It just stops.  There is more character development as these four explore their lives and the things that brought them to that roof.  It's just slow and not really very earth shattering.  The references to cultural icons, literature, and almost all other humorous anecdotes end after Part 1 of the book. It was disappointing.

My next choice is Double Cross by James Patterson.  I love Alex Cross and I had read all of them, but somehow I got a few novels behind.  Which just gives me something to look forward to.  So I've decided to treat myself and pick up a Patterson novel.