Once a month I will post a new book that relates to China and it's people, culture and experiences, both new and old. All the books that I feature on this page are ones that I have read and believe will help you understand a little more about this country that I am currently calling home. Each review will give a brief synopsis of the book, what you can learn about the culture and how I have been able to identify with it. Clicking on the title of the review will take you to a website where you can purchase the book or view more information. Thanks for reading and if you have suggestions on a book I should check out, I'd love to hear it! Simply drop me a message.
July Review
China Survival Guide: How To Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps
by Larry Herzberg & Qin Herzberg
Surprises and the unexpected are half the fun of traveling to a new country, but they're also half the stress. In this guide to China, Larry and Qin recount some of their own experiences from the dozens of times they have traveled there. They cover everything from "black taxis" to hospitals, from using Chinese toilets to standing in Chinese "lines". It's a great read even for those who are more experienced travelers. You'll find yourself gasping or chuckling along as they relive some of their most horrifying and hilarious moments in China so that you, their reader, may not have to. This is more of a "what to expect in China" book, but there is also a section in the back that mentions some of the best sites to see, books to read and movies to watch.
I was able to agree with just about everything in this book, but seeing as how it was revised back in 2011 and based on their trips in 2009 and 2010, it is already a little out of date on a thing or two; namely the prices mentioned. Prices have gone up since then, but are fortunately still cheaper than what you will find in the U.S. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a fun and entertaining way to learn about what to expect in China.
by Larry Herzberg & Qin Herzberg
Surprises and the unexpected are half the fun of traveling to a new country, but they're also half the stress. In this guide to China, Larry and Qin recount some of their own experiences from the dozens of times they have traveled there. They cover everything from "black taxis" to hospitals, from using Chinese toilets to standing in Chinese "lines". It's a great read even for those who are more experienced travelers. You'll find yourself gasping or chuckling along as they relive some of their most horrifying and hilarious moments in China so that you, their reader, may not have to. This is more of a "what to expect in China" book, but there is also a section in the back that mentions some of the best sites to see, books to read and movies to watch.
I was able to agree with just about everything in this book, but seeing as how it was revised back in 2011 and based on their trips in 2009 and 2010, it is already a little out of date on a thing or two; namely the prices mentioned. Prices have gone up since then, but are fortunately still cheaper than what you will find in the U.S. I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a fun and entertaining way to learn about what to expect in China.
June Review
China in the 21st Century: What Everyone Needs to Know
by Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom
With all the recent news about China, it leaves one to wonder where such an old and populace country came from so suddenly. This book delves into its historical and economic uprising and shows parallels to that of America and other country's histories as they've gone through industrialization. Issues such as the secretive Chinese Communist Party, the One-Child Policy and insights on how Chinese view Americans are discussed as a way to gain understanding. Wasserstrom also gives predictions on how China may act in the future in relation to America, Russia, Japan and other neighbors.
It's a truly eye-opening book about the Chinese culture. Where America sees bad news as the eye-catching story, China chooses to focus on more positive news stories. And while it might seem overly oppressive to American society that the Chinese have censored the internet so harshly, many Chinese, don't in fact mind it so long as their likewise entertainment-oriented friends are able to chat, play and listen to music. I have noticed both of these things in my daily living here in Shanghai. Not once have I ever heard anyone complain about how they can't find any information on the Tienanmen Square protests and many of the stories I see on the news are rather positive. These and other misunderstandings are also featured in this insightful book.
by Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom
With all the recent news about China, it leaves one to wonder where such an old and populace country came from so suddenly. This book delves into its historical and economic uprising and shows parallels to that of America and other country's histories as they've gone through industrialization. Issues such as the secretive Chinese Communist Party, the One-Child Policy and insights on how Chinese view Americans are discussed as a way to gain understanding. Wasserstrom also gives predictions on how China may act in the future in relation to America, Russia, Japan and other neighbors.
It's a truly eye-opening book about the Chinese culture. Where America sees bad news as the eye-catching story, China chooses to focus on more positive news stories. And while it might seem overly oppressive to American society that the Chinese have censored the internet so harshly, many Chinese, don't in fact mind it so long as their likewise entertainment-oriented friends are able to chat, play and listen to music. I have noticed both of these things in my daily living here in Shanghai. Not once have I ever heard anyone complain about how they can't find any information on the Tienanmen Square protests and many of the stories I see on the news are rather positive. These and other misunderstandings are also featured in this insightful book.
May Review
The Bridge by Kay Bratt
In present day China sits an ancient bridge said to (back in
the day) bring luck and prosperity to whoever treads across it. Today, however,
the Lucky Bridge has become a place for young mothers to leave their children
in hopes of giving them a better future. Their futures inevitably fall onto
Jing, an elderly women residing in the house across the street from the bridge.
Her role as guardian has helped many children escape death and make it to an
orphanage where they can have a chance at happiness. Everything changes when
Jing meets the latest orphan, a young, blind boy who steals her heart. But how
can an old woman possibly take care of such a young, helpless boy?
This short story packs a lot of powerful emotion to help the
reader truly understand the deep connection between Jing and the blind boy.
While reading, you will also learn a few Chinese words such as nai nai, or grandmother. Make sure you
have a couple of tissues on hand, because it is sure to have you tearing up at
all the loving moments.
The Bridge is great for not only learning a bit of Chinese, but for also showing you a little about how Chinese society works today. Placing the story during the Chinese New Year shows some of the cultural customs and traditions displayed on China’s biggest holiday. It especially hits home as I work with children now and consider someday adopting a child myself.
The Bridge is great for not only learning a bit of Chinese, but for also showing you a little about how Chinese society works today. Placing the story during the Chinese New Year shows some of the cultural customs and traditions displayed on China’s biggest holiday. It especially hits home as I work with children now and consider someday adopting a child myself.
April Review
The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman
How would you feel to be in a country where you were considered unlucky from the moment you were born? A curse brought upon your family. Unfortunately, Jade Moon was such a girl. If only she had been a boy. You could almost say that if she didn't have bad luck, she wouldn't have any luck at all. Until one day when a man traveling from Hong Kong who says he knew her uncle, travels to her village with a proposition. Jade Moon finds herself suddenly able to escape her prison, that is China, to a new, more exciting world: America! But nothing, and no one, is as it seems. It's going to take a lot more than just an ordinary girl to make it in this new country. It's going to take a Fire Horse Girl.
This fictional story uses very real historical contexts from the 1920s from both China and America. It depicts a bit of the hard journey many immigrants made to America and the struggles they had getting in and being accepted. Jade Moon is a true heroin, easily identifiable even with women of the twenty-first century. As she experiences adventure, love and hard times, she becomes a true inspiration to never lose hope and to fight for what you want.
As I face many new obstacles on my own journey, I look to Jade Moon and think, "if she can do it, so can I. She had to put up with way more than I do!" And just like her, I too hope that one day I
can find my place in this new country.
This fictional story uses very real historical contexts from the 1920s from both China and America. It depicts a bit of the hard journey many immigrants made to America and the struggles they had getting in and being accepted. Jade Moon is a true heroin, easily identifiable even with women of the twenty-first century. As she experiences adventure, love and hard times, she becomes a true inspiration to never lose hope and to fight for what you want.
As I face many new obstacles on my own journey, I look to Jade Moon and think, "if she can do it, so can I. She had to put up with way more than I do!" And just like her, I too hope that one day I
can find my place in this new country.
March Review
River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze by Peter Hessler
This real life story based on the author's experiences while teaching at a rural Chinese college in 1997, was the first book about China that I had ever read (aside from the numerous school based history lessons of course). I'm really glad too because it prepared me for some of what my new Chinese life would be like. Granted, Shanghai is not a rural town by any stretch of the imagination, but there are still quite a few things (and people) that hint at a life far from what you would expect to see in any modern day American city. Nearly twenty years later, his encounters with chemical filled air, strange cultural customs and a loving attachment to his new home could essentially describe what I'm living now.
I highly recommend this compelling and humorous book to anyone wanting a little glimpse into life in small-city-China through a foreigner's eyes. It has everything from romance to adventure to danger.
I highly recommend this compelling and humorous book to anyone wanting a little glimpse into life in small-city-China through a foreigner's eyes. It has everything from romance to adventure to danger.