Book Shelf

I enjoy looking at the World Cultures & History section in the Children’s area of the local library.  I recently found the book Hiromi’s Hands by Lynne Barasch. 

This book tells the story of a Japanese American girl named Hiromi, whose father worked hard to become a sushi chef in Tokyo.  After many years of training, he was given the opportunity to work at a restaurant in New York.

Eventually, Hiromi’s father was able to open up his own Japanese restaurant, get married, and have his little girl.  She went to regular school, as well as Japanese school.  She celebrated Japanese holidays and respected Japanese traditions.  She wanted to spend more time with her father and begged him to let her join him at the fish market.  Then, she began to work at the restaurant.  At first, scrubbing the floor, then making the rice, then cutting the fish.  Eventually, Hiromi began to make the sushi.  Now, she is a sushi chef, too.     

I like how the book introduces the reader to Japan and to sushi-making, while emphasizing the years of hard work and training involved in becoming a success.  The book also shows pictures of different types of sushi, what they’re called, and what they’re made of, which was fun to learn.  Overall, a lovely storybook.

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I just finished reading Sue Miller’s book The Senator’s Wife.  I was actually sad when I was nearing the end of it—I was really enjoying the writing. 

The issues raised in this book are not so pleasant--they make you pause and think.  What would you do if your husband was so charming that no woman could resist him?  & he couldn’t resist them?  How would it affect your marriage, your family, your whole life?  Could you forgive?  How many times?  Is there a line that cannot be crossed?  Where does it lie?

The story begins with a young couple, Meri & Nathan, who move in next door to the senator’s wife.  They are surprised when they notice that the senator is rarely around.  When the senator’s wife goes to stay in Paris, she asks them to water her plants and keep an eye on her place.  Meri does this, and takes the opportunity to snoop.  She reads the many letters that she finds, personal letters written by the senator to his wife.  She learns the details of his infidelities and the relationship that he continues with his wife. 

The ending of the story was such a surprise to me.  So implausible—but at the same time, somewhat fitting.  Overall, a well-written, enjoyable book.

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After having read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, I was really looking forward to reading Lisa See's new book called Shanghai Girls.  I was not disappointed.

What I enjoyed most about the book is the way that it transports you back to a different place and time.  Learning about what life was like in the past for a girl living in Shanghai or in LA's Chinatown was very interesting.

This novel begins the story with two sisters, Pearl and May, in Shanghai in 1937.  They are daughters of a wealthy businessman and spend their days modeling and their nights drinking and dancing with friends.  They are beautiful, young, and naive, thinking that their comfortable lives would last forever.

One day, Baba comes home and tells them that they are to be married off.  Then, their lives change forever, as the Japanese invade Shanghai.  Mama helps them to escape, but they subsequently face one tragedy after another.

Through it all, these two sisters, with the strength of their bond and their faith in each other, manage to survive.

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I just finished reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code.  This book continues in the same vein as The Da Vinci Code, following Harvard professor Robert Langdon as he uses his wits, knowledge, & luck to try to solve a mysterious puzzle and save his friends from certain death. 

Because of his unique expertise in symbology, Mr. Langdon is the only person in the world who can solve the Ancient Mysteries, the lost wisdom of the ages.  Can he do it before it's too late?

An entertaining book, full of history, symbols, and secret codes.  Fans of The Da Vinci Code will enjoy this book, too.

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My new favorite kids' book is called Dragon's Fat Cat by Dav Pilkey.  It was recommended by my little one's Kindergarten teacher.  The title's not so PC, I guess, but the story is just so cute & silly, and the illustrations are so adorable.

Basically, Dragon lives in a nice, warm house and one winter day hears a cold, gray cat meowing outside, sitting in the snow.  He brings the cat inside and names it "Cat."  Unfortunately, poor Dragon has no idea how to take care of Cat. 

My favorite part is when Dragon & Cat walk to the highway and pick up litter to make a litter box for Cat.  Eventually, Dragon makes his way to the pet store and leaves with everything that he needs, except...Cat!  Oh, no!  Dragon looks everywhere for Cat.  How will Cat ever make it home again? 

What a delightful book to read--over and over again!

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