Sunday Reads: China Rich Girlfriend

China Rich Girlfriend

By: Kevin Kwan

If you're looking for a fun story, check out China Rich Girlfriend! I read Crazy Rich Asians last summer and I was excited to find the sequel while browsing at a bookstore in Hong Kong in August. Kevin Kwan is an excellent storyteller and portrays life in China in a way I've never seen before. While most Asians do not live such lavish lifestyles as those depicted in the book, there are many cultural aspects he shares that are very real. I particularly enjoyed reading this during my stay in China as I could relate to much of it. 

The story picks up about two years after Crazy Rich Asians leaves off. Rachel and Nick are about to get married and Rachel is in search of her birth father. Nick's family is less than thrilled about the union and scandal ensues. Rachel and Nick travel through mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore as Kwan draws the reader into the lifestyles of the obscenely rich in a hilarious way.

If you're looking for a relaxing read to unwind from the holiday craziness, be sure to check this out. And don't miss Crazy Rich Asians as well!

     

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Sunday Reads: Fashion House

Fashion House: Illustrated Interiors From The Icons of Style

By: Megan Hess

I discovered this book while I was on vacation in Hong Kong. I thought it was the cutest book and I was compelled to purchase it because of the playful style. It's a combination fashion and interior design book featuring styles from a handful of fashion icons. The book is primarily categorized by color. It's more of a mini coffee table book than anything else, but I enjoy flipping through the pages and planning how to incorporate concepts in my own home.  

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Sunday Reads: Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter And Sweet

Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter And Sweet

By: Jamie Ford

Set in Seattle during WWII, Ford details the life of a young Chinese-American school boy as he witnesses the Japanese interment through a relationship with one of his classmates. This historical fiction novel is told through two different time periods: the 1940s and 1980s. The focus is on Henry, a Chinese American boy living in Seattle around the time of the Japanese interment. He develops a relationship with Keiko, a Japanese American girl who is eventually sent to one of the internment camps. Along with the relationship that develops between Henry and Keiko, Ford details the relationships Henry has with an up and coming jazz musician, his parents, his classmates and later his own son. Weaved into the story is a description of the jazz music scene in Seattle, race relations and the effects of the Japanese internment camps during the war.   

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone.

*This was a gift from Wendy at A Day In The Life, through the Chaotic Goddess Book Swap.

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Sunday Reads: Pretty In Ink

Pretty In Ink

By: Lindsey Palmer

The setting for this book is a magazine agency in New York City. The author starts each chapter off with a new character describing the scene from their point of view. I would classify this as chic-lit. The plot revolves around a magazine named 'Hers' and the upheaval that occurs when a new editor-in-chief arrives on staff. None of the characters are really likeable but I would bet there are many real life accuracies in their self indulgent personalities. It was difficult for me to get through the entire book based on the negative personalities, although the characters are most likely accurately portrayed in their cattiness and insecurity.

The story follows a similar theme to other books I've read in this genre on the publishing field. I just personally would rather read something else as I can't tolerate people like this in real life I don't want to read about them either. However, I did like the way she ended the book. It felt like it came around full circle and was about to start a fresh and positive chapter for the characters.  

 

*Note: I received a free digital copy for my honest review
**This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links

Sunday Reads: Seriously...I'm Kidding

Seriously...I'm Kidding

By: Ellen Degeneres

I have been a fan of Ellen's talk show for years. I love her positive attitude, kindness towards others, and that she loves to dance. This book is a quick read, full of short little chapters with the same sense of humor she is known for. It is so full of her personality that I heard her voice in my head as I read along through the entire book. If you enjoy her talk show, you'll enjoy this book as well!  

*This book was a gift from Wendy at A Day In The Life through the Chaotic Goddess Book Swap. 

**This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links

Sunday Reads: At The Water's Edge

 

At The Water's Edge

By: Sara Gruen 

Set during World War II, we follow the main character Maddie from a spoiled and entitled girl in Philadelphia to the Highlands of Scotland. She is practically dragged there by her husband Ellis and his best friend Hank. Ellis is desperate to prove himself to his family and the rest of the world as they take off on a dangerous, but exciting adventure. Through the ordeal Maddie comes to question her upbringing and life choices as she is faced with new realities around her. This is a nice beach read that I would classify as historical fiction. The beginning was slow to engage and the ending wrapped up a little too quickly for me.

*Note: I received a free digital copy for my honest review. 
**This post contains Amazon Affiliate links

Sunday Reads: Mist Of Midnight

Mist of Midnight

By: Sandra Byrd

Mist of Midnight is a historical fiction novel that takes place in England during the late 1800s. Rebecca, the main character, returns to her family estate after living in India most of her life. She moved with her parents and brother as a missionary family and spent most of her life there. The rest of her family perished during the mutiny in India and having no where else to go, she returns to England to claim her inheritance. The only problem is, a distant cousin has claimed ownership. She quickly learns that a imposter had already claimed her inheritance but died soon after. Rebecca must find a way to prove she is who she says in order to gain what is rightfully hers.    

Byrd contributes an intriguing novel that kept me hooked until the very end. There is an array of characters and as the reader, I was kept guessing as to whom Rebecca could trust. This is the first book I've read in awhile that has captivated my interest so intently. 

*Note: I received a free digital copy for my honest review

Sunday Reads: Dunaway's Crossing

Dunaway's Crossing

By: Nancy Brandon

Dunaway's Crossing is a historical fiction novel. Set in Georgia during 1918, the backdrop is a small town facing the influenza epidemic towards the end of World War I. Bea Dot travels to visit her cousin as a temporary escape from her abusive husband. Feeling trapped by her marriage due to traditional  views of the time, Bea Dot struggles with her path in life as she meets a handsome suitor and faces the horrors of the epidemic.  

The characters and storyline were developed enough to hold my interest until the end. I really enjoyed reading Dunaway's Crossing and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

*Note: I received a free digital copy for my honest review

  

Blogger Book Swap Reveal

Last month I participated in the Blogger Book Swap through Chaotic Goddess Swaps. This is one of their most popular swaps and it is held several times a year. I  find swaps to be a fun way to get to know other bloggers out there. Plus I get to give and receive fun things! You can read my original post on the swap here. I was paired with Wendy from A Day In The Life On A Farm. I was delighted to get to know Wendy and found that we had a similar taste in books. 

The objective was to mail three books:

1. One book you love
2. One book you're interested in but haven't read
3. One book from your partners wish list

Here is what I sent Wendy:

A book I loved:

Behind The Beautiful Forevers

By: Katherine Boo

A book I'm interested in:

The Plum Tree

By: Ellen Marie Wiseman

A book from her wish list:

Henrietta's War

By: Joyce Dennys

Wendy made selections for me that were all on my wish list. Here is what she chose for me:

A book she loved:

Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter And Sweet

By: Jamie Ford

A book she'd like to read:

Seriously...I'm Kidding

By: Ellen Degeneres

A book on my wish list:

My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search For His Family's Past

By: Ariel Sabar

 I'm looking forward to reading all of my selections. I hope she is too! What are you reading?

Sunday Reads: 1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die

1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die

By: Mimi Sheraton

This book has two of my favorite passions rolled into one: food and travel. The book is organized by country/region and offers a wide variety of foods with the traveler in mind. Even if you are just an armchair traveler.  Restaurants are listed under each new food item, but they are limited. Of course, if you travel to the local region that the food is known for you most likely won't have trouble finding the tasty treat because it will be available everywhere. Although she does list American restaurants throughout the book in New York City, Chicago, California and others where her recommendations can be found. Not all of the restaurant listings come from the country of origin, but that may make the cuisine more accessible to most people.  

I absolutely love food! Cooking at home, eating at restaurants and traveling around the world to sample the local delicacy excites me. I reminisced about the delectable foods I enjoyed on my travels while paging through this book and I dream of tasting them again someday. There's a section on American foods that made me crave the tastes of home. I never truly realized how specialized some of our dishes are until I moved to a country that's never heard of them.

A few recipes are scattered throughout. I'd love to see a book similar to this that is ALL recipes. That would be delightful. I would love to see more pictures, however I do think Sheraton does a wonderful job traveling the world through food in her book. I'll definitely be referring to this handy guide whenever I travel to a new country so I can be on the look out for her recommended local specialties. For a food trip around the world, I recommend this book.   

*Note: I received a free digital copy for my honest review