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!

     

*This post contains Amazon Affiliate links.

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.

**This post contains Amazon Affiliate links

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

Pullman Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Hotel

My return flight from Cambodia to Chengdu connected through Guangzhou. I arrived at 10pm and had a 10am flight the following morning to complete my trip. It takes about an hour to travel from the airport to the downtown area of Guangzhou. During my travels through China and Southeast Asia I usually select budget hotels, but this time I chose the airport hotel merely out of convenience. However, the hotel is only a few years old and it is beautiful.  

Airport

Hotel Lobby at Reception

The rooms are large and comfortable. Bathrobes and slippers are provided for use during your stay in addition to a yoga mat and umbrella if the need arises. Bath towels are thick and extra large in size. The water pressure in the shower was the best I've had in awhile and pours out of a rainfall shower head. The bed was so comfortable that I felt as though I was sleeping on a cloud. Plus I was provided with plenty of cushy pillows including curved leg pillows at the end of the bed. The bed was so warm and inviting I had trouble leaving it in the morning and nearly missed my flight.       

My stay was delightful and my only complaint was the bathtub. It looks nice, but was rather small and I couldn't get the water hot enough. Mind you, I had no trouble accessing hot water in the shower. I realize most people don't even care about bath tubs in hotel rooms, but I love soaking in a hot bubble bath to relax. Living in China I don't have a bath tub in my apartment so baths are few and far between. When possible (and budget allows) I book hotels that have a separate tub with the intention of indulging in a hot bath.    

One thing I miss from home is the access to a variety of beauty products. While Sephora is located in a number of cities, their product selection is smaller than in the USA and the price is typically double. The same goes for any other western brand products, beauty or otherwise. So I love it when I stay at a hotel chain that provides name brand beauty products in their rooms. I was delighted that the Pullman in Guangzhou supplies CO Bigelow products. I will be using each of these until the last drop. 

Additionally, Wifi in the hotel is free and there is no pesky code to enter. You simply click the hotel name to connect. The connection was solid, which is unusual in a number of hotels in China.   

Although hotel rates vary depending on the date booked, the price for rooms typically run over $120 USD per night. I booked my stay through www.hotels.com. As I've used the site for my travels throughout China, I had earned a free night which I cashed in for this stay. With the value of my free stay applied, I ended up paying $38 for the night.     

The hotel is beautiful and the room was comfortable. I wish I could've stayed longer! It's not really practical to stay here long term as it's so far from the city center, but I wouldn't mind staying here again under similar circumstances.

Chanrey Tree

On my last day in Siem Reap, Cambodia I had lunch at the Chanrey Tree. It was recommended to me by a local who said the flavors tasted just like traditional Khmere cuisine. Reservations are recommended as it is quite popular, especially for dinner. 

This is the reception area of the restaurant. There is outdoor seating available out front in addition to seating upstairs in an air-conditioned room. The prices are a little higher for Khmere food than you will find in town, but the atmosphere, service and food presentation are far superior. The restaurant is located along the river, a few minutes walk from the pub street area and old market.  

      

I dined upstairs in the air conditioned room. I ordered two of my favorites: a mango shake and fried fresh chicken spring rolls. Plus I tried the seafood with fresh (local) kampot pepper that was served with steamed rice. Everything was delicious and the service was excellent. They do add a 15% service charge to bill, which is only notable because tipping is not as common in Cambodia. 

I had a great meal at Chanrey Tree and I'll be back again next time I'm in Siem Reap. 

 

Do you like tasting the local cuisine when you travel?

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

  

Lemongrass Garden Massage and Beauty Spa

On my last day in Siem Reap, Cambodia I decided to take it easy and enjoy a delicious lunch followed by a relaxing massage before I left town. After seeing reviews on Trip Advisor and walking by the shop numerous times during my stay, I decided on trying the Lemongrass Garden Massage and Beauty Spa for my treatment.

I selected the 90 minute Aromatherapy Massage for $23 USD. I arrived early afternoon without an appointment and I had no trouble getting in right away. I imagine most tourists spend the day touring the ancient sites. 

I was welcomed with a cup of tea to relax on the sofa prior to my treatment. To start, my masseuse brought out a bucket of water and scrub to wash my feet before leaving the reception area. Then she provided me with a pair of clean sandals to use in the salon. This is necessary because Cambodia is very dusty and my feet and legs are usually covered with dirt just from walking along the street.

Asian spas are not typically as modest as in the USA, but here I was provided with a pair of black mesh disposable panties to wear during my massage. My masseuse was very professional and the massage was incredibly relaxing. It was exactly what I needed after two weeks of hiking through ruins, motorbike tours and riding around on a tuk tuk. I recommend trying the services at this spa and I plan to return any time I'm in Siem Reap.      

  

Do you like to indulge in any way during your vacation?

Chongqing Cygnet

Foreign tourists visit Chengdu to see the Giant Panda Research Base although the city is famous to local tourists for its cuisine. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province and Sichuan food is known around the world to be spicy. Hotpot is also a popular food in China and I'm told the best is found in Sichuan. So during my recent visit I checked out a local restaurant to try out the spicy hotpot. Chongqing Cygnet Hotpot has been around since 1982. It is a local chain restaurant that was located in a shopping center near my hotel. 

From the menu, you choose the flavor of your broth and the assortment of meats and vegetables that you'd like. They also have a larger version of the menu that's mostly photographs. One of the difficult aspects about dining out in China is finding an English menu if you don't read Chinese. Most of the menu is Chinese, but they have adequate photographs of the menu items, so as a non-Chinese speaker I had no trouble selecting the items I wanted.  

I've had hotpot numerous times at this point and I am typically served a sesame paste as the sauce base. In addition, cilantro, pepper jelly, and vinegar are provided to adjust the seasoning to my liking. At Chongqing Cygnet they not only had the basics, but they had an entire sauce bar for me to choose from. I loved experimenting with the different flavors.  

Another aspect that I loved about Chongqing Cygnet is that each person has their own individual burner and pot in front of their seat. That way everyone can order their own broth as spicy as you want and no one has to worry about mixing meats with vegetables if dining with a vegetarian (or vise versa). I went with the three pepper spicy rating on the menu which was perfect for me. 

I ordered a platter with meats, mushrooms and green vegetables. Plus I added sliced potatoes, muer, and bean curd; three of my favorite foods in hotpot. Everything goes into the pot to cook, even the green leafy vegetables. Then you pull it out of the pot and dip it in the sauce to eat. I usually order a spicy broth and add way too much pepper to my sauce so my mouth is on fire by the end of my meal. It's quite delicious though! I ordered way too much food and there was enough left over for at least one whole meal. For every thing, including my drink, the meal was under $15 USD. I loved my experience at Chongqing Cygnet and I will definitely go back again. As a chain, they have locations in other cities throughout China. I look forward to eating a lot more hotpot during my stay.    

What do you think about spicy food?      

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   

Chinese HotPot

I'm so excited that I finally had hotpot for the first time! Before I ever arrived in LangFang I'd heard from my husband and others who had traveled to China before that hotpot was amazing and delicious and I had to have it. I can't believe it has taken me so long to get to a hotpot restaurant. 

There are two different types I'm told. One serves hotpot in individual pots, the other is served in one giant pot that everyone digs into. I currently have a horrible cold so I opted for the individual pots to avoid passing my illness on to others as much as possible. The restaurant we ate at is the hotpot chain, Xiabu Xiabu. They are located all over and are often found in malls. I've noticed that in China the top one or two floors of a mall are usually dedicated solely to sit down restaurants. The location near my apartment is part of a strip mall.       

At this restaurant, there are several long bars for seating. Once you order, they bring you an individual pot full of hot water and seasoning that you chose. I went for the spicy version tonight. Next they bring out your selection of raw vegetables and meats to add to your pot.  

Raw Beef

Raw Vegetables

Raw Fish

I received fresh herbs, vinegar and sauce packets to mix the sauce to my liking. Once the pot is heated up, you drop in the raw food to cook then pick it out with chop sticks, dip it in the sauce and enjoy! It was so good that I ate long after I was full. I can say for certain that I'll be back!   

Have you tried hotpot? What's your favorite Chinese food?