Book Recommendations

[Deleted]

I just started Heartstopper by Joy Fielding. WOW, is it good!

[Margo]

The problem with China's history is its sheer size. I can't think of a single book to cover all the important aspects. There's the ancient and medieval history, then how China interacted with the Europeans (or, rather, how the Europeans screwed them over like they have everyone else), then there's WW2 and all the modern issues.

Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club gives a pretty decent insight into some of the modern issues, and particularly how much has changed over the last few generations. It's also a great book in itself (IMO), which always helps. Romance of the Three Kingdoms[/color] is a true classic. I haven't read it myself though, so this is a fairly worthless recommendation.

Thanks for all the YA fantasy advice, guys. I tried my best and sneakily bought them the first book for a few series.

[dancedancexenu]

I stole my housemate's copy of People's China by Craig Deitrich. It's a textbook, so it does have that dryness and boredom to it, but it's totally fascinating and it's very well put together. It's the book that made me want to travel the Silk Road.

[livviebway]

Yeah, I figured that China's sheer size and amount of history would be a problem. I just don't want to be the totally ignorant American tourist not having a clue about the history of the place I'm looking at.

[Margo]

Livvie, if knowledge is the primary concern, then I suggest talking to an Asian person. Either as someone who came to North America or was born here to an Asian family, he/she would give you just the right perspective on the history, and, most importantly, highlight the main differences.

No book recommendations, sorry

[chiquita]

livviebway said:

Yeah, I figured that China's sheer size and amount of history would be a problem. I just don't want to be the totally ignorant American tourist not having a clue about the history of the place I'm looking at.

There are a ton of great books dealing with people's experiences during the Cultural Revolution. One that my Mom thought was excellent was Life & Death in Shanghai by Nien Cheng. If you have access to a large bookstore, you may want to wander the Chinese history section and see what strikes you. My mother is fascinated by Chinese history (although she's recently moved on to Middle Eastern history - as experienced by women), and she usually liked the books I found just looking through the stacks at Borders or B&N. I was usually focusing on modern China as opposed to ancient China, but I would think there'd be a decent selection either way.

[noey]

No one on this board seems to be a fan of her by looking through the Sylvia Browne thread, but I want to take a break from my fiction list and want some recommendations on metaphysics/new age-y books I can look read. Anyone here have any recommendations as to what to start with?

[smockery]

noey said:

No one on this board seems to be a fan of her by looking through the Sylvia Browne thread, but I want to take a break from my fiction list and want some recommendations on metaphysics/new age-y books I can look read. Anyone here have any recommendations as to what to start with?

I have one for you, noey. Years ago I read a book called The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk. I really enjoyed it. If you can find a copy it might be a fun read for you.

[Deleted]

I'm looking for a prayer book. Since my grandma died I've been looking to get a little more active, but all my stuff involves Precious Moments . I was poking around the book store but didn't see anything that fit. I'm Ukrainian-Catholic (but only speak English), and not at all Ned Flandersesque, if that helps. Anyone know where I should look and what I should look for?

[chiquita]

Snowberry, I have a booklet called Favorite Catholic Prayers. It's published by the Regina Press out of New York, ed. Rev. Victor Hoagland. I bought it at a Pauline bookstore, but I would think any religious bookstore might have it or be able to get it for you. It has the basics (Hail Mary, Prayer of St. Francis) as well as other prayers to saints & novena prayers. Not sure how different Ukranian Catholicism is from Roman, but it might suit your purposes. I originally bought a copy for a friend who was joining the Church, and she really seemed to like it. If you have trouble finding it or something else you like, let me know and I can send you the ISBN.