I can read!

I finished two books recently that I can recommend wholeheartedly: Shanghai Girls and Dreams of Joy.

It took me a little while to get into the first of the two books (probably because I had to travel back to 1937 and pre-war China) but once I was in, I was hooked. Lisa See is good. She developed several tangible characters that really came alive for me. She also impressed me with her portrayal of family ties, and especially the sisterly bond between Pearl and May.

I liked how Jane Glenn Haas put it:

"Basically, Lisa See writes about families. Love themes. Mothers and daughters. Children and parents. Romance. Love of country. Of place. The story itself must be so strong, so enthralling, the history helps it to play out."

Also, I don't remember the last time I was seriously taken aback by a literary development. Part of the conclusion of Shanghai Girls blew me away. I seriously did not see THAT coming. Dreams of Joy was absolutely not predictable either.

I couldn't put either book down (or my iPad I mean, I read them both with Kindle) and truly enjoyed these reads. They took me on a journey...that kind of journey that's a big bummer when you turn that last page.


What do I read now? Suggestions?