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Expatriates
Expatriates | Janice Y K Lee
"Raise a glass: The first great book-club novel of 2016 has arrived. USA Today, 4/4 stars A female, funny Henry James in Asia, Janice Y. K. Lee is vividly good on the subject of Americans abroad. The New York Times Book Review Sex and the City meets Lost in Translation. The Skimm Janice Y. K. Lee s New York Times bestselling debut, The Piano Teacher, was called immensely satisfying by People, intensely readable by O, The Oprah Magazine, and a rare and exquisite story by Elizabeth Gilbert. Now, in her long-awaited new novel, Lee explores with devastating poignancy the emotions, identities, and relationships of three very different American women living in the same small expat community in Hong Kong. Mercy, a young Korean American and recent Columbia graduate, is adrift, undone by a terrible incident in her recent past. Hilary, a wealthy housewife, is haunted by her struggle to have a child, something she believes could save her foundering marriage. Meanwhile, Margaret, once a happily married mother of three, questions her maternal identity in the wake of a shattering loss. As each woman struggles with her own demons, their lives collide in ways that have irreversible consequences for them all. Atmospheric, moving, and utterly compelling, The Expatriates confirms Lee as an exceptional talent and one of our keenest observers of women s inner lives. From the Hardcover edition."
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midhun.j.zacharia
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Pickpick

I couldn‘t put this one down once I‘d started. The themes in it and of course the story are both relevant and kept me hooked!

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SomedayAlmost
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Moving abroad to an expat apartment. Which books to take?? #bookloversnightmare #wantthemall #firstworldproblems

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Sharpeipup
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Next!
#dnf #bail

19 likes1 stack add
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CoffeeNBooks
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Pickpick

I'm so glad my #TBRjar picked this one for me. I really enjoyed reading about the lives of Margaret, Mercy, and Hilary, and how they interconnected.

105 likes1 stack add
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CoffeeNBooks
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Sunday morning #coffeeandabook

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CoffeeNBooks
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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1. The Expatriates, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Thirteen Moons, Matchmaking for Beginners, and listening to the audiobook of Yes, Please
2. maple
3. "It all feels a bit like The Truman Show."
#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

Megabooks I think I was a bit too hard on the Expatriates in my recent review. There is something satisfying about the book. 5y
70 likes1 comment
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Megabooks
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Mehso-so

👆🏻👆🏻😡😡

Now that‘s out of the way...This is the story of three American women in Hong Kong. Mercy is Korean-American, a young, unlucky Columbia grad hoping to find her place. Margaret has the “perfect life”: loving husband, three kids, good looks. Hillary is having trouble getting pregnant and considering adoption.

There‘s some story. Soapy drama. And then a very unlikely ending. I really enjoyed it, but it‘s not a great book.

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Megabooks
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Mornin‘ y‘all! I‘ve got my Starbucks and my book. Ready to have a good day! 📚☕️👍🏻

marleed I had my first pumpkin spice chai of the season yesterday to celebrate September! 5y
Megabooks @marleed 🎉☕️ I haven‘t tried anything pumpkin spice in years! I‘m not terribly adventurous when it comes to coffee. 🤣 5y
92 likes2 comments
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CoffeeNBooks
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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The TBR jar picked this as my next read. Sunday morning #coffeeandabook. #TBRjar

Jennick2004 Omg red velvet coffee?! 5y
CoffeeNBooks @Jennick2004 It's soooo delicious!! 5y
cewilf Tbr jar!? What a great idea!! Definitely trying that 😁 5y
See All 7 Comments
CoffeeNBooks @cewilf I just started using a TBR jar recently, and I love it- so much easier than having to pick what to read next! 😂 5y
litenthusiast Love your mug! ☕ 5y
rachelsbrittain What a fun idea! Love that 5y
Kaila-ann Love the mug❤️ 5y
101 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Laura317
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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So I‘ve usually a proper book, an audio book and a Kindle book going at any time. Here are the audio/book I‘m working on. The Dispatcher is my 2nd attempt at Scalzi. I don‘t think I‘m his target audience.

rretzler The Dispatcher is a little different than most of his stuff, IMO. What was the first one of his you tried? 6y
Laura317 I tried Red Shirts. I couldn‘t get into it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 6y
35 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Audrey
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Pickpick

This quiet book has a lot of tension and a depth of issues within it. Three different women at three different stages in their lives, all living in a foreign country. It subtly explores the concepts of race, ethnicity, class, parenthood, grief, relationships, trauma, ptsd and so many more, all contained within these women's stories. There is so much to explore and discuss in this book and the characters were well drawn and depicted.

16 likes1 stack add
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rustoryhuf
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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I‘ve become even more of a morning person, which is good as it gives me quiet time to read and drink my coffee. Even Eeyore might agree with me on this one! Good morning #Littens!

Slajaunie Good Morning! 6y
34 likes1 comment
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rmaclean4
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Picked this up at my favorite used book store today. I loved The Piano Teacher. Has anyone read this?

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EricaReads
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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1. My foreignness and my “foreign” son. We live in China and all the time we get- “Oh look! A foreigner!” My son was born here and his dad is Chinese but still... All. The. Time. Drives me a bit crazy 😂
2. I can‘t exercise now bc of pregnancy, but I‘m obsessed with the idea of teaching Zumba again and getting certified to teach Barre and maybe Pound?
3. Hmm, I‘m not so daring. Solo backpacking in 20‘s, homebody now 😜 #tripletuesday @MelAnn

MelAnn Pound looks like a fun workout!!! Thanks for playing! Your son looks adorable! 7y
EricaReads @MelAnn Thanks! Yeah it does look like fun! Haven‘t tried it but I only took 1 Zumba class before getting certified to teach it 🤣 Drumming while working out seems right up my alley! 7y
23 likes2 comments
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erzascarletbookgasm
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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71 likes1 stack add
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Christyco125
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Mehso-so

A story of foreigners in a foreign land, tragedy, guilt, redemption, growing up, growing older, and motherhood. Overall I liked it. I had to take a break from the audio at work because I felt the tears coming. #2017christyread

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Redjewel_7734
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Panpan

This was an interesting look into the entangled lives of a small community, but I wanted a more well-rounded picture of these women. This book makes women's lives nothing more than the sum of their relationships with their kids & husbands/men. I'm a mother & that is one of the best things in my life, but I'm more than a mother, & who isn't tired of the idea of women defined in relationship to men. Definitely, not a book for me.

AmyG I bailed on this one. 7y
Redjewel_7734 @AmyG I almost did, but I find it soooo hard to bail. It goes against everything in me not to finish a book once I start. I need to work on that 😊 7y
AmyG @Redjewel_7734 I never used to bail. But I have so many boooks on my TBR pile...so it has to be pretty "not for me"...for me to bail. 7y
See All 6 Comments
Redjewel_7734 @AmyG I feel you on the MT. TBR (mine rivals Everest 😂) which is why I need to get better at DNFing. I always worry I didn't give it enough of a chance, then once I get so far in, I feel like I can't bail now that I've invested so much time. I'm gonna need to learn to just let it go 😱 7y
mjdowens I have no qualms about bailing. If it doesn't hold my interest, I move on. I own too many other good books waiting to be read to force myself to try and read something that is of no interest to me. 7y
Redjewel_7734 @mjdowens I really need to be more like that 7y
76 likes6 comments
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Kmmsellers
Expatriates | Janice Y K Lee
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Started this one on audio on our walk today. Having a hard time getting into it. I think it's the narrator. I'm going to give it a little longer, but then I may have to just read this one for myself. I've wanted to read it for so long.

Sydsavvy I tried to read it too, really wanted to but never could. But honestly I didn't try too hard. 8y
Kmmsellers @Sydsavvy Glad I'm not alone! I'm having such a hard time getting into it. Think I'm going to bail. 8y
LauraBeth I have a crush on your dog 🐶❤️ 8y
Kmmsellers @LauraBeth Haha! Don't worry, I do too ❤️ 8y
41 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Highly enjoying this one.

Megabooks It's a favorite of mine! 8y
Kmmsellers I've been thinking about getting this one. Good to hear positive reactions! 8y
CouronneDhiver Sounds good! 8y
MaureenMc I really loved this book. Wish it would've received more attention. 8y
89 likes4 comments
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mllemay
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Pickpick

I don't think I came to like any of the characters but it didn't change my appreciation of the book. The writing is very good and the story raises interesting points about grief, belonging, motherhood, wealth and responsibility. I thought the ending was really strong and pulled all the aspects of the plot together in a satisfying way. I'll definitely read more by this author.

Bambolina_81 This has just moved up the TBR list 😊 thanks for the review 8y
mllemay @Bambolina_81 my pleasure! I hope you'll enjoy it :) 8y
37 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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My_novel_obsession
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Stuck at work 😕 with no time to sneak away and finish this book and now after reading through all your wonderful posts today I want a snow day and some pie 😋❄️❄️

42 likes4 stack adds
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My_novel_obsession
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Turkey burger, sweet potato fries and great company while discussing books is a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend 😊

vivastory I also had a burger today. Cheeseburger & cajun fries at five guys & then a movie. 8y
My_novel_obsession @vivastory I ❤️Five Guys burgers! See anything good at the movies? 8y
vivastory @Anovelobsession Logan. One of the best X-men movies I've ever seen 8y
My_novel_obsession @vivastory awesome! My daughter said the same thing about that movie...perhaps it's time I actually get to the theater to see a movie 8y
46 likes4 comments
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Chelseylovestoread
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
Mehso-so

A book about 3 women living as American expats in Hong Kong and however perfect a life may seem on the outside we all have our problems and nothing is quite as it seems.

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howjessicareads
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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So I originally signed up for #SecretSantaGoesPostal, but then because we made a large charitable donation, I emailed @BookishMarginalia that I was going to have to back out budget-wise, and maybe I'd participate next year. And look! She mailed me a book and an adorable planner anyway! ❤🎁🎄📚 Thanks so much Gloria! (Juliet was equally excited and insisted on being in the pic.) 🙂

Cinfhen Awww, @BookishMarginalia is the BEST💕how thoughtful and kind😊 8y
BookishMarginalia I'm glad you got it! 💝💝💝 8y
38 likes2 comments
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LauraBeth
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Christmas time means an abundance of cookies at our house. Which also means having to look at sad animal stares. Also - why did this book not get much traction? It's great 😀

Texreader This photo is hilarious! 8y
KDo27 Love this! 8y
KDo27 And I really want that cookie... 8y
See All 23 Comments
LauraBeth @Texreader poor, sad, neglected Bitsy 😹 8y
saresmoore 😆 8y
GlitteryOtters Poor Bitsy! Tell her we are having a doggie birthday party on New Years Eve with delicious homemade dog treats. She should come over, we'll have cookies for her! 💕 8y
LauraBeth @KDo27 I experimented and used bread flour instead of all purpose in the recipe - that cookie was delicious 🍪 😀 8y
LauraBeth @GlitteryOtters that sounds like fun! 😀 Bitsy's Birthday is sometime in January 8y
LauraBeth @saresmoore I saw the husband give her some cheese this morning - I think she'll live 😂 8y
GlitteryOtters We have a dog turning 15 this winter. Since we don't know her exact birthday (rescue dog my musher friends plucked from a shelter in Alaska when she was around 1 year old), we always celebrate it at the new year. We figured 15 is a pretty major dog birthday, so we're doing a small party for her (even bought her a cheap birthday crown). Cannot wait! Bring Bitsy over & we'll make it a joint party. 👍😂 8y
LauraBeth @GlitteryOtters 15 is a big dog milestone birthday! You'll have to post a pic of it 🐶 8y
Gabypen I've always wondered, what breed is Bitsy? I can't really put my finger on it... Yet she's adorable, none the less! 8y
GlitteryOtters @LauraBeth I will be making some dog treats from a dog treat cookbook, so I definitely will! Keep your fingers crossed that I can get a decent pic of the birthday girl wearing her Quinceañera crown! ?? 8y
LauraBeth @Gabypen awwww - thanks 😊 none of us seem to be able to put a finger on what breed she is 😂 she does have webbed feet so maybe some Lab. I can also see a trace of husky in her. The vet said shepherd. I should do a dog DNA test and find out 😀 8y
LauraBeth @GlitteryOtters Quinceanera crown 😹 8y
MicheleinPhilly I loved The Expatriates! Also, Bitsy's "Mom, I'm being deprived and my heart is breaking" face is A+++++. I swear dogs practice that face when they're home alone. 8y
LauraBeth @MicheleinPhilly glad to hear you liked it! Bitsy definitely has her sad face perfected 😂 on another note - I hope that your wife is feeling better 😀 8y
NCNY I love this picture so much. 😃 8y
MicheleinPhilly @LauraBeth Oh thank you. She is feeling better and the stitches come out this week which will hopefully give her a bit more mobility. Right now I think boredom and essentially being confined to a single floor is the biggest struggle. She's been watching a lot of Murder She Wrote. 😂 8y
LeahBergen #Bitsy's perched nose! 😂 8y
LauraBeth @LeahBergen she's so well-behaved that she'd never go for it 😂 8y
MaureenMc I agree, this book didn't get enough attention this year. It's so good! 8y
MyNamesParadise Awwww hungry pup! 😊 8y
173 likes8 stack adds23 comments
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LauraBeth
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Reading in the carpool line means that the person in the car behind me is probably roasting me and screaming something like: "It's a straightforward process, lady! You pull your car forward, push your kid out of the car and speed away - why would you not want to speed up that process?" 'Cause I'm reading and not paying attention - that's why! I'm THAT person...

GabriannaLikesToRead I'm the exact same! 8y
Megabooks Such a good book! 8y
Cinfhen There are MANY things I miss about living in the States...but carpool line😬😬😬you just brought me back to those dreaded hours...staying sane in that line was NOT EASY! I ALWAYS needed a book with me🤓and a glass of wine when I was finally home 🏡 🍷😂 8y
See All 9 Comments
LauraBeth @Cinfhen I can completely understand how carpool line can trigger anyone! 8y
LauraBeth @Ebooksandcooks it needs to be talked out about more! 8y
LauraBeth @GabriannaLikesToRead oh whew! I'm glad that I have some company on this one 😀 8y
Posemn Yow. It's dark at that carpool line. 8y
LauraBeth @Posemn it WAS dark - hopefully, I didn't run anyone over in my not paying attention state of mind 😀 8y
Posemn 😂 8y
145 likes5 stack adds9 comments
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LauraBeth
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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I feel like I have a ton of stuff to do today. So instead of doing that, I went to the library 😀

QuintusMarcus Approve! 8y
jpmcwisemorgan That seems fair. 8y
SheReadsAndWrites Love it! ❤️ 8y
See All 27 Comments
Sassy_Steph I must say I greatly approve!! Books first!! 8y
Cinfhen I see no problem with that! 8y
Megabooks I've read and loved all of those! Enjoy! 👍🏻👍🏻 8y
MysticRaven03 Always the best decision 😊 8y
minkyb Brilliant! 8y
BookishGirl06 Is the worm a bookmark? 8y
Librariana You're my shero! 😍 8y
cathysaid Probably to "only return books" if you're like me... ? 8y
RealLifeReading Hee I see you're making good use of the new stickers! 8y
CoffeeAndABook Why of course! Was there an alternative? 🤘 8y
CocoReads My to do list has totally fallen by the wayside. Finished season 1 of Bosch while I ate lunch and am now settling into some post lunch reading. 8y
Buddys_Momma Saturday is meant for enjoyment so don't feel guilty 😀 8y
Sarahsbookshelves Loved Bureaucrat and Expatriates! 8y
LauraBeth @QuintusMarcus, @jpmcwisemorgan, @SheWritesRomance, @Sassy_Steph, @Cinfhen, @MysticRaven03, @minkyb, @CoffeeAndABook, @Buddys_Momma I got nothing done today errand-wise, but I did get some good reading time in 😀👍⭐️ 8y
LauraBeth @Ebooksandcooks I'm glad they all have your endorsement! Now I'm really looking forward to reading them 😀 8y
LauraBeth @BookFanGirl06 the worm is one of the new stickers that Litsy is beta testing. Hopefully, they'll be rolled out soon because they are super cute! 😀 8y
LauraBeth @librariana you probably got stuff done today!! 😀 8y
LauraBeth @cathysaid famous last words! I'm just going to drop off and then coming right back home! 😂 8y
LauraBeth @RealLifeReading those stickers are adorable 😀 8y
LauraBeth @CocoReads that's what Saturdays are for 😀 8y
LauraBeth @Sarahsbookshelves glad to hear you liked these - can't wait to read them! 😀 8y
MaureenMc The Expatriates is soooo good! Enjoy! 8y
Posemn Good plan! 8y
BookBabe 🙌🏻 8y
177 likes3 stack adds27 comments
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Legxleg
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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This week's library haul. I might have gone a little overboard...

RealLifeReading Not such thing as too many library books! 😍😍 8y
10 likes1 comment
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Ilana
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Surprisingly, another airport #bookstore has quite a different selection, including #JudyBloom and others!

James Safe travels! 8y
7 likes1 comment
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Megabooks
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Hard to believe my first Litsy post was six months ago. (I had to scroll back a lot!) Thank you @susanw for commenting! 💜 this community. 😃👍🏻🤘🏻 #booktober #firsteverlitsypost

BethFishReads Oh must bump this up on my list 8y
moranadatter Mine too! 8y
susanw I still recommend this book, it's great for book clubs. And you're welcome 😊 8y
See All 10 Comments
Megabooks @BethFishReads @kmdartist Yes, definitely! And I agree with @susanw that it's a great book club pick. 😃📖 8y
Sarahsbookshelves Loved this one too 8y
Seashore I loved this as well. Having lived there for quite a few years, it was great having someone to capture the Expat life so well. 8y
Megabooks @Sarahsbookshelves Welcome to Litsy! Love your blog. 😃 @seashore I had wondered how accurate it is. Great to know it is! 8y
MrBook And we love you! Your posts are always superb. One of my favorite #Litsyans ☺️👍🏻!!!! 8y
Megabooks Thank you @MrBook ! Litsy definitely wouldn't be the same without you! 😊😎 8y
76 likes6 stack adds10 comments
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BookishMarginalia
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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When you encounter the latest novel by your sister's college roommate at the bookstore 💜 (of course I'm bringing it home 🤓)

LauraBeth I can't wait to read this 8y
StephBengtson Ah! I've been wanting to read this because I heard an interview with the author on the radio a few months back! 8y
BethFishReads Ooohhh I liked that one 8y
See All 8 Comments
Abailliekaras It's great! Spot on re Hong Kong. My favourite line: "The thing is, the helpers see everything." I know that sounds terrible but it's so Hong Kong! 8y
susanw I like this one too! My whole book club did too! 8y
Laalaleighh This is on my shelf at home!! Got it after a China Rich Girlfriend withdrawal! So cool that you know the author!! 8y
rustoryhuf Yes, excellent choice! 8y
MaureenMc I have loved both of Lee's books. She is a phenomenal writer! 8y
118 likes26 stack adds8 comments
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Mom2ERK
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Word. I absolutely LOVE this novel.

4 likes1 stack add
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ej0728
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
Mehso-so

Even though it was a quick read, it left me unsatisfied. When reading a book I look for characters that have redeeming qualities, and it was very hard to find those in the vapid women chronicled in The Expatriates.

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Bookdumpling
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Pickpick

A page-turner set amongst the ex-pat community in Hong Kong, this is perfect for the Book Club Reader or lovers of Women's, multi-perspective fiction.

3 likes2 stack adds
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dylanisreading
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Just started reading this. Juicy thus far.

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mrsfitzgerald
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Pickpick

I have just started reading this book, but it has certainly proven to be a good choice. The theme is very interesting and the style of writing keeps the reader's attention.

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Mom2ERK
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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We read Lee's The Piano Teacher several years ago in book club, and this has great buzz.

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Lauren.Archer
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Looking forward to this next read

1 like1 stack add
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Mimi
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Pickpick

Great characters and descriptions of life among expats in Hong Kong.

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katcanwrite
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Pickpick

YES! I got another copy from the library and devoured the last half of the book today. Very poignant, and just a totally compelling read.

Megabooks 5🌟 in my book! Loved it! 9y
katcanwrite @Ebooksandcooks It was great! Usually I accept the end of my borrow period and kind of forget about any unfinished books...I immediately had to jump in and re-request this one as soon as my borrow expired midread!! 9y
5 likes1 stack add2 comments
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katcanwrite
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee

Loving this book so far. Unfortunately, I kept being places where I couldn't read on my phone, so my borrow expired 52% of the way into the book!! 😭 jumping back into the hold list ASAP.

4 likes1 stack add
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Megabooks
The Expatriates: A Novel | Janice Y. K. Lee
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Pickpick

5 🌟 I loved this look into American life in Hong Kong. It follows Margaret, who has lost a child; Mercy, who is a lost-in-life college grad; and Hillary, who can't have kids. Their lives come together in heartbreaking then uplifting ways. It gave me the feels.

susanw I really liked this one too! 9y
Megabooks Yes! @susanw 😃 9y
4 likes1 stack add2 comments