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Dragon Springs Road
Dragon Springs Road: A Novel | Janie Chang
From the author of Three Souls comes a vividly imagined and haunting new novel set in early 20th century Shanghaia story of friendship, heartbreak, and history that follows a young Eurasian orphans search for her long-lost mother. That night I dreamed that I had wandered out to Dragon Springs Road all on my own, when a dreadful knowledge seized me that my mother had gone away never to return . . . In 1908, Jialing is only seven years old when she is abandoned in the courtyard of a once-lavish estate near Shanghai. Jialing is zazhongEurasianand faces a lifetime of contempt from both Chinese and Europeans. Without her mothers protection, she can survive only if the estates new owners, the Yang family, agree to take her in. Jialing finds allies in Anjuin, the eldest Yang daughter, and Fox, an animal spirit who has lived in the haunted courtyard for centuries. But Jialings life as the Yangs bondservant changes unexpectedly when she befriends a young English girl who then mysteriously vanishes. Always hopeful of finding her long-lost mother, Jialing grows into womanhood during the tumultuous early years of the Chinese republic, guided by Fox and by her own strength of spirit, away from the shadows of her past. But she finds herself drawn into a murder at the periphery of political intrigue, a relationship that jeopardizes her friendship with Anjuin and a forbidden affair that brings danger to the man she loves.
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review
Gissy
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Pickpick

Maybe I was a little disappointed with this novel but it was related with my expectations as a reader. I was expecting a story similar to Three Souls, which I loved, expecting same tone but it was different. Don‘t like much how that fantasy parts were integrated. But I still like this author writing style. 3.5/3.75⭐️

Gissy May 2024

#ReadAway2024 @DieARrader @Ghabi4Roses @Andrew65

#BookSpinBingo #6 (AsianReadathon) @TheAromaOfBooks

#AsianReadathon YouTuber WithCindy prompt-read a book by an Asian author (for. Each prompt, authors should be from different Asian countries/heritage) Chang born in Taiwan. I‘m still interested to read the book The Library of Legends by this author.

#ISpyBingo (house)
5mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 5mo
BiblioLitten I realize I remember very little from this book but according to my journal, I did enjoy it. 5mo
52 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Jialing is abandoned by her mother at age 7, becoming a bond servant (glorified slave) on the outskirts of 1900s Shanghai shortly thereafter. The story follows her youth as she struggles with both poverty and the prejudice of being mixed race. The book devolves into melodrama a bit, but has a strong ending that salvaged it for me.

#ReadingAsia2021 #China

Librarybelle I love the cover! 4y
BarbaraBB Look at that doggie! So cozy! 4y
bnp Great dog smuggler! 4y
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Megabooks Cute lap dog! 😍 4y
Hooked_on_books @Librarybelle Isn‘t it gorgeous? Apparently not many covers are green because they don‘t sell as well. I find that odd. I would pick up any book with a cover like this! 4y
Hooked_on_books @BarbaraBB @bnp @Megabooks She really has a knack for being right on top of me! 😂 4y
53 likes6 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
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Starting out #LitsySpringBreak by throwing back to January 2020, when I got to start my year reading a fantastic book on a beautiful #beach, blissfully oblivious to the year to come. (I highly recommend the book, it will transport you in time and place, and throw in a little magic on the way)

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Ohhh to go back in time ❤️ 4y
78 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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sprainedbrain
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Pickpick

Another excellent read for #NewYearWhoDis from the excellent list of the excellent @TheKidUpstairs ☺️

I‘m not surprised that I loved it, since I‘ve read and loved two other books from Janie Chang. Really excellent historical fiction with a dash of magical realism. Loved the characters, the story, and the setting.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

MsMelissa I read this one last year and enjoyed it. I need to read her other books! 4y
CoffeeK8 This cover is beautiful!😍 4y
TheKidUpstairs I've only read one other of hers, Library of Legends, but I loved it as well. This was my first, I picked it up solely because I was drawn to the beautiful cover. Sometimes judging a book by its cover is a great thing! 4y
82 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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BiblioLitten
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My first read of the year. 🐉
How gorgeous is the cover! 💚

Happy New Year to my Litsy family!! 🎊

#china #currentreading #greencover #historicalfiction #covercrush

CarolineLovesToRead Her other novel, The Library of Legends also has a beautiful cover 4y
JennyM Happy new year, lovely! And the cover is just 🥰 4y
batsy Happy new year! 💕 4y
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Cathythoughts And many Happy Returns ❤️ 4y
Reggie Happy New Year!🎆 4y
BiblioLitten @CarolineLovesToRead Yes, I love that cover too💙 4y
BiblioLitten @JennyM @batsy @Cathythoughts @Reggie I hope this year brings us only happy tidings! 💞💕 4y
TheKidUpstairs I love this cover, and loved the book! Hope you do too! 4y
BiblioLitten It was a So-So for me until the first 200 pages. After that things became more interesting. 4y
55 likes1 stack add9 comments
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sprainedbrain
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Excited for January! Megan, your list looks amazing... I‘ve read and LOVED 4 of them (❤️s above).

I will be reading the 4 that were already on my tbr (⭐️s above) for sure, and as many of the other 8 from your list (plus 3 more books that are parts of series on your list) as I can get my hands on.

Really excited about the Canadian books to help me with #ReadCanada!

Thanks for another fantastic match, Alyisha! 🥰

TheKidUpstairs I'm so glad that you like my list 😁 I can't wait to hear what you think of them in January 🎉🎉🎉 4y
monalyisha Nice! And I love your marking system! ❤️⭐️ 4y
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Hooked_on_books
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And here it is, my #bookhaul from Powell‘s! I feel I was very restrained. I‘ve managed to reset my book buying tendencies a little so that I don‘t buy everything in sight, so I‘m glad about that. It was so nice to be back there again. I went to the Beaverton location since the downtown City of Books only has a few rooms open and nonfiction isn‘t accessible now. This way I had more breadth of selection genre-wise.

BarbaraBB I don‘t know any of these books! Super curious to leant more about them when you get to them! 4y
43 likes1 comment
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llwheeler
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Gorgeous day to read outside!

I'm really enjoying this book. I've got about 80 pages to go and I'm planning to finish it today. Other things can wait.

MsMelissa This is a good one. 4y
llwheeler @Book_Fiend_Melissa agreed! I just finished it. Very good, I'll have to check out her others at some point 4y
29 likes1 stack add2 comments
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llwheeler
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My sense of time this summer is even more wibbly wobbly than usual... but I think we're around halfway through the #15books15weeks challenge, so I thought I'd check my progress so far. I've read 6, currently reading the 7th. 1-2 books behind pace, I guess. Will I catch up? We shall see...

@TheHeartlandBookFairy

TheHeartlandBookFairy I'm on the same track, just finished my sixth book this afternoon. I keep getting more arcs to review and yet I am always the optimist thinking I'll have time to read them all 😅 Plenty of time left to catch up though!👍 4y
llwheeler @TheHeartlandBookFairy lol, always good to be optimistic! And yes there is plenty of time 🙂 4y
MsMelissa I‘m just starting my 7th book now. 4y
33 likes5 comments
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amsu311
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Pickpick

Love Love Love...
A sad & A happy story...

#GoodReads2020Challenge

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HOTPock3tt
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Pickpick

I wish this book was edited/shortened a bit (it felt too long) and I wish it had a more satisfactory ending... but it contained one of the most captivating and refreshing characters I‘ve read all year!! ♥️ Plus, the Chinese myths just draw you in!! And a beautifully woven story. It lost half a star due to the ending & editing, but I did really enjoy the magic of the myths written in this world. ☺️
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️1/2 out of 5

HOTPock3tt The fox 🦊 spirit was just enchanting!! ♥️🤗🎉The whole joy of this book was reading about her taking different forms and running free.. plus her life and how she protected her friends. IMO It would‘ve been a better ending if the MC would‘ve chosen to be a FOX. That‘s what I was hoping for since the beginning of the book... 4y
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llwheeler
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My list for #15books15weeks! The book a week summer reading challenge hosted by @TheHeartlandBookFairy - thanks for hosting!

This is my 3rd time playing and I haven't made it through my list yet, will this year be the year? I'm feeling it!

MsMelissa I‘m going to take part, too, and think I‘ll add Dragon Springs Road to my list 😊 4y
TheHeartlandBookFairy Nice stack, wishing you all the best... This will be your year! 😁 Keep us posted on your progress 😁 4y
llwheeler @TheHeartlandBookFairy 😁 will do, thanks! 4y
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llwheeler @Book_Fiend_Melissa yay! I'm looking forward to Dragon Springs Road, I've been meaning to read it for ages! 4y
janeycanuck I still have one from last year‘s list that I haven‘t gotten to. 4y
llwheeler @janeycanuck me too lol 4y
ErinSBecker Watchmen has been on my tbr list for forever! 4y
llwheeler @ErinSBecker same! And this is my friend's copy that I've had borrowed for a while now lol 🙈 so I need to make sure I read it soon 4y
34 likes8 comments
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llwheeler
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When you realize your to-read-next pile goes ROY-BI-, you might as well add a G and a V to complete the rainbow, right? I thought so.

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego ❤🧡💛💚💙💜 5y
43 likes1 comment
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Nute
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#30JuneBooks - Green Books: Actually a green book located at 11:16pm without having to look further than the bedside nightstand. JOY!

Cathythoughts Beautiful cover green 5y
Nute @Cathythoughts On most days green is my favorite color!🌳🍃🍏🥬💚 5y
RaimeyGallant Your comment on my post made my night. :) Big hug commin' atcha! 5y
Nute @Cathythoughts There‘s something about looking at the color green in all its hues and also yellow and now certain shades of blue - those colors speak to me.☺️ 5y
62 likes5 comments
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GirlWellRead
Mehso-so

Overall, this is an intriguing story that was thoughtful and well-researched.

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Jaimelire
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Pickpick

LOVE❤️
This was such a great story. I am so glad it was my first book for 2018. It totally swept me up.
I highly recommend it. For fans of Amy Tan....this is a must.

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Jaimelire
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Loving this book so far. ♥️It‘s warmed up to -26C (from -36C yesterday morning), so after my cozy lunch I will put on my winter gear and walk down the path to enjoy the beauty. If you don‘t hear from me again soon, I have frozen to death! 😂 It would be a real shame to freeze before I finish this book, so I will keep it to a very short walk.

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heatherkaz
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#favoritesof2017 #BestOf2017
(In no particular order)

emilyhaldi I'm reading The Alienist now and loving it! 7y
Jaimelire Dragon Springs Road was amazing! ♥️ 7y
16 likes2 comments
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EllieDottie
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Some #redandgreen books from my shelves! #reindeerreads

Sills That's the spirit🎄 7y
Joanne1 Love your little snowman. 7y
EllieDottie @Sills thank you!! 7y
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EllieDottie @Joanne1 Thank you ⛄️ 7y
mrozzz Great stack! 7y
Jess7 Nice!! 7y
90 likes6 comments
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REPollock
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I love the graphic design of the chapter pages in this book!

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REPollock
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Love this cover design!! Looking forward to the book too.

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Jaimelire
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My mom just gave me this one. Looks good!

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I really enjoyed this one 💚 7y
Jaimelire @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks oh good! I can‘t wait to start reading it 7y
30 likes2 comments
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janeycanuck
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What an absolute joy to hear Janie Chang read from Dragon Springs Road at tonight‘s #IFOA2017 #LitonTour event (though, Three Souls is still my favourite of her books)

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janeycanuck
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Pickpick

I loved Chang's first book and bought this as soon as it came out but it's sat on my shelf since Feb. I've been desperate to dive into it but also terrified that I wouldn't be as enraptured with it as I was with Three Souls. Good news - I was.

10 likes1 stack add
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janeycanuck
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I brought relatively few books with me to Nice so imagine my surprise when one of them was a #threewordtitle that I could use for #riotgrams! My luck on this is going to run out soon, I think I'll be catching up once I'm home again.

12 likes1 stack add
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janeycanuck
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I'm travelling today and didn't manage to grab a #shelfie before I left home so this pic of my #TBR shelf from August will have to do. I haven't finished any of these since I took the picture and I've added a few.

I'm travelling until Oct 10, we'll see how I do with #riotgrams while I'm away!!

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EllieDottie
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This is one day late, but here are some #greencovers and they are historical fiction so they also work for #stuckinthepast! #springishere #fallintobooks

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JenReadsAlot
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Mehso-so

The last 100 pages or so saved this one for me. Somewhere between pick and so-so. I loved her other book Three Souls so much more.

peaKnit I had to put it aside, I'm glad to hear the last 100 pages were redeeming! 7y
9 likes1 comment
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peaKnit
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Lame for prompt but as good as it may get today...a crystal light lemonade mix during my better late than never lunch break #bookanddrink #summersizzlinbooks

JenReadsAlot Cute shoes 😊 7y
peaKnit @JenReadsAlot Thanks! I was glad to park it today and read. The heat 😝 7y
18 likes1 stack add2 comments
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JSW
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Me: Oh, only 100 pages left. I'll finish this tonight. Mr. JSW: (rolls eyes) (Goes back to playing WOW)

Zelma I said something similar to Mr. Z when he left for work. 😆 7y
30 likes1 comment
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JSW
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I love Fox. "We Foxes have very sensitive noses." ?

Laalaleighh I loved this book. I immediately ordered her other novel when I finished it. 7y
17 likes1 stack add1 comment
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JSW
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Litsy #partyofone is in session!!

27 likes1 stack add
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JSW
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Hoping for great things. Trying to power through an old stack of TBR - have had this one since January!!

24 likes1 stack add
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GypsyKat
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Last post tonight, I promise! I just wanted to take one last pic of everything @hes7 sent me all together. I have the biggest grin on my face! Im just so thrilled with everything, and completely touched by your thoughtfulness, Hallie. I can't thank you enough for this wonderful box full of goodies and bookish love! You're awesome! 💗💗💗 #SummerSantaGoesPostal #SummerSolsticeBookExchange
@BookishMarginalia

swishandflick Wow, that's so awesome!! 😍 7y
hes7 One last "Yay!" ? I'm so so glad you like it all. Happy summer reading! 7y
nelehelen This is awesome! 7y
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TrishB Lovely 💜 7y
GypsyKat @hes7 I love it all! Thank you again! Be prepared to be tagged in a whole bunch of my future posts as I use and read things. 💗😉 7y
GypsyKat @swishandflick @nelehelen @TrishB Right? My Secret Santa rocked this! 😆💗 7y
Melissa_J Nice! 7y
FictionFox Omg! What a great haul 7y
Reviewsbylola Wow!! 7y
monkeygirlsmama Rockin' loot haul! 7y
GypsyKat @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Melissa_J @FictionFox @Reviewsbylola @monkeygirlsmama I know, right? She did amazing! I'm seriously so touched! 💗 7y
kylienoele I can't wait for you to read A Monster Calls!! Have tissues handy 💕 7y
GypsyKat @kylienoele That's what I've heard! I'm so ready for it! 💗😊 7y
JenP Wow! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @GypsyKat she really did!!! 7y
KirstieE Omg ! I love it 😍 she did an awesome job 🙌🏻 7y
GypsyKat @JenP @KirstieE Right? I was blown away' 😊💗 7y
peaKnit Wow, great haul of thoughtful goodies! 7y
GypsyKat @peaknit Yes! She was so thoughtful! 😊 7y
126 likes1 stack add20 comments
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janeycanuck
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These are a few of the books I'm hoping to finish as part of my #summerreads. I'm really looking forward to all of them, I want to dive into every single one right now!

#junebookbugs

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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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There's #somethingmagical about this book!!! If you've read it then you know ! ☺️
#riotgrams

Shannonritchie92 Loved #threesouls maybe I'll add this to my stack! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I haven't read that one! Did you like it? 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Shannonritchie92 sorry, didn't see the loved part... I have looked at ordering it sever times! Think I will!! 7y
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Shannonritchie92 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks it was well worth it, I thought it was beautiful! 7y
EllieDottie I bought this book a few months ago based on the cover! Your post makes me want to pick it up asap! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @EllieDottie that's why I bought it too!! I thought it was good! Sad at times, but very good! 7y
JenReadsAlot This is my book club pick for next month! 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @JenReadsAlot yay!!!! Loved it ❤️ 7y
41 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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GraciesLibrary
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Pickpick

Janie Chang weaves a charming fairytale relevant to the history and culture of the characters in her novel. I felt transported in time to Zhu Jialing's China whenever I picked up the book (and even lingered there awhile after putting it down). A very enjoyable read.

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Lindy
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Pickpick

I enjoyed the rich historical detail, especially about the domestic milieu, for girls and women in early 20th-century Shanghai. I loved the central character, who was mistreated because of her mixed heritage, and I also loved her helper, a fox spirit with limited magical powers. Pleasing audiobook narration with tonal Chinese pronunciation by Emily Woo Zeller. 🇨🇦 #CanLit

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I loved this one ❤️❤️ 8y
shawnmooney Oooh sounds like my cup of tea! 8y
Megabooks She's a wonderful narrator! 8y
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Jaimelire I want to read this. 8y
Lindy @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Yay! Have you also read her earlier one? I haven't, but now I've added it to my towering (albeit virtual) TBR. 8y
Lindy @shawnmooney Yes, and there are many cups of tea in the story too. 😉 8y
Lindy @Booksandcooks I don't know if Marie Kondo intended the humour, but Zeller's narration made me laugh in the audio of 8y
BestOfFates Sounds great! And I love Emily Woo Zeller's reading! 8y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Lindy no, but now I've added it to mine too!! 😳 Will we ever get all these books read?!?! 😂😂 8y
Lindy @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks We can always dream. 😊 8y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks We sure can!!! 😘 8y
Lindy @BestOfFates Do you have a favourite audiobook narrated by Zeller? I haven't listened to many by her. 8y
BestOfFates @Lindy For fiction, Under A Painted Sky! For nonfiction, The Making of Asian America! 7y
Lindy @BestOfFates Thank you! Luckily for me, my library has both titles. 😊 7y
BestOfFates @Lindy I hope you enjoy them! 7y
61 likes6 stack adds16 comments
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Laalaleighh
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Pickpick

Hauntingly beautiful, slow burn of a book about an era lost to history forever, for better or worse.

It will swirl you up in a trance-like fascination while also making you incredibly sorrowful for all the indignities women and girls have suffered throughout time.

I've already ordered Janie Chang's previous novel, Three Soul, based on the excerpt at the end and the beautiful way she immerses you in the worlds she writes.

Magical.

Dragon I went to a Victoria Chinatown Lioness Author Talk in 2014 Janie Chang gave a wonderful talk on Three Souls which was inspired by her family's stories. 8y
Laalaleighh @dragon I ordered it! I hope she writes many many more! What a lovely experience that must have been for you! 8y
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Laalaleighh
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Sue I'm totally sucked in... sounds amazing. 8y
Laalaleighh @Sue I've read 300 pages so far and it's only the fact that I have two ultrasounds tomorrow making me stop and go to bed. I want to finish it so badly. 8y
LauraBeth Hope all goes well for you at the doctor today 💕💕 8y
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Laalaleighh @LauraBeth thank you so much✨ About to head to the first one now. Definitely nervous haha. 8y
Laalaleighh @LauraBeth I got an all clear at the dr. Today! 8y
LauraBeth Great needs! @Laalaleighh thanks for letting me know 💕💕 8y
Laalaleighh @LauraBeth it was sweet of you to be concerned. 💙 8y
32 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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Laalaleighh
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#currentlyreading thanks to the book selection process devised by the lovely @saresmoore

My boyfriend picked this one out for me the other day and I have no idea what it's about but he assures me it ticks quite a few of my literary boxes so I'm excited to dive in! (I'm doing the don't read the synopsis thing lately and am quite enamored with the way it's enhancing my enjoyment of most books)

(I'm also in 💚 with that cover)

Laalaleighh (Disclaimer: I am not that tan. That filter is doing wonders for my pale, pale English/Scottish skin tone, too bad I can't take it around with me in real life, alas, only Internet me gets to have tan legs) 8y
DiruVamp It sound really good and I agree that cover is amazing! 8y
saresmoore 😬🙌🙌💚 I want it! (The green book, not the tan filter, although I wouldn't mind that, either...) 8y
Laalaleighh @diruvamp I enjoyed it. It's not very twisty or suspenseful but i definitely got lost in the world. It felt a bit like an origin story. 8y
Laalaleighh @saresmoore I'm really in love with the cover! I need more green books in my collection! 8y
48 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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Sanasai
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Me and my reading buddy give this a definite paws up rating!

1 like1 stack add
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Laalaleighh
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🌸New batch of D.C. books to read during our latest trip to this nations lovely capitol! Hoping to see lots of beautiful cherry blossoms while we're there! 🌸

There's a kitty hiding in this picture, I think she wants to go see the cherry blossoms too.

BooksForEmpathy Do you live close by to D.C.? I just realized I have no idea! (edited) 8y
Laalaleighh @BooksForEmpathy we're about 3.5 hours away right now but will be moving to the area later this year! 8y
CaitlinSiem I really enjoyed The Girl From Everywhere. A fun YA. I'm waiting for my copy of book 2 to get here. I'm definitely looking forward to it. Hope you enjoy :) 8y
Laalaleighh @CaitlinSiem I'm super excited about it. It ticks all sorts of boxes for me book wise! 8y
56 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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I'm starting this today! Anyone read it?

heatherkaz I LOVED this book! I've been raving about it for the last two months and have lent it out to a friend who also loved it! 8y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @heatherkaz great!!! I'm really enjoying it so far!!! 8y
heatherkaz @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 😊 I'll be anxious to hear what you think about it! 8y
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @heatherkaz I'll let you know!!! Have you read Pachinko ? 8y
heatherkaz @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I haven't yet, I'm so far behind on my TBR. Pachinko is sitting on my shelf. I've heard nothing but good things though! 8y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @heatherkaz i am too!! So many to read and so little time!!! (edited) 8y
29 likes6 comments
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
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#marchintoreading #greencover can't wait to read this!!

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EllieDottie
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I just recently picked up this book a few weeks ago based solely on the cover! #judgedbythecover #marchintorreading

tpixie Pretty perfect for March! 🍀🍀🍀 8y
melrailey I like that cover. It made me want to read the book. 8y
sherryvdh I picked it up for the cover too. So gorgeous! Looking forward to seeing what you think of it. I loved it! 8y
saresmoore Ooh, lovely! I would have been drawn to this, too. 8y
Suet624 Beautiful colors. 8y
61 likes3 stack adds5 comments
review
Kshaffer
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Pickpick

This book was a slow burn for me. There was not a moment that I didn't enjoy it, but it definitely picked up at the end. It was beautifully written and I loved learning a little history along with a little mythology. It was a heartfelt and warm read.