K knows me well! She got me this book, Shanghai Girls, for my birthday. Lisa See is my favorite author. Last year I was all over her book, The Peony Pavillion. And, the year before that it was Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. She has to be one of the most clever fiction writers I have ever read. And I love that she has researched Chinese culture thoroughly and incorporates it into her novels in a way that makes you feel like you are being given the loveliest history lesson of your life. Her characters are always flawed in a way that makes you identify with them so much more than your average fiction heroine. And, she teaches lessons in her books that sit with me for years even after I read them.
Just wanted to say thanks for the book K! You are the best bitner ever. I will hand it over to you when I am done. – M
Awww you’re welcome, M! You know ME well, too… this gift was not completely selfless, as you KNOW that I’m ready and waiting for you to finish it so that you can hand it off to me to read! You got me hooked on this author w/ the Peony Pavilion. Happy Birthday! 🙂 -K/bitner