My Reading List Needs Help!

Reading is an escape from everyday life for me. I’m not a big fan of TV (unless a Star Trek or BSG marathon happens to be on). Usually, I’d much rather read. My novels of choice are historical fiction. I enjoy being transported to another time, place, and culture. Sometimes I even learn something! Typically, I avoid novels set in a contemporary setting since reading is my escape from what’s on the news, etc… I particularly don’t like the “chick-lit” novels such as the Shopaholic series. Those are just too dim-witted for me.

The last four books I’ve read have all been really good books. But they’ve also been a little too heart-heavy for me. I’m not sure if that’s a real term but I couldn’t think of any other way to describe them. These past few books have included a fiery car crash (in detail), an Indian massacre (in detail), and all other sorts of tragedies.

The last light-hearted book I read was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I loved this book. It was a wonderful story that left me with all sorts of warm and fuzzy feelings. By the time I finished it, I was researching a possible trip to the Guernsey Channel Islands.

A couple of weeks ago I walked into our small, local, independently owned book shop to look for a book. The sales clerk offered some suggestions. But when I told her that I wanted light-hearted she put away The Lovely Bones and Shutter Island. I picked up Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. The clerk told me that she had read other books by the author and enjoyed them. She had even met the author. The book jacket described the plot as the lifelong friendship between two women through the ups and downs of life.

Take a look at the lovely cover…



Beautiful, isn't it?

I believe that the phrase “Never judge a book by its cover” was coined specifically for this book. It’s a wonderfully written book and I did cry towards the end. But when I started the book I was relaxed and my guard was down. Then came Chapter 2 – Foot Binding. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan takes place in 19th-century rural China and I was a aware of food binding. I just wasn’t expecting an entire chapter on the process IN DETAIL. As an outsider, I view it as a horrific custom. But in the context of the novel it is vital to the storyline. This ancient custom (that’s thankfully no longer in practice) affects the characters’ lives both directly and indirectly. If you are prepared, I would highly recommend this novel.

Which brings me to my true purpose of this post… I need some reading suggestions! I’m looking for a book that will give that warm and fuzzy feeling again without being mindless. I picked-up The Book of Lost Things yesterday at my local book shop but I haven’t started it yet.

Do you have any recommendations? Please?