Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Feeling a bit intellectual



I guess it really has been years, in all likelyhood pre-kids, so that would be almost 6 years, that I really read book after book after book. But the bug has bit and I'm going through at leat one a week. Subject matter- China, non fiction. I'm in the mood to learn as much as I can about this complex and fascinating country; it's history, it's people, it's culture- and it's future. The last time I felt this way was in college when I took an intro to Russian Political Systems course, fell in love with the subject and was in awe of the professor so took every course she taught and 4 years later ended up with a degree in Government with a concentration in Russian Politics. Now the China bug has bit, so to speak, and I can't learn enough. In the past two months I have read the following:

The Lost Daughters of China by Karin Evans
~moving adoption journey

China Road: A journey into the future of a rising power by Rob Gifford
~adventures following the "Silk Road" - great writing and much insight

The Last Days of Old Beijing by Michael Meyer
~really interesting look at life living in a hutong in Beijing

Where the Pavement Ends by Erika Warmbrunn
~not as much on China as I'd have liked, but great stories of her time in Mongolia


Silent Tears: A journey of hope in a Chinese orphanage by Kay Bratt
~couldn't put it down, literally read it cover to cover

Lost on Planet China by J. Maarten Troost
~hilarious writing on his months of travel through China

Mr. China by Tim Clissold
~a memoir of a foreign investor in China in the early 90s, witty and insightful

I'm working on these right now:


The rape of Nanking by Iris Chang

The Search for Modern China by Jonathan D. Spence

Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin

The Long March: The true story of communist China's founding myth by Sun Shuyun

Mao, the unknown story by Jung Chang


I'll be busy for a while- do you see the size of the bottom two in the picture!! But do you have
any suggestions for further reading?





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3 comments:

Ashley said...

I loved seeing your books. I too am looking for more to read about China. My first book was Wild Swans - it was incredible and a lot for me to read because I have never studies Chinese history. I have also enjoyed, The Red Scarf Girl, Falling Leaves China Cry and China Wake. Oh, and Wanting a Son Needing a Daughter was also good.

Happy Reading!
Ashley

Football and Fried Rice said...

I enjoyed "The GOod Earth" - it was actually a quick read!! I just got "Parenting the Way God parents" in the mail this week :) I think I will be busy with just that!! OH, and my ESTHER study - loving it!!!

Mrs. Winn said...

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll be sure to check them out.
Ashley- Your bows are shipping out soon :)
Sara- I have had that parenting book in my Amazon cart for a few months since Angie first mentioned it on her blog. I need to go ahead and order.
~Kelly