Tags
Chinese literature, expats, extreme China contrasts, Laowai stuff, Shanghai Expats, Uncategorized, writer, writer's block
I am not experiencing writer’s block. I believe its writer’s overload. There are so many things I want to write about…I have no idea where to start. Another issue I’m having is how to balance the diverse experiences I’m having – migrant village walking tour vs exotic trip to Bali. How can both of these things be a part of my new reality in China? Another issue – who is my audience? It’s not just family, as I now have over 400 followers from seven countries. Strangers don’t really care about my family’s daily adventures, or do they? (If you want to follow our daily observations, you can just “friend” me on Facebook. Meggan De Jesus, Shanghai, China. Today’s post was a photo of a gigantic Chinese grapefruit. Riveting.)
Today, as I am still sifting through the many ideas in my head, I thought I would share my China reading list. These are the books I have read about China (and other parts of Asia). Funny thing, about 5 years ago I went through a Chinese historical fiction phase! I have reread some of those books and they are on the list too.
Here is my list, in order of importance. At least, from my perspective. You can also find my list on Goodreads. Happy reading!
Life and Death in Shanghai Nien Cheng
Shanghai Girls Lisa See
Dreams of Joy Lisa See
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan Lisa See
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress Sijie Dai
Red Scarf Girl By: Ji-Li Jiang (This is a good read for tweens/teens)
When My Name was Keoko Linda Sue Park
Escape from Camp 14: One Man’s Remarkable Odessy from North Korea to Freedom in the West Blaine Harden
To Read:
The Good Earth Pearl S. Buck (Bella read this in school, and found it quite difficult to get through)
The Last Days of Old Beijing: Life in the Vanishing Backstreets of a City Transformed Michael Meyer
The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze & Back in Chinese Time Simon Winchester
Bound Feet & Western Dress , Pang-Mei, Natasha Chang
Chinese Lessons: Five Classmates and the Story of the New China John Pomfret
The Private Life of Chairman Mao Li Zhisui (Ive been told this one is quite graphic)
China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power Rob Gifford
The Concubine’s Children Denise Chong
Colors of the Mountain De Chen
The Good Women of China: Hidden Voices Xinran
Red Azalea Anchee Min
Red Dust: A Path Through China Ma Jian
Life and Death in Shanghai (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Tai Tai in Shanghai 
Hi. I am Eva’s (Gallagher) mother in law. I love your blog Add the books by Peter Hessler. (River Town, Oracle Bones, and Country Driving ) to your must read list!!
Sent from my iPhone
Thank you, Mary Ann! It’s nice to meet you. I’ll put those on my Amazon list right now!
Hi-in answer to the question of who your audience is? I am a 44 year old stay at home mom with two junior high school boys and my husband is considering a two year assignment in Shanghai beginning next summer. I am a planner and freaked out about having two kids in school in another country so I have been reading all I can about other ex-pat’s experiences. The day to day info is great/scary/educational/funny/interesting. I cannot imagine what you are going through and love to read about it! Thanks, Candice
Candace- Thanks for reading! I have 3 kids – 2nd, 5th and 8th grade. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. I’ll share the good, bad and ugly. Luckily – it’s mostly very, very good. I say “Go For It”. It’s invaluable for kids – opens their world in an amazing way. Even after a few short months, I can tell they have changed quite a bit. mldejesus70@gmail.com You can check my Facebook for the silly stuff – the everyday nonsense of living in a country which is SO SO SO different. I always tell my kids that the Chinese people think WE are strange. 🙂
Keep it coming — always interesting to read! I re-read The Good Earth a few years ago. As an adult woman I found it an amazing read; as a younger person I didn’t appreciate what it offers. I highly recommend it. 🙂
I strongly second the Peter Hessler recommendation. Also, the book “Factory Girls” by Leslie Chang is a good read. Oh and “Beijing Coma” by Ma Jian is a long, but very interesting reading.
Thanks! I’ve got Beijing Coma on my Kindle library list. I’ll add Factory Girls to it as well!