Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

The Book Keeper was in love with this page-turner until the last ten pages.  The ending just did not "feel right."  I would still absolutely recommend this beautiful piece despite any disappointment I feel towards the novel's ending.  Lisa See captured the relationship between two sisters in such a remarkably realistic way that readers are left completely breathless at times.  Pearl and May became so real to me that I often picked up the book to read "just a few more pages" due to genuine concern regarding their well-being.  I still cannot help but wonder "what happened next."  What happened to Pearl and May after the Book Keeper turned the last page and shut the back cover? 
If you need yet another reason to read the book, other than the fact that See's characters are the sort Hollywood pines after, then read it for its historical significance.  The Book Keeper loves history - yeah, yeah, yeah.  We have been here before, huh?  Well, sort of.  As in Sarah's Key, this history is the type we are not so proud to learn.  See teaches an important lesson through Pearl and May's daily interactions that is, embarrassingly, unknown to many Americans.  Pearl and May journey to the United States shortly before America enters World War II.  The sisters endure prejudice on many levels.  Their personal experience with Angel Island Immigration Station (the Ellis Island of the West) is heart breaking, but it pales in comparison to the danger faced by being Chinese in America during the Red Scare.  A story of true perseverance, Shanghai Girls is definitely worthy of your time.

November 2010 Pick: Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay

This Book Keeper will be carrying Russian Winter by Daphne Kalotay on the L during the month of November.  A story about ballet, jewels, love and betrayal.  I am desperately trying to keep my expectations grounded, but I am quite excited start turning pages.

The Book Keeper Loves Scary Stories

Halloween is right around the corner.  You know what that means . . . SCARY STORIES!  Growing up the Book Keeper LOVED the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine.  There was nothing better than sitting in my parents' basement in front of the fire with a new scary story.  I could not get enough - especially during the Halloween season.

I was curious as to whether Goosebumps were still popular among preteens.  So, like any modern age book keeper, I simply googled "Goosebumps."  The books are still so popular that the stories are being made into movies now!  The official Goosebumps site categorizes the books into "Goosebumps Horrorland," "Goosebumps Classics," and "Goosebumps."  I automatically assumed that the titles I was looking for would be categorized as "Goosebumps Classics."  Out of 16 books, I remembered 6 in great detail.  In fact, I am not sure I should admit what I am about to write . . . but when I visited the Tower of London as an adult, the first thing that popped into my mind was A Night in Tower Terror.  Is it worse to also admit that I am not the slightest bit embarrassed to share that more than 15 years after reading it for the first time, just the cover of Night of the Living Dummy gave me, well, goosebumps?  On that note, it is only fair to mention the fantastic work of Goosebumps illustrator Tim Jacobus.  Jacobus is the talent behind the Goosebumps logo pictured.  It just sets the mood, doesn't it?

If Goosebumps was a part of your childhood, check out the official Goosebumps site at Scholastic.com for good old fashioned nostalgia:  Get Goosebumps

The Next Book: October 2010

The Book Keeper's book club will be discussing both American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld and Shanghai Girls by Lisa See in October.  I am so excited to read and blog about Shanghai Girls.  The book was selected based partly on the story summary and testimonials as to See's previous novel, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.  I am interested to hear if anyone else has comments regarding any of Lisa See's works.  A few months ago, I blogged about all three of Sittenfield's pieces, including American Wife.  Therefore, I will most likely not write a new review . . . well, maybe I will talk a little bit about my book club's reaction to the novel.

Tuesday's Theory: Love that Ended an Empire

The Book Keeper is a little bit of a history dork.  I love history.  I cannot help it.  I especially enjoy history dripping in fashion, jewels, and pageantry.  Therefore, I love reading about pre-revolution Russia.  If you also enjoy world history, I would highly recommend Nicholas and Alexandra:  The story of the love that ended an empire.What is interesting about this book is that I acquired it because a friend HATED it.  When she described it, I remarked that I thought it sounded like something I would enjoy.  The rest is, well, history.  The Book Keeper carried this HUGE hardcover book on and off the L for a month or so, savoring each and every word.  

Normally, the Book Keeper presents her own personal theories for "Tuesday's Theory."  HOWEVER, I thought it would be fun to highlight the theory of another.  Author Robert K. Massie brilliantly sets forth his theory that but for Alexis Romanov's hemophilia, the Revolution would not have occurred.  Specifically, as hinted at in the title, it was Alexandra's love for her son, and in turn, Nicholas' love for Alexandra, that was actually responsible for the fall of the House of Romanov.  Massie supports his theory with incredible research comprised of letters, diary entries, anecdotes, photographs, and government reports.  Most interesting, is that Massie points to his own personal experience with hemophilia as his inspiration to to research the world's most famous hemophiliac.  The biggest surprise? Nicholas and Alexandra's British family's refusal to allow the family to seek refuge in England.

The book is certainly not for everyone, but this Book Keeper found it fascinating.