So far, everything I have read by Lisa See I have really enjoyed. Shanghai Girls is no exception. This is a very tragic and emotional tale about Pearl and May Chin, beautiful sisters from the city of Shanghai. The Chin family is a well off and respected family prior to World War II. Pearl is college educated, knows several languages/dialects while May has just graduated high school. They make extra spending money as models, their images used for advertisements. Their life is good and they want for little. Their fates, however, change suddenly and drastically when Mr. Chin delivers a devastating message of his financial ruin and the girls' hastily arranged marriages to the sons of a man who Mr. Chin owes money.

This is a story that demonstrates the ebb and flow of sister love and rivalry, the clash between ancient traditions and modern ways, the cultural differences when East meets West, and the consequences of family loyalty and betrayal. It was a book that I found hard to put down. The ending leaves the reader on a bit of a cliff hanger but Pearl and May's story continues with the book's sequel... Dreams of Joy.

I'm putting this book into The Asian Themed Bookbox. Happy Travels! Happy Reading!

Thanks! I just receive this in the Asian-themed bookbox. Will consider either keep or release soon. I already read this, and will release.

Took out of the Asian bookbox

When he looked up again Tas had gone. Rising to join the others, he caught sight of something small and abandoned on the floor. "Tas you forgot your pipe." He picked it up and then saw words carved into the wood he had not seen before. Find the music, find the magic.
"Did you carve this?"
Tas did not turn. "Yes," he said, reluctantly. "I have to leave it."
"But, Tas, why?"
Tas squared his shoulders as though firming some resolve. But still he did not turn. "Because the shepherd said that it could only be used once. Thats why I can't get the pipe to play that song-or any song. I've used the magic." He took a deep breath and went on. "And he said that once I found the magic I had the pass the pipe on." he paused and then he did turn, a scamp's humor in his long brown eyes. "It's going to be a long winter. I'm going to leave it here for someone else to find." "Snowsong" by Nancy Varian Berberick

Found a book? Find the magic! Welcome to BookCrossing!! If you are already a member, "Hello!", if you have only just found this lovely site, welcome!

Congratulations on finding a released BookCrossing book! You can now register on the site, if you want to. It's free to register, but of course you can remain anon. It's up to you!

If you do decide to join, please add me as your referring member, AlterEgoZoe. Thanks!

Most of all, enjoy the book, and enjoy BookCrossing!

Glad to find this in the bookbox. I've read this already, and totally loved it, so I just want to chirp in and say how good it is. Lisa See has created such a story, of two beautiful sisters living a privileged life in Shanghai, only to be married off to live in San Francisco Chinatown.

And if you enjoy this book, definitely go on to read Dreams of Joy.

Oops, I just figured out that I already have another copy on my BookCrossing shelf...but I've already sealed up the box, so I'll look for a good home for this one.

Other copies on my BookCrossing shelf: 13781616 • 14862330 • 15391520

Friday, November 4, 2016: left on Auahi Street outside Piggy Small's (Pig & the Lady offshoot). (Larger photo here - after following link, click on image to zoom.)

Wild released for pinkoeria & motherof11's e-less challenge and AlterEgoZoe's Leap into the Wild Challenge.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I'm so glad you've found this book!

Please take a moment to make a journal entry and let the book's previous readers know that it's safe with you.

How and where did you find the book? What did you think of it? What are you going to do with it next?

It's now your book, for you to do with as you please: keep it, pass it to a friend, or maybe even leave it where someone else can find it!

If you've ever wondered where your books go after they leave your hands, join BookCrossing and you may find out: you'll be able to follow the further adventures of your books as new readers make journal entries - sometimes from surprisingly far-flung locations.

(Think of it like Where's George for books: a little like geocaching or a treasure hunt - you can follow a registered book's journey every time someone makes a new entry. Some BookCrossers even leave books *in* geocaches!)

BookCrossing: making the whole world a library!