19Apr/090
Sunday Salon: yes, I did a chicken vlog
Hey Sunday Salon folks!!!
I did the read-a-thon yesterday and it was delightful. What I like best about it is how much of a community building event it is, people going out of their way to encourage others and really all the cheers made my day.
I knew I had to get a little sleep because we have church this morning and I also have little kids who need mom today so I just can't do that on no sleep. But it was great while it lasted for sure.
I was able to read American Born Chinese, Peter Pan, Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, and I made it half way through Anne's House of Dreams. My total number of pages was 1401 which smashed my previous read-a-thon page count by a boulder!
I read in my car, on the floor at the lib (in a private quiet room...huh, I do wish they had comfy chairs in there...wooden ones weren't cutting it!) and on the hammock outside in my backyard.
Here are some highlights that I would like to share with you all:
My husband (B) and I decided to donate $.10 for every page that I could read during the read-a-thon. He jokingly accused me several times of trying to make him go bankrupt ;p
That was certainly one of the coolest things for me for the day, the reading with a purpose! I was able to raise $141.00 for Living Water International!!!
Reading at the library, with my lap quilt.
Green Tea Frap!!
and my favourite personal highlight was this vlog I did, I had so much fun with it and my chicken was a great co-star!!! (her name is Francisca)
Have an amazing Sunday, blessings all around! And a HUGE thank you to the cheerers, the commenters and all my friends I tried to keep up with during the read-a-thon.
17Apr/090
The Cellist of Sarajevo
Author Photo Credit:Brenndan Laird
The Cellist of Sarajevo
by Steven Galloway
256 pages
Literary fiction
Riverhead Books
March 2009
Living is very different when your life is under constant threat, when each time you leave the house you run, knowing you are observed and are very much a walking target. In these situations life takes on a whole value. What is important enough to actually put your life in their hands for? Then you wonder when it became an act of bravery to cross the threshold of your door. This is the everyday life, the new normal for those in Sarajevo during the siege. The Cellist of Sarajevo is a novel based on a non-fictional siege, and a non-fictional well known local cellist, Vase Smailovic a who played Albinoni's Adagio in G Minor for twenty-two days as a tribute to those who had been killed while standing in line waiting to buy bread. During this twenty-two day period not only is Sarajevo the cellist's audience, but the audience extends far beyond the well guarded borders of even Sarajevo itself, the world is his audience.
In a nation that is being torn apart, what will make those in the city stop and see that there still is anything worth living for? Society is not buildings, it is not libraries, or community halls-those are the shells that societies leave behind, the remnants and evidence that the people were there working together. Society is a community, the relationships held between people, and an understanding of an acceptable way to treat one another. When that society is under attack, a new normal emerges for its civilians, a new acceptable way to interact with others which is more an instinct than an interaction. When society as we know it falls apart and there are no longer any rules to how we should act, it is from within us that our actions arise. Those actions will prove a person to be a man or woman of courage and heart, or a human who only lives to protect itself.
The Cellist plays, and it is not he that is the focus in this novel, but those he impacts, his audience. There are three main characters which the narrator follows on their daily routine and of which the reader learns their thoughts and fears. Music, as all forms of art, inspires people to continue on, to hope for a future in a better world, and even to remember the past. Every day during the twenty-two day tribute, the Cellist was giving an outdoor concert- the notes rising amongst the broken buildings, the burnt down libraries, and mending the dreams and hearts of the broken people. And yet, that is just the starting point of this novel- it is what those three characters do with the hope that has been given them that caries the musical notes beyond just the listeners who were inspired.
For me personally The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway was one of those books, the books that you think about, dream about and live in while you are reading them, and those that you can't seem to let go of thinking about even when you have finished the last page. The writing of Steven Galloway is astonishing, it is human and beautiful. Even though he is writing about a very devastating time in history, his characters still find joy in the simple things of life. It may sound strange but Steven Galloway does an excellent job filtering in humor and lightness into this book. This allowed me to see that no matter how difficult of a place a person is in, there is still humor, because when the lightness and humor die that means all hope is lost. Both my husband and I read this and both loved it, if we both loved it that says a lot for the book, as we generally like very different books. I am granting The Cellist of Sarajevo my Stellar Five Chicken Book Award, and if you still haven't figured it out from my review, yes it is THAT good.
This is the second book that I have read about the conflict in Sarajevo. I also read and reviewed Sarajevo Marlboro by Miljenko Jergovic . Check that out too.
Powell's Books Event:
Steven Galloway author of The Cellist of Sarajevo
I could not believe my luck when I saw that Steven Galloway was to be at Powell's Books! I was so blessed to go to that event last night. Brad (B) and I both got to go up and enjoy the full experience. We both knew that meeting the author could actually scar our already high opinion of the book somewhat, if the person who wrote the book is arrogant and rude, it does make it harder to love the book just as much. Don't you agree? However it was not an issue, as we came away delighted that he was an amazing person as well as writer, he was funny, clever, and very sweet. Like my grandma would have said " he had a good head on his shoulders!", and I am a believer in good heads. 
It was also really, super fun to meet up with Ali from Worducopia at the reading and chat a bit afterwords, but I thought she was in some of the pictures, but she seems to have escaped out of them! I'll get her next time.
My favourite quote from the author Steven Galloway was when telling us how he has a short attention span and it really freaks publishers out because they never know what to expect, he remarks, "You know, I wish I could write a good sexy werewolf novel. That is where the money is! I apologize though, if any of you are sexy werewolves that was not meant to offend". Yes, we were all laughing!
I got so shy when I met the author that all I could do was say, "My-favourite-character-was-Arrow. I-am-a-book-reviewer-and-really-loved-your-book!" Seriously, somebody HELP ME! I need to take boldness pills for next time.
Author Website: Steven Galloway
14Apr/090
Linen, Wool, Cotton
![[9781590306482.jpg]](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RQpMpv-oheg/SdpkuF3IVPI/AAAAAAAAA54/D0NNHfTXACc/s1600/9781590306482.jpg)
Linen, Wool, Cotton
25 simple projects to sew with natural fabrics
by Akiko Mano
112 pages
Craft, Sewing, Simple style
Trumpeter Books
14, April 2009
Akiko Mano's soft and subdued style is simple yet outstanding in quality, approach and design. Linen, Wool, Cotton is a dream for the practical person who enjoys crafts that people will actually use. The simplicity of her patterns is so pretty and speaks though its calmness. Akiko Mano's designs will allow even the insure crafter to create things that many will enjoy. The projects range from wool slippers, aprons, a muffler, lightweight fruit bags, a lingerie case, hot water bottle cover, duvet cover and beyond. Linen, Wool, Cotton is sectioned off into chapters by material choice, beginning with Linen, followed by Wool and finally Cotton. Akiko's patterns are easy to follow and minimalist in their approach, and that is a bonus, since that makes them quick to complete as well, having only an average of 4 steps per pattern.
Linen, Wool, Cotton by Akiko Mano is part of the Japanese Crafts Style books also known as Make Good: Crafts + Life, a group of books believing in the goal to simplify life. This approach makes it its goal to take pleasure in the beautiful things that are so perfect in their minimalistic appeal.
So how did I like this book? I loved it. I enjoy being crafty, but I want the things I make to be used and not just dusted. This is a book for a person like me, and I am thrilled that there are so many patterns in Linen, Wool, Cotton that are calling my name (quite loudly I might add). I have already dived in, and created the lunch bags, they were just too cool to not make. I was worried at first because usually patterns seem to have way too many impractical steps and I have a hard time wanting to follow along. I had no problem with listening to Akiko at all. The lunch bag pattern (p. 96) was just perfect and simple and had fluff, just the real stuff. I know for sure that I am going to make several other patterns, the Sweets Mat (p. 90) looks like the next one I'll try. And the Fruit Bags (p. 37) made out of cheesecloth would be perfect for veggies at the Saturday Farmer's Market as they don't way anything and are completely reusable! Yeah, so anyway I am hooked. I recommend Linen, Wool, Cotton by Akiko Mano with no reservations at all.
The Handmade Giveaway:
I spent part of the day making two Lunch Bags (p. 96) from this book for you! I really hope that my work pays off, and that you are as excited as I am about this! I can't wait!
Description:
Tired of bringing your lunch with you in a paper sack or plastic bag? Oh, well when you see these you will be! And remember really cool lunch bags are not just for kids. "The handles are an extension of the main part of this bag, which you can use to easily tie the bag closed. The bag is also reversible" (Linen, Wool, Cotton, p.96) The solid coloured material is a canvas type thick cotton, and the stripped and polka-dotted fabrics are a thin softer cotton. And yes, both bags are completely reversible!
Here are the two lunch bags I made, you can click on each photo to see the bigger picture.
Details:
This giveaway is being hosted on my craft/family/photography blog as well, to check that blog out go to: The good. The bad. The ugly. I am giving two bags away between the two blogs.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS FOR THE LUNCH BAGS!! (NOT THE BOOK) There seems to be a little confusion about that.
I will select 2 winners at midnight (PST) on 30th of April!!
I will most certainly ship internationally!!
To enter each of the following will give you an entry:
*Post a comment on this post
*Tweet about my giveaway with a link to this post
*Post about this on your blog with a link to this post
Each time you do one of the above make sure to let me know in the comments in this post so that I can add you again. If you don't let me know in the comments I won't know or be able to count your entry, so make sure and come back and let me know.
Very important! I do not notify winners, so make sure you check back on May 1st to see if you won. Each winner has 4 days to get their shipping info to me after that if I don't hear from you I will select a new winner.
12Apr/090
dreadlock girl: Book Review Policy
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Dreadlock girl book review policy:
I love reading and reviewing books, but I want to be sure that any authors, publishers or publicists contacting me know where I stand up front:
Book genres that I am interested in reading and reviewing are craft books (quilting, crafting in general, sewing, knitting, kid crafting, crafting for kids), fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, international fiction, memoirs, self-help, young adult fiction, woman's fiction, fantasy, children's books, educational materials/books. The books that I love to review the most are: natural lifestyle books, craft books of all kinds, and anything about a place that I can dream of far, far away. I love audio books as well. I am not interested in science fiction, horror, or any types of futuristic books. I am not accepting e-books at this time.
No matter what genre, I do not review books that contain explicit sex scenes, graphic and/or ongoing child abuse (physical, mental or sexual), or are just overly gruesome and dark. I don't feel the need to submerge myself in that while I read about it, and if your book contains any of the above I reserve the right to not finish it.
If I accept your ARC or RC that is not a guarantee that I will write a review. Any book that I receive I will give it a fair shot for 70 pages. If after 70 pages I cannot get into the plot at all or if the characters are not speaking to me, I will try my best to pass it on to another interested blogger for review on their blog, however this is not always possible. That said, I have only not finished two books out of over 200 I have read and reviewed so far on my blog, because it is usually not hard for me at all to fall in love with a book.
My reviews include the cover of the book, a picture of the author, and if I can find a youtube book trailer or author presentation I will include that as well. I try to find the author's website and place a link on the review, and sometimes links to other review so of the book as well. My reviews are honest and straightforward. If I didn't like the book I will certainly say so, while constantly remembering to be gentle and kind in my dislike. I will mention the reservations I have about it. I feel it only fair that my readers believe that my reviews are my actually opinions and not something that I am guilted into. So, honesty is most important on my blog, and I will stick to it.
I will try to review the books in a timely manner, but I am not always able to do it as soon as the sender would like. For ARC's with a release date, in most cases I will try to publish the review on the release date, or very close to it. For reader copy (already released) books I will review them in a matter of 2-6 months. If this is an issue for you you can send me an email and sometimes I make exceptions. Blog tours are an exception, if I accept to be on a blog tour I will post a review on the proposed date.
I receive no financial benefits from writing this blog, I do not receive money from publishers, publicists or authors. I have chosen to have it be ad free (except for Powell's links because I am a indie bookstore believer) because I don't want to feel that anyone is entitled to a positive review in order for me to make a buck.
If you are interested in my stats and would like to know my numbers, please contact me.
Thank you so much for your interest in Dreadlock girl's book policies, have a great day!!
In order to send me a book, email me with some basic information and I will get right back with you.
8Apr/090
Mouroir
Mouroir
by Breyten Breytenbach
250 pages
Literary Fiction
Archipelago Books (April 1, 2009)
Breyten Breytenbach is not a man who stays away from causing a wave or making a ripple. But he seems more likely to be driven toward throwing himself into the water as a cannon ball to get things rolling. He was born in Cape Town, South Africa. While attending University of Cape Town he became a committed opponent to apartheid. When he was just under twenty he moved to France. When he went to South Africa for a visit he was captured and imprisoned for 7 years under the Terrorism Act, that is when he wrote The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist. Currently he divides his time between the US, Europe and Africa and is a professor of the graduate level creative writing at New York University. He is a poet, writer, painter and activist, he is known as "South Africa's most important poet of the sixties".
After reading Moriour I can see why he and his writing was important during that time. A time when race issues were flaming and life in South Africa was disjointed and hard. He does not write inside a neat box making sure that his readers understand every nuance and intonation. He concentrates on the message, but not wrapping it up pretty or even simply. Several times throughout the reading I would read a page and wonder what happened. I figured out soon that I was not meant to understand everything, just to gloat on the beauty of the richness in his plump words. If you enjoy artistic writing, poetic prose and an author who writes with a voice full of wisdom then for you Mouroir is a must read. You too will become captivated in its dream-like scenes and sequences, which will surround you even after the book is placed back on the shelf happily read.
I will leave you with a quote:
"For a long time the unfinished story haunted me. I wanted to be able to complete it because I was keen to fit it in with the other writings, get my characters in perspective, fill my notebook so as to be able to hand it in. One doesn't get any younger. The flesh starts riding you bareback, drags you down towards the sods" (p. 237)
(quote from Advanced Reading Copy, final book my contain changes and a different page listing)
Orbis Terrarum Challenge: 2009 South African Author
7Apr/090
The Triumph of Deborah
The Triumph of Deborah
by Eva Etzioni-Halevy
368 pages
Historical Fiction
Plume (February 26, 2008)
Deborah is a woman who rises above the deep sadness in her life, that her husband just decided to dissolve their marriage, and gives all she has within her to protect her people, the Israelites. The Israelites are God's chosen people, but because of their lack of faith and obedience they are forced to wander throughout the desert and hope that they will be provided for, for rulers during this time they had a series of judges, Deborah being one of those judges.
It was her duty to make the major decisions for her people as well as to resolve conflicts and make settlements amongst them. In a society where women were not educated, her father believed that she deserved the education just as much as her brothers did and she was taught the Torah at an early age. Even as a youth people would come to her from far away places after having heard of her wisdom and fair hand.The Triumph of Deborah is about love and war and most everything in between. Deborah suffers from the choice of her husband and is torn when a young dashing warrior beckons to her. It would be acceptable by law, but she still feels tied emotionally to her husband.
I ended up enjoying this read more than I thought. I fell in love with Deborah, and I think if I had been a little older I would have loved her even more, she is strong and true and really gets things done. Of course, like all women she is riddled with emotion, but who can count that as a fault since we are all plagued by it!? I felt that Eva Etzioni-Halevy did a pretty good job with the writing, it isn't dazzling in its artistic appeal but it is still alive and fresh to read. The storyline had me intregued and involved. This is certainly a great book for any reader, but I specifically recommend it to those who enjoy a good Historical Fiction read. The Triumph of Deborah will be sure to please!
6Apr/090
15 reasons why I will always buy from Powell’s Books (AKA. forget you Amazon!!!)
I just got an order from Powell's Books, and after three amazing sucessses in a row I am completely sold, forever. Several of you asked me why I am so thrilled with Powell's and so I decided to write a post about it all. There are so many more reasons than 15, but that is what I came up with right now.
Why I love Powell's Books and will never again buy from Amazon it humanly possible:
1.) All your books ship from the same location (amazon sends them all in separate shipments depending on which individual sellers you bought from).
2.)Powell's has a %100 satisfaction guarantee and you work directly with the main company so you don't have little minor disputes, they stand by their service all the way.
3.)When your box comes you feel like you are the queen (or king) of the world!
4.)Their boxes have POWELL'S imprinted on the side and it is a delight to see the mail person walking up to the door with that!
5.)The books are in incredible condition. They may be listed as used, but I have yet to get one that shows it at all! Those who buy back books are very choosy with what they buy back.
6.)I placed the order and while the box was being loaded I decided I wanted another book, I figured I would have to pay for shipping...but I didn't! Until the order is completely processed you have time to add books to your shipment!
7.) At Amazon I have never, ever been able to qualify for their free shipping on orders over $25! I can't seem to jump through the hoops well enough to ever actually end up getting it. Powell's is brilliant.You do have to order a minimum of $50, but then your shipping is free. I kept adding and adding to my order, free is really great.
8.)I am amazed at Powell's shipping fees. On amazon it usually ends up being about $3.99 or so per book (tell me if that isn't right and I will change it).Even if you don't order $50 worth of books at a time, the shipping fees are still way better than anywhere else, it is $2.99 per book + $.99 after the first book. Great price there! (Where Amazon usually ends up being $3.99+$3.99+$3.99 for each book you order)
9.) My books get to me SO much faster than using Amazon, it is not even comparable. I have always done the economy shipping with both Powell's, which says 4-9 days...but I am blessed to live so close to Powell's that it actually only takes one day. Yes, I get a confirmation email that my order has been shipped and three times now without fail the cute mail person is knocking on my door in less than 24 hours, with a beautiful brown on brown package for me! ONE DAY.
10.)It is local, for me at least...and even if it isn't local for you, it is a locally owned business, so I would always ethically speaking choose that over Borders,Amazon or Barnes and Noble.
11.)You can buy used (which is all that I buy) and that saves trees as well. This is the only way to go for me. I love books, but they must be used. Save a tree right!? (I am also really cheap and think it silly to ever have to pay full price for anything).
12.) They actually have responsive, human customer service and it makes my feel like a real human worthy of human contact every time I need to ask a question or get info. Yes, they actually pay someone and don't just use automated emails promising to get back with you witin 48 hours. This may not ever be something you'd notice, but if you ever have a question or concern it is like gold. I have used it twice now, and always hear back within a couple hours if it is during business hours.
13.) They have the most amazing book events. There are fewer and fewer places where authors can go and do book signings and talk to us bookie peeps. Powell's Books is sticking it out with the best of them and their calendar is packed with super special author folks who want to chat in person with their readers!
14.) You can sell them your books online! Even if you live outside of Oregon you can benefit from the virtual credit (or cash if you'd prefer). They pay for shipping!!!
15.) If you have ever been to Powell's Books, or seen my post, you know that another great reason to shop at Powell's is because it is the most outrageously cool bookstore ever, I don't know of a better one, one that is more into helping its customers and giving you all that you need in books. I think that is something any bookie should want to support.
Do you have another great reason to be a Powell's Books loyalist? Comment below and I will ad your reason to the count!!
1Apr/090
How to Mess Up Your Child’s Life
How to Mess Up Your Child's Life
Proven Strategies & Practical Tips
by Olivia and Kurt Bruner
Authors of Playstation Nation
208 pages
FaithWords (March 25, 2009)
Written to equip every parent to be a master at creating the perfect messed up kid, granting each parent the ability to destroy their child mind, body and soul. Olivia and Kurt Bruner's book How To Mess Up Your Child's Life is an intensely humours book on how to create and perfect the kid who we've all seen, the one we've wished was our own: the one who constantly feels entitled to all his birthday gifts and does not know the words 'thank you', the little girl who throws a fit to get her way and her parents happily give in, the grown man who pushes an elderly woman out of his way because he needs to get there first. Yes, we have all seen and admired these people, and wished for them in our own lives and now with the genius help of Oliver and Kurt Bruner you too can have children who are the envy of messed up!
Not really, no. Well you could...but I am guessing you got the sarcasm in those above lines (you did right??) So, this book is genius, but because it is funny, filled with truth and very insightful, on what NOT to do just as much as on what TO do. I have read Doctor Dobson, and other such gurus before, but this book is by far my favourite parenting book to date. It really is displayed and explained in a way that makes sense! Olivia and Kurt break down the chapters into "the seven deadly sins" of which they explain all other sins stem out of. At the end of each chapter there is are activities to reinforce the attitudes in your children, movies to watch to help them understand, and goofy games and things to do as a family to help you all grasp the darkness of each sin.
Just so you get a taste, I'll list the chapters:
Chapter One: Nurturing an Enormous Ego
(Deadly Sin: Pride)
Chapter Two: Inspiring Lasting Discontent
(Deadly Sin: Envy)
Chapter Three: Encouraging an Expressive Temper
(Deadly Sin: Anger)
Chapter Four: Feeding a Voracious Appetite
(Deadly Sin: Gluttony)
Chapter Five: Discouraging Frivolous Generosity
(Deadly Sin: Greed)
Chapter Six: Fostering Total Dependence
(Deadly Sin: Sloth)
Chapter Seven: Condoning Sensual Gratification
(Deadly Sin: Lust)
Chapter Eight: Instilling Faith
(Whatever You Do, Don't!)
Personally I got more out of this book in understanding kids, and myself than any other book. I loved the style and thought it was really funny. How To Mess Up Your Child's Life is written in a way that really made sense to me and to which I could relate to. It wasn't all about creating the perfect child, making him perfect in all aspects. It is more a molding and modeling and allowing the growth to be the fruit rather than what was demanded. I feel it attacks the key issues and leaves the rest. As a parent I am constantly working on choosing the battles that are actually important (versus the fact that a child is just really getting on my nerves) and Olivia and Kent really hit it home in this one. Highly recommended.
31Mar/090
Real Food for Mother and Baby
Real Food For Mother and Baby:
The Fertility Diet, Eating for Two, And Baby's First Food
by Nina Planck
288 pages
Health/Food, Nutrition
Bloomsbury USA (March 31, 2009)
Nina Planck is an amazing food activist who believes in making good choices about eating. Her previous book Real Food gets rave reviews everywhere. This is a follow up, for those who are trying to get pregnant, those who are pregnant and it even shares ideal first foods. It is full of really interesting information and Nina Planck is a food nutrition guru. Her basic premise is that whole foods are best- however it may shatter some of your current thoughts on what is okay (or even good) to eat.
I haven't read her first book Real Food, but I love the whole food and real food concept. However, this book was a hard one for me. I just couldn't get over that she seemed too opinionated and sure of all that she was saying even when it really didn't seem to sit right with me. I have some examples that threw me off: she condones drinking alcohol while pregnant, saying sometimes she even drank more than a glass of wine a day, but she says it is not good to be a vegetarian while pregnant. That to me seems waky. Yes, crazy. I don't know if it was wrong, but after I read that I had a hard time taking in her logic and ideas in the same way.
Overall it does hold really interesting information, but I just couldn't get over the fact that she pretty much seemed to just want to push what she felt like eating or not eating on the rest of us. Oh, and yes there is plenty of liver to boot. I guess if you love wine and liver and don't want to give up anything while you are pregnant- this is your book. This is a grouchy take on it, I know. I just fear that when something is proven negative- to even guess at how much you and/or your baby can handle and still make it out okay, it is just crazy. Yes I am hung up on that.
27Mar/090
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
by Jaime Ford
304 pages
Ballantine Books
(January 27, 2009)
In Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, Jaime Ford creates not just a book about the issues surrounding the Japanese living in the US. during the relocation period of WWII, but he creates an entrancing and dynamic family and ethic relationship, by the end of which your nails will be bitten down to stubs. This is a novel, based on the historical facts of treatment of Japanese immigrants (including those of Japanese ancestry) who were living in the Seattle area during that period, but it would be so bland to let it lie there. Yes, it would, that is just the historical backdrop for a tale that is so much deeper, and more personable.
Henry, the son of Chinese immigrants befriends a lovely American girl of Japanese ancestry. Although she is a second generation American, and does not speak Japanese, she is the enemy not just to other Americans, but to Henry's father as well. He grew up in China at war with Japan and holds on to incidences of mistreatment towards his own people in the hands of the Japanese against Keiko. Through years of stubbornness, dominion and silence Henry learns to find his own way of surviving, of thinking and feeling. He comes to the understanding that what is most important is that he look out for those he loves, no matter what.
The things that really allowed me to immerse myself in Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet were the deep relationships, the strong writing of Jaime Ford, my love of all thins Japanese, that I am completely interested in history, that the book is based in the Northwestern United States (where I live), and the depth of the characters. I loved Henry, Keiko, Sheldon, Marty and well, I guess actually each of the characters, even the ones with bitterness and regret. I somehow felt like I understood their actions, their mindset and although not in agreement with them I could see through the words on the page to people of flesh and bone.
It is a love story in so many ways but not just a fleeting romantic love, but a love that stands the time it takes to reach it, and that spoke to me. It is the story of first love, and the story of a love that endures and is faithful, the story of love between father and son, mother and son. It never felt gushy to me, but I am a girl so hold that lightly. I don't know...I guess you'll just have to read it, and I really hope that you will because this was a STELLAR FIVE CHICKEN BOOK! I guess that means that Jaime Ford has to do a happy chicken dance?
Here are some pictures of posters that were plastered on all the walls in the Japanese section of Seattle in the 1940's:
Newspapers showing headlines written during the displacement of the Japanese people:
Rounding them up and putting them on trains headed to 'inland' camps (supposedly for THEIR own protection!):
Trailer by Jaime Ford about his book, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet:
Trailer on the historical background of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet:
