Lately my mom's been slowly working less since I've been able to contribute to the family coffers ... and this has given her some more free time (that she so richly deserves). Although she's always been an avid reader, she hasn't read too many books recently. I'm looking for book recommendations; she primarily enjoys fiction. Understand that horribly complex books my mother probably won't be able to finish (her English isn't that great).

I bought Memoirs of a Geisha, which she is tearing through (I was surprised to see her finished with half the book - she only started reading a few days ago!). So something along those lines would be best.

Thanks.

Posted by roy on August 18, 2005 at 07:23 PM in Ramblings | 14 Comments

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Comment posted on August 19th, 2005 at 01:09 PM
I assume, since you say her English is not tht great, that it is not her native language. Have you been able to purchase books written in her language, or does she prefer to read English? Just curious, since my wife is Japanese and does not even attempt to read books written in English. But she has friends in Japan who send her stuff to read, as well as tapes to watch. She speaks Enlgish fine (at least I think she does, she says she does not), but has difficulty reading it.
Comment posted on August 19th, 2005 at 09:55 PM
Well, I think she prefers reading in Korean, but she's not averse to reading English if the story is catching. I also think she's at the point where she wants to continue mental stimulation (guess the years are starting to get to her memory!)
Comment posted on August 19th, 2005 at 10:52 PM
My sister was reading my blog and happened upon your entry and mentioned that she just finished a good book called 'Farewell to Manzanar' by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston. It is about life in the Japanese Internment camps by someone who spent her childhood there. My sister said it was really interesting. I don't know if your mother would be interested in something like that. It isn't fiction and you said she preferred that.
Comment posted on August 19th, 2005 at 08:37 AM
Try Eragon.

it's like harry potter that it's a kid book, but it's really well written
and then you find out the author was 14 when he wrote it and you're blown away.

btw.. memoirs of a Geisha was pretty good. they're making it into a movie (of course) with zhang ziyi
Comment posted on August 19th, 2005 at 07:44 AM
how about Web Standards Solutions: The Markup and Style Handbook by dan cederholm? or more css with eric meyer? or how about scott kelbys super fast cs2 how to book. dont waste time with fiction. teach your mom this stuff and then you can start your own sweat shop.
Comment posted on August 19th, 2005 at 09:55 PM
hatechu
Comment posted on August 19th, 2005 at 04:34 PM
eugh
Comment posted on August 19th, 2005 at 01:07 AM
oh yeah..Where the Heart Is
Comment posted on August 19th, 2005 at 01:06 AM
My Year of Meats (though I haven't finished it yet). Perhaps, The Interpreter of Maladies, she might like Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood or The traveling pants book (i forgot the title)..something along those lines. Ummm.. To Kill a Mockingbird? man.. if i think of more books, I will def. comment again
Comment posted on August 19th, 2005 at 09:56 PM
Thanks so much! I'll give those a skimming at Barnes and see which one'll fit her :)
Comment posted on August 18th, 2005 at 10:43 PM
So I take it she wouldn't enjoy Super System? Isn't The Spirit Catches you and you Fall Down the summer reading book we had? I don't think it's fiction. I read a book in high school called They Cage the Animals at Night that she might enjoy. My mom read it and loved it. It's by a guy named Jennings Michael Burch.
Comment posted on August 19th, 2005 at 09:57 PM
Unlike your mom, I doubt my mom could be good enough to hustle my money (ZING).
Comment posted on August 18th, 2005 at 10:02 PM
Has she read the Joy Luck Club? She should enjoy any book from Amy Tan. Tan's fantastic. :)

mrjoshherman (guest)

Comment posted on August 18th, 2005 at 10:00 PM
yo, the harry potter books are the shit. for real. And she might like a book called "The Spirit Catches You and you Fall Down," by Anne Fadiman. It's about the clash between traditional eastern medicine and modern western treatments. Its fiction, and really good. Also, The Sun Also Rises, by Hemingway, is my favorite book of all time, and its pretty easy to read. Good luck.