Monday

Hey yall!  How was your Monday?  Mine was rough.  I love my job, but Mondays KILL me.  Why is that?  I've always wondered what it would be like to be a writer and work from home?  BAD!  That's how it would be.  Seriously.  I would probably NEVER get out of my pajama pants.  And would I ever do my hair??  Would I ever be presentable for public viewing again?  I mean, I want to think that I would be fabulously productive and have a cleaning schedule and be in the process of doing fabulous crafty things (you know?  all those amazing things you see on Pinterest?  That would totally be what I would be doing. Although, those things would probably involve multiple 2 hour trips to Hobby Lobby and Walmart for supplies, thus making my cleaning/productivity schedule a FARCE.)

So.  Anyway.  Books.  One of the fun things about Kindle are the Kindle short stories.  One that I read recently was 'Rules for Virgins' by Amy Tan.

I really enjoy pretty much anything by Amy Tan (author of 'Joy Luck Club' and 'Bonesetter's Daughter) and this was no exception.  'Rules for Virgins' is sort of a monologue by a veteran courtesan, Magic Gourd, to a young girl, Violet.  The story is MG giving Violet advice about how to be a more-than-ordinary geisha.  As you know (especially if you've read 'Memoirs of a Geisha' by Arthur Golden), being a geisha is not just about sex.  It is about singing and storytelling and entertaining.  There is the piece about selling one's virginity to the highest bidder - but it is more about making the most of beauty and talent in order to find a good husband.  Who new there were so many rules?  AND, the young girls have to pay back their 'house' for their training, food, clothes and makeup.  The only hope they have of ever getting out of debt is to find a rich husband/boyfriend.  And the competition is fierce.  That is what Violet is working toward - becoming one of the 'Top Ten Beauties of Shanghai'.  I think you would enjoy this - very different, engrossing and quick read!  If you are interested in reading something else (maybe something longer - RFV left me wanting more) by Tan (who is definitely an author of the highest order, especially in relating the feel of an ancient culture), try 'Bonesetter's Daughter'.

                                                                                                                   The story is about Ruth, a Chinese-American woman, and her mother Lu Ling, who maybe developing dementia.  Ruth finds a story written by Lu Ling about her life in China.  It is SO interesting!!  Lu Ling was raised by a mute, burned nursemaid, Precious Auntie.  Going further back, we find that PA's father was a bonesetter (like a healer) who knows where to find 'dragon bones' (very valuable for healing purposes).  The story is gripping, and the reader learns about Precious Auntie's early life and the tragedies that follow, Lu Ling's life and marriage and how that ties back to Ruth.  It is truly and enjoyable read.

On to other news in books - Jodi Picoult has a new book out entitled 'Lone Wolf'.  She is one of my favs!  Hoping to read that one soon.  Okay, yall, Monday is over - we made it through another one!!  Talk laters.