The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan

Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s Wife is a beautifully written tale of a Mother’s love for her daughter and the secrets that must be shared for both of their hearts to heal. Set in post communist China, the story is about Winnie Tans triumphant journey across a war torn country and eventually into the United States.  A riveting narrative of a courageous woman and the bond she shares with her daughter. Amy Tans transforms this personal journey of culture to enlighten the reader to the power that unites Mothers and daughters of all walks of life. 

Amy Tan’s distinctive voice captivates an audience, allowing the reader to walk along side Winnie Tan as she embarks on the hardships of her life that transcends pain into power that she instills into her daughter. A must read for everyone.

5 jags

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

Deeply disturbing and uplifting, this story is about the power of love, betrayal and redemption set in the back drop of post WWII Germany-this story is a definite read for everyone.  Originally featured on Oprah’s book club, this tale of a young man’s seduction by an older woman is a timeless tale of compassion and ultimately betrayal by the woman he loves.

Accused, tried and convicted of crimes against humanity after Nazi occupation, Hanna, the woman who Michael Berg has fallen in love with, has forever changed the way he will value his self worth as he stumbles through life trying to understand the secrets that she had kept from him. Michael’s reluctance to move forward takes him to being a spectator at Hanna’s trial as well as historic concentration work camps as he battles internally the sadness at being left behind by the one woman he truly loves.

Beautifully written with a simple and direct way to explain the trials of love, horror and ultimately the redemption we all feel as we learn to let go to the ones who imprint upon us, what love has the potential of becoming.

4 jags