Hello everyone.  How was the reading?  Are you as excited as I am to discuss this book?  Let me remind everyone what our Selection was for April:

Hotel on the corner of Bitter and Sweet

by Jamie Ford

The giveaway prize this month is a copy of next month’s Book Club selection.  I know it hasn’t been announced yet {and won’t be until the 2nd of May} but it is an amazing read and you will love it!!  I will send a hard copy of the book or a file for your e-reader.

To enter you can do one or all of the following.  The only requirement is that you be a follower.  This giveaway is to thank loyal book clubbers!!

• You must be a follower
• Participate in the discussion through the comments
• Leave your review of the book
• Answer some of the  discussion questions
• Ask a question you had while reading
• Answer someone’s question

Without further ado, here is my review:

I loved this book.  It was completely mesmerizing.  I felt like I was living on the home front during WWII.  I fell in love with Henry and Keiko and let’s not forget Sheldon.  Jamie Ford brought this era to life for me.  He gave me a first hand look into the relocation of Japanese Americans.  A time I must admit I didn’t know much about.  I remember learning that the U.S. had rounded up Japanese Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, but it was always glossed over.  The impression I was left with was that there was good reason for the roundup and that Japanese Americans were treated well and conditions were nice.  This book opened my eyes to the reality of the situation.  It made me want to learn more about this time in our history. I can imagine a dark hotel basement filled  with dusty possessions.  Reminders of a forgotten time.  I longed {along with Henry} to hear how Keiko was doing and grew disheartened as letters were few and far between.  I felt betrayed when I learned how Henry’s father had played a hand in the letter writing.  But so hopeful for their reunion.  I closed the final page and actually had to tell myself ok you live in 2011.  Come back from the war.  And it took a moment because I felt like I was right there with Henry and Keiko.

I hope you loved it as much as I did.  Here are some discussion questions.  Feel free to answer these questions or just discuss the book.

• Why doesn’t Henry’s father want him to speak Cantonese at home?  How does this decision relate to his desire to send Henry to China for schooling?  Is he sending a mixed message?
• If you were Henry would you forgive your father?
• What struggles did your own ancestors have in their journey to America?  Did they incorporate aspects of their culture into their new identities as Americans?
• Does Henry give up on Keiko too easily?
• Should Keiko have made more of an effort to find Henry?
• Do you think Ethel knew what was happening with Henry’s letters?
• Do you think Ethel was Henry’s second choice?
• Were you aware of the plight of Japanese Americans during this time?  Were your eyes opened as mine were?

I cannot wait to hear your reaction to this novel!!  I obviously loved it but feel free to disagree with me.  Let’s have a great discussion!!  I will draw the winner on May 2nd when I post Mays Book Club selection.

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