Sharon's Picks

Figures in Silk- by Vanora Bennett

This interesting story brought to life real English history. The author was able to artfully weave the silk industry into the story, which is another aspect of history I didn't realize existed!
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The Piano Teacher- by Janice Y.K. Lee



The narrative in The Piano Teacher ($15, Grove,978-0-8021-4461-4) alternates between two distinct periods in Hong Kong: 1941 before and during the Japanese occupation and 1951. The central characters are Will, an Englishman, and Trudy, a wealthy Eurasian socialite living the grand life in Hong Kong. Will is sent to internment camp and Trudy chooses to remain outside and deal with the Japanese for survival. Both faced dire consequences to survive. Lee’s second narrative includes Will’s romance 10 years later with Claire, a piano teacher where his enigmatic persona hides his devastating past. A fun historical fiction read!