Asian Heritage Month Giveaway
The Hachette Book Group is celebrating Asian Heritage Month with another great giveaway and I am one that will never turn down a chance to do a contest. So we’re giving away another 5 sets of books. Check out these great titles:
Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee
“Competence can be a curse.” So begins Min Jin Lee’s epic novel about class, society, and identity. Casey Han’s four years at Princeton have given her many things: “a refined diction, an enviable golf handicap, a popular white boyfriend, an agnostic’s closeted passion for reading the Bible, and a magna cum laude degree in economics. But no job and a number of bad habits.”
Casey’s parents, who live in Queens, are Korean immigrants working in a dry cleaner, desperately trying to hold onto their culture and identity. Their daughter, on the other hand, has entered into the upper echelon of rarified American society via scholarships. But after graduation, Casey’s trust-fund friends see only opportunity and choices while Casey sees the reality of having expensive habits without the means to sustain them. As Casey navigates Manhattan, we see her life and the lives of those around her: her sheltered mother, scarred father, her friend Ella who’s always been the good Korean girl, Ella’s ambitious Korean husband and his Caucasian mistress, Casey’s white fiancé, and then her Korean boyfriend, all culminating in a portrait of New York City and its world of haves and have-nots.
Trail of Crumbs by Kim Sunée
When Kim Sunée was three years old, her mother took her to a marketplace, deposited her on a bench with a fistful of food, and promised she’d be right back. Three days later a policeman took the little girl, clutching what was now only a fistful of crumbs, to a police station and told her that she’d been abandoned by her mother.
Fast-forward almost 20 years and Kim’s life is unrecognizable. Adopted by a young New Orleans couple, she spends her youth as one of only two Asian children in her entire community. At the age of 21, she becomes involved with a famous French businessman and suddenly finds herself living in France, mistress over his houses in Provence and Paris, and stepmother to his eight year-old daughter.
Kim takes readers on a lyrical journey fromKorea to New Orleans to Paris and Provence, along the way serving forth her favorite recipes. A love story at heart, this memoir is about the search for identity and a book that will appeal to anyone who is passionate about love, food, travel, and the ultimate search for self.
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles by Jennifer Lee
If you think McDonald’s is the most ubiquitous restaurant experience in America, consider that there are more Chinese restaurants in America than McDonalds, Burger Kings, and Wendys combined. New York Times reporter and Chinese-American (or American-born Chinese). In her search, Jennifer 8 Lee traces the history of Chinese-American experience through the lens of the food. In a compelling blend of sociology and history, Jenny Lee exposes the indentured servitude Chinese restaurants expect from illegal immigrant chefs, investigates the relationship between Jews and Chinese food, and weaves a personal narrative about her own relationship with Chinese food. The Fortune Cookie Chronicles speaks to the immigrant experience as a whole, and the way it has shaped our country.
Transparency by Frances Hwang
With a deceptively simple yet graceful style, and in the tradition of Lara Vapnyar, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Gish Jen, Frances Hwang captures the thousand minor battles waged in the homes of immigrants–struggles to preserve time honored traditions or break free of them, to maintain authority or challenge it, and to take advantage of modern excesses without diluting one’s ethnic identity.
In “Garden City,” a weary Chinese couple, struggling to evict their deadbeat tenant, is forced to face the aftermath of their teenage son’s death from cancer. And in “The Old Gentleman,” a daughter becomes alienated from her father when he finds love–or what he thinks could be love–in his old age. Frances Hwang is a powerful talent, and TRANSPARENCY not only showcases her myriad gifts, but also announces the arrival of an exciting new voice.
Strangers from a Different Shore by Ronald Takaki
In a blend of narrative history, personal recollection, and oral testimony, Ronald Takaki presents a sweeping history of Asian Americans. He writes of the Chinese who laid tracks for the transcontinental railroad, of plantation laborers in the canefields of Hawaii, of “picture brides” marrying strangers in the hope of becoming part of the American dream. He tells stories of Japanese Americans behind the barbed wire of U.S. internment camps during World War II, Hmong refugees tragically unable to adjust to Wisconsin’s alien climate and culture, and Asian-American students stigmatized by the stereotype of the “model minority.” This powerful and moving work, now updated with a new preface and new closing chapter, has resonance for all Americans, who together make up a nation of immigrants from other shores.
So here’s the details for the contest:
As with all of my contests, there’s a question for you to answer. If you want a chance for the books, you should have to work a little for it, right? Either way, it’s an easy question. All I’m asking is for you to answer one of these questions: Are you fascinated with any of the Asian cultures and why? Have you ever traveled to Asia?
I have 5 sets of these books to give away. So there’ll be 5 lucky commentators at the end of the month. The contest will run from May 1st to midnight on May 31st. I’ll contact the winners on June 1st and they’ll have one week to get back to me. I do apologize to my international readers, the contest is only open to US and Canadian residents.
As always, if you want more chances to win, you can post about today’s contest on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, twit it, share it with the world. Wherever you share it, make sure you add a link to it along with your answer (yes LE is now on Twitter as well!). The more places you share it, the more entries you get.
Join the Literary Escapism Facebook page and you’ll get an additional entry (for each page). Make sure you leave a comment so I know that’s why you’re joining. Only new readers to the group will be considered.
For 2 additional entries, subscribe to Literary Escapism’s newsletter in the sidebar. This is for new subscribers only.
For 2 more entries, purchase anything through LE’s Amazon store sometime during May and send a copy of the receipt VIA email for your purchase to: myjaxon AT gmail DOT com. I’ll give 2 entries for every book purchased.
I’ll determine the winner with help from the Research Randomizer. All entries must be in by midnight on May 31st.
I haven’t traveled to Asia but I would like to. Posted contest on my sidebar at http://bridget3420.blogspot.com
I have always been fascinated by the Japanese culture, and even more so since reading the amazing novel Beauty and Sadness by Yasunari Kawabata.
I have always been fascinated with all Asian cultures. I love learning all about East Asia. I took a class in college about the cultures of East Asia. I love the food and the people. My friends and I joke that I should’ve been born an Asian child, because I’m so into it. I sadly haven’t traveled to Asia yet, but I’m planning on going to Vietnam this year or next with my friend and her family.
I love Asian culture and history, especially Japan. There is something sublime and beautiful about their culture. I haven’t been to Asia, but I would love to go. My boyfriend has family in Hong Kong and I annoy him endlessly about going there to visit them.
Gave your post a tweet: http://twitter.com/morbidromantic/status/1672366564
I am fascinated w/ Asian heritage. I prefer Eastern medicine (herbs and acupuncture) to Western doctors. No, I have never been to Asia but the book Trail Of Crumbs caught my eye as I have a friend who was is Korean and was left on a park bench as a tiny baby and was found and put in an orphanage and eventually adopted to American parents. As an adult she has gone back twice searching for any relatives but has had no luck.
New email subscriber
What a great contest! Thanks for doing this. :) I’ve posted about it at my reading blog.
I traveled to China and Japan with my family when I was 10 years old, but never really became fascinated with the culture until I read Pearl S. Buck’s The Good Earth when I was in high school. Since then, I’ve become somewhat of a collector of Asian art, and I’ve read quite a bit more Asian and Asian-American literature as well.
Can I enter? I am an ASIAN!
And live in India..
BTW, everything distils into reading is my new blog. Please do visit it, subscribe to it or follow it! Do help me spread the word.
I’d like to enter. I’ve never been to Asia. I just subscribed.
I’m fascinated by India, especially the period of the Raj. The sheer bullheadedness of the English and their utter lack of appreciation for the ancient culture never ceases to amaze me!
I’d love to enter your contest – thank you!
I’m totally fascinated by Asian culture. So diverse! Several of my favorite books are Indian – my all time favorite is “A Fine Balance” by Rohinton Mistry. A good friend of mine is currently living in India and I’m desperate to go visit. Thanks for the giveaway~
I have traveled to Japan, it was incredible I love it and I miss it so much! People there are so much more polite then here in America, which is pretty sad for us.
I have enjoyed Asian culture through reading since my father was stationed in Korea when I was a child. I have never travelled there but I love the cultural differences I find in Asian lit. I would really love to win this set of books please. And I am a follower. Thank you.
I II am fascinated with India. My dream would be to be able to travel throughout this fascinating and unique country. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway. I enjoy reading and learning about this interesting culture and place.
I have never traveled to an Asian country and I don’t know much about Asian cultures. I would love to learn more by reading these books.
mittens0831 AT aol.com
I have never traveled to Asia but my sister-in-law has. So I am living vicariously through her.
new subscriber #1
new subscriber #2
I love reading about different cultures & I would love to read these books. I am a new subscriber & I joined you on Facebook-thanks!
julyso@grandecom DOT net
I am fascinated with Asian culture because I love learning about different ways of life.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
1. New subscriber.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
2. New subscriber.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
I love reading about Japanese heritage and culture, I am actually learning Japanese right now. ;)
I would love to be entered!
I don’t know that I’m fascinated with any one Asian culture in particular, but I like learning about them in general. (took a class once titled China and the West). I’ve never been to any Asian countries, but would love to visit China and see the Great Wall!
vvperesk@gmail.com
I’m a new subscriber
vvperesk@gmail.com
Oooh, I’m so in!
I’m actually quite fascinated by Japanese history and culture. I used to be a big anime nut, but have sort of fallen back on that because I could never really fit into the anime culture (I just liked watching the stuff). The Samurai have always been an fascination for me, though, and Samurai history is one of those things I hope to have the opportunity to study in the future.
Now for the boring stuff:
–I subscribed to your newsletter w/ arconna @ yahoo dot com (that’s the same email I’m using for this contest thing)
–I blogged about this contest here: http://wisb.blogspot.com/2009/05/sff-links-may-wont-leave-me-alone.html
–I tweeted the contest here: http://twitter.com/shaunduke/statuses/1786982049
–I stumbled the contest here: http://www.stumbleupon.com/url/www.literaryescapism.com/2009/05/01/2812/ (I’m Arconna)
–I dugg the contest here: http://digg.com/arts_culture/Asian_Heritage_Month_Giveaway (Arconna again)
–I joined your facebook group (I’m Shaun Duke on there).
–I put it up on facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.literaryescapism.com%2F2009%2F05%2F01%2F2812%2F&t=Asian%20Heritage%20Month%20Giveaway#/posted.php?id=645337942&share_id=86358811465&comments=1&ref=mf#s86358811465
Hopefully all the links work :S. Anywho, thanks for the cool giveaway!
Jeez, I hardly know where to begin to describe what fascinates me about Asian cultures! What first comes to mind are the beautiful colors and fabrics – swirling saris of India, ornate kimonos of Japan . . . There’s the incredible architecture and religious statuary across the entire continent. There isn’t one place or culture — I want to travel to and study them all!
Thanks for the chance to win the wonderful selection of books!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com
And, I’m a new Subscriber!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com
I love Korean culture (I think I was Korean in a past life)! I have never gone to Korea, but I have gone to Japan (and want to go back…the trip was way too short!!!). Maybe the reason why I love Korea is because they somehow remind me of my own American culture. They do have a rich ancient history that I am far too ignorant of. But what has really drawn me in is their current entertainment. I do admit their popular music and TV are very much influenced by the west, but Korea is Korea. I highly recommend Korean TV dramas/miniseries to anyone. They are very family friendly, full of drama and Korean culture. You will soon learn Koreans like their sad endings, and loan sharks seem to be ever present hounding our poor protagonist. I love Asian cultures, and TV seems to be easy access for the hesitant. Books also are an easy way to view a different culture gradually, which is how I first became interested in Japanese culture.
Asian culture is so different from ours, it is a wonderful discovery-I loved Indu Sundaresen’s books, you could see the colors and envision what she was describing. I had yet to be to India when I read her book, however once I was there it was as I imaged.
I’m from Asia! I’ve grown up half in the US and in the Philippines. I left the Philippines when we were under Marcos’s dictatorship and was in the US during the nonviolent revolution. I’ve always loved learning about my home country and about the neighboring Asian nations.
Japan, China and India have such unique and old cultures. I studied East Asian History and the History of India while in college. The more we would learn about these countries, they seemed even more different and fascinating. Their political systems, cultures and religions are different that I particularly enjoy discovering where we differ and how these differences came about.
I’ve been fascinated by the Indonesian culture for several years because we once had a beautiful Indonesian lady living with us.
I’ve never traveled to Asia. What fascinates me most about the Asian cultures are the beautiful women, the gorgeous silk clothing, all the tradition and the wonderful china & pottery. There is so much more that is interesting that I cannot begin to list them all here.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
megalon22[at]yahoo[dot]com
My husband and I are both fascinated with the Japanese culture. We’d love to travel there someday. The food, the people, the traditions.. I’d love to experience a genuine tea ceremony and see the temples. He’d probably be more interested in finding a geisha (lol kidding =) )
Thanks!
I don’t really know why I have always been so fascinated by Asian culture; I suppose the beautiful architecture, the cherry blossoms and the landscape (which is simply divine) is a big part of it. It seems like such a peaceful way of life.
I haven’t had the opportunity to travel to Asia yet, but my husband and I hope to do travelling when he retires in about 20 years or so…such a long wait *sighs*
I would absolutely love to win these books!!
Thanks for hosting!
-Bobbie
Hi
I’m interested in the Japanese culture. The reasons are that I’m a second degree black belt in shotokan karate and also because I’ve taken a third year anthropology class in Japanese culture.
Oh and because my daughter is half Asian.
Count me in for the giveaway.
Cheers
MarionG
polo-puppy-fluffy AT hotmail Dot com
I’ve never been to Asian, but dream of visiting Japan—ideally during the cherry blossom season. Cliché, I know, but sakura is one of the rule-breakers for me: I don’t like pink, I’m not big on flowers, (I don’t even like cherries!) but I adore sakura blossoms with such a passion. And I figure that the other things I’d like to see, shrines and temples and parks and bookstores and restaurants, are open year ’round or else even better in the spring.
And I’d love to be entered. ^_^
Good luck with the contest!
The Fortune Cookie Chronicles sounds particularly interesting to me, but I would like to check the others out as well. Thanks for the book giveaway.
Are you fascinated with any of the Asian cultures and why? Have you ever traveled to Asia?
Yes, the Korean culture. Because I was born there but they sent me to Boston to grow up with an American family. I went back for the first time in 2004 and visited Seoul, and my birth place. I was looking for medical records, but they said the files were burned in a fire.
Such is life, thanks for having this contest.
I am fascinated by the south Pacific culture. I have never traveled to Asia.
I am fascinated by Asian cultures because they are so old and have contributed so much to the world, and yet we know so little about them. I would like to learn more!
nbmars AT yahoo DOT com
I have not yet traveled to an Asian country, but I aspire to doing so. Asian culture fascinates me, particularly that of China. This is such an ancient country with such a long heritage from which we have much to learn. I am a practitioner of feng shui and have found it valuable in my life. I am also a big fan of Chinese cuisine.
Lived in Korea for 2 years many years ago. Would love to visit Japan.
I’ve never been to Asia but my hubby spend 3 years in the Air Force in Okinawa Japan and that got me interested in the culture
I’m not especially fascinated with any Asian cultures, but most of them do interest me in one way or another. I’ve never had a chance to travel to Asia.
Always looking for good Asian literature, thank you!
I have not traveled to Asia. I have always wanted to. When I was 7, my aunt moved to Japan for a year with her husband. They came back with amazing stories and tons of pictures. Everything was so lovely and exquisite. And this may sound odd, but I love Japanese horror films. I don’t even watch them with subtitles. The just get me. :) Thank you for a wonderful giveaway opportunity.
I also twetted your giveaway: http://twitter.com/kellyblackwell/status/1954154387
The last time I was in Asia was when I left at age 2 to be adopted by my parents in MI. I left Korea for a new life in the US and have always been facinated by my homeland ever since.
I have been fascinated with Asian culture since I was in the third grade. My teacher was crazy about anything Chinese so she made us learn to speak some chinese.
My interest continued and chinese food is my favorite cuisine as well. Thank you very much!
I have always been fascinated by Japan. Asia is the only continent that I have not traveled to. My husband has been to China, Vietnam (not his choice), Japan, etc. I want to go, but my health will not allow me to travel for that many hours so I will never be able to. SOOOOO I would love to read all these books.
I tweeted your giveaways at ccqdesigns
I signed up to follow your blog.
I’ve always loved Japanese culture, it’s always so out there. Plus, I could get video games a lot quicker if I lived there (and could speak Japanese :p ) As I grew, I started getting more fascinated with Korea, China, the Middle East, South Asia. There’s so much culture there. I’d love to visit one day.
~ Popin
I blogged about your giveaway here: http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-bout-some-giveaways.html
Thanks again!
I do have a bit of a fascination with Asian culture, particularly Japanese, as I was raised by parents who lived in Japan for a few years before my birth. We had Japanese decorations and I was taught at an early age how to say things like “please” and “thank you” in Japanese and how to eat with chopsticks. I’ve never been there myself though.
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
I blogged it:
http://cerebralgirl.blogspot.com/2009/05/book-giveaways-in-blogworld-05-30-09.html
I have to admit that I wasn’t particularly interested in Asian culture prior to my accepting a job and moving to Singapore for 2 years. While there, I traveled to Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia, Malaysia, Japan, China, Philippines and completely fell in love with the people, the history and the culture. Since then, I’ve had a particular interest in Asian literature and make it a point to try to find books by local authors when I travel back to Asia. I even married a Filipino man!
I would love to be entered–thanks! I have traveled to Asia–Taiwan–to see where my husband’s parents were born.
lesleymfan(at)gmail(dot)com
Asian literature is my favorite, thanks!
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I know so little about Asian literature. This is a perfect place to start. Thank you.
No I’ve never traveled anywhere in Asia. But I’d love to read these books.
Cliche though it is, yes, I love Japanese culture. But what really intrigues me is the dichotomy in daily life – physical contact is discouraged, but yaoi has a huge following. Workers need to work hard – but then go out drinking with coworkers till the wee hours – work and play hard? But it’s all the blend in…
I know a lot of these things are changing, but I still think it’s fascinating.
I have unfortunately never traveled to Asia. Europe and Africa, sure, Asia, no. : (
I would love to win these books. Thanks for the contest.
never been to Asia but i would love to
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