Humor me for a sec, why don't you? Thanks.

Picked up a couple of books from the library yesterday and then dawned on an idea that perhaps some of you may be interested in. I'm toying with the idea of doing a book discussion on the two books that I picked up via either Yahoo Messenger Chat Rooms or AIM [haven't decided which yet] but basically this is gonna be the online version of Oprah's Bookclub where I choose a book and then those who are interested will log on at the designated date and time and in the right chat room to talk about it. Unlike Oprah's Bookclub, I don't provide you a yummy meal to eat, there will be no author present nor am I one of America's Richest women. Anyway, if you're interested, please email me. If I get less than say, 5 responses to this, then I'll just file this under "Aiyah's Shitty Ideas" file and it won't happen. Needless to say, only those who respond will get the information on the date, time and virtual locale. Email me, if you want to partake in this lovely er...Aiyah's Bookclub. :P And of course, you will need a handle at either YM or AIM, whichever one I decide to host it on. I'm open to suggestions though.

Anyway, the two books that I picked up are: Jasmine Trade and Sweet Bamboo. Asian sounding huh? I'm not quite sure which one to read and to do a book discussion first but well, I guess I have to pick, so let's do Jasmine Trade.

the jasmine trade by denise hamilton

The author of Jasmine Trade is not Asian but she is a journalist for the LA Times and other publications. Although this is a fictional novel, the story is set in Southern California's own San Gabriel Valley where the opening scene of the story is most certainly a real life event that took place many years back. It will cover actual places that are very familiar to those who know San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Alhambra, Rowland Heights etc. and it will give you a glimpse into the lives of parachute kids, rich parents who leave them here unattended, Asian gangs etc.

For more info on the story line and book, click here.

I'm actually really excited to start reading this because it's rare that an author centralizes her story in this very Chinese enclave of San Gabriel. Also, this is a debut novel for the author and the fact that she's a non-Asian may give her a different view as an outsider. I'd be interested to see what the rest of you have to say, if the bookclub gets off the ground.

sweet bamboo by louise leung larson

The second book is Sweet Bamboo. The book was initially published in 1989 and then was recently republished in 2001. It's about a Chinese American Family that came from Kwangtung Province to Los Angeles and was one of those rare affluent Chinese families that spawned for generations here when most Chinese were poor working bachelors back then. The book is written by the second daughter of the immigrants and covers quite a bit of information about the family's experience in Los Angeles throughout the 20th century.

For more info on the story line and book, click here.

Anyway, if this thing does actually happen...then Sweet Bamboo won't be covered until the next discussion unless you all want to do two books at one chatting. And although I read rather quickly, I'm not sure about how much time to give the rest of you who want to participate......a month? Is that enough to time to acquire the book and to read it?

Well regardless, do let me know if you're interested. Like I said, if this doesn't work out, it will just be filed away as a bad idea. And well, I won't kill myself over it. :P But since SO many of you out there always write to me about books and Asian literature, this only seems like a logical idea and perhaps a fun one. *shrug* Who knows?

So, email me if you want to participate.

I'm out.