Crazy Rich Asians 

by Kevin Kwan 

Synopsis:

 

Crazy Rich Asians is the outrageously funny debut novel about three super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families and the gossip, backbiting, and scheming that occurs when the heir to one of the most massive fortunes in Asia brings home his ABC (American-born Chinese) girlfriend to the wedding of the season. 

 

When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home, long drives to explore the island, and quality time with the man she might one day marry. What she doesn't know is that Nick's family home happens to look like a palace, that she'll ride in more private planes than cars, and that with one of Asia's most eligible bachelors on her arm, Rachel might as well have a target on her back. Initiated into a world of dynastic splendor beyond imagination, Rachel meets Astrid, the It Girl of Singapore society; Eddie, whose family practically lives in the pages of the Hong Kong socialite magazines; and Eleanor, Nick's formidable mother, a woman who has very strong feelings about who her son should--and should not--marry. 

 

Uproarious, addictive, and filled with jaw-dropping opulence, Crazy Rich Asians is an insider's look at the Asian JetSet; a perfect depiction of the clash between old money and new money; between Overseas Chinese and Mainland Chinese; and a fabulous novel about what it means to be young, in love, and gloriously, crazily rich.

 

My Review:

 

This book was not only funny and highly entertaining but it actually has a fantastic plot and great information on Singapore's history. But, oh my God, are the Asians in this story crazy rich!!!! It is a level of wealth that I can't even try to comprehend. In my next life, I would like to come back as a Singaporean heiress. But, all joking aside, the story is redeeming in that in all of the wealth these characters enjoy, the main character, Nick, is far from spoiled by the wealth and is such an honest, humble and all around honorable character. I listened to the audio book and would highly recommend it as the narrator is so good at doing all of the different accents and really capturing the absurdity of some of the characters in her reading. The plot is very involved and you can read the synopsis to get the gist of the book. But, what I can tell you is that this book is fantastic. 

 

I never care much if the books I love are turned into movies but I would love to see this be turned into a movie as I would love to see all of the amazing places referenced in the book on the big screen.

 

Singapore is now on the list of places I MUST go before I die!!!

Love, Alabama

by Susan Sands

Giveaway Over today 04/27/2016!

Review and Interview below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Synopsis:

Emma almost never concerns herself with the town gossip that she’s a has-been former beauty queen, admittedly a gorgeous one.

Television director Matthew Pope wonders what kind of karmic sin he’s committed along the way that takes him from Manhattan and lands him back here in Podunk, Alabama, not two hours from his own home town full of bad blood and disastrous memories, to direct a new Southern cooking show for the network.

Matthew recognizes Emma as the former Miss Alabama he’d rescued from a difficult and desperate situation ten years before. Emma doesn’t recognize Matthew because she’d been drugged at a frat party that night.

Tad Beaumont, the mayor of Ministry, Alabama, is Emma’s ex-boyfriend and a controlling narcissist, and unbeknownst to Emma, has manipulated circumstances, making certain Emma’s dating relationships have never progressed.

Matthew helps Emma realized what’s been missing from her life as they discover a deep connection and budding relationship. A huge sin of omission and Tad’s well-placed lies and manipulations might cost them their future together.

Can Emma forgive and learn to trust Matthew after ten years of keeping men at arm’s length?

Can Matthew overcome his weighty emotional baggage after returning home to face his own demons of the past?

My Review:

What a fun and charming story. It goes to show that in the South, the beauty pageant world is part of the culture. Not all of these beauty pageant beauties are shallow, some are smart and use their involvement as a launching pad for their future careers. Also, I learned that things aren't always ideal for these beauties. They have lives and suffer hurts and want genuine love beyond the physical attraction like everyone else. 

This was a fun and sweet read truly grounded on Southern culture.

INTERVIEW WITH SUSAN SANDS...
 
Question: Why are your books set in Alabama?

Response: I don’t hail from that great state. I grew up in small-town Louisiana and I live in the Atlanta suburbs, but I write about Alabama. It’s in the South. Way South. Every time I pass through Alabama on my way to the beach, I feel an overwhelming urge to stop and sit on a stranger’s porch and drink sweet tea. That’s how cute the old houses are in Eufaula, Alabama. Have you heard Tom Hanks pronounce Al-uh-bahma in Forrest Gump? Love. Also, the way natives pronounce Mo’ beel, Mont gum’rey, and Green’vul. It’s the best kind of Southern that rolls off the tongue. Every time I pass through Alabama on my way home to Louisiana from Georgia, I cross this awesome lake with lovely houses on its banks. I have that same urge to stop and sit on a stranger’s dock and drink sweet tea. Alabama has lake(s) and a beach. And sweet tea. And of course, SEC football. Roll Tide. Go Auburn Tigers! Just kidding, I’m an LSU Tiger fan. Don’t hate me, y’all. Finally, there is Talladega, right? I think I had to mention NASCAR, even though it’s too loud for my delicate eardrums.

Question: Why not Louisiana?

Response: When you think of Louisiana, your mind immediately plays zydeco music and sees purple, green, and gold plastic beads. I, personally, begin to smell boiling crawfish and crave bread pudding. But, unless I want to try and explain how Louisiana is separated into three distinct demographic and geographic regions, it’s hard to set a “southern” novel there. By the way, the three regions are: New Orleans, Cajun Country, and Redneck. It’s a fun place. Soon.

Question: What do you think of the South?

Response: I live in Georgia, and it’s a fine place to reside, but everybody thinks of Atlanta. Period. There are the wonderful Carolinas in the South, but they are considered more a moss-laden “low country” South. The drawl is different and often has a coastal feel. It’s a southern sub-genre that’s owned by the biggies like Mary Alice Monroe and Pat Conroy (God rest his soul). Florida isn’t considered the South. Not really. Only geographically. Texas. That’s all sexy cowboy rancher stuff. Arkansas. Sigh. I don’t know Arkansas. Mississippi. Maybe someday in the Delta.