In the Shadow of the Cypress, by Thomas Steinbeck (2010)

I love a book that teaches me something about history. Thomas Steinbeck's book weaves a great story of the history of the Chinese immigrants to California in the early 1900s. The story begins in 1906, in a small fishing village in California, where Chinese fisherman and their families live their lives almost completely apart from the mainstream residents.

When a 400-year-old Chinese imperial seal and plaque is uncovered beneath a fallen Cypress tree, the Chinese elders of the village want to keep the object in their village temple. The more powerful Chinese factions in nearby San Francisco learn about the artifact's existence and want them to be moved to their protection.

The artifacts are proof that the Chinese visited North America before any Europeans, but it's value to the fisherman goes much deeper and they fear it's loss will bring bad luck to the entire village.

The story of the missing artifacts becomes it's own mystery when, a century later, two young men try to unravel the tale and redisover the items that once stood in the middle betweenthe two groups.

No, I Don't Want to Join a Book Club, by Virginia Ironside

If you are a fan of British self-deprecating humour, you will love Virginia Ironside's latest book. As Marie Sharp girds her loins to hit the big Six-O, she is beside herself with glee at all the senior discounts coming her way. The downside is nonexistant, a status unlikely to change as she decides that sex always involves too many compromises, especially for the woman.

Marie's look back at her wild years in London during the 1960's and her look forward to impending grandmotherhood make this a wonderfully joyous read.

I highly recommend this book!