#8--Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See was the 8th book I read for the challenge. Usually I am not into any type of Asian materials, but I couldn't put this book down after I started it.

The book follows a Chinese girl named Lily throughout her entire life and highlights the roles of women in nineteenth century China. Lily is from a farming family and is secluded in the house almost her entire life. Women cooked and cleaned for the men in the house but rarely left the house. When it came time for her foot binding she was paired up with a "laotong" or "old-same" friend named Snow Flower and they were a huge part of each other's lives from that time on. They experienced foot binding, marriage and learning the women's writing called nu-shu together as well. As they get older they stay in contact, have problems in their relationship but also stay in contact with their secret fan.

This is a great story of friendship and love. I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to read the sequel called Peony in Love that highlights the life of Lily's granddaughter.

Picture was found HERE.

#7--Running with the Buffaloes

Running with the Buffaloes was my pick for #7. It was written by Chris Lear and it highlights the 1998 cross country season of the University of Colorado team.

The author followed the Buffaloes throughout their training, competitions, and everything in between. The main characters that were focused on were the coach Mark Wetmore, the star runner Adam Goucher and Chris Severy. The team has many challenges throughout the season including losing one of their top runners in a motorcycle accident and overcoming challenges to make it a successful season. Included in the book was a lot of their training schedules, along with their distances and times. I was shocked with many of the times and distances these guys were putting in during the season...and I don't know much about running!

Up next....Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Picture found HERE.

#6--Again to Carthage

Again to Carthage by John L. Parker was my 6th book. It is the sequel to Once A Runner, which I have previously read. This was a great second book and the reader really gets to know the characters better.

The main character is Quentin Cassidy, who in the previous book had won a silver medal at the Olympics in the 1 mile race. This book picks up with Quentin wanting to accomplish something new and sets a new goal of competing in the Olympic marathon at the next Olympics. The book follows him through struggles with deaths of family and friends and his training. It really makes you want to go out for a run!

On to #7!

Picture found HERE.