I love the Dalai Lama! I’m currently reading The Art of Happiness and it is just so…positive.

…there may be differences in cultural background or way of life, there may be differences in our faith, or we may be of a different color, but we are human beings, consisting of the human body and the human mind….I find it much easier to communicate with others on that level. If we emphasize specific characteristics, like I am Tibetan or I am Buddhist, then there are differences. But those things are secondary. If we can leave the differences aside, I think we can easily communicate, exchange ideas, and share experiences.

Thanks to Larramie for the suggestion to read Lottery, it will be our next book club pick. Turns out the author - Patricia Wood - is from Oahu, so even kind of local.

The last book club pick, Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See is worth a mention here. Set in rural China in the 1800s, the story traces a special friendship between two women during a time when women were little valued. With a brutally honest look at the custom of footbinding, as well as a secret writing method called nu shu which was used exclusively by women, this book gives readers an intimate glimpse into another culture and another time.

And finally, who said writing books for kids is easy? Linda Sue Park gives her blog readers an honest look at one round of editorial feedback.