Shanghai Girls

Shanghai Girls (Lisa See, 2009)

How I stumbled upon it: In a used bookstore in Nashville!

What it's about: Two wealthy sisters living in Shanghai during the 1930s, Pearl + May are living the dream. However, things quickly take a turn when Japan begins to bomb China and they find out that their father has gambled away their money and has sold them as brides to Americans. Once they land in California, they must navigate their new lives as wives to men they have never met, while holding on to each other.

What I thought: I read this one several years ago and I can still repeat the plot back without referencing the book - it was that good. I find that it is rare that books stick with me the way that Shanghai Girls has. It’s written in an easy-to-read style, but there is still quite a bit of substance + rich storyline. Highly recommend!

You can get it here