March

I am hosting book club in March and I have chosen the book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua.  I love learning about other cultures and I felt like this book is especially interesting since she has chosen to raise her children in America according to the Chinese culture instead of the "Western" way.  This is not a parenting book so no need to feel like you can't read it if you don't have kids or if your kids are older/grown.  It is an extremely quick, engaging story that is amazingly honest and thought provoking (so hopefully will provide some good discussion)!

The library has plenty of copies and there is also an audiobook available at the library as well.  I am looking at hosting it on March 21st although, if we find there are too many conflicts that night, it might have to be March 15th...so get started!!!  Luckily it's short!

Here are a couple of quick previews of the book if you are interested in learning more:

By the author, Amy Chua:

"This is a story about a mother, two daughters, and two dogs.

This was supposed to be a story of how Chinese parents are better at raising kids than Western ones.

But instead, it's about a bitter clash of cultures, a fleeting taste of glory, and how I was humbled by a thirteen-year-old."

From Amazon:

"An awe-inspiring, often hilarious, and unerringly honest story of one mother's exercise in extreme parenting, revealing the rewards-and the costs-of raising her children the Chinese way.

All decent parents want to do what's best for their children. What Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother reveals is that the Chinese just have a totally different idea of how to do that. Western parents try to respect their children's individuality, encouraging them to pursue their true passions and providing a nurturing environment. The Chinese believe that the best way to protect your children is by preparing them for the future and arming them with skills, strong work habits, and inner confidence. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother chronicles Chua's iron-willed decision to raise her daughters, Sophia and Lulu, her way-the Chinese way-and the remarkable results her choice inspires.

Here are some things Amy Chua would never allow her daughters to do:

• have a playdate
• be in a school play
• complain about not being in a school play
• not be the #1 student in every subject except gym and drama
• play any instrument other than the piano or violin
• not play the piano or violin

The truth is Lulu and Sophia would never have had time for a playdate. They were too busy practicing their instruments (two to three hours a day and double sessions on the weekend) and perfecting their Mandarin.

Of course no one is perfect, including Chua herself.   But Chua demands as much of herself as she does of her daughters. And in her sacrifices-the exacting attention spent studying her daughters' performances, the office hours lost shuttling the girls to lessons-the depth of her love for her children becomes clear. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother is an eye-opening exploration of the differences in Eastern and Western parenting- and the lessons parents and children everywhere teach one another.""

Happy Reading!!!