Thursday, August 15, 2013

A Memoir I Recommend and Book Give Away





My friend Wei Wei wrote a memoir "Tracing Our Footsteps: 15 Tales of Hope, Struggle and Triumph" that centers on her relationship with her dad and his move to the United States from China following his daughter who attended college in the USA and then moved here. He is a widower and dearly loves China, and Wei reconnects with him when he travels to California and moves in with Wei, her husband, and their young daughter.
Wei will send one copy of her book free to some lucky reader of this blog; to enter just leave a comment on this blog post.
There are 15 chapters and I read one, and then another and another, since her story is compelling and well written. As I saw how big the culture shock was for her dad, I wondered, will he stay in California with Wei or return to his roots in China.
I asked her some questions and I share her answers below.

1. What is your book about?
This humorous, moving, and rich memoir is about my efforts to help my dad to fit into a new environment and to re-establish our relationship. It focuses on ordinary, but profound experiences that a father and a daughter shared, reflecting upon their personal values, perspectives, and priorities during a five-year period and offers the reader insight into the life and struggle of a contemporary immigrant family.
2.   Lots of people say they have a book they want to write, yet you went ahead and did it. What was your inspiration for writing this book?
The idea began with a tribute to my aging father in mind. However, as I continued to write the memoir, I was reminded of similar stories told to me by other people.  I suddenly realized that what I was writing was not just my tale about my family.  It was really a story of a journey shared across various age, race, gender or cultural backgrounds. In a way, it was universal.
3. Anything else you want to share?
I appreciate all those who have helped, including my family, reviewers, friends and my publisher.
Here is a part of what I wrote in a review of Wei's book: Wei is gifted at painting word pictures, like this one about her father's love of eating Chinese noodles: "One cannot try to substitute or improve upon a simple bowl of noodles that is steeped in the sauces of memory and culture." 
The paperback ($14) and kindle are available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Tracing-Our-Footsteps-Wei/dp/1460207262/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376450096&sr=8-1&keywords=tracing+our+footsteps

I will select the winner using random.org on August 20 and the author will mail you your very own copy of her compelling memoir.

37 comments:

Delvalina said...

Oh wow what a story of life!

I am hoping to win it, this could hep those who struggle to rebuild their relationship with with father.

I love reading books about life ( how people dealing with the things in the world and how God worked it our for them)

Thanks for sharing this beautiful giveaway.

Hugs and love,
Delvalina

Simply Shelley said...

Sounds like something I would love to read...I am a reader and enjoy reading very much....blessings and thanks so much for sharing.

Inger said...

I came to this country from Sweden when I was 22 and I believe it is much easier to leave your culture behind when you are young. It must be so very hard for her dad to, one the one hand, want to be close to his daughter, but on the other, missing his country and his culture.

Debra said...

Terra-- Thank-you for your very encouraging comments at my blog today and always! I appreciate them every time. I'd love to be entered in your book giveaway--thanks for letting me know about it! Blessings, Debra

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

This sounds like a very moving book and whoever the winner is I know will enjoy it.

Thanks for the give-away.

FlowerLady

Anonymous said...

Wish I were more of an avid reader but I'm just not... good luck to whoever wins!!

Denise said...

Sounds like great reading.

Unknown said...

It sounds like a book I would love to read. Books on families and culture are so intriguing to me,

Dee said...

I would enjoy this book...I love reading about other peoples lives. It is nice of you to share a giveaway.

Jettie said...

What a lovely book!

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

HI-ya. I wandered over from Maggie's blog.

This sounds like a terrific book. I am in awe of people who, like my father and his parents, leave everything they know behind to start over again in a new country. That takes a lot of courage and a huge leap of faith.

Unknown said...

As a library friend of Wei's I've been following her messages about the creation of this memoir. I appreciate your reminder to read the book - it's at the top of my list! Congratulations Wei!

Nellie said...

How interesting this book sounds! I would definitely have room for it here.

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Enjoyed reading this and I appreciate the chance to win such a awesome book. Thank honey
Love
Maggie

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

I have always been amazed at immigrants who are willing to leave home and the familiar, including language, to fend a new life for themselves elsewhere - facing the unknown, willingly...

congrats on writing this story and sharing the journey with others!

Linda said...

Thanks for the comment you left on my blog. I will publicize your book give-away on my Facebook Page on memoir writing. :)

Linda

Joanna Jenkins said...

I admire anyone who successfully tackles a project as big as a memoir. Congrats to the writer.
Thanks for the giveaway.
jj

Librarian said...

This sounds like a great book, and if I can enter the giveaway even though I live in Germany, please include me :-)

Debbie said...

It sounds wonderful and like something I would love to read. I have such respect for people who don't just say they want to do something but go ahead and DO the thing!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It sounds wonderful! I was just getting ready to do a post on books. I love to read! Thanks!

Unknown said...

What a great giveaway, Terra.
Have a beautiful weekend.
TTFN ~
Marydon

Buttercup said...

This sounds great. Thanks, Terra, for introducing us to this book.

xinex said...

Sounds very interesting, Terra. Thanks for sending me over....Christine

LC said...

Terra, Thanks for visiting my blog and for alerting me about this memoir that explores those connections forged among generations and cultures.

thesilverofhisfining said...

Sounds like a great book, Terra. Thanks for the offer. Joyce

Wei said...

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for all your comments.

Much appreciation! Wei Wei

Diane Writes said...

Please count me in Terra! As a book addict, I would love to read and learn from the experience.

Happy Sunday!

Maya Sara Matthew said...

Its difficult for anyone to move to another place and it gets more difficult with age.

Cuidado said...

Just found your blog through my friend, Gwen Buchanan's blog. What an interesting looking blog you have. The book of your friend sounds like a good read too.

Denise said...

How exciting!Yes,please include Me in Your drawing.Thank You for enjoying My post and commenting.Denise

BumbleVee said...

oooh, just getting in under the wire here, Terra.... thanks for letting me know about your giveaway.....

Introverted Art said...

Thank you for your support Terra. A lot of people have been "pooping" my choice :(

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your visit to my blog and your sweet comments. The book sounds good!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

Susan said...

Hi Terra...

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and for commenting, too.

It's always nice to see you stopped by.

Can you put my name in the pot for your book giveaway? Thanks! Susan

Anonymous said...

I would love to be included. thank you for visiting and commenting today. We really do have wonderful neighbors!

RURAL said...

Those are the best stories, and her book sounds very interesting.

Jen

Dee said...

Wow..You put a smile in my heart letting me know I have won your friends book "Tracing Our Footsteps" I look forward to reading it. My address is..... Dee Richards
10275 Haley Lane
Apt. 106
Whitmore Lake Mi.
48189

You can also e-mail me at deelarichards@yahoo.com

I am also on face Book ...Deela Richards.:)