Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

This was a beautifully written book that bounced back and forth between the early 1940's and the mid 1980's.  Henry is a Chinese boy with parents who are against anything that is not Chinese.  He met a girl, Keiko, who was Japanese and made a connection with her.  She and her family were sent to an internment camp and they kept in touch, but time passed on.  In the present time an old hotel was being renovated and items that people who were sent to the internment camps could not take were hidden there.  This brought up memories for Henry and this is what moves the story along.  I will never cease to be amazed at how people treat people, how through out history we have treated other Americans who have a different skin color or background.  Again, just a beautifully written story.

China Dolls by Lisa See

I love this author.  I also love the subject matter she chooses.  I am fascinated with China and Japan, their culture and how they have worked to fit into the United States.  This takes place just before, during and after World War 2.  Three women -- Helen, Ruby and Grace -- are put together in a fast changing world.  They are from completely different backgrounds and would have never met or even been friends if it was not for the circumstances that they were in.  We follow their lives, the triumphs and pains and growth, and learn to love and hate them for what they do to each other and what they go through personally.  Wonderfully written and I can't wait for another Lisa See book!!