We Talk Shop

OK, so is a book a product? Sure, I say. Thus, We Talk Shop’s first book review. Let me say something upfront … this is how I would describe this book to a friend, I’m not writing a hoity-toity book review like a professional book reviewer. OK, disclaimer over.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See is probably the most intersting book I’ve read in awhile and it’s a great book to read with other women. I’m part of a book club (call me geeky, I don’t care, I love my book club) and this was our choice for January. It was a quick read and tells the tale of how girls born into nineteenth-century China grew up. It covers how they are raised, how their feet are bound, how their husbands are chosen, everything. Makes you wonder if you lived in that era if you would bind your daughter’s feet or if you would rebel against society and not do it. There’s a ton in this book for discussion.

It’s an intiguiging tale of female companionship, friendship and love and gives the reader a glimpse into women of the past.

Get it! Amazon, Barnes and Noble or anywhere books are sold. It’s in paperback and it still quite popular right now. The cover price is $13.95.

Someone can just mention the name Nancy Drew and wonderful memories of curling up on the sofa or under my sheets late at night to read the latest adventure of my all time favorite girl sleuth immediately pops into my head.

I grew up reading Nancy Drew, I wanted to be just like her and solve mysteries, and I loved her bravery and strength. I mean who didn’t want to be just like her, she had a really cool shiny blue roadster, dressed really nice, had great friends and could outwit any thief!

I have always been intrigued about the story behind the story, I mean, I know that there was never a Carolyn Keene, that there were many ghost writers that helped to bring her to life. But I was always curious about the real story of Nancy Drew, was she a direct reflection of one of the ghost writers? So I came across this book by Melanie Rehak, Girl Sleuth Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her and I had to read it.

For anyone who is a fan of Nancy Drew, this is a must read, Melanie Rehak does a wonderful job of weaving the behind-the-scenes history of the Stratemeyer syndicate, the characters that they developed from Nancy Drew to the Hardy Boys and the real people that wrote for them.

This book brought Nancy to life for me, it was interesting to learn more about the Stratemeyer syndicate, the dime store novels that were popular during the 1930s and the two very remarkable women who breathed life into each of her adventures.

The book made me want to read all my Nancy Drew books again, which I can because yes, my mother saved them all, thanks mom, so here’s to some fun and easy reading!