This or That Reading Challenge discussion

This: A historical fiction/non-fiction based in an Asian country
Or
That: A book featuring dreams.

I happened to read a book that double-qualifies for both This and That: Sultana's Dream by Begum Rokeya. It's a novella about a Bengali woman who falls asleep and enters a dream world where gender roles have flipped: the woman are running the country and the men must remain indoors and isolated. Written in 1905, the author gently but firmly rips apart all the rationales given for why men are normally in charge. The author was also very prescient regarding envisioning solar power technologies. It was short, but very well done. 4 1/2 stars

I am several days late, lol. But I read The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo for This. It's a modern take on historical Chinese in Malaysia. Their funeral rites and their myths were very fascinating. I may end up doing a deep dive to learn more. I am very much interested in the idea of hungry ghosts.

THIS: I read The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

Beth wrote: "I read The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi"

What did you think of it Beth?

Keith wrote: "Beth wrote: "I read The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi"

What did you think of it Beth?"

The story was OK, but the writing style is really was made this a great read for me. And I’m eager to read the rest of the series to learn how the characters, especially Radha, fare.

I have been working on many challenges and just entering them into my Journal. I worked my way through either this or that for every month, I then found myself working through this AND that for every month.

March: This: Thirst by Varsha Bajaj That: The House in the Cerulean Sea

Really loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, and have since also read other by Klune which I enjoyed as well. Also had the opportunity to meet the author 2 years ago at the LA Times Book Festival where I was able to get a signed copy of this book!

I have not read any others by Klune, but would like to I loved this one as well.