In honor of Chinese New Years, I would like to recommend an older memoir ‘Falling Leaves’ by Adeline Yen Mah. It is a powerful story of growing up unwanted and unloved in a wealthy family on mainland China after the 1949 revolution. Adeline’s mother dies shortly after giving birth to her and from then on, the girl is considered bad luck. This is a true Cinderella-like tale, ugly step mother and all. In fact, the Young Reader’s Edition of this book is titled ‘Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter’ (a perfect choice for a mother and daughter book group). How Adeline manages to escape her life in China and come to America where she becomes a doctor is truely inspirational.  Gung ho fat choy!