Review: THE RENT COLLECTOR, by Camron Wright

THE RENT COLLECTOR
Camron Wright
Shadow Mountain
First edition (August 27, 2012)
HC, 304 pp, 
$22.99,978-1609071226.

 




Sang Ly, a twenty-nine year old young mother, her husband Ki Lim and son, Nisay live on the top of a large mountain in Cambodia.  Rather than pristine rolling landscapes and crystal clean running streams, they are surrounded by piles of noxious and dangerous garbage. They live at the very bottom of Maslow’s Hierarchy.  The place is called Stung Meanchey, and this is their home, a shelter that consists of a couple of poles and a canvas roof.  Within are the bare essentials for survival.  Each day is spent with one goal in mind, to make enough money to eat a dinner.  Hopefully, with luck they will earn enough at the end of the month to pay rent to The Rent Collector,  a merciless, stone hearted drunk.  They call her the cow, but her name is Sopeap Sin. Nisay is a very sick child and all attempts to treat his chronic diarrhea fail. His belly is large and Sang Ly fears for his life.  One day when Sopeap arrives for the monthly rent, Sang Ly witnesses her sobbing after she discovers a torn children’s picture book in Nisay’s hands. Later, Sang Ly is sure that Sopeap must know how to read. How is it possible, that this wretched woman, also amid such poverty is able to read?  Sang Ly is determined to save her son and she now knows that there is a way.

This is an amazing  story of challenges, determination, guilt, gratitude and forgiveness. Seriously, a book that is difficult to break away from. Sang Ly and Sopeap Sin discover through their love of storytelling lessons that will surprise everyone.  I will savor this book, the characters, the message and my personal thoughts about life’s perspective. THE RENT COLLECTOR is a passionately rare and memorable gift for all readers.

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2012].

© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2012]. 
DISCLOSURE:  A free kindle version of this book was made available by Net Galley for review.

Wisteria Leigh
September 29, 2012

Review-Radio Shangri-La, by Lisa Napoli

RADIO SHANGRI-LA
Lisa Napoli
Crown Publishers
February 2011
$25.00/$28.95CAN, Hardcover
304 pages
978-0-307-45302-0.

Review by Wisteria ©

It has been said that you can go just about anywhere within the pages of a book. When you read Radio Shangri-La I believe this belief is close to achievable.  Lisa Napoli was looking for happiness. In her forties, working in public radio, she was more than unhappy. So much so that she took a course in happiness where she learned that writing down three things that brought her happiness each day would lead to some sort of enlightenment. She diligently did her homework assigned, with limited success.
When an opportunity to travel to Bhutan to help with a start-up radio station, Kuzoo FM, crossed her life path, she surprised herself by taking the job. Her account of her journey to the small country nestled between India and China, seemingly untouched by the modern world is a breathtaking journey of self-discovery.  After all, when the country measures its wealth by the Gross National Happiness and not the GNP, there must be something to this story?

Napoli has a comfortable writing style that flows easily and is a quick light read. She is humorous with just the right balance of her philosophic discovery without being preachy.
If anything, everyone will want to travel to Bhutan, but the cost may dissuade you. The travel and tourism tax collected by the government is about $200.00 per day. Not to mention, the prohibitive cost for a hotel that for most is astronomical.  Travel in and out of Bhutan is an arduous adventure. As the author discovers, because of the mountains that surround Bhutan’s only airport, it is known as the “scariest airport in the world.” That’s  a comforting travel tip to keep in mind along with the seemingly endless hours of travel from the United States.

The author is more than a tourist during her many visits to Bhutan, so her perspective is less visitor and more a foster citizen, temporary yet welcomed.  To replicate her experience would be impossible as a casual tourist. However, the unimaginable beauty and majesty of the Himalayan landscape and its people who hug Bhutan with happiness must be an experience in a lifetime.

I highly recommend Radio Shangri-La for anyone who wants to discover Bhutan, an extraordinary country.  As you follow Lisa Napoli’s quest for happiness, you just might uncover three things that will bring happiness to your own life.

Disclosure: The copy of this book was an ARC provided at no cost for an honest review by Crown Publishers. 

Author Website: http://www.lisanapoli.com/radio-shangri-la/



© [Wisteria Leigh] and [Bookworm's Dinner], [2008-2011].

Sunday Salon-What I Know, by Roger Emerson Fishman

What I Know
Uncommon wisdom and universal truths from 10-year-olds and 100-year-olds
Roger Emerson Fishman
Clarkson Potter Publishers
9/09
978-0-307-45422-5




I received this book in the mail recently and was able to slow down this weekend to enjoy the "uncommon wisdom and universal truths" offered in What I Know.
The author reflects upon the stories his grandfather told him as a young boy, stories he gathered from the friends he met. Sadly, his grandfather died when he was only eleven years old, but the author acquired a penchant for his grandfathers need to make friends and listen to the wisdom of everyone.

"He believed that there was wisdom in each person's life story, and that with just a sincere interest and a modest investment of time and care, you could uncover these gems everywhere."(9)

This is just what Roger Emerson Fishman did as he wrote the book What I Know.

This is a happiness book with an element of honest self-reflection. You will chuckle, laugh, agree, perhaps disagree, but one thing is certain, you will leave this book feeling good about yourself and perhaps reaching out to others.

Fishman imparts the insight he gained from interviewing people all over the United States, 100-year-olds and 10-year-olds. In his opinion they share the commonality of not being bogged down by the demands of every day life, they are free from encumbrances. Included in topics discussed are integrity, personal choice, believing in yourself,friendship and others.

Listen to what one ten-year-old said about integrity, sharing and perseverance....

Integrity:

"Integrity is doing good deeds when no one is looking. So if the recess aide isn't watching, that doesn't mean you should spit on school property." (25) jake d.

Sharing:

"Happiness and caring is the key to the door to your heart. When you have no key and no happiness, then your heart is just locked." erica d. (48)

Perseverance: (I loved this one!!!)

"If you're reading and get stuck on a new word, it can be frustrating! Like campaign. I thought it was pronounced 'camp-pigeon.' But if you skip that hard word and come back to it later, the right way will com to you." jenna t. (72)

A great book to pick up for that last minute holiday gift, or treat yourself. You will want to read it again and again, or share it with friends and family.