Review: Honest, funny, heartfelt travel memoir
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 15, 2014
I've wanted to visit China for a long while, but after reading this excellent travel memoir, I really want to visit China! Written by a nice, somewhat earthy but still ladylike Southern girl, these reminiscences of her four or so months in rural China teaching English to college students was just plain delightful.  The strength of the book comes from the fresh and often naive perspectives she had as a Westerner trying to comprehend cultural differences and her willingness to share her own mistakes, gaffes, and squeamish moments with her readers. At times hilarious, honest throughout, with some genuine heartbreaking moments, this clear-eyed account is a must-read for anyone thinking of travel to China as well as those who do their traveling best on a couch wearing reading glasses. My one critique: what's with the cover photograph? It's pretty, but doesn't seem apropo to this memoir. Almost didn't buy the book because it screamed "self-published!" Not that that's bad, but this little gem needs something else that a good cover artist might be able to suggest.