How Sweet the Bitter Soup: A Memoir

(Paperback)

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Description

With the international political environment being what it is, the difficulties for people to simply get married, or accompany a spouse to their country for a visit, or to actually immigrate are more relevant than ever.

One in six US newlyweds were married to a person of a different race or ethnicity in 2015, a more than fivefold increase from 1967

More and more people are interested in a variety of versions spirituality and faith, and will appreciate how the author tunes into her spirituality without making religion overly dominant in her story.

More than 3.6 million teachers are employed in US private and public schools, with thousands more employed in schools in countries across the world.

AUDIENCE:

Women, young adult through elderly

Readers who love a love story

Adults who are interested in China

Readers who look for spiritual and faith-based aspects in a story

Readers interested in travel (whether as armchair travelers or actual travelers)

Members of the Latter-Day Saint faith

Teachers, especially those who teach/have taught abroad

Reviews

". . . Qian's smooth prose and sympathetic affect make this memoir a
compelling read. A smoothly told, down-to-earth tale of an American
abroad."

--Kirkus Reviews

"Lori Qian's debut memoir is a story of triumph, love, family, kindness,
and humor. Qian depicts frustration, resourcefulness, pain, and heroism
hidden in the lives of two people making great sacrifices for what they
hope will be a brighter future. As they persevere, they move to a wider
understanding of the human condition. This is a story for our time.
Young adult and adult readers will find respite, hope, encouragement,
and joy in this carefully crafted and warmly felt debut."

--Mary Rakow, award-winning author of The Memory Room

"Lori Qian's story is stunning! From the courage to leave her family and
move to China to being served frog and eel at her soon-to-be in-laws'
house, her story will remind you that life is a grand adventure. Qian's
vivid storytelling invites us to come along for the ride."

--McArthur Krishna, award-winning and best-selling author of the Girls Who Choose God series

"An incredible story about finding home, finding yourself, and falling
in love in a foreign country, Lori Qian's inspiring memoir is a reminder
that life is full of surprises and hope."

--Jennifer Chen Tran, literary agent

"Striking in its honesty and forthrightness. . . . Exemplifying the best
kind of memoir writing, Qian shares not only her external experiences
but also the psychological and emotional landscapes she traverses."

--Booklist

Author Bio

Lori Qian holds a BA in anthropology and philosophy and an MA in applied linguistics, and has advanced graduate training in school leadership, literacy instruction, and elementary education. She is a regular contributor to Urban Family Magazine in Guangzhou, China, and enjoys presenting around the world on topics ranging from cultivating creativity to pedagogical approaches to writing. She is passionate about education, multiculturalism, and self-improvement. After living in China for ten years, she recently relocated to Alpine, Utah, with her family, ready to embrace an entirely new adventure. Qian is currently working on her second book, Fighting for Fitness, a self-help memoir of her own health transformation.