Past Events / Book Clubs – Weina Dai Randel

List of Past Events in 2022

1/13, First Chapter Fun with Hank Phillippi Ryan, Virtual
1/13 Book Talk at Temple Isaiah, MA, Virtual
1/13, Arlington Author Salon with Helen Fremont and Yelena Lembersky, moderated by Anjali Mitter Duva, Virtual
1/26 A talk with Melodie Winawer, Faith Justice and Nancy Bilyeau, at the Historical Novel Soceity NYC Chapter, Virtual
2/2 Author talk at Lantern Hill, PA, Virtual
2/10 Day Drinking with Authors podcast, with Molly Faber, Ontario, Virtual
2/16, Authors and Bookstores, at A Mighty Blaze podcast, with Kimberly Hensel Lowrance, Virtual
2/17 Guest speaker at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Publishing in the digital age, Virtual
3/14 Hebrew Union College, podcast interview with Joshua Holo, Dean, Virtual
3/18 Chai Montreal, a podcast interview with the author, Virtual
3/26 Author discussion at The Historic Shanghai Book Group, Shanghai, Virtual
4/14 An Afternoon with Authors, at the Naples Women’s Club, with Kate Quinn and Patti Callahan Henry
5/7 Author talk and book signing at Congregation Kol Ami, Flower Mound, TX
5/19 Author talk at Mansfield Public Library, Mansfield, MA, Virtual
6/1 Author Book Talk at Beth Israel’s Jplace Adult Book Group, Northfield, NJ, Virtual
6/2 Author talk at Wine Women Words Podcast, Virtual
6/21 ITV Taking 5 with Kerri Maher, Virtual
9/12 Book discussion at Flower Mound Public Library, Virtual
9/16 The Making Meaning Podcast
9/24 Rom “Con” – Romance Festival at the “Con”cord Free Public Library
10/23 JCC Dallas Book Festival, Virtual
10/25 50th Ann and Stephen Kaufman Jewish Book and Arts Festival, Houston, TX
11/1 Book talk at Beth El Temple, Harrisburg, PA, Virtual
11/8 Festival of Arts, Books and Culture at the Katz JCC at Cherry Hill, NJ
11/10 Jewish Book Month Speaker Series, Marblehead, MA
11/22 Festival of Arts, Books and Culture at JCC of Atlantic City, NJ
11/29 Book and Author Conversation at Stamford JCC, Stamford, CT, Virtual
12/5 1:30pm Hadassah Book discussion, Boston, MA
12/6 7:30pm, Author talk, Temple Beth Ami, North Potomac, MD, Virtual
12/7, 12:30pm, Jewish Book Council author meets, Virtual
12/10, 11am, A historical look at Jews in China, Dallas, TX, Shaarei Orthodox Temple
12/14, 6:30pm Book talk, Atlantic City JCC, Virtual
12/14, 8pm, Author talk, Port Washington, NY, Port Jewish Center, Virtual
12/16, 1:30pm, Commencement speaker at Texas Woman’s University, Dallas, TX
12/21, 12pm, Author talk, National Women’s Philanthropy Jewish Federation of North America, New York, Virtual

Discussion questions for The Last Rose of Shanghai:

When Aiyi first appears in the novel, she wears “a custom-made shoe.” Was that surprising to you?
When Ernest Reisnmann arrived in Shanghai, how did he feel about the city?
When Aiyi Shao first met Ernest, why did she refrain from expressing her gratitude?
Shanghai in 1940 was a divided city. How did politics affect the people living in those separated districts? Can you give some examples?
Can you give a few examples of cultural differences in the novel?
How would you describe the character of Aiyi Shao at the beginning? Did she change? How?
Does the character Ernest Reismann feel realistic to you? Why?
Discuss the sibling dynamic in the novel. How did Aiyi get along with her brothers, Sinmay and Ying? How did Ernest get along with his sister Miriam?
Sir Victor Sassoon was a historical figure. Have you heard of him before? How would you describe the character of Sir Victor Sassoon in this novel?
Emily Hahn was a historical figure. How would you describe the character in the novel, the journalist, an independent woman living in Shanghai on her own, an opium addict, and an American who fell in love with a Chinese poet?
How important do you think music plays in the novel?
Laura Margolis was a historical figure. Describe her contribution to the Jewish refugees in the novel.
How would you describe Yamazaki?
Describe the horrible condition inside the Jewish Ghetto. Do you think this tragic confinement could have been avoided?
Was the ending predictable? Why?

Discussion questions for The Moon in the Palace:

How much did you know about the palace women in ancient China before you read this novel? In what ways do you think the palace women in China were similar to those in Europe?
Discuss the many facades of love in the novel, and how it manifests itself in the following characters: Mei, Pheasant, Jewel, Emperor Taizong, Taizi, and the Noble Lady.