The author was born in China. When she was younger, she was trained to become a gymnast for two years in 1970s. When she was in the first grade, the government wanted to transfer her to a school for athletes, all expenses paid. But her mother said no. Her parents wanted her to become an engineer like them. After Cultural Revolution, they believed there’s only one sure way to happiness: a safe and well-paid job. 

But her dreams was to become a Chinese opera singer. She tried everything she could to go to opera school. But no adults liked the idea. No adults believed she was serious. So at age 15, she knew her dream would never come true. 

She turned to books.

She found her role model of an independent woman when Confucian tradition requires obedience [Jane Eyre]

She went to U.S in 1995. The first book she read was those banded in China. 

The fifth commandment gave her an epiphany: “you shall honour your father and mother”. 

For example, the map. 

She started reading books in pairs. 

 ["Personal History" by Katharine Graham]["The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life," by Alice Schroeder] 

[Holy Bible: King James Version]["Lamb" by Chrisopher Moore]