Provides a readable introduction to the legends, customs, traditions, festivals, and celebrations of Chinese culture and heritage, complete with trivia, drawings, charts, tables, recipes, and informative sidebars. Original. 20,000 first printing. - (Baker & Taylor)

Good Luck Life is the first book to explain the meanings of Chinese rituals and to offer advice on when and how to plan for Chinese holidays and special occasions such as Chinese weddings, the Red Egg and Ginger party to welcome a new baby, significant birthdays, and the inevitable funeral. Packed with practical information, Good Luck Life contains an abundance of facts, legends, foods, old-village recipes, and quick planning guides for Chinese New Year, Clear Brightness, Dragon Boat, Mid-Autumn, and many other festivals.

Written with warmth and wit, Good Luck Life is beautifully designed as an easily accessible cultural guide that includes an explanation of the Lunar Calendar, tips on Chinese table etiquette for dining with confidence, and dos and don'ts from wise Auntie Lao, who recounts ancient Chinese beliefs and superstitions. This is your map for celebrating a good luck life.

Library Journal Reviews

Growing up in California, Gong didn't pay much attention to Chinese traditions. In this charming compendium of customs, beliefs, legends, traditions, and cultural inventions, she more than makes up for lost time. Part 1, "Annual Chinese Holidays," goes from Chinese New Year through Qing Ming, Dragon Boat, Hungry Ghosts, and Mid-Autumn on the authority of information from Gong's friends and aunties as well as reference books. Part 2, "Chinese Special Occasions," likewise follows the life cycle: weddings, births, big birthdays (especially the 60th!), funerals, and table etiquette. For most sections, there is a bit of poetry or story (who became the Kitchen God, and how?) or a genial recounting of beliefs and warnings-"don't sweep the floors on the first day of the New Year or good fortune will be swept away." Helpful tables list Chinese years, flowers, numbers, and animals. Scattered throughout are recipes, some of which are adapted for the average kitchen, others not-one calls for eight pounds of side cut of pork and three packages of dried bamboo leaves. A good buy for public libraries, particularly those serving Chinese American communities.-Charles W. Hayford, Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.