The Opposite of Fate: A Book of Musings by Amy Tan, 2003.

A collection of pieces, most previously published, most autobiographical in one way or another. I like Tan's writing a lot, and she can also be very funny (notably in the essay about singing for the Rock Bottom Remainders, which I had already read in the wonderful eponymous book, and her terrific commencement address at Simmons College). Especially insightful: "The Language of Discretion," refuting the idea that language can be read as forming character (specifically the idea that "Chinese has no words for 'yes' and 'no'" and therefore Chinese people are "discreet and modest." She captures the unease I felt, but couldn't put into words, when reading this story about French humor. The last essay is about her struggles with misdiagnosed Lyme disease--very sad. I hope she is doing better.