Read Me Alone / Ern's Retro Books (May 2005)

I'm sure you all probably thought I had long forgotten about my retro book blog which hasn't seen an update in over a year.  As I was doing some minor cleaning at home this afternoon, I once again came upon my notebook of my original reviews as I wrote them in e-mails to my friends and family.  This was long before the term blog was even a part of our lexicon.  These retro reviews of books I read in the past our written verbatimm as I wrote them, well with a few minor corrections.  Anyway, for any bibliophiles out there, I hope you enjoy this blog as well and I will try to update a little more often.  I certainly won't neglect for an entire year again.

Ern 6/2/2011

READ ME ALONE

Hey everybody, the month is almost over.  Have you read any good books?  I took a short break from regular fiction to read up on a couple of graphic novels.  It's a shame that some people still lump graphic novels with comics.  Granted, it's a visual medium but the stories are not for juveniles.  A couple of the better known titles are "The Watchmen" and "V for Vendetta".  Also highly acclaimed is the "Sandman" series.  The only reason I haven't enjoyed the "Sandman" yet is because of this character in my life called "The Black Cloud".  "The Black Cloud" has a way of annoying you at the slightest provocation and will always find a reason to complain about some thing or someone without fail.  Just one cheery "Good morning" would have made my day, but alas, black clouds tend to darken the atmosphere and if you show any interest in their interests, then you will never hear the end of it.  I know, I lived it.  Then again, someone else has lived it worse than I.  However, I did read "The Watchmen" and quite enjoyed it.  In one of the latest movie magazines, I read an article that said there was going to be a film version of "V for Vendetta".  I have owned this book for a long while but hand never gotten around to reading it, until now.  So, once again, do not be surprised by the number of books I've read as quite a few of them were graphic novels.  I found myself enjoying the Brian Azzarello series "100 Bullets" and also read the Japanese manga series "Negima : Majister Negi Magi" by the creator of "Love Hina".  The story is about a 10 year old graduate of wizard school whose next assignment is teaching English at an all girl's high school in Japan.  Already plugged my friend's book at the end of my movie review, but once again, it's called "Schizophrenic in Japan" by Mike (in Japan) Rogers.  Now to get your literary juices running, here are my latest offerings.

BOOKED TO DIE by John Dunning - The first book in the Cliff Janeway series.  Okay, so I read them out of sequence.  Cliff Janeway is still a Denver detective at the beginning of the story.  When a repeat offender in the girlfriend beating department rears his head, Cliff can no longer contain himself and takes matters into his own hands.  Near the same time, a well known book scout is murdered and the investigation leads Cliff into the worlds of books and book collecting an as he is an avid reader and collector himself, he resigns from the force and becomes a rare books dealer himself.  He also becomes a part time sleuth when someone on his staff also gets murdered.  Highly recommended for book lovers and collectors.

THE BOOKMAN'S PROMISE by John Dunning - A woman's last wish is for Cliff Janeway to find a notebook written by Sir Richard Burton which once belonged to her grandfather who had traveled with the great explorer during his visit to the States.  The notebook may give proof that Sir Richard Burton helped the North to win the Civil War.  But it seems Cliff is not the only one in search of Burton's treasure which takes him from Denver to Baltimore and the Southeast, combined with a few murders and you have another delightful mystery to sink your teeth into.

DOG by Michelle Herman - You've all heard the saying, "never judge a book by its cover".  I didn't and found myself reading one of the most boring novels I've read in a long time.  I don't know why I forced myself to read it to its conclusion.  The cover of the book was so cute.  It had a picture of a tiny little puppy. (hey, guys can like cute things too).  Oh, but the story.  Cynical forty year old college professor from New York but currently living in the Midwest in Nowheresville, Iowa becomes the owner of a nine week old puppy.  The sleeve said it was a humorous and heartwarming tale.  I sure missed out on that.  I just wanted to slap the protagonist upside the head and say, "Get a life!" 

V FOR VENDETTA by Alan Moore - I was debating about whether or not to include this book with these reviews because this is a graphic novel.  In a post-war future, fascism is a way of life.  Death camps and human experiments the norm.  When one man escapes the camp and fights back against the corruption and tyranny of his former captors, you can't help but to root for him.  But he does not stop at revenge.  He intends to topple the totalitarian government.  Lots of blood and gore without the use of your imagination.

100 BULLETS :  Volume 1 First Shot, Last Call

                           Volume 2 Split Second

                           Volume 3 Hang Up on the Hang Low

                           Volume 4 A Foregone Tomorrow

                           Volume 5 The Counterfifth Detective

                           Volume 6 Six Feet Under

                           

A violent series featuring a group of men who call themselves the Minutemen and who work for thirteen powerful families which is the base for The Trust.  Agent Graves no longer works for The Trust as they have been trying to eliminate the Minutemen (hey, this almost sounds like the plot of "Tube"), as to the 100 bullets, Agent Graves approaches various people who have been wronged and gives them a second chance.  He brings with him a suitcase with a gun, 100 bullets and irrefutable proof of the person who wronged them.  The bullets are untraceable and its up to the individual to use the information or not.  Hardcore violence in the inner city with graphic depiction of the mayhem.

HOTEL BABYLON : INSIDE THE EXTRAVAGANCE AND MAYHEM OF A LUXURY FIVE-STAR HOTEL by Anonymous and Imogene Edwards - Damn, did I enjoy this book.  Written by a hotel man with over thirty years experience.  Spend 24 hours in one of London's luxury five-star hotels.  Read about the wacky rich people and their bizarre requests (Michael Jackson - 48 bottles of Evian; Madonna - rents an entire floor but doesn't stay; Richard Gere - doesn't like the carpet and requests that it be replaced).  Read about the various hotel employee love trysts.  The concierge and his seedy connections for concert tickets, dope, prostitutes and more.  Read about the Texas oil millionaire who tips anybody and everybody and orders whiskey that ₤250 a shot!  People having sex in the honor bar, people relieving themselves in potted plants, crazy woman dancing naked in the lobby.  This book is a riot.  It makes me want to watch that film with Michael J. Fox again, "The Concierge".

METAL COWBOY : TALES FROM THE ROAD LESS PEDALED by Joe Kurmaskie - I just can't stay away from travel essays for too long.  If I can't make my own journey, I'm more than willing to become an armchair traveler.  It's safer and doesn't cost as much.  That doesn't mean I've given up traveling.  As you can tell from the title, Joe Kurmaskie sees the world from his bicycle.  The chapters are divided into a bunch of different journeys he's taken over the years, from his childhood of teaching himself how to ride a bike to the present where he rides his bike for a living and contributes to magazines such as "Bicycling" and "Outside".  I miss my mountain bike!  Unfortunately, when my uncle was in town, he managed to have it stolen along with the bike helmet my brother bought me for a birthday or a Christmas present.  Damn, I miss riding a bike.  I'm definitely going to have to buy one in the near future.

DEAN KOONTZ'S FRANKENSTEIN Book 1 PRODIGAL SON by Dean Koontz - New twist on an old story.  My friend said she was reading this so I decided to read along with her.  You can't even compare this book to Mary Shelley's original.  I'm not a big fan of Dean Koontz or Stephen King.  The fact is, I'm not a big horror fan even though I have read a few here and there.  This is the first Dean Koontz book I've ever read.  Not really my cup of tea but it kept me entertained.  Looks like I'll have to wait another couple of months for Book 2 to come out.  Don't want to give anything away in case my friend is still reading it.  I'm dying to hear her opinion on it.

Oh bummer, I was going to add one more title but I wasn't able to finish reading it before the end of the month.  I will be pushing my friend's book heavily in next month's batch of reviews as I just started reading it today.  As it deals with life in Japan from an ex-pat's point of view and the ex-pat being an American, I know I'll be able to relate to a lot of the stories he's bound to have told.  Maybe it'll give me the inspiration to get my own pieces of work published in one single volume one day.  You never know.  For the next couple of months I might not be able to read as much as I want to because I am in the process of looking for a new apartment.  Last night I brought home a bunch of cardboard boxes so I can start packing up for my imminent move.  I'm afraid a lot of you will no longer be able to live life vicariously through me as I will be leaving my single, carefree, no responsibility except to myself lifestyle behind.  However, I still intend to travel to exotic and far flung locations and to continue eating culinary delights provided me have enough funds to do so.  Fortunately, I know my fiancee shares my interest in seeing UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Pyramids of Giza or Angkor Wat or the Great Wall of China so I know I still have many adventures to look forward to.  It's okay to enjoy films but don't forget to read!

Wow, so I wrote the above about a month before getting married.  Hard to believe six years have passed already.  Reading that last paragraph is kind of sad though.  Although we still share a joy of World Heritage Sites, we have not gone to any exotic locations after getting married.  Our travels were pretty much limited to going to my hometown of Seattle or my wife's home town of Aomori.  However, we did go to Maui just a few weeks ago and which I am currently writing about on my regular blog - "Ern in Tokyo".  My regular blog is currently in its third year and I continue to post book and movie reviews, along with neighborhood walks, concert reviews and of course everybody's favorite subject - food!

What Tome is It? / Ern's Retro Books (April 2005)

I'm sure you all think that I've either gotten bored with keeping up with this second blog or that I had completely forgotten about it. I can assure you, I have not forgotten, but I have been neglecting it. But think of it this way, you get to read two months worth of book reviews as I've posted my books read for last month on my regular blog already. As always, I will write verbatum from my notes, well, I may make slight changes here and there and perhaps correct some grammatical errors, but the main content will be from what I wrote five years ago.

Hey kiddies, nothing like using an obscure word for book is it? I thought I would get an early start on this month's reviews. I think I've read more fiction this month. I indulged in only one travel essay (my favorite genre). Why the sudden shift to mostly fiction? Well, one day as I came to work, there was a box with my name on it. "Hmm", says I. I opened the box to find a load of science fiction magazines and assorted books (mostly fiction). I read the note from the person who sent it and thought, "Oh my!" There is this customer that I've been acquainted with since this store opened who works a s a translator of English novels into Japanese. From time to time she would as me for help which I was always willing to give. I told her I didn't mind helping and that I love to read. She had brought me some issues of "Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazine" even though she wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. I said, "Cool! I used to love reading sf & fantasy...blah, blah, blah". I had to read a few mindless entertainment pieces after finishing "War, Evil & the End of History". Currently I am reading the latest Pulitzer Prize winning book for general non-fiction, "Ghost Wars" by Steven Coll. The subtitle is "The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, & bin Laden, from the Soviety invasion to September 10, 2001". Heavy stuff but quite entertaining and quite eye-opening. So without further ado, this month's reviews:

WAR, EVIL AND THE END OF HISTORY by Bernard-Henri Levy - For those of you who know me quite well, you would know that I have a morbid fascination for crimes against humanity. Not that I want commit any. It just amazes me what kind of atrocities Homo sapiens are capable of. Of course most of us remain ignorant about the world around us. It's the attitude of who cares what's happening in the Sudan or Sri Lanka or the jungles of Columbia. Bernard-Henry gives a first person account of these lesser known conflicts - the world at large doesn't acknowledge them as war. This is one difficult read though. I don't know if it's the fault of the translator or the author himself but take a look at the kind of sentence you have to deal with - "And, since I've saide the word, did some share of expiation, of penitence, enter into this way of adding to the requirement, of overplaying militant activism, of raising a litter higher, in short, the bar of radicality in order to forgive myself for an involvement that I deemed too half-hearted - a bit like, mutatis mutandis, the Sartre syndrome that, although behaving, beyond reproach during the Occupation, though founding "Sous la botte" and then steadily maintaining his line with people like Cavailles, Kahn, Leiris, and, more generally, the team of Les Lettres francaises, he still felt remorse for not having done more, despite everything, and for not giving enough of his life as an intellectual in order, afterwards, to fell forgiven for it?" Jeez, how many commas do you need in a sentence? And this book, is so full, that it becomes, almost, as if, totally annoying, which is why, long break needed, before finishing said book. Then it dwells on philosophy. He should have just left out the philosophy and stuck with the narrative reports.

SOLO : ON HER OWN edited by Susan Fox Rogers - From the wilderness of Alaska, to the Adirondacks or biking through New Zealand, twenty-two women share their solo adventures. If camping and kayaking are your pleasure, then this would probably be a worthwhile book to read. I like to travel but I'm not a backpacker but neither am I a package tourist fiend. I like the in-between. Better to read someone else's adventure about roughing it. I don't like to stray too far away from modern conviences. Call me a pseudo-backpacker, I won't be offended.

A SECRET AFFAIR by Barbara Taylor Bradford - Maybe one step above the Harlequin romances. This book was part of my goodies package and it looked like a simple enough read. I'm not a big fan of Barbara Taylor Bradford or romance novels in genearl and I doubt that I'll be reading any of her other books soon. It was a straight up made-for-tv movie story - foreign war correspondent covering the Bosnian conflicts meets up with a buddy in Venice. Both buddies meet charming American woman. The three Americans decide to spend Thanksgiving together and to search for a real turkey dinner in Venice. The war correspondent and woman fall in love and promise to meet in Venice again. And then a second time. The third time, one of them doesn't show up. It just didn't do anything for me but it was a lot easier to read than "War, Evil and the End of History"!


THE RECKONING by Thomas F. Monteleone - I didn't realize this was a sequel to a book called "The Blood of the Lamb" until after I finished reading it. I had no idea what the story was about but when I did start to read it, the timing seemed to be impeccable if not creepy. I had just listened to the news of the death of the Pope. This story starts with the assassination of the Pope. Father Peter Carenza becomes the next Pope but shakes up the Vatican with radical new ideas in contrast with Catholic doctrine. I also found out while reading that Peter Carenza was not a normal human, he was cloned from the blood of Christ that was left on the Shroud of Turin. The people who created him believed that Peter was going to be the Second Coming, the New Messiah. But as Peter gets older and his ideas grow wilder, you find that he's been influenced by Satan. He is an abomination but accepts his role as he strives to bring an end to the world for the Anti-Christ. Yeah, the story is kind of out there but what the hell, it was entertaining - and you know Good always wins against Evil in the end.


THE YOKOTA OFFICERS CLUB by Sarah Bird - After her first year of college, Bernadette Root is heading home, and home is Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa. Being an army brat myself, I found this to be quite entertaining. The fact that my father was stationed in Tokyo during my elementary years biased me towards liking this book. I recognized a lot of the bases that were mentioned - Johnson Air Force Base (where my brother was born), Yokota, Yokosuka, Tachikawa, Fuchu, Fussa. It brought back some memories even though that has nothing to do with this book. Although this story if fiction, Bird based it on her life as a military brat too. Bernadette's father is a strict Air Force Major, her mother is down to earth but is tired of the nomadic life, her siblings have their own set of quirks and Bernadette feels out of place at home or abroad and deals with the hassle of growing up.

THE CHURCH OF DEAD GIRLS by Steven Dobyns - The title should give you a clue as to what direction this book takes. The prologue starts with the finding of three dead girls dressed up and tied to a chair in a sitting position, the oldest being 14yrs old. Each has their left hand cut off at the wrist. Hmmm? Creepy! Small town in New York that's supposed to be safer than the city starts off with the unsolved murder of a young man's mother who alo has her left hand severed. Even though the murder wasn't solved, the small town had gradually forgotten about it and once again became a sleepy, dull, nothing ever happens here town - until a fourteen year old girl disappears. And then another. And then a third. The townspeople who at first thought it must be an outsider, start to look at their neighbors in a different light. The power of suspicion throws the town into turmoil and by the end of the story, a few innocent lives are lost or changed forever.


CANDYFREAK : A JOURNEY THROUGH THE CHOCOLATE UNDERBELLY OF AMERICA by Steve Almond - I hadn't given it much thought but when I read the back of this book, it started off with "Remember Caravelles, Choco-Lites, Oompahs, and Marathons?", I knew I had to read this book. I loved Oompahs. I also miss the Skrunch bar The chocolate industry has been taken over by the huge conglomerates of Nestley, Hershey, & Mars. They're squeezing out the little guys. Almond goes on trip to check out the little guys before they disappear for good. He tours the factories of the producers of products such as the Twin Bing, the Idaho Spud, the Valomilk and quite a few others I've never heard of. Great read! I think at least two or three of you are going to go out and buy this book now!


THE BOOKMAN'S WAKE by John Dunning - I actually thought this was the first Cliff Janeway novel, a Denver cop-turned bookdealer. I guess I'll have to read "Booked to Die" to see how he went from being cop to rare books dealer. Anyway, if it involves books, I just had to read it. This story revolves around a limited edition of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven". From Denver to Taos, New Mexico and then again to North Bend, Washington - owners of this rare volume are being killed off one by one. Ther person holding the clue is a lady named Eleanor Rigby, but she's also been kidnapped and Janeway is running out of time (and patience).




RADIO ACTIVITY by Bill Fitzhugh - Following on the heels of Donald Westlake and Carl Hiassen, Fitzhugh has gone from fiction into the mystery genre while keeping the humor of his previous novels in tact. Down and out deejay Rick Shannon is in dire straits in Bismark, North Dakota. After sending off a few dozen resumes, the only hope he has i a small radio station in rural McRae, Mississippi. He makes the trip but is swindled by his new sleazy boss, Clay Stubblefield. The previous DJ has disappeared without a trace and Clay says he's in a tight spot. At the trailer home of the vacated DJ, Rick stumbles across a tape that incriminates a few people and becomes the focus of a mystery that Rick then decides to solve.




Okay, I admit it, I was taking a break from "Ghost Wars". It's a large book and I wanted to do a little more light reading. I've decided to read the first Cliff Janeway novel, mentioned earlier. I'm also waiting for the new Barry Eisler to be released in paperback. Gotta keep up with my favorite half-American, half-Japanese hitman. My father said he finished reading "The Lost Books of the Bible", volumes 1 and 2. He knew better than to recommend them to me although I have read my fair share of books featuring all the major religions. I once wrote a paper on the Essenes who were said to be the scribes of the "Dead Sea Scrolls". If I read it now, I probably wouldn't understand a damn thing I wrote! Not so bad this month, no photo books or children's lit to make it look like I had taken part in the Evelyn Wood speed reading class. Oh, I wish I had more time to read. I always think about the Twilight Zone episode taht was similar to "Fahrenheit 451" where the protagonist isn't allowed to read but in the end is the sole survivor of some world-ending event and finds himself stranded in a library. He figures to have the last laugh and read as much as he wants. Unfortunately, he breaks his glasses and can't read without them. What a sad ending.

Tell yourself and your kids to read, read, read!

March Your Way Through Books / Ern's Retro Books (March 2005)

First of all, you must remember I wrote these prologues and reviews five years ago. Three years before starting my own blog. On some of the reviews, I will probably edit out the prologue but this one still seems pretty relevant. So, more reviews from the past.


It’s nearing the end of the month which means it’s time once again for Ernie’s monthly book reviews and recommendations. Although I watch a fair amount of movies, I try not to stay away from that other (and some would say outdated) mode of entertainment, the book! I cannot understand this e-book phenomena. Reading prose on your computer screen is fine but I like the solid feel of a book in my hand. It’s not as if you can take your computer to the neighborhood park for a relaxing couple of hours of reading (well, perhaps if you have those palm pilots or whatever). But still, books won’t crash. The pages won’t freeze. And if it’s not out of print, it would be easier to replace than a computer. They can be addictive as drugs without harming your body. I know net shopping is also very convenient for books but I like to have it in my hand before I make a purchase. Perhaps I’m still technologically challenged. The thought of buying over the internet fills me with fear and trepidation. I try to avoid it at all costs. Maybe I’m being too paranoid. Of course there are cons to being a lover of books. One is that it takes up a lot of space. Another is that books are not light, especially the hard covers which I’m fond of. Oh, how I dream of a house with my own personal library.


TREASURY OF WORLD CULTURE : ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES AND URBAN CENTERS (UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE) – This is a beautiful book that most people would probably buy just for the pictures. This is volume 1 of a three part series. I’m fascinated by ancient ruins and lost cities and such. I could spend hours wandering around Pompeii or Ayuthaya and never be bored. Unlike my sister’s boyfriend who’s opinion of Pompiee was “just a bunch of old rocks.” This book doesn’t cover every single site as there are currently over 700 that are protected by UNESCO and that would be one hefty tome to lug around. There’s a local publisher that’s also been releasing a UNESCO World Heritage DVD series which I’ve been buying religiously. I figured if I never get a chance to visit these places, then I’ll settle for the next best thing – armchair traveling. No guides, no dysentery, no fears of being robbed. I know it’s not the same as I’ve actually been to Pompeii and Ayuthaya and even the Acropolis back when I was just a tot. I just started reading the second series. H. here are some of the sites that were picked for this edition – Machu Picchu, Chitzen Itza, Angkor Wat, Muslim Cairo, just to give you an idea.


THE SEA (CUBE BOOK) – This is a small but very thick photography book filled with beautiful pictures of the sea, the ocean, coral reefs, atolls, fishing villages and anything else that’s associated with the sea. It’s like armchair traveling without the dialogue.

THE BRIDE’S KIMONO by Sujata Massey – The continuing adventures of Rei Shimura. Rei is given a chance to be a lecturer in Washington, D.C. for a set of kimonos that’s on loan from a prestigious museum. When one of the kimonos is stolen and is not insured, Rei finds herself in a heap of trouble. To add to her confusion, her Scottish ex-boyfriend appears back on the scene (in DC. No less).

THE EARTH (CUBE BOOK) – Another photography book in the Cube Book series. I just can’t recommend these books enough for their beautiful pictures. It may not cure your wanderlust but it will give you an idea of places you might want to see for yourself.

LORD OF THE FLIES by William Golding – Yes, the classic. Probably the only book my older brother has read from start to finish. After watching the Takeshi Kitano movie “Battle Royale”, it so reminded me of the plot of this novel that I knew I would have to read it for myself. I know there is also a movie version of this book which I had seen parts of. I imagine a lot of you have read this for some class or other. It’s much more satisfying to read when it’s not a requirement.

SHINJU by Laura Joh Rowlnd – A mystery set in feudal Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate. Sano Ichiro is a yoriki (the neighborhood police sergeant). As he was not born into his position, he has no peers that consider him their equal. When he investigates a double suicide that doesn’t turn out what it seems to be, a host of other people try to stop him from finding the truth. The closer he gets to the truth, the dager to his own life becomes quite apparent.

HARD RAIN by Barry Eisler – John Rain just wants to lead a quiet life but when he returns to Japan to do a favor for his police officer friend and then to call it quits afterwards, his officer friend tells him his target was just small potatoes. Rain finds that the CIA are still looking for him, along with some other unsavory characters. It looks like John Rain cannot retire just yet. The second book in the series featuring half-Japanese, half-American hitman, John Rain.

ME & EMMA by Elizabeth Flock – A rather depressing story as expressed through the eyes of an eight year old girl. Carrie is only eight and her sister Emma is six. Emma was a witness to her father’s murder in their North Carolina home. The mother soon remarries to a drunken, violent man who beats the kids and their mother. The sisters plan to run away but get caught and then the story takes a turn that will catch you by surprise.

HER FORK IN THE ROAD : WOMEN CELEBRATE FOOD AND TRAVEL edited by Lisa Bach – Two of my all time favorite subjects – travel and food. What more could you ask for? I always enjoy eating the local offerings whenever I travel abroad. Sadit in Laos. Satays in Thailand and Singapore. Pulgogi in Korea. Pizza and pasta in Italy. Cheese fondue in Switzerland. Couscous in Tunisia. Enjoy reading about eating the best curry ever in India. Enjoy the culinary duel between an American student studying in rural Japan with her adoptive grandmother. A race against time before a bus scheduled to arrive for a Turkish delicacy. I never get bored of reading travel essays, especially when they include culinary delights. I think I can skip the grubs in the Australian Outback or the flying termites of Africa. Then again, one never knows until one tries.


HYENAS LAUGHED AT ME AND NOW I KNOW WHY : THE BEST OF TRAVEL HUMOR AND MISADVENTURE edited by Sean O’Reilly, Larry Habegger and James O’Reilly – Can’t get enough of traveling. Crazy antics from Tanzania to Vietnam. Sometimes you just can’t avoid a mishap on the road. Like the time I thought my flight was at 5:30pm when it turned out to be at 2:30pm and we were still in town at 1:30pm and it takes a little over an hour to reach the airport from town. We had a taxi flying down the freeway so we wouldn’t miss our flight. Or my friend having his Japanese made cell phone stolen from our walk through the Medina in Tunis. Or putting ice cubes in luke warm beer in Laos fearing the “don’t drink the water” syndrome. Reading about other people’s mishaps makes your own seem so trivial.


THERE’S NO TOILET PAPER…ON THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED : THE BEST OF TRAVEL HUMOR AND MISADVENTURE edited by Doug Lansky – Back on my travel kick since I won’t be going to any exotic destinations this year. Speaking of no toilet paper though, it was not me but my friend who had to experience the third world’s lack of amenities at a local’s house in Vientianne, Laos. Yep, he said he had no choice but to use his hand because there really is no toilet paper!! He was not pleased but put it down to experience. We didn’t understand the correct way to use their system at all. No flushing, a water basin, a bucket for the water basin but no directions on how to use it. I guess we’re just too used to modern conveniences.


THE CLASSIC TREASURY OF AESOP’S FABLES by Aesop – Sometimes it’s just nice to get back to the basics and read something really simple. A new version with bright, colorful pictures. I had forgotten some of the stories. This edition has the moral of the story written at the end of each piece. “Be greatful for what you have”, “Small friends can become great friends.”, There’s only fifteen or so stories in this edition. It’s not a complete volume but still fun to read.






THESE UNITED STATES (MINI EDITION) by Jake Rajs – I hadn’t seen the large edition but found the pictures of the mini edition quite beautiful. Sometimes it’s just relaxing to look at pictures and not worry about the context of any stories. A little too small to be a coffee table book but hey, I live in Tokyo, I don’t even have a coffee table so a mini edition is perfect.

Don’t be awed by the number of books this month because three of them are photography books (and small ones at that). The Aesop book was only 54 pages and was read in less than a half-hour. The new John Rain novel is only available in hard cover so I will wait until it’s released in paperback. The same for the Rei Shimura series. I guess I can continue reading the Sano Ichiro series based in feudal Japan. There was a book I read half way through but the writing is so monotonous, I had to take an extended break from it. I don’t even know if I want to continue reading it. Oh well, I’ve already close to 200 pages so I guess I’ll stick it out.



Back to the present. I never did continue reading the Sano Ichiro series. However, I did continue reading the John Rain and Rei Shimura series. And I did manage to finish that monotonous book which will be in the next retro book review.

February Features / Ern's Retro Books (February 2005)

I decided I would skip the prologues that I wrote when I wrote these reviews and just leave you with the reviews themselves. Some may be edited a bit but what the heck:


THE RIBBAJACK & OTHER CURIOUS YARNS by Brian Jacques – From the author of the “Redwall” series comes a collection of six tales of horror and suspense. Actually, they’re really not that scary and if you’ve read his previous collection of ghost stories, you will know what to expect. Not for your hardcore horror fans.

RAKKETY TAM by Brian Jacques – The 17th book in the continuing saga of Redwall. Rakkety Tam, the highlander squirrel, along with his buddy, Doogy Plum, help the Redwallers against an evil wolverine called Gulo the Savage. Your standard good vs. evil with good always triumphing over evil. If you liked “The Wind in the Willows” and “Watership Down”, then you will enjoy this series.

HIMALAYA by Michael Palin – Michael Palin’s fifth journey for the BBC along with the pictures of Basil Pao. I:ve never had a chance to see the BBC travel specials but the books that accompany the program are beautiful. Nice coffee table book, and written in diary form. Some of his earlier books seem to be out of print but you can still enjoy them at Michael Palin’s Travel Site. Michael Palin starts his journey in Pakistan and travels along the Karakoram Highway, and then it’s off to India, Nepal, Yunnan Province in China, Tibet, Nagaland & Assam, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Excellent for the armchair traveler.

PORTUGUESE IRREGULAR VERBS by Alexander McCall Smith – Author of the acclaimed “No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” series. Welcome to the world of Professor Dr. Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld of the Institute of Romance Philology. Yes, I had to look up what philology meant and if you were wondering, the trusty Oxford American dictionary defines as “the study of languages and their development.” Von Igelfeld has written the standard and monumental work on Portuguese Irregular Verbs and only wants the respect he feels he’s due, unfortunately things do not turn out the way he expects.

THE SALARYMAN’S WIFE by Sujata Massey – Rei Shimura is a 27yr old half-American, Half-Japanese California girl living from paycheck to paycheck in Tokyo. Her parents want her to come home to San Francisco and have sent her a one-way ticket that she can use anytime, but that’s something she’d rather not think about. When she finds the dead body of a woman at a ryokan she’s staying at in Shiroyama, her life is no longer as simple as she thought it would be. If you’ve lived in Japan, this book would remind you of the movies that are usually shown in the afternoon where there is always some murder mystery happening at a ryokan or onsen. Also being half-American, half-Japanese myself, I’m sure you can understand my appreciation for the protagonist.

THE FINER POINTS OF SAUSAGE DOGS by Alexander McCall Smith – Back to the continuing adventures of Professor Dr. Moritz-Maria von Igelfeld. The romance philologist is mistaken for a well-known professor of veterinary medicine and is invited to give a lecture in the States. Upon his return to Germany, the American veterinary professor makes a visit and once again things go awry.

ZEN ATTITUDE by Sujata Massey – Rei Shimura no longer works for a kitchenware company. Living with her new Scottish boyfriend in Roppongi Hills, she has become a private antiques buyer. When she procures a tansu (Japanese dresser drawer) for one of her clients, it sets off an entirely new chain of events involving a person who was thought to be dead, a temple priest, a used car salesman and a host of other interesting characters.

DANCING WITH THE WITCHDOCTOR : ONE WOMAN’S STORIES OF MYSTERY AND ADVENTURE IN AFRICA by Kelly James – Kelly James works as an international private investigator. These stories which are all true read better than fiction. She investigates whether a death in Mombasa, Kenya was suicide or murder and of a missing inheritance. She guides a troubled teen through Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas. She tries to help a friend find his mother and sister in Mozambique even though he hasn’t seen either one of them in over ten years because of the civil war in the country, and lastly she barely survives her stint in Turkanaland in Northern Kenya looking for a missing witchdoctor.

THE FLOWER MASTER by Sujata Massey – Back to the Rei Shimura mysteries. This time Rei is involved in seeing the death of her mother’s acquaintance in a well-respected ikebana (flower arranging) school.

Buried in Books (Part 2) / Ern's Retro Books (January 2005)

I've decided to skip most of the prologue I had written back in 2005 before writing these reviews (they were longer than I remembered). So I've decided to just provide you with the reviews.

THE STUPIDEST ANGEL : A HEARTWARMING TALE OF CHRISTMAS TERROR by Christopher Moore – Okay, so I was a month off reading this book. But still, are you tired of reading “A Christmas Carol” or listening to one more verse of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”? Take a journey into Christopher Moore’s demented mind as an incompetent angel tries to work a miracle by granting a child’s wish. Moore’s books are always full of humor and you will once again meet characters from all of his previous novels gathered in this story. A goofy Stephen King and part “Dawn of the Dead” story will keep you entertained enough to survive any holiday.

THE BOOKSELLER OF KABUL by Asne Seierstad – Asne Seierstad spends nearly an entire year with a family that continued to sell books before and after the fall of the Taliban. The story is not only about the bookseller but about his entire family as well. It gives you an inside look of what life must have been like in Afghanistan even through the reign of the Taliban.

READING LOLITA IN TEHRAN by Azar Nafisi – Azar Nafisi was a professor at the Univeristy of Tehran. After the Iranian Revolution, the role of women in Islamic society, makes them second class citizens. Western teachings or anything related to Western influence was seen as evil, a product of the Great Satan (U.S.A.). However, under such circumstances, Professor Nafisi gathers her best students and continues to discuss Nabokov, Jane Eyre, and other classics of literature in the privacy of her home at great risk to herself and her student.

THE HEMINGWAY BOOK CLUB OF KOSOVO by Paula Huntley – Paula Huntley follow her husband to Kosovo after the NATO bombings force the Serbian army out of the area. Her husband is there to help build Kosovo’s legal system while Ms. Huntley begins to teach many of the Kosovars English. For an area that most people have probably already forgotten about – against all odds and extreme poverty, it’s refreshing to read about a difference once person can make in the life of many people who are far less fortunate.

WRONG ABOUT JAPAN : A FATHER’S JOURNEY WITH HIS SON by Peter Carey – Peter Carey takes his 12 year old son on a journey to find the “real” Japan. What is the “real” Japan? Who knows. It could be temples, geishas and yakuza or it could be Gundam and Studio Ghibli. I always enjoy reading other people’s impression of Japan. As it’s my adopted country and the home of my mother, the “real” Japan to me is always changing. I feel comfortable going to a sento (public bathhouse) as I do walking the streets of Kabukicho (Shinjuku’s Red Light District). It’s all a matter of attitude.




YOU GOTTA HAVE WA by Rober Whiting - More about Japan as seen through the Americans who came here to play baseball - Japanese style. This book is great even if you don't enjoy one of Japan's national pastimes. Of course, this was before a lot of the Japanese players started going to the States to play in the Major League. Also gives you a history of Japanese baseball. I really enjoyed this book.

ADVENTURES IN A TV NATION by Michael Moore – Do I need to say anything? Michael Moore and crew make television the way television should be made.

UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN by Frances Mayes – Ever have the desire to buy an old house to renovate in a foreign country? It sounds like more work than I want to do but it was fun to read about. I’m sure most home owners would find this a great read too. Tuscany just sounds like a beautiful place. I can picture the countryside and this makes me want to go out for Italian food.