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 Although I watch a fair amount of movies, I try not to stay away from that other (and some would say outdated) mode of entertainment, the book!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.
This is so much fun--like having my own book life flash before my eyes. I'm so glad you're doing this.
ReplyDelete