A bitter-sweet (just like coffee?) novel on the significance of a moment. A simple book with many rules on time-travelling. Through the various stories, we learn that going back in time, does not change the present outcome. What changes is not the path but the heart. And with that, can come about a change in... Continue Reading →
Books: “The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea” by Yukio Mishima
It is hard not to reach for a book with such title. A hateful judgement of adults held by a gang of highly sophisticated 13-year-olds. It is their creed to rebel against their destiny of manhood, becoming a “father” – the gang’s epitome of dogmatic principals. Ryuji- the sailor, has held onto a similar creed,... Continue Reading →
Books: “The Sea of Fertility” by Yukio Mishima
A tetralogy that teeters delicately between rational and absurd, comprised of the four novels “Spring Snow,” “Runaway Horses,” “The Temple of Dawn,” and “The Decay of the Angel.” The protagonist, Honda, is drawn to those he believes to be the reincarnation of his child-hood friend. The first two novels are similar in its logic: the... Continue Reading →
Books: “Get Together” by Bailey Richardson, Kevin Huynh and Kai Elmer Sotto
A special book written by special people, one of whom I am lucky enough to know. In their “handbook,” the authors present how to build and sustain a community. Any community (that has love as their message, not hate). Although the authors purposely don’t go into why a community is important, the success of the... Continue Reading →
Books: “Swan Song” by Kelleigh Greenberg-Jephcott
They are beautiful, powerful, trendsetters, all trouble by their husbands’ bed hopping habits (and occasionally their own). Despite its pulpiness, the stoicism of the women in the face of open humiliation is moving: making peace with infidelity or casually moving onto to find Numero 2, or 3. Through it all is Truman, Truman Capote, the... Continue Reading →
Books: “The Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories” by Various Authors
A wonderful new appreciation for the Japanese literature giants has been gained! While I couldn’t quite fathom its essence in the native language, English bridged the gaps that were lost in ‘subtlety’. It seems strange, yet the enigma is appropriately so Japanese. Although comprised of many authors through different times, their literature style is unique... Continue Reading →
Books: “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong
I had just read an article of a young poet in The Atlantic. It was seeing his delicate frame and reading his equally fragile prose that moved me to reach for him through his debut novel. The coming of age tale of a Vietnamizes immigrant living in CT- but it is so much more. Raw... Continue Reading →
Books: “Rosy Is My Relative” by Gerald Durrell
Simple, funny and thoroughly charming- a delightful change after the succession of war stories. Yet, a poignqnt reminder of our warped relationship we humans have with animals; the godly narcissism that make us believe we can tame even the kind (most of the time drunk) and clever elephant, Rosy. Her drunken antics are hysterical, comedic... Continue Reading →
Books: “Journey to the End of the Night” By Louis-Ferdinand Celine
A historically important novel of the impacts of war on the human heart. Seen it reduced to the blackest vile throughout its aftermath, the author’s alter ego Bardamu sets off deeper and further away from any sentiment with a hint of optimism. In a beautiful scene in the beginning of his “journey” he is touched... Continue Reading →
Books: “The English Patient” By Michael Ondaatje
In the desert, a man’s fate is left to the winds that bring on a complete change in landscape, either dooming the traveller or not. There, a man has no name, no country… A quiet book on the aftermath of war: a stark contrast to the simplicities of the desert. Pain, emotion, is subjective and... Continue Reading →
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