Book 44: Knife (刀)

Title: 刀 (Knife)

Who wrote it: 重松清 (Shigematsu Kiyoshi)

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:

- 5 Short stories evolving around the topic
of BULLYING -- portraying the thoughts,
beliefs, emotions of the victims & their families,
as well as the interactions among the
bullies, bystanders & victims.

What went through my mind:

- Since this is a Japanese novel,
it inevitably operates within the
Japanese school system,
as well as traditional Japanese beliefs,
like Men have to stand up for themselves --
hence victims are seen as weaklings even by
their own parents --
which is quite sad for some kids,
because they simply cannot get help
anywhere despite the cruel acts that
are inflicted upon them.
I can't help but imagine how it's like
in America? I heard that there's bullying
here too... '_' how do kids deal with that?

- The novel mentioned that some kids choose
not to report to the teachers & pretend that
all things are fine when they're with their parents --
i cannot imagine that if i were in their shoes : 0
Why would i choose pride over protection?
mmm... or am i too trusting / hopeful?

- One of the interesting ideas this book
mentioned was that some victims actually
look up to their bullies...
They admire the bullies' self-confidence,
strength, braveness... exactly the qualities
these victims themselves lack!
Recently, i come to meet a new friend,
of whom i realize evoke similar emotions
in me -- i hate it that she bosses me around,
invades my personal space & privacy,
is rude and disrespectful...
yet at the same time, i can't help but wonder,
what if i were as confident as she is???

Favorite Quotes:
- "個性不合的夫婦還可以
離婚，但是個性不合的父子
該怎麼辦才好．．．。"
(If a couple can no longer
get along with each other,
they can pursue divorce;
but what can a parent and a child do,
when they're in situations like that?) (Pg. 129)

-"長期住院的孩子．．．太過習慣
放棄及忍耐．．．或許是他們已經
沒有追求什麼或夢想的力氣了。
還是，因為出院這個最大的夢想
被封鎖住了？"
(Kids that are hospitalized for a long time...
are too used to persevering and giving up
on things... Perhaps they've already lost
the energy to pursue after anything,
let alone the desire to dream.
Or better yet, their biggest dream --
to be discharged from the hospital
is deemed impossible?) (Pg. 168)

- "因為我很努力，
所以才有辦法忍耐。"
(It's only because I'm trying really hard,
that I'm able to persevere.) (Pg. 184)
* This is almost like my motto!

What came out of this:
* Insight: A better understanding of
the insider world of BULLYING,
as well as how culture affects
family relationships /friendships.

Why Should you read it, too?

This is a very well-written book
with a realistic approach on the
specific issue, while bringing hope
to the readers despite the brutal topic.

Book 34: Dark Maze (黑暗迷宮)

Title: 三色貓黑暗迷宮

(Dark Maze -- Tricolor Cat)

Who wrote it: 赤川次郎 (Jiro Akagawa)

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:
A group of policemen has been going after
a criminal who has killed 3 people.
On a fateful night, an almost-retiree fired his gun
in the dark, thinking that he had shot the criminal,
but it turned out to be a young policeman...

The scene was witnessed by the criminal,
and the retiree gave in to the threat of being exposed,
in exchange of helping the criminal escape.

Little did he know, the criminal would
lure his only daughter into a romantic relationship...

What went through my mind:

- Akagawa caught on to an essential trait of mankind:
do anything possible to cover up our mistakes.

If only the retiree was courageous enough
to admit that he shot the wrong person,
his family's life / his health / his dignity...
would all be so dramatically different.

In the same way, when we lie,
we often have to lie some more
to cover up the previous lies.
Sometimes, unnecessary serious consequences
result from what might seem harmless & best
in the beginning.

When will we learn this important lesson,
to tell the truth at all times,
even when the stakes seem high?

- This novel was a typical Akagawa one.

Quick read, fast pace,
an easy past-time entertainment.

What came out of this:

* Reminder: Be courageous in being honest!

Why Should you read it, too?

If you liked the other Akagawa books,
you'd like this one too : )

Book 31: Apple Desserts (蘋果甜點)

Title: 蘋果甜點 (Apple Desserts)

Who wrote it: 山本次夫 (Tsugio Yamamoto)

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:

The 10 kinds of apples available on the market /
their distinct textures & flavors /
25 recipes of Apple Desserts originating from:

France, Switzerland, Austria, Canada,
England, America & Japan.

What went through my mind:
- It's kinda sad that in NYC, we only have
a few kinds of apples available --
i definitely miss Fafa's favorite: 王林 ,
which can't seem to be found anywhere 0_o"

- The main reason I borrowed this book,
besides the fact that i LOVE apple in desserts,
and that I'll participate in an apple dessert contest,
(See: http://sharethefood.blogspot.com/
2008/02/contests.html)
is that the author's Japanese : 0
I've always admired Japanese's baking skills,
even more than the French ones '_'
So i was a bit disappointed that most of the
recipes weren't from the Japanese kitchen.

- Unlike the other recipe books I've borrowed
from the library, this one is strictly written
in Chinese... which makes it hard for me to
figure out some of the ingredients 0_o"

- I'm determined.

I'll make: Pommes au four a la Parisienne,
Gratin de Pomme, Apple Pound cake,
Apple Pudding, Apple in Basket,
Apple Jelly and Apple Shortcake...
FOR THE FIRST TIME!

What came out of this:
* Goal: Apple Desserts Experiments : D
Any apple lovers wanna join & taste test?

* Reminder:
If i were to write cookbooks in the future,
I gotta make it bilingual! : 0

Why Should you read it, too?
If you're gonna join me in my Apple Adventure,
you'd better read this : D

Book 27: Goodbye, Murder! (殺人唷! 再見)

Title: 殺人唷! 再見
(Satsujin Yo Sayounara / Goodbye, Murder!)

Who wrote it: 赤川次郎 (Jiro Akagawa)

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:
13-year-old Yukiko killed her mom's boyfriend,
but she never regretted about it.
3 years later, she went on summer vacation with Mom
to the same location, and various people
around her are being attacked.
Yukiko also received threats,
hinting at the murder she committed.
Who's behind all these? What's going on?

What went through my mind:
- Like the rest of the Akagawa books i read in h/s,
this is an easy & quick read.
So quick that it's almost mindless --
not necessarily a bad thing, i suppose,
on a relaxing saturday afternoon : )

- I remember Fafa often criticized that
Akagawa's books shouldn't be categorized as
detective/mystery stories,
because it's not only playful and toned-down,
but that there are no real attempt in
involving the readers in discovering
'whodunit/howdunit/whydunit.'
Instead, it's more like telling a story
with twists and turns, but no fair ground
on which the reader can jump ahead and
win the race -- which is the true purpose of
reading this kind of novels.
Yeah, i guess i'd have to agree that this book
would be disappointing if that's what you're after.

What came out of this:
* Remember to take breaks in between
reading serious, non-fiction books,
so my mind get to take a break and relax ; )

Why Should you read it, too?
If you want to be entertained, this is a decent book.

Book 24: Blank Lens (空鏡頭)

Title: 空鏡頭 (Blank Lens)

Who wrote it: 片山恭一 (Kyouichi Katayama)

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Forest Hills)

What is it about:
4 characters: Speed, Cookie, Socks, Fish --
were frequent visitors of an online chatroom.
However, a program called 'Blank Scene'
happened to invade their systems one by one,
and they got lost in a foreign world,
while trying to escape from someone's vicious plan...

What went through my mind:
- Why have i been picking up books
that are both boring & confusing lately?
First 1984, now this???
If i didn't read the preface,
i wouldn't have known what the plot of the story is!

- I should give up on Katayama's books, seriously.
Whether it be his most famous story:
在世界中心呼喚愛
(Crying out Love, in the Center of the World),
or the other book: 世界在你不知道的地方運轉
(The World Operates without You Knowing) --
i never felt attached or attracted to the characters/plot.

This book was worse, in the sense that
all i experienced was confusion and
a very scattered collection of thoughts &
character developments.

Favorite Quotes:
- 「生活太忙，忙得忘了寶貴的心。
太累，累得沒時間體諒別人。」(Pg. 19)
(Life is too busy,
so busy that we forget our precious hearts.
Too tired,
so tired that we don't have time to care for others.)

- 「我們一方面想同他人保持距離，
一方面害怕孤獨。」(Pg. 187)
(On one hand, we want to keep a distance from others,
while on the other hand, we're afraid of loneliness.)

What came out of this:
* Reminder: Maybe i should do a little research
before picking up my next batch of books '_'

Why Should you read it, too?
I suppose if you're really into online chatroom /
internet browsing... you can pick this up as a quick read.

Books 17,18: Matriarchal Family (女系家族)

Title: 女系家族 [上、下] (Matriarchal Family)

Who wrote it: 山崎豐子 (Toyoko Yamazaki)

Whom I borrowed it from: Queens Library (Jamaica)

What is it about:

A matriarchal family in Japan,
with the Mom died 6 years ago,
and the Dad just passed away,
the three daughters are left to their own device
to divvy up the huge amount of inheritance;
Dad's young mistress is pronounced pregnant;
while the family 3-generation bookkeeper
attempted to cheat and grab as much $$
as possible.

A nasty showcase of power struggles
+ A demonstration why greed/lust never satisfy.

What went through my mind:

- This is one depressing story!
The reason why it's so upsetting ~ is that
it depicts the very roots of evil in human hearts,
that we're never satisfied --
we always want more, we think we DESERVE more.

Why should we get a penny less than our sister,
brother, friend, neighbor, enemy?!

Let's be honest... isn't that TRUE? : /

No wonder Apostle says,
"Godliness + Contentment = Great Gain"

- I did wish though, that there'd be at least
1 character who isn't bogged down by these traits,
someone that could be free of these struggles.

I mean, yeah it's realistic that there's no one like that,
but Come On, it's just fiction.

i'm okay with some fairy tale materials in it 0_o"

Why Should you read it, too?

The author of these books are considered
one of the pillars of the contemporary
Japanese literature realm.

It's worth reading if not only
for the extended researches devoted into the plot,
the excellent dialogues and the flow of the story.

Book 15: Crime Scene (臨場)

Title: 臨場 (Crime Scene)

Who wrote it: Hideo Yokoyama (橫山秀夫)

Whom I borrowed it from: Fafa

What is it about:
Yet another series of short stories,
this time more focused on crime scene investigations.
The main character throughout is an eccentric investigator,
who refused to be promoted to other officer positions,
and was nicknamed "The Ultimate CSI" by others.
His motto was:
CSI must pick up every single clue left
at the crime scene, or the victim/dead
would be sorrowful in his/her unjust death!

What went through my mind:
- I liked this book better than 'Face.'
The pace of the storytelling is faster,
and the main character more interesting.
- Who knew that plants, dust,
the way you open the door,
how long it takes for blood to dry,
towards which direction & how the body fell......
could all play a part in telling the truth,
as well as what kind of people they are?

Why Should you read it, too?
If you liked watching CSI (Miami/NY),
or just wanna gain some trivial knowledge.

Book 13: Face (顏)

Title: 顏 (Face)

Who wrote it: Hideo Yokoyama (橫山秀夫)

Whom I borrowed it from: Fafa

What is it about:
This book is composed of a series of short stories,
in which a young policewoman is the main character.
Aside from the various crime cases
that she participated in investigating,
power struggles among the reporters/
policemen & -women/
criminals & the public...
were also carefully portrayed.
On top of a suspense/detective kind of fiction,
this also reads like a social case study.

What went through my mind:
- Everybody has some God-given abilities : )
The main character specializes in drawing
portraits of the criminals,
according to the victims' verbal descriptions.
She has a co-worker that's really talented in
gun-shooting, so much so that she was chosen
to take part in trainings for the Olympics.
-> What are my special gifts,
and how am i developing/utilizing them?
- One of the book's focuses was on
gender inequality, esp. in the police force.
I can't help but wonder,
if God designed us men & women to be different,
yet the same (as humans),
then how are we to attain that careful balance?

Why Should you read it, too?
If you're interested in the topics mentioned above,
or just wanna pick up an easy read : )

Book 11: Tokyo Tower (東京鉄塔)

Title: Tokyo Tower -- Me & My Mom, & sometimes My Dad
(東京鉄塔 - 我和老媽，有時還有老爸)

Who wrote it: Lily Franky (中川雅也)

Whom I borrowed it from: Bought in Hong Kong : )

What is it about:
A beautiful portrait of a mother/son relationship
between "I" (the main character) & "Mom",
the various trials they've endured & overcome:
a semi-broken marriage between mom/dad,
"I" leaving home/mom for Tokyo,
seeking self-identities,
fighting cancers,
recognizing the importance of family......
& how this symbol of dream for a lot of Japanese people:
Tokyo Tower, ties everything together.

What went through my mind:
- This is a very moving book for me,
in a way kinda similar to "The Kite Runner".
- It pierced my heart as i read about
"I" disappointing his mom,
not knowing what he's doing in life,
wasting his time & life away...
I certainly caught parts of me aching with "I,"
regretting about my past mistakes,
feeling sorry for hurting people i loved,
missing out on the precious moments
that i should have cherished...
- This book also invokes fear,
as life eventually gives way to death,
how will i face the day when it's my parents' turn?
Will i have tons of regrets, just like the author?

What came out of this:
* Goal: Love my parents more,
while they're still around...

Why Should you read it, too?
I cried my heart out, both when reading the book
& watching the TV drama.

Well, that sums it all up.
Just GO READ it!

Book 8: The Self-Sacrifice of Suspect X (嫌疑犯X的獻身)

Title: 嫌疑犯X的獻身 (The Self-Sacrifice of Suspect X )

Who wrote it: 東野圭吾 (Keigo Higashino)

Whom I borrowed it from: Fafa

What is it about:
This is a very well-written suspense/detective novel.
Since the beginning, the author showed us the 'whodunit,'
and the Math Teacher who lived next door to the murderer
offered to help discard the dead body,
because he fell in love with her since the day she moved in.

The story went on, to tell of the little progress the Police made
in investigations, while the Math Teacher's old friend came by,
& figured out some clues that the Police has yet to discover.

What went through my mind:

- The 'howdunit' was well hidden under layers upon layers
of twists & turns, but none of those was forced/illogical.

The author's creativity clearly shines through,
& as a reader, I thoroughly enjoyed the novel till the very end.

- One of the main ideas the author tried to illustrate
through this story was "the Purest Love of all" --

Ultimately, his point of view somehow coincides with Christianity's,
that Sacrificial & Unselfish Love is by far the most amazing -

when someone lays down his life for another,
without asking for equal compensation nor even comprehension,
it reaches so deep into the core of our souls,

that we can't help but marvel at the precious gift presented to us,
& want to reciprocate in one way or the other --
just like the Murderer at the end of the story.

What came out of this:
* Reminder: Bear in mind that love is unconditional.
& if I were to offer sacrificial love, I'm not supposed to brag,
expect rewards / recognition, or demand others' appreciations.

Why should you read it, too?
Sometimes it takes a great novel to drive home
a deeper understanding of something bigger & more important.
I think this book's got something to offer,
with enjoyment & clever plots along the way : )

Book 6: Switch Circle Murder (人格轉移殺人)

Title: 人格轉移殺人 (Switch Circle Murder )

Who wrote it: 西澤保彥 (Yasuhiro Nishizawa)

Whom I borrowed it from: Fafa

What is it about:
The premise of the story is based on a 'Switch Circle.'
If more than 1 person step into this room at the same time,
an invisible wall would immediately appear to separate them,
then in split second their souls would inhabit in others' bodies.
The cycle will go on and on, until there's only 1 person left...

Due to an earthquake, 6 people escaped into the
'Switch Circle' without knowing what it is.
When the government agents discovered
these people in their contorted state,
they brought the group to a secluded mansion,
which is where the consecutive cases of murder took place...

What went through my mind:
-Modern Japanese suspense novels are quite
different from their American counterparts.
I feel that their plots are more sophisticated,
more variables exist in their stories,
& it's less about story-telling, more about
the readers figuring out the classic:
'whodunit,' 'whydunit,' 'howdunit,'
while the author attempt to trick the readers.
- The plot of this novel heavily relies upon the
'Switch Circle' set up, but it's definitely a clever & creative one.
The 'whydunit' turns out to be not that convincing for me,
but the explanations for the who & how are powerful,
& i am quite pleased with this book in general : )

What came out of this:
* Look out for other suspense novel
recommendations by Fafa!

Why Should you read it, too?
If you enjoy reading suspense novel,
this is one that's worth your time! ; )