Book Review: 'Days at the Morisaki Bookshop' by Satoshi Yagisawa

✰✰✰✰ Twenty-five year old Takako is an office worker in Tokyo, who has secretly been dating a colleague. Having assumed they would get married, she is shocked to learn of his upcoming marriage to someone else in the office. Crushed and embarrassed, Takako quits her job and hides in bed all day. Soon she is unable to pay her rent and must make an agonizing decision: return home to Kyushu or move into the small, spare room above the Morisaki Bookshop run by her eccentric uncle. It's a decision that will change her life. Her gentle uncle gives her space in return for her watching the store once in a while. As the days, then months, go by, Takako surprises everyone, but especially herself. She becomes a voracious reader, starts to meet like-minded people in the Jimbocho book district, and may even be able to help her uncle, who has a dilemma of his own to solve.

The Bottom Line: This slim novel brought back fond memories of my trips to Japan many years ago. With an emphasis on family, compassion, and literature, this novel was a gentle read and made me nostalgic for simpler times. Highly recommended for fans of books about Japan and Japanese literature. This is a very quick and enjoyable read.

Details: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa & translated by Eric Ozawa. Paperback published by Harper Perennia in 2023. 160 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-327867-7 

Book Review: 'The Kamogawa Food Detectives' by Hisashi Kashiwai

✰✰✰✰ There's a little diner in Kyoto that's well-known, but a little hard to find. Through word of mouth, customers come to the diner in search of a rare treat. Run by a father-daughter duo, the Kamogawa Diner features delicious food. Yet, sometimes a customer is longing for something not on the menu. That's where Koishi Kamogawa and her father come in. If you are feeling nostalgic for a taste of the past, these detectives are in the business of tracking down the ingredients and (hopefully) recreating the dish. Sounds easy enough. Or is it? Sometimes the search for lost recipes is trickier than it sounds.

The Bottom Line: This book is divided up into the search for six lost recipes. From Nabeyaki-Udon to Tonkatsu to Nikujaga, my mouth was watering. Each search is like a short mystery strung together in the overall story of a father and daughter and their daily lives. This is an easy, relaxing read. Although I do wish recipes had been included, this book is enthusiastically recommended for mystery buffs and foodies. This is the first in a series, and I am eagerly looking forward to reading the second installment.

Details: The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai & translated by Jesse Kirkwood. Hardcover published by  G. P. Putnam's Sons in 2023. 208 p. ISBN: 978-0-593-71771-4  

Happy New Year 2025!

 

Happy New Year to all my readers!

I hope 2025 is filled with lots of great reads for everyone! I'm still here writing book reviews when I can. For the new year, I  will be focusing on mysteries, of course, and diving into my new reading love, Japanese literature. I'll still read a fair share of nonfiction books as well due to being in two book clubs. 

And...I'm so excited to announce a new upcoming feature: Author Chat with local authors in my area.

Wishing you all the best!

Note: The awesome free clipart is from Fact FC. Thank you!

Book Review: 'Red and Green and Blue and White' by Lee Wind

✰✰✰✰✰ This holiday season read the story about how love can overcome hate when friends stand up for one another. As the holidays approach, families of different faiths decorate their houses with pride…red and green for Christmas and blue and white for Chanukah. When Isaac’s house is vandalized, his best friend Teresa decides to draw a Menorah and put it in the window. Soon the idea grew, and more and more people put up drawings of a Menorah in their Christmas window displays. As more people participated, the spirit of the holidays shined through and a true sense of community grew.

The Bottom Line: Inspired by real events and real people in Billings, Montana in 1993, this story shines a light on those who chose to be UPstanders instead of BYstanders. This book illustrates that a movement can grow from just a few into a community of friends who can respect one another and demonstrates that love can overcome hate. Bold illustrations in contrasting holiday colors reinforce the message of community and holiday spirit. Highly recommended holiday reading for children and adults of all faiths.

Details: Red and Green and Blue and White: Inspired by a True Story written by Lee Wind & illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. Hardcover picture book published by Levine Querido in 2021. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-64614-087-9 

Book Review: 'A Whisper in the Snow' by Kate Westerlund

✰✰✰✰✰ One rabbit of a trio heard a whisper in the snow. While the others were skeptical, they agreed to search along with their mouse friends. They didn’t know what they were looking for, but when they found it, they knew they had to help. They wondered what to do with the frozen little teddy bear. Only one animal in the forest would know what to do. With a sweet treat as a bribe, the animals got to work sprucing up the teddy bear. The only problem now was how to find the teddy’s lost owner. Will the animals be able to find the teddy’s lost human in time for Christmas? Read on to find out.

The Bottom Line: This sweet tale of animals helping a lost teddy bear go home for the holidays is sure to be a classic. Illustrator Feridun Oral’s wintry art is dreamy and wondrous; the illustrations really put the reader in a snowy holiday mood. This gentle story demonstrates what a little love, teamwork, and Christmas spirit can accomplish. Heartily recommended holiday reading for kids ages 5 - 8.

Details: A Whisper in the Snow written by Kate Westerlund & illustrated by Feridun Oral. Hardcover picture book published by minedition in 2018. 32 p. ISBN: 978-988-8341-52-8 

Book Review: 'The Kiddie Table' by Colleen Madden

✰✰✰ A young girl finds herself stuck in-between, no longer a little one, but not yet a teen. She’s at that awkward phase in life where adults don’t know where to put her. While the adults have plates, knives, and forks, the little girl is given a bowl of food with a spoon at the kiddie table. Her tablemates are babies and toddlers, and she’s had enough. This just isn’t fair, but how will she get out of her predicament?

The Bottom Line: Many people can relate to being stuck at the “kiddie table” as a child at seasonal family gatherings, including me. Unlike the main character in this tale, I had to earn my place at the adult table. I was hopeful this book would encourage young readers to set a good example; unfortunately, the main character is rewarded for her immature outburst. The humorous illustrations and rhyming text are the highlight of this picture book.

Details: The Kiddie Table (Capstone Editions) written & illustrated by Colleen Madden. Hardcover picture book published by Capstone Editions in 2018. 32 p. ISBN: 978-1-68446-002-1 

Book Review: 'Turn Right at Machu Picchu' by Mark Adams

✰✰✰ Follow author, Mark Adams, as he makes the transition from desk editor to adventurer or rather tourist to traveler. With an idea and an obsession with Hiram Bingham III’s “discovery” of Machu Picchu, the author embarks on an adventure of a lifetime. Eschewing the Inca Trail to retrace Bingham’s footsteps, Adams learns the hard way. 

Another trip was in store, this time to walk along the Inca Trail for a very different experience. While some of the mysteries of Machu Picchu may continue to elude us, Adams sheds light others. Whether you are an armchair travel or an extreme adventurer, this will appeal to adventurers and armchair travelers alike.

The Bottom Line: The author includes very detailed information, including the history of Peru and Hiram Bingham III. Thankfully the chapters are short. Black and white photos are included, and I enjoyed studying them. I don’t know if I’ll ever go to Machu Picchu myself, but Adams does bring up some intriguing ideas and includes some helpful tips. [If I do get there, I’ll be sure to wear two pairs of socks while hiking.] Recommended for history buffs, travelers, and people interested in archaeology.

Book Club Notes: We approached this book with anticipation; however, due to the unseasonably awesome weather here in Chicagoland, several in our group did not finish it :( Comments about the book included the writing was dry, and there was simply too much detail to take in. (It was a lot.) Yet, several people hope to visit Machu Picchu someday. The premise for the book was interesting, but it was too easy to get bogged down in the minutiae of it. On a scale of 1 - 5, this was our lowest rated book this year with a rating of 2.9. Yikes!

For discussion questions, check out the Literary Gathering site, which includes a “Holiday in Peru” menu to try.

To supplement the above questions, I wrote a few of my own. Book Clubs are welcome to use these for your discussion; however, please credit this site. (Thank you!)

Introduction:

Has anyone visited Peru? Machu Picchu? What were your impressions?

What’s the difference between travelers and tourists? How is travel today ticking things off [a list]?

How does the author describe Peruvian culture?

What is the political climate of Peru?

Bingham:

Who was Hiram Bingham III? What is he famous for? 

Discuss National Geographic. What role did it play in Bingham’s success/fame? And vice versa, what role did Bingham play in National Geographic’s success as a magazine?

Is it fair to say Bingham “discovered” Machu Picchu? Or was it never forgotten? If not, what was his contribution? p. 283 Do you feel his contribution is more or less important than the discovery? 

Discuss the agreement between Yale University and Peru? p. 208  Did Bingham discover the artifacts or purchase them? p. 244 Should the artifacts be returned? Discuss. 

Eliane Karp-Toledo likens Bingham to a grave robber? Do you agree or disagree? p. 211

Discuss Bingham’s change of careers from Professor/Explorer to Military/Aviation to Politician.

Discuss the Bingham/Indiana Jones connection.

How did Bingham get the last word at age 70? Why did he rewrite the accounts of what happened?

The Incan People & Civilization:

What are some of the highlights of Peruvian history?

Discuss Incan religion. 

What do you think the purpose of Machu Picchu was? What had it actually been? p. 242 Will we ever know for sure? 

What is significant about Peru’s architectural wonders? (Connect to environment & one another.) p. 197

Is Machu Picchu actually the Lost City of the Incas? p. 227

About the Author & Guides: 

What is your impression of the author? What inspired him to undertake this journey? 

Why did the author want to avoid the Inca Trail? p. 196

The author’s guide, John, says, “I didn’t like school. The educational system was flawed. They didn’t teach you how to live.” p. 88 Do you agree or disagree. Why? 

The author’s second guide, Efrain, said,” A lot of people don’t believe things they can’t read in a book…so many things can’t be found in books.” Do you agree or disagree? p. 270 

Miscellaneous: 

Who was Annie S. Peck? What is she famous for? Discuss the challenges of women travelers. p. 151 

How has social media changed travel? p. 296

Are there still places to be discovered? How has technology (Drones, Google maps, etc.) changed exploration or travel? 

How has travel to Machu Picchu changed in the years since the author visited & wrote this book? 

The author asks, “Considering how popular it’s become, is Machu Picchu still worth seeing at all? 

Discuss the writing style.

How did the photographs add to the text?

Ratings 1 - 5. And summarize why you liked or didn’t like the book.

[Please credit this site. Thank you!]

And last but not least, Adams references Rudyard Kipling’s poem, The Explorer, a couple of times. For those interested in reading the poem in its entirety, visit the Kipling Society website.    

Details: Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time by Mark Adams. Paperback published by Dutton in 2012. 333 p. ISBN: 978-0-452-29798-2