Book Review: The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami

This is my second Haruki Murakami book. First of his book i read was Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage (click link to see review).

I have no plans to buy this book because they're releasing a paperback format since it was announced. But i change my mind the time i learned Aklatan online bookshop is selling this for almost half-price than the local retail price of 695.00 php! I say "Why not?"

About Aklatan: It's one of the online bookshop I always eye for interesting books. Further note, they upload new book arrivals every Sunday at 8:00 PM.

---

The Strange Library Book Details:

Title: The Strange Library

( Japanese: ふしぎな図書館 | Fushigi na toshokan )
Author: Haruki Murakami
ISBN: 9780385354301
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Published Date: December 2014
Format: Paperback
Original Language: Japanese
Translated to: English
Translated by: Ted Goossen
Art Direction and Design: Chip Kidd
Form: Novella, Children's Novella
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Short Story


(READ MORE BELOW. MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS)

Book Review: Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco

I bought this book back April 10, 2010 in National Bookstore located at Glorietta 5 during the author's book launching. I'm happy it was signed by the author Miguel Syjuco himself. I learn about the book from 2008 Palanca Awards and latter it won Man Asian Literary Prize too. That's my deciding factor why i bought it.

Eventually after i got home, I forgot to read it because of hefty school work. It's almost 4 years already and it's just this month, while cleaning my bookshelf, I notice this book and decided to read it.

Signed Ilustrado novel by Miguel Syjuco. Photo from Instagram post by Literateknolohitura's Otakore.

I expect, It would be a great book to read because it won prestigious awards but let's find out if it really is with my book review (continue by clicking the 'Read more' or scroll down).

Book Review: Anne Frank - The Diary Of A Young Girl | With An Introduction By Eleanor Roosevelt

I borrowed this from my niece. She bought this book because her school required them to read it for their literature work. I'm already familiar with this book, before i borrowed it from her. The book was banned from some countries due to racial criticism and sexual content. I got curious and good thing my niece had this book and no longer need to spill money from my wallet to buy it myself.

---

Book Details:

Title: The Diary of a Young Girl (Dutch: Het Achterhuis)
Sub Title: With An Introduction By Eleanor Roosevelt
Author: Anne Frank
Original Language: Dutch
Translated to: English
Translated by: B. M. Mooyaart
Preface: Eleanor Roosevelt
Format: Paperback
Page: 283
Published: June 01, 1993
Publisher: Bantam Books
Original Year of Publication: 1947
Awards: Luisterboek Award (2008)
Genre: Autobiography, History, Non-Fiction
ISBN: 9780553296983

Local Store: National Bookstore, Philippines
Local Price: 265.00 php.

2014 National Book Award by National Book Foundation

What is National Book Award?

It's an annual literary award from the U. S. It was established in the year 1936 by the American Booksellers Association which latter abandoned during World War II. And in the year 1988, National Book Foundation took over and hosts the said award.

One of the known winner of the National Book Award i know is a book titled "A Fable" by William Faulkner. I haven't read the book. I just heard it from my friend a long time ago and already diminished in my mind.

Here are the seal of National Book Award. Well if you happened to see a book in a bookstore with the following seal, that means it's worth buying and worth reading.

National Book Award Winner Seal | Image Source: http://www.nationalbook.org/

National Book Award Finalist Seal | Image Source: http://www.nationalbook.org/

For more information on how National Book Awards Work, kindly visit their official page.

---

What makes me notice this award just now is because my favorite authors are hosting the said ceremony. It's mainly hosted by the author of "A Series of Unfortunate Events", Daniel Handler or also known by his pen name Lemony Snicket. Moreover, Neil Gaiman, which is one of my fave author too, hands the lifetime achievement award to Earthsea author Ursula LeGuin (watch their remarkable speech below):

Neil Gaiman presents lifetime achievement award to Ursula K. Le Guin at 2014 National Book Awards from National Book Foundation on Vimeo.

As author Ursula Le Guin said on her speech:

   "Books aren’t just commodities; the profit motive is often in conflict with the aims of art."

I, too, agree with her. I think, her speech gives book publishers a cold sweat. I observed it's true. I observed the market of fiction novels seems to be re-inventing the wheel. The story itself is re-inventing. I will not named the titles here, perhaps on my later post. I understand the traditional marketing practice with this because i am once an online marketing specialist. Metaphorically, we read people's mind for your product to successfully market. Well, as Ursula Le Guin said "Books aren't just commodities".

As it works, publishing house are being dictated by people. From people to sales and marketing, and then from sales and marketing to the author. Authors are losing their freedom to express what they want to write.

The bottom line here is - we need more books with diversity. Re-inventing the wheel could be progressive for us but it would more progressive if we see new published books with a unique story.

---

Reference:

• National Book Award; Wiki - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Book_Award
• National Book Foundation official website - http://www.nationalbook.org/
• A Fable, novel by William Faulkner - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Fable
• Lemony Snicket - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemony_Snicket
• Daniel Handler - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Handler
• Neil Gaiman - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Gaiman
• Ursula K Le Guin's speech at National Book Awards: 'Books aren't just commodities' - http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/20/ursula-k-le-guin-national-book-awards-speech

Book Review: Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka (Translated by William Aaltonen)

This book review is more of Metamorphosis Kafka Analysis. If you're already an adult, you might reflect easier with this book because of your long experiences in life (do you?). Or if you're a student looking for an answers for your literature analysis work given to you by your teacher, you might find this post a good guide with your research (please don't forget to note my site as your reference).

---

The Metamorphosis Book Details:

Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka Front Cover

Title: Metamorphosis (German: Die Verwandlung)
Author: Franz Kafka
Original Language: German
Translated to: English
Translated by: William Aaltonen
ISBN: 9781848372023
Genre: Novella, Absurdist Fiction
Publisher: Arcturus Publishing Limited
Edition Published: 2008
Originally Published: 1915
Format: Hardcover
Page: 128

Metamorphosis Characters:
- Gregor Samsa (siblings)
- Grete Samsa (siblings)
- Mr. Samsa (father)
- Mrs. Samsa (mother)

---

Just a reminder, if this is your first time to read Metamorphosis, skip Mr. Aaltonen's Introduction because it will spoil some part of the story and you may not understand what he's discussing about. I recommend you read it last.

Book Hunt Adventure October 2014

I don't usually post something about how i buy books because it's a buy & sell technique, a secret. Also, Literateknolohitura site is not primarily an online book store. This site is a book review site. If you want to buy books, kindly LIKE our Facebook page at Literateknolohitura - Book Collections & Reviews.

View this on Otakore's Instagram

---

Book Review: Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami

I've been wanting to buy this book for so long because I'm so intrigued about its popularity and any of Haruki Murakami titles. So, I first bought my first Haruki Murakami book - Colorless Tsukuru and His Years of Pilgrimage. For more details, see below:

---

Book Details:

• Title: Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage
• Original Japanese Title: 色彩を持たない多崎つくると、彼の巡礼の年 | Shikisai o motanai Tazaki Tsukuru to, Kare no Junrei no Toshi

• Author: Haruki Murakami
• Translated in English by: Philip Gabriel
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9780385352109
• Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
• Published Date: August 12, 2014
• Media Type: Hardcover
• Genre: Literary Realism, Bildungsroman

• Local Store: National Bookstore
• Book: Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami
• Price: 885.00 php.

• Suitable to Age: 18+
• 
  

Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and his Years of Pilgrimage (view it from Otakore's Instagram)

• 
  

---

Book Review: Adultery by Paulo Coelho (Signed Copy)

This is my first Paulo Coelho book that I've read and fortunately i got the signed copy! A rare one. I bought it without a second thought at Barnes&Noble the time they listed a signed copy there. As I've heard, Paulo Coelho is a good novelist, known for his novel titled The Alchemist. So, I'm expecting a worth-reading story here.

The sale of signed Adultery book by Paulo Coelho was listed at Barnes&Noble back June 2014. It was shipped August 19, 2014 and arrived here in the Philippines, my home, on September 04, 2014 (see my Instagram post here).

For more details, see below:

Book Details:

• Title: Adultery (Signed Book)
• Author: Paulo Coelho
• Translated by: from Portuguese by Margaret Jull Costa & Zoë Perry
• Format: Hardcover
• Genre: Metaphysical
• Rarity: Autographed / Signed
• Language: English
• ISBN-13: 9781101874615
• Store: Barnes&Noble
• Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
• Publication date: August 19, 2014
• Pages: 272
• Product dimensions: 5.30 (w) x 8.40 (h) x 1.10 (d)
• Other Remarks: Deckle Edge
• Target Audience: 18+

---

Guide to Grading Book Condition

Here are the following terminologies on grading your book condition, as proposed by AB Bookman's Weekly back in 1949 ¹:

• As New a. k. a. Mint - literally the book is still in "brand new" condition. May be still sealed in plastic or without it. No wears, folds, stamp and any other defects. 
• Fine - secondary to mint condition, sign of a very little wear on the book's jacket or the book itself in a sense that the grader will consider the book as still in fine & looks new condition.
• Very Good - a little wear on the book's jacket or the book itself
• Good - worn book but all pages are still complete . The wears, folds, dirt & any defects may be noticeable.
• Fair - worn book. The wears, folds, dirt & any defects are noticeable. Or if there's no wears, folds, dirt & any defects but the jacket is missing, consider grade it as fair condition.
• Poor - "don't judge the book by its cover" ⁴. The wears, folds, dirt & any defects are noticeable. Worst than that, page(s) may be missing and cover was scratched out

---

Reference:

• ¹ AB Bookman Grading Scale - http://hughhollowell.org/the-original-ab-bookman-grading-scale-1949/
• ² List of User Book Conditions - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_used_book_conditions
• ³ AB Bookman Weekly - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AB_Bookman%27s_Weekly
• ⁴ Don't Judge a Book by its Cover quote - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don't_judge_a_book_by_its_cover

<Subject for further editing>

The Ready to be Rich's Guide to Investing

I don't much read non-fiction books but when i do, I choose & read a non-fiction book that would make an impact to my life. An essential material like our elementary & high school textbooks. And that's when i found out Mr. Fitz Villafuerte of Ready to be Rich blog published his Guide to Investing book, I decided to buy it.

---

Title: Guide to Investing

Subtitle: Learn how to invest effectively to achieve your financial goals

Author: Fitz Gerard Villafuerte, RFP

ISBN: 9789710118137

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Central Book Supply, Inc.

Price: 500.00 php.

---

Guide to Investing Front Cover

 

Guide to Investing Spine. The book is thinner than i expected. And the price is not cheap.

---

How do i discovered 'Ready to be Rich' blog & this book?

I discovered Fitz Villafuerte's blog a couple of years ago and became a subscriber ever since. That was the time i thought about my future. So i researched about finances and stumbled upon at his blog. Recently, he published this book and bought it. Now, featured on this blog because it's worth a read and I'm blogging this as a support to Philippine literature (in finance).

Should i read this book?

I was 24 years old back that time (now 26). I'm researching about finances as I've said. I'm thinking of what would become of me in the future. I ask myself, what will happen in the next 5 or 10 years? Will i get married? Perhaps, no. I'm still single. Will i be able to buy my own house? My big dream since childhood because i hate living in my current home. Or, will something happen unexpectedly? Do i have savings to pay the hospital? I already thought of that before and created a savings account at BDO (for emergency needs). But there's more. The current income i get isn't sufficient to reach my goal - buying a new house in the next 5 years, budget for marriage rites (in case), and budget for my life (life/medical insurances).

If you think it thoroughly, living in the Philippines is like sleeping in a bed with swarming leeches. Politically, flow of money in this country is leaking and the leaked money is gone through politician's wallet. And that's not all, did you even realize that every year, market prices are increasing? (e.g. oil, transportation fees, college tuition fees, and even garlic/"BAWANG" prices goes up!) It's called inflation. And realize further, with inflation, every year you salary increase and do you think you profit with your increase? Perhaps, a little but in my opinion, the increase only catches up with the inflation.

I think, most of us Filipinos are in the same situation and not really aware of it because we're not that financially educated. Finance subject was not in our elementary & high schools curricula (not sure for those who are enrolled in international schools). And no, don't tell me you learned it from your Economics & Math subjects, they don't teach how to properly handle and grow money. They didn't taught how to save money in the bank. They didn't taught the importance of saving money.

And to answer the question if you should read this book - as I've told you my situation, yes, we should.

Investing may be the answer. May be the solution on how we can grow money. The book answers our question about investing (click back cover of the book below):

Guide to Investing Rear Cover

<SUBJECT FOR FURTHER EDITING>

Book Review: Inferno by Dan Brown (Signed Edition)

It's been a year since i bought this signed copy of Dan Brown's latest novel Inferno. Bought from Barnes&Noble (trackback blog post here). I just finished the book last week. My reading progress for this book is not the usual 'read at one-sitting' because i became a very busy person due to my high-paid work. It reached a year before i finally finished the book.

Anyway, here, my book review starts for Inferno.

---

Book Information:

Title: Inferno
Author: Dan Brown
Language: English
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Publisher: Doubleday
Published Date: 2013
Edition: 1st, Signed Edition
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 480 pages
ISBN: 9780385538176

---

I ordered two signed copies of Inferno from B&N. One copy has a minor wrinkle on its jacket (see below):

Front Cover of the Inferno novel written by Dan Brown

But all-in-all, the other copy itself is in good condition, generally. I didn't returned it to B&N for replacement because copies are very limited and they might not accommodate my request:

Back Cover of the Inferno novel written by Dan Brown

The binding of the book has a minor dents on top of its spine (see below):

Side Jacket of the Inferno novel written by Dan Brown

With all the noticeable condition (minor) of the book, It's still a rare piece because of the author's signature (see below):

Copy of the Inferno novel signed by the author Dan Brown

Because this is a rare book, I enveloped it with a plastic cover, meticulously crafted, a crafting technique that only I on Earth has mastered - a detachable plastic cover to preserved the cover jacket of the book (see below):

---

The Inferno

Given the title of the book itself, obviously, the story has something to do with Dante Alighieri's The Inferno. Good thing, I read the divine comedy the Inferno wayback year 2011 so I'm comfortable reading it straight (check my book review of Dante Alighieri's The Inferno here).

Just a brief of what you can expect by reading this book. Spoiler Alert! You'll find our main character Robert Langdon lies on a deathbed. Upon waking up, he is pursued by people he doesn't know. He doesn't know why he's pursued and why he end up there in Florence. On the other hand, there's this Divine Comedy fanatic who want's to spread an unknown kind of a plague. World Health Organization (WHO) was even alerted because of this. This is only a brief summary of what you can expect to the novel. If you think the flow of the story is that simple, simple as what i summarized here, think not, you know how Dan Brown writes (if you've read his other novel), there's always a twist to the story that will make you more hook and thrilled.

Tragedy & Comedy, If You Don't Know Yet

If you're sleeping like me during the lecture of your English/Literature teacher back in your/our school days, you may realize that you missed the true meaning of Comedy & Tragedy to The Divine Comedy. I felt a kind of shame the time i learned in this book, that the 'Comedy' is not a funny portrayal or something an actor do to make you laugh while watching your favorite comedy show. The true meaning is, see quoted below:

"By modern standards, The Divine Comedy has nothing comedic about it. It's called a comedy for another reason entirely. In the fourteenth century, Italian literature was, by requirement, divided into two categories: tragedy, representing high literature, was written in formal Italian; comedy, representing low literature, was written in the vernacular and geared toward the general population." - (Robert Langdon, pg. 82)

Manila as Gates of Hell Controversy

Before i read the book, It became controversial to some of Filipinos who, I don't understand why they're being so reactive about the portrayal of one of the character in the novel about Manila - as 'Gates of Hell'. Even the Chairman of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Atty. Francis Tolentino is against the book. Take note, he's titled Attorney.

My curiosity grows and upon finishing the book, I trackback the issue and realized how the brains of those people who was butthurt need an emergency remedial to school and learn to define the meaning of fiction in Literature class. They even need, I think, a review lesson in Psychology on how to manage their anger. Moreover, they also need to conduct a thesis about the population and do a field work in Manila, preferably women (and they must be ALONE when conducting their field survey).

The End Justifies The Means

"The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who in time of crisis remain neutral"

Does the Inferno quote above hit you?

You'd understand this part after you read the book. The question is - would you do what Bertrand Zobrist to mankind? Releasing a kind of plague to decrease the human population. Given the uncontrollable human population's growth, the population in the Philippines as a kind example, need to be lessened. If not, poverty will increase. Crimes will be rampant. Starvation. Devastation of human race.

---

Reference:

• Dan Brown Calls Manila Gates of Hell - http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/05/21/13/dan-brown-calls-manila-gates-hell-novel
• The Science of Overpopulation by Hank Green - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD-yN2G5BY0
• Inferno by Dan Brown (web page) - http://www.danbrown.com/inferno/
• Net reacts to Dan Brown's 'gates of hell' - http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/29910-dan-brown
• Welcome to Manila, the gates of hell - http://newint.org/blog/majority/2013/05/30/manila-traffic-slums/
• In Dan Brown's Inferno, a rape in Manila, called 'gates of hell' - http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/309521/lifestyle/literature/in-dan-brown-s-inferno-a-rape-in-manila-called-gates-of-hell

<THIS POST IS SUBJECT TO FURTHER EDIT>

Wickedmouth - Unang Putok ni Glenn Tabarejos

Pamagat: Wickedmouth
Pangalawang Pamagat: Unang Putok
May-akda: Glenn Tabarejos
Limbagan: BHM Publishing
Petsa ng Pagkakalimbag: 2013
Kalidad ng Pagkakalimbag: Maganda
ISBN: 978-971-95188-2-2
Halaga: 200.00 pesos
Akma sa Edad ng Mambabasa: 18+

Nagustuhan ko ang pagkakaguhit sa pabalat ng librong ito. Ang gumuhit ay si Al Estrella o Mots ng Teacher's Pwet blog.

Wickedmouth - Unang Putok Front Cover

Bibigyan puntos ko rin ang paglalagay nila ng Parental Advisory Explicit Content badge sa librong ito bilang babala. At di ko sinasadyang naiwan kong pakalat-kalat sa bahay namin ang Unang Putok at nabasa ng aking pamangkin na nasa 12 taong gulang. (buti na lang, wala pa siya sa kalahati)

Wickedmouth - Unang Putok Rear Cover

Una kong nadiskobre ang blog ni Glentot noong nakaraang taon sa isang pooksasapot na nakasapot sa isang komento sa blog na natagpuan ko sa sanggunian ng mga blog mula sa BlogNgPinoy.

Hinanap ko ang librong ito sa Filipiniana / Filipino Literature at di ko mahanap kaya't itanong ko ito sa 'miss' dun sa National Bookstore - Megamall...

   Ako: (nag-inquire ako sa Customer Desk). Miss may "May Unang PUTOK kayo?"
   Miss Nat'l: Ha?!
   Ako: Unang PUTOK. Author nun si Glenn.
   Miss Nat'l: (nakakunot yung noo) Tagalog ba yung libro?

Nabastusan yata sa akin dahil sa matigas na pagkakabigkas ko ng "PUTOK" hahaha.

   Ako: Oo... yata.
   Miss Nat'l: (nag-type siya sa kompyuter para hanapin)

Pinayuhan niya ako na maghintay at kanyang kukuhanin ang aking hinahanap.

Siya'y bumalik at ibinigay sa akin ang Wickedmouth. Yey!