12 Must-Visit Libraries in Japan!!

My husband and I have plans to visit Japan for our 25th wedding anniversary. During our visit, I'd love to visit a few bookstores and also a few libraries.

I recently came across an article titled, 12 Must-Visit Libraries in Japan, which I discovered on the 1000libraries.com website. 

I want to visit all the libraries listed in the above mentioned article, but I especially want to visit the Library in the Earth in Kisarazu, Chiba.

Click on the above link to see each library listed. All of them are unique and beautiful!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!!

 

Alta Journal - California Book Club - Amy Tan Discusses Her Book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles!!

 

Wow, what a treat it was to listen to author, Amy Tan, discuss her nonfiction book titled, The Backyard Bird Chronicles during

Alta Journal's monthly live California Book Club event!!

Something like 1800+ people from around the globe showed

up for this virtual author event!!

Apparently, The Backyard Bird Chronicles was never originally supposed to be published... Amy Tan's was behind on a novel she was writing, so her editor (or was it her publisher?) wanted to see her birding journals... From there, it was decided her birding journals should be published and the rest is history.

During the live event, the audience sees Amy Tan sitting in her rooftop garden in Sausalito, California which is where she started her birdwatching and journaling in 2016. It was cool to view where Ms. Tan began her birdwatching adventure. See the below photo.

I now want to read The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan and have added it to my ever growing reading wishlist!

Do you enjoy attending author events/signings in-person or virtually?

Have you attended any author events/signings recently?

Throwback Thursday - Books That Didn't Live Up to the Hype!

Below are a few books that missed the mark for me.

1. Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself by Judy Blume

I've read and reviewed several books by Judy Blume.

Most of them I've really enjoyed. However,

Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself

wasn't a win for me.

2. Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot

This memoir was praised by many prominent writers

like Roxane Gay and Lidia Yuknavitch. Sherman Alexie even wrote

a glowing introduction for Heart Berries. However, Heart Berries wasn't for me.

3. The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

I did not enjoy Carrie Fisher's memoir at ALL.

The Princess Diarist is rambling and verbose. Ms. Fisher tried too hard to be clever and funny in her book, but fails miserably at this attempt big time. She comes off as insecure and needy throughout much of The Princess Diarist.

The journal entries Carrie Fisher shares from when she was filming the first Star Wars movie are sad and depressing for the most part. Ms. Fisher came across as having very low self esteem and lacking emotional maturity during her time filming Star Wars.

4. The Son by Philipp Meyer

I'd never heard of Philipp Meyer until the summer of

2014 when a book group had selected his novel, The Son, for

that month's book club selection.

I found it interesting to learn that The Son had been nominated for the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. I personally wasn't enamored enough with this novel to ever fathom that it would be nominated for such a prestigious prize as the Pulitzer Prize.

5. Cari Mora by Thomas Harris

I'd read several of Thomas Harris's previous novels and enjoyed them immensely. When I decided to read Cari Mora, I was expecting the same entertaining writing by Thomas Harris. But Cari Mora was just plain weird and creepy.

6. The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett

I was disappointed with The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. I didn't care much for the story, the characters, or the writing. For a classic novel, I expected to really like it.

7. House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

I thought House of Mirth was long, drawn out, B-O-R-I-N-G, and DEPRESSING! Another classic, I thought was a total bust.

8. We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

Generally, I love Russian literature. But We wasn't very good.

I think the eBook edition I read may have largely been the culprit to

my lackluster experience.

Another classic that was a bust for me.

9. Eggs by Jerry Spinelli

I've loved almost every novel I've read by Jerry Spinelli with

the exception of Eggs!!

10. The Other Story by Tatiana de Rosnay

After reading Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay back in 2012,

I was hoping to read another amazing novel by the author.

The Other Story was awful!!  I read another novel by

Tatiana de Rosnay too and it was also bad. Maybe

Sarah's Key was a one hit wonder... I don't know.

Have you been disappointed by a hyped novel or classic novel?

Has a favorite author written a novel/book that was a let down?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

My Dream Bookstore - If I Owned a Bookstore Tag

Earlier today, I was watching a video on YouTube from one of my favorite BookTube channels, Criminolly, where Olly made a video about his dream bookstore based on the "If I Owned a Bookstore Tag" going around right now.

I decided to participate in the "If I Owned a Bookstore Tag". Below are my answers to ten different questions.

The Questions Are As Follows:

1) What are the hours of operation?

Monday: 12pm-5pm

Tuesday: 11am-8pm

Wednesday: 11am-8pm

Thursday: 11am-8pm

Friday:11am-8pm

Saturday: 10am-6pm

Sunday: 12pm-5pm 

2) Is there ambient music? What kind? 

Yes, there will be ambient music!! Instrumental music only though, like soft jazz, classical, or perhaps guitar or piano music.

3) Is there a coffee bar? Do you serve alcohol? 

Yes, there will be coffee and tea bar! Maybe a few other beverages like cider, lemonade, hot cocoa, etc. No, on alcohol though.

4) Are patrons encouraged to linger? Are there comfortable chairs? What kind of lighting? Are there tables? Are there areas for group gatherings? 

Yes, patrons will be encouraged to linger in my bookstore! I want to create a cozy, welcoming vibe where the community can come together to read. I'd offer comfortable chairs to sit in during one's visit and a table surrounded by chairs for monthly book club groups to sit and discuss there current book club selection. Bright lighting throughout the store will be available to make it easier for people to read during their visit.

5) Is there live entertainment (poetry readings, author’s reading from their current works, lectures in literature)? 

Yes, to live entertainment in the form of author's speaking events.

Plus, monthly book club groups/meet-ups where readers collect to discuss the books they've read for !!

6) Where is your bookstore located? In the busy heart of large city? In a neighborhood of a large city? In a suburban strip mall? In a small town? In a rural area? 

A medium sized bookstore set in a strip mall near where I live.

7) How does your bookstore look from the outside? Sleek and modern? Dark and brooding? 

I want a vintage vibe for my bookstore. Hardwood floors, area rugs, black and white photos of authors, books, exterior shots of indie bookstores hanging on walls, etc... Plus, potted plants, and a bookstore cat or two!

8) What’s your specialty? Used books? New? New and used? Only fiction? Only non-fiction? Fiction and non-fiction? Does your bookstore specialize in a particular genre? 

I think a used bookstore filled with gently used fiction and nonfiction books would be perfect. 

I'd also like to have a used book buying/trade-in program as well.

9) What’s the name of your bookstore? 

The Bookstore of Second Chances

10) Tag some friends.

I won't tag any other book bloggers for this book tag. Feel free to tag yourself if you'd like to  participate.

The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel by Mark Paul

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel by Mark Paul, which was well narrated by Will Damron.

I never thought I'd enjoy a nonfiction audiobook about horse racing and gambling so much!! Suffice it to say that The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel is really good!! 

The primary focus of The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel is on horse racing as it pertains to the 1988 Kentucky Derby and its winning filly, Winning Colors, along with some of the major players pertaining to horse racing like horse trainer, D. Wayne Lukas (trainer for Winning Colors), Gene Klein (owner of Winning Colors), Gary Stevens (jockey for Winning Colors), the three gamblers who bet big on Winning Colors, the Mexican cartel, and various other aspects of horse racing.

The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel by Mark Paul is well written, engaging, informative, and well organized. I enjoyed that this book isn't over stuffed with factoids and is just the right length to keep the interest of the readers.

Below is the publisher's summary for The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel by Mark Paul found on Chirp's website:

The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told is an inspiring personal narrative about a filly who broke through the male-dominated world of horseracing and inspired crowds of men and women alike, along with a trio of gamblers who embark on an unforgettable adventure that’s as epic as the historic victory of Winning Colors. It’s Seabiscuit meets Narcos, and the best true-life gambling story ever told.

In the late 1980s, a spectacular 3-year-old female racehorse named Winning Colors was being groomed for success under her famous “Hollywood” trainer, D. Wayne Lukas, and the billionaire owner of the San Diego Chargers pro-football team, Eugene Klein. Meanwhile, three fun-loving gamblers, Miami Paul, Dino Mateo, and Big Bernie believed that Winning Colors could be the unlikely female winner of the 1988 Kentucky Derby.

When the gamblers unknowingly place their longshot bet with members of a suspected drug cartel at a racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico, they must figure out how to claim their prize - without getting killed in the process. In a heart-pounding race of their own across the U.S.-Mexico border, the trio come face-to-face with suspected killers, are arrested by the Border Patrol, and fumble their way through the riskiest bet of their lives.

I am giving The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told: A True Tale of Three Gamblers, The Kentucky Derby, and the Mexican Cartel by Mark Paul a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars. This is my fifth read for the month of September.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

A 14-year-old boy from Sacramento, CA is leading a movement to end “book deserts”!!

 

I love it when a youngster creates ways to bring books to other youngsters to promote literacy!! I learned the following from the above short video:

Sacramento teen Ethan Minton, 14, is tackling “book deserts” through his nonprofit E-Train Talks Inc., which has donated more than 7,000 books to children’s hospitals, libraries, and underserved communities. Inspired during COVID-19 by the comfort books provided him, Minton launched the nonprofit in 2022 to spread what he calls “book joy.” His work earned recognition as a Nonprofit of Distinction from Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty. Alongside book drives, Minton also runs a podcast interviewing authors and reviewing books, while balancing school and his dream of becoming a sports journalist. His goal is to reach 10,000 donated books by 2025.

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

The Master of the World by Jules Verne

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Master of the World by Jules Verne and it is well narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was the first novel by Jules Verne I'd ever read. I loved it so much that I've read it at least twice! I've also read The Mysterious Island and Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne. 

I recently learned about The Master of the World by Jules Verne, which was first published in 1904 and one of Jules Verne's last works. I decided to give it a try as it sounded intriguing and it is set in the USA. 

Honestly, I was truly hoping to love The Master of the World as much as I had enjoyed reading the three previous novels I'd read by Jules Verne. However, The Master of the World was a bit formulaic in that it was too much like Verne's other novels. The only difference to me were the specific details to fit the storyline and move the plot along. 

The Master of the World also fell flat in terms of capturing and holding my interest. It wasn't that the writing or storyline were awful or anything like that for The Master of the World... It just didn't live up to Verne's other works I'd previously read.

The following is the publisher's summary for The Master of the World by Jules Verne from Chirp's website:

One of Jules Verne’s final books, The Master of the World, which was released in 1904, is a science fiction classic. The novel was written as Verne’s health was deteriorating. The Master of the World is a “dark novel,” full of dread and anxiety about the emergence of totalitarianism and tyrants, embodied by the novel’s antagonist, Robur.

I am giving The Master of the World by Jules Verne 3 stars out of 5 stars. This is my fourth read of September 2025.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Pet by Akwaeke Emezi, which was richly narrated by Christopher Myers. 

Pet has been on my reading wishlist for ages!! I am so happy to have finally read this young adult novel as it is spectacularly well written!! Pet is also a work of speculative fiction and deals with lgtbtqia+ elements.

One of the many reasons, I finally decided to read Pet by Akwaeke Emezi is that it is Banned Books Week. Pet by Akwaeke Emezi has been banned/challenged "in some Texas locations and pulled from some libraries due to its LGBTQ+ themes, particularly its transgender girl protagonist, Jam."

I don't know about you, but banned/challenged books usually make the BEST reads, in my opinion, and Pet does not disappoint!

I loved the writing, characters, and storyline for Pet. Pet is set in a utopian city called, Lucille. In the city of Lucille, crime has 'supposedly' been obliterated by angels. However, crime hasn't been obliterated as a most evil scenario has gone unchecked for a long time that an intervention occurs. 

I think the following sentence from the publisher's summary sums it the best. "What really makes a monster, and how do you save the world from something if no one will admit it exists?"

Pet is an engaging read that captivates your attention from start to finish. I don't want to spoil any more of the plot at this point. So... just go read Pet already!!

As a side note, I often feel like both the young adult and children's genres are kind of undervalued at times. As an adult, I find reading novels like Pet to be excellent in containing thoughtful, teachable messages that are very relevant despite the darker topics sometimes discussed in these types of books. Despite the fact that Pet may be a young adult novel, it's still a good read for adults too.

Pet marks my third read for the month of September.

Below is the publisher's summary for Pet by Akwaeke Emezi from Chirp's website:

National Book Award Finalist

Stonewall Book Award Winner

“[A] beautiful, genre-expanding debut…Pet is a nesting doll of creative possibilities.” (The New York Times)

The award-winning, genre-defying novel by the New York Times best-selling author of The Death of Vivek Oji that explores themes of identity and justice and asks: How do you share the truth when the world around you is in denial?

Pet is here to hunt a monster. Are you brave enough to look?

There are no monsters anymore, or so the children in the city of Lucille are taught. Jam and her best friend, Redemption, have grown up with the lesson that the city is safe for everyone. But when Jam meets Pet, a creature who some might call monstrous but, in reality, is anything but, she must reconsider what she’s been told. Pet has emerged from one of her mother’s paintings to hunt a true monster - and the shadow of something grim lurks in Redemption’s house. No one has encountered monsters in years, though, and Jam’s quest to protect her best friend and uncover the truth is met with doubt and disbelief.

This award-winning novel from a rising-star author asks: What really makes a monster, and how do you save the world from something if no one will admit it exists?

I am giving Pet by Akwaeke Emezi a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Blubber by Judy Blume

 

I enjoyed listening to Blubber by Judy Blume, which is well read by Halley Feiffer!! This is the sixth novel I've read by Judy Blume. I don't ever recall reading any of her novels as a youngster, so I guess you could say I am making up for lost time by reading them now.

The major theme of Blubber is bullying in elementary school. Great topic to write about and shed light on as who hasn't either been a victim of bullying, been a bully themselves, or witnessed bullying while attending the K-12 system? I think Blubber looks at the situation of bullying from different angles and can help facilitate discussion on the subject.

Although, I like Blubber and feel that it offers a lot to ponder, it isn't my favorite novel written by Judy Blume.

I also learned after a Google search that Blubber by Judy Blume was a banned/challenged due to racial slurs and also the "focus on unpunished or seemingly unpunished bullying behavior."

Below is the publisher's summary for Blubber by Judy Blume from Chirp's website:

Blubber is a good name for her, the note from Wendy says about Linda. Jill crumples it up and leaves it on the corner of her desk. She doesn’t want to think about Linda or her dumb report on the whale just now. Jill wants to think about Halloween.

But Robby grabs the note, and before Linda stops talking it has gone halfway around the room.

That’s where it all starts. There’s something about Linda that makes a lot of kids in her fifth-grade class want to see how far they can go – but nobody, least of all Jill, expects the fun to end where it does.

I am giving Blubber by Judy Blume a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until next time, happy reading!!

Top Ten Tuesday - Literary Villains

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Below are ten literary villains!! I chose a mix of both men and women villains in this post as well demonic forces/spirits/ghosts that fit the theme as well.

1. Nurse Ratched - One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey

2. Cathy Ames (my favorite female villain) - East of Eden by John Steinbeck

3. Lady MacBeth - MacBeth by William Shakespeare

4. Anton Chigurh - No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

5. Annie Wilkes - Misery by Stephen King

6. Phantom of the Opera - The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux

7. Norman Bates - Psycho by Robert Bloch

8. Emeric Belasco - Hell House by Richard Matheson

9. Demonic Forces - The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

10. Mrs. Danvers - Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Do you have a favorite literary villain or two? Leave me a comment below.

Happy International Literacy Day!!!

 

Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell, which was narrated by Xe Sands. 

Secondhand Spirits is the first novel in the 'Witchcraft' cozy mystery series and Juliet Blackwell is a new to me author. I love cozy mystery novels and Secondhand Spirits was a delight!! I loved that this novel is set in the San Francisco Bay Area as I live the San Francisco East Bay. I enjoyed hearing local details featured in this cozy mystery novel.

The writing was really good. I liked the pacing of this novel, the characters, the storyline, and more. The only major complaint I have is the narration for this book... This is the fourth novel I've listened to that has been narrated by Xe Sands. I've either loved the way Ms. Sands has narrated the book I've listened to OR the narration has been a complete bust. I simply wasn't fond of the way this book was narrated.

Below is the publisher's summary for Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell, which I discovered on the author's website:

Lily Ivory is not your average witch. Her spell-casting powers tend to draw mischievous spirits while keeping normal humans at a distance. But now her vintage clothing store could give her a chance to make friends in San Francisco….

Lily hopes for a normal life when she opens Aunt Cora’s Closet. With her magical knack for vintage fashion—she can sense vibrations of the past from clothing and jewelry—her store becomes a big hit.

But when a client is murdered and children start disappearing from the Bay Area, Lily may be the only one who can unravel the crime. She tries to keep her identity a secret while investigating, but it’s not easy—especially under the spells of sexy “mythbuster” Max Carmichael and powerful witch Aidan Rhodes. Will Lily’s witchy ways be forced out of the closet?

I look forward to reading other novels from the 'Witchcraft' cozy mystery series.

I am giving Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Bookish Quote of the Day!!

 

Celebrate Banned Books Week!!

 

Happy Banned Books Week!!

Are you reading anything special during Banned Books Week? I plan to read the novel, Pet by Akwaeke Emezi during Banned Books Week. Pet by Akwaeke Emezi has been on my reading wishlist for quite some time. I learned by doing a Google search that Pet by Akwaeke Emezi has been banned "in some Texas locations and pulled from some libraries due to its LGBTQ+ themes, particularly its transgender girl protagonist, Jam."

I also plan to read Blubber by Judy Blume as well. Blubber is also another book that's been on my reading wishlist. I learned through doing a Google search that Blubber was banned/challenged due to racial slurs and also for the "focus on unpunished or seemingly unpunished bullying behavior."

Stay tuned for my reviews for both Pet by Akwaeke Emezi and Blubber by Judy Blume!!

Top Ten Tuesday - Books With Occupations in the Title

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Below are ten books I would like to read with occupations in the title!

1. The Editor by Steven Rowley 

2. The Gardener of Baghdad by Ahmad Ardalan

3. The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict

4. The Cake Therapist by Judith Fertig

5. Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak

6. A Country Doctor's Notebook by Mikhail Bulgakov

7. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

8. Butcher by Joyce Carol Oates

9. The Lindbergh Nanny byMariah Fredericks

10. The Journalist and the Murderer by Janet Malcom

Have you read any of the above books?

Happy Library Card Sign Up Month!!