The original item was published from April 29, 2016 12:09 PM to August 4, 2016 1:54 PM
It is a heady pleasure to look at new books. Fresh from the press new ideas, concepts, and stories jump out of crispy pages, enticing the reader to spend time with them.
Among the new arrivals I liked the following titles:
Non Fiction
Daughters of the Samurai by Janice P. Nimura. This book reads like a novel. However, it covers a little known piece of true history of the relations between Japan and our country. In 1871, five Japanese teenager girls were sent by their government to the United States to learn western ways of living. Later, upon return to Japan, they were supposed to help spreading modern ideas and technologies. The girls lived, worked, and learned on American soil for ten years. By the time they returned to their country, Japan and its costumes had become foreign to them.
This book presents an issue controversial right now: the integration between extremely different cultures.
Aging and the physical, medical, biological issues related to it are at the forefront of much research. While baby-boomers continue to age, the push to prolong life and to add to its quality is becoming intense. The following books explore different aspects of aging and propose a variety of solutions.
By the way, sugar seems to be, if not a culprit, an accelerating agent for wrinkles of all kind. Ouch!
The Telomerase Evolution by Michael Fossel. The genetic angle on the aging process is discussed. The book is written in an easy style, approachable even by those not familiar with the various intricacies of genetics.
The Everything Guide to Nootropics by Evan Brand. Want to polish your gray matter to a shine?
Take a pick at what the market has to offer in terms of memory supplements and smart drugs!
Specific new supplements are discussed along with old, natural remedies.
Fiction
The Summer Before the War by Helen Simon. Latin teacher Beatrice Nash arrives to Rye, a small East Sussex (England) town, at the end of the 1914 summer. Beatrice is grieving the loss of her father, and wants to be left alone to mourn in peace. The beauty of the landscape and the intriguing imperfections of its inhabitants draw Beatrice out of her shell. Unfortunately, World War I with its horrors and losses is looming over the lives of those Beatrice has come to know.
Death in the Dolomites by David Wagner. The Dolomites are part of the Italian Alpes, an arc of mountains extending from East to West in the Northern part of the peninsula. Beautiful and majestic, this stretch of mountains is the setting for a new mystery. The author David Wagner spent nine years in Italy. His love for the country shows in this story. Detective Rick Montoya and inspector Albani investigate the disappearance of an American industrialist.
The World of Suzie Wong by Richard Mason. If you love stories with a romantic flavor that never turns syrupy or trashy, this one is for you. 1957 Hong Kong. Robert is looking for a cheap place to rent, where he can live and paint. He rents a room at the Nam Kok Hotel. Only after parting with some of his sparse resources he discovers to be the only guest not renting his room by the hour…
While the setting may seem piquant, this is a sweet, beautiful love story. It became an international bestseller, a Broadway play, a hit film and a ballet. Refreshing after many vampires, werewolf, witches, muscled cowboys and sassy urbanites stories!