May 25th, 2008 ideru
“空色勾玉” - Sorairo Magatama
by: Noriko Ogiwara
translated by: Cathy Hirano
Illustrations by: Miho Satake
The magatama are stones of destiny, magical amulets passed down to a chosen few. But all knowledge of the stones’ true nature has been lost, and each bearer must discover the power of the magatama to calm the Dragon’s destructive spirit before it destroys the world.
The forces of the God of Light and the Goddess Darkness have waged a ruthless war across the land of Toyoashihara for generations. But for 15-year-old Saya, the war is far away and unimportant-until the day she discovers that she is the reincarnation of the Water Maiden and a princess of the Children of the Dark.
Raised to love the Light and detest the Dark, Saya must come to terms with her heritage even as she is tumbled into the very heart of the conflict that is destroying her country. The armies of the Light and Dark both seek to claim her, for she is the only mortal who can awaken the legendary Dragon Sword, the fearsome weapon destined to bring the end to war.
Can Saya make the dreadful choice between the Light and Dark, or is she doomed-like all the Water Maidens who came before her….?
If I’m not mistaken this is my very first Japanese Novel. A few years ago, a friend tried reading some Japanese fairy tales-I think maybe because of western fairy tales influence- she was not so enthusiastic about it. I could still remember her exact words “walang ka romance-romance (not romantic at all” . Translation may also have some tendency to affect the narration though. But this book is far from being romantic, its probably one of the greatest love story ever told.
I think the situation is somewhat familiar with Psyche and Cupid of the Roman Mythology. Well, they did not however became the first ruler of a country though.. opps..
Anyway, aside from the love story part, the whole book is about the choices you made in life and its consequences. Adventure, destruction, war , hope and love.. A really great book, deserving of the award it received.
P.S. my first entry to Reading Japan and Orbis Terrarum Challenge
Posted in Blog365, Book Challenge | 5 Comments »
May 22nd, 2008 ideru
Hosted by: B&b ex libris
Logo by: Bethany &
Tanabata
April 1,2008 - December 20, 2008
Details:
- For the challenge each reader is to choose 9 books (for the 9 months).
- Each book must be by an author from a different nation in our world.
List of Books
- Milan, Italy
- Foucault’s Pendulum : Umberto Eco
- Japan
- London England
- Un Lun Dun : China Mieville
- China
- Chinese Seamstress : Dai Sijie
- U.S.
- Inca Gold : Clive Cussler
- Peru/Chile
- Daughter of Fortune : Isabel Allende
Yup, another challenge. I still need 3 more books to complete my list. I would love hear any suggestion out there. Any book from your country you want to share ?? Be sure its in English though 
Posted in Blog365, Book Challenge | 5 Comments »
May 19th, 2008 ideru
After the escape form Chapterhouse, a ship carrying a crew of refugees escapes into the uncharted galaxy, fleeing from a terrifying enemy. To strengthen their forces, the fugitives used genetic technology to revive key figures from Dune’s past - including Paul Muad’Dib Atriedes and Lady Jessica - to use their special talents to meet the incredible challenges of the journey.
With the Enemy fast approaching, destroying every planet along the way, humans as we know it might cease to exist. Murbella, the Mother Commander of Chapterhouse and Sheena on the no-ship are doing both their best to find a way for humans to fight this terrible Enemy.
Exhilarating. The Final Chapter of Dune but the End of Dune is Far from Over.
Posted in Blog365, Book Challenge, Books | 2 Comments »
May 12th, 2008 ideru
I thought volume 18 would be the last and the story would be left hanging forever :( But I think that would not happen ( I hope ) . Nodame and Chiaki’s music adventure continues..
Volume 19:
- Kiyora( violin ) , Tanya( piano ), and Yun- Ron’s( piano ) competition
- Mine’s surprised visit to France
- Tanya and Kurokin blooming romance
Volume 20:
- Nodame decided to join a music competition but before that she needs to have Auclair’s ( her teacher) permission
- Chiaki decide to stay in France rather than going to Italy and watch Viera’s performance to watch over Nodame’s piano practice
- Chiaki and Rui’s second performance is decided
Posted in Blog365, Book Challenge | No Comments »
April 1st, 2008 ideru
Steve Berry
ISBN-13: 978-0345485762
Cotton Malone’s teenage son has been kidnapped, and an anonymous e-mail from those responsible proves they will stop at nothing to get their hands on the coveted prize: the legendary lost Library of Alexandria, which vanished fifteen hundred years ago, its untold secrets rumored to hold the keys to ultimate power. Pursued by lethal mercenary, Malone crosses the globe in search of this vast bounty of wisdom. His quest will lead him to England and Portugal, even to the highest levels of American government - and shattering outcome , deep in the Sinai desert, will have worldwide repercussions.
Berry did it again. Since reading his The Third Secret book, he has been one of my sought after writer. I like the way he writes, the story is smoothly narrated and you don’t want to put down the book .
In The Alexandria Link, the main focus was the of course the library of Alexandria which holds the most or the greatest treasure of all: Knowledge. Unfortunately, it is lost forever, the works of the worlds greatest minds. And then there is the story of the Old and the New Testament, now am not going to elaborate on that, spoils the fun in reading. A great read.
Posted in Blog365, Book Challenge, Books | 1 Comment »
March 25th, 2008 ideru
Last sunday, I finally muster the courage to go to the local library and borrowed some books. I’m really itching to find out what happened to Taiki in the 12 Kingdom . I could not find any translated works anywhere, so no other choice but to translate it myself. So I borrowed the 2 volume of Tasogare no Kishi, Akatsuki no Sora (黄昏の岸、暁の天）. Hurriedly get home to start reading it, though I’m already aware that there would tons of difficult, very difficult characters in it. Unlike manga ( Japanese comics) where there are hiragana alongside the Kanji, and of course the pictures, novels rarely do ( as far as I know ) so it is more difficult to understand. So after a couple of hours, I finally finished the first page, and hundreds more to go. Not only will this be my official entry for the Japanese Reading Challenge but also a challenge to improve my Japanese skill forcefully.
I will be posting some excerpt along the way ..
Posted in Blog365, Book Challenge | 5 Comments »
March 17th, 2008 ideru
By: A.J.Zerries
Clay Ryder, NYPD major case squad detective, is doing exactly what he wants to do. He has recently been appointed their “Art Guy” and is the lead detective on all cases which have an art angle. Admittedly, that is not all he does, but it does allow him to indulge his passion for art as well as make use of some of his college training. He is intrigued when a Van Gogh painting, Monsieur Trabuc, is delivered to the Metropolitan Museum of Art with no return address. UPS made the delivery but is of little help in tracing the origin of the painting. more.
Finally finished it. . Very well researched. The settings is currently in the present but has a lot of connection to the past, specifically WWII. A mysterious painting, a Nazi who wants to get it no matter what the cost. Join Clay Ryder in his effort to protect the real owner, and discover the story behind the painting.
Posted in Blog365, Book Challenge, Books | 1 Comment »
January 28th, 2008 ideru
I’m joining tanabata in her quest to conquer Japan hehehe, seriously in venturing into Japanese literature, novels written by Japanese authors. Other than manga or Japanese comics, I have never read a single novel from a Japanese authors. Most of the books I’ve read lately are on sci-fi, fantasy, adventure, religious conspiracies. Romance novel no longer holds the same appeal that it used to when I was in college, probably I’ve outgrown then, but I still read them in ebook once in a while just to feel some imaginary romance, anyway I digress back to the main topic. The purpose of this challenge is , ive said, to venture into the world of Japanese literature. I don’t know much about japanese writers, except again for manga-ka. Finally, I can put to use the library card, I’ve applied ages ago hehehe. Currently cutting on my expenses right now, so will use the library resources first. Let’s see how many books I can get my hands on..
Posted in Blog365, Book Challenge | 6 Comments »
January 21st, 2008 ideru
this is a double post for booky monday and what’s in a name book challenge for Colour
Title: The Golden Compass / Northern Lights
His Dark Materials Trilogy Book 1
Author: Philip Pullman
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Scholastic Point
ISBN: ISBN 0-590-66054-3
Plot Summary:
It all begins when Lyra Belacqua-an orphaned, eleven-year old girl residing in Jordan College, Oxford-secretly enters the Retiring Room, despite resistance from her daemon, Pantalaimon, an animal-formed, shape-shifting manifestation of her soul. Inside the room, they see the Master of the college attempt to poison Lord Asriel, Lyra’s uncle. Lord Asriel shows the resident scholars a picture of mysterious elementary particles called Dust. Shortly afterwards, Lord Asriel goes north and Lyra continues with her normal life… Read More
I was planning to do a lot of things last weekend, like fix my blog problem with javascript ( does not seem to work if I attached a script in the sidebar ), do some ads on the blog, do my household chores, etc but when I started to read a few pages before doing all what I had in mind, I could not stop. I sat down and continue reading till I finally finished it.
Lyra grows up without knowing her true parents, although raised by the scholars of Jordan College she remains free-spirited. She is though an accomplished liar, but only when she needs to. Unknown to her, she has a destiny to fulfill but this destiny she must not know, she must find it out on her own or else everything will fall apart. Born with a natural sense of leadership, she makes everyone around here, help her. Guided with the Golden Compass, she must go and search her mission.
If you have watched the movie and read the book, you would automatically notice the changes in it but just like any other fantasy-book-based-movie, they have to change it to make it watchable. The book is highly recommended, it will just take you to Lyra’s world and join her in her adventure
Posted in Blog365, Book Challenge, Books | 3 Comments »
December 26th, 2007 ideru
Tanabata led me to Annie’s What’s in name? a reading Challenge . Only 6 books in a year with a specific type and I think its fun.. so this will be my very first book challenge.
Dates: January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008
The Challenge: Choose one book from each of the following categories.
1. A book with a color in its title. Examples might include: The Amber Spyglass, The Red Pony, Blue Blood
2. A book with an animal in its title. Examples might include: The Hound of the Baskervilles, To Kill a Mockingbird, Julie of the Wolves
3. A book with a first name in its title. Examples might include: Jane Eyre, the Harry Potter books, Anne of Green Gables
4. A book with a place in its title. Examples might include: From Russia with Love, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Out of Africa
5. A book with a weather event in its title. Examples might include: The Snows of Kilimanjaro, Red Storm Rising, Tornado Alley
6. A book with a plant in its title. Examples might include: Where the Red Fern Grows, The Name of the Rose, Flowers for Algernon
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Here’s my list ( temporarily , have not completely decided which book need to shop soon )
1. Colour : Golden Compass - Philip Pullman
2. Animal: The Day I Swapped My Daddy with a Goldfish - Neil Gaiman
–> although this might change if I could not get this book
3. First Name: The Poe Shadow- Matthew Pearl -> The Lost Van Gogh A.J. Zeries
4. Place : The Island of the Day Before - Umberto Eco -> The Alexandria Link: Steve Berry
5. Weather:
6. Plant :
I’ll be updating this list later on
Posted in Book Challenge | 3 Comments »
