Well, this summer has flown by for Lucy's Books. It seems like yesterday was June and here it is the middle of August.
First, I have to correct the date of Brie Mathew's gathering. It still is going to be at the same place, but the date is September 8th, which is a Saturday, at 6:00p.m. I apologize for the mistake. And like stated before, guests are welcome to bring a potluck dish or even libations. The gathering will be informal so just come as you are.
Japan. In June we traveled to Osaka for our son's wedding, which was beautiful. Elegant, actually. The ceremony was said in Japanese so our family just enjoyed the serenity of the moment. Andrew was so handsome and Ai was lovely. There were no bridesmaids or grooms even though the wedding was "western style". Our daughter, Nicole, and son, Sam attended. The whole time was like a huge family reunion for both sides. Ai's two sisters were delightful. I have to say that I adore Ai, her mother, and extended families. Everyone was very friendly AND polite. Big brother Sam gave a toast to the newly weds, which turned out to be touching. There was music and kind of like an M.C. talking the entire time we ate, when they cut the cake, and clear to the end of the event. Again, all was in Japanese so I don't know what was said. I am thinking stories about Andrew and Ai, however, I forgot to ask Andrew! The bride and groom put together a video starting with her baby pictures till current, as did Andrew. Tears flowed. The event ended with Mark, my husband, giving a thank you to everyone who attended, in Japanese. Andrew coached him for a couple days.
Siyoko, Ai's mother, cooked some wonderful tempura meats, fish, chicken, and vegetables. I tried squid and octopus for the very first time. It was very good, not that I'll order cephalpods anytime soon. We ate at a Korean BBQ restaurant, all you can eat for two hours, which had delightful dishes and meats. Very tender-cut beef, seasoned and plain, that were brought to your table raw. In the center of the table was a small round BBQ set in the table, vents around the sides, and you cooked your own veggies and meats. You could also order salads, rice dishes and desserts- as much as you could eat. So, while enjoying a particular salad, I asked Ai what the crunchy bits were in the salad. I now can add jellyfish to my cephalopod tasting list.
So thinking that I'd lose a few pounds like I did the last time we were in Japan, I was mistaken. Food seemed to be the focus of this whole trip, but I wouldn't change a single thing about about our visit!
Books. Amazon is really trying to get every small business owner's dime. Yes, you might be able to find that new book sooner, and marked down a few dollars, but you don't get the customer service like you do at small book stores. Same thing goes with other small stores. Box stores are coming in our area and I just hope that the town of Astoria can stay in business. Enough about my pontificating, let's get down to BOOKS.
Fiction: Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern- Now that I have read this, I have to say I was impressed with how this young woman wove the story. Even though it is a bit surreal and fantastical, it had a thread of reality woven through it, plus she kept the time period true. If you have ever seen anything or read about steampunk, this sort of impression floated around in my mind. Good read.
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender, is a story about a young girl who can taste her mother's emotions in every slice of her mom's home-made lemon-chocolate cake. Intriguing, right? Can you imagine someone knowing your deepest kept secrets?
Heart of a Samurai by Margi Preus- this book is for young readers and is a Newberry Honor Book.
I myself enjoy reading these books, when there is time, and this book is on my list. It is an adventure that five friends take on, based on true events, and the author was praised for doing her research.
A customer came in and gave me a few titles of books that she had read to 6th and 7th grade boys. She said they enjoyed the books immensely. And I have to say,one is a bit ooky (yes ooky not spooky). It is about famous deaths. Marie Curie, Edgar Allen Poe, and more. The title is How They Croaked by Georgia Bragg.
Non-fiction: Handmade to Sell by Kelly Rand is about how to market the art you make. I have looked through it, even ordered one for myself. The information given is for those who are thinking about selling their goods, but don't know the first step.
Well, enough for now. I have been very winded this time. Have a great rest of the summer and a great beginning of fall. I'll be posting my calendar of events soon-ish, so keep an eye out for it.
