Samurai's Garden | 
pickA nearly perfect novel blemished by a couple of questionable decisions near the end. This is my first time with Tsukiyama and I‘ve already added some more of her works to my TBRs.
I feel the title is misleading though, and was most likely a publisher‘s decision. While it could be argued that Matsu is much like samurai in his demeanor, there is nothing that implicitly ties him to samurai. Does anybody know the backstory on the title?
Thank you so much @TheKidUpstairs for sending me to Japan! I love it all. Already one of the bags of chips . They were so delicious. My son ran off with the pouches …lol. We are heading on vacation so packed the tagged book and am liking forward to reading it. It is an amazing package!!! I love how both of used non traditional wrapping!
@Chrissyreadit
#staycationintimeswap
pickTsukiyama writes with a fluid elegance about the unlikely friendship between two men set against the backdrop of the Japanese invasion of China in the late 1930‘s. A Japanese gardener becomes the unlikely caretaker of a Chinese artist at the start of the war, before the artist is able to return home to the safety of his family. An absolutely beautiful story. I‘m looking forward to reading more of her work.
pick21 year-old Stephen leaves his home in Hong Kong just as the Japanese are poised to invade China, and Hong Kong. He is sent to Tarumi, a small Japanese village, to recuperate from tuberculosis. There he develops friendships with Matsu (a wise mentor with the soul of a samurai), Kenzo, Sachi (a leper) and Keiko (a girl his own age). In one year, Stephen learns much about himself, humanity, humility, bravery, loyalty, and so much more. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
pickI bought this book from Goodwill, and I thought it was a filler book to the literary canon, so I put it on the back-burner but boy, am I happy I finally decided to read it! It‘s about discovery, family, understanding the little scurries inside life during the hustle-bustle. During this year, I haven‘t thought about more about a book than this. Amazing.
Next book, bois! It follows the diary of a Chinese boy, diagnosed with tuberculosis, as he is cast away from his family and friends. I‘m really excited to be sad from a book again! #sadboihours
pickOne of my favorite books I‘ve read recently. I enjoyed the descriptions of the culture, the people, the character‘s experience of others and his own development. The quiet lives of those described in this book make it a peaceful and purposeful story which was perfect for this time for me. Character-driven picture of one young Chinese man‘s expirience of the beginning of WWII in Japan.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
pickI first read this book in high school and have since read it over and over and over. Gail Tsukiyama effortlessly strings together multiple cultures and religions in a truly turbulent time of the region all while Intermingling the isolation associated with illness in the era. Such a beautiful story. I highly recommend to anyone and everyone to read this book. #readitinhighschool #love #reread
I read The Samurai‘s Garden in English class this year, and while it wasn‘t a thrilling, edge of your seat suspense type of read, I found it eye opening and informative about other cultures and histories. The novel had deep underlying themes about death, and acceptance, and love. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a piece to think on.
Guys! The indie book store on Washington Island has a blind date with a book program! This is the book I picked out before and after purchase. Thank goodness it isn't one I've read before (they let you return it if it is).
Day17 #readjanuary #recommendedby Two books recommended to me: Living with a SEAL by my friends who said "You have to read this book-you'll love it!" (I did!) ?? The Samurai's Garden was recommended by a stranger who came up to me in the library bookstore a few months ago & asked if I had read it & when I said no, she said "You must!" & handed it to me. So 50 cents later it's in my TBR pile, hopefully I'll get around to reading it someday. ??
"Matsu's garden whispers at you, never shouts; it leads you down a path hoping for more, as if everything is seen, yet hidden."
