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Dear Reader My latest book readI don’t think I’ve ever filled my newsletter with a book review. But I’ve just finished reading an amazing book and I just can’t wait to share it with you. It’s The Bookshop Woman, by Nanako Hanada, translated from the Japanese by Cat Anderson. I enjoyed Nanako’s writing style, her self reflections, and think the translation is spot on. There were no awkward phrasings as sometimes occurs in translations.
There’s so much to love about this book. I originally thought it was a novel and was pleasantly surprised to find it’s a Memoir, one of my favourite genres. Somehow, her story touched me more because it was based on her life. Nanako’s marriage has troubles and she and her husband have decided to take a break for a year or so. During this time she seeks to know herself better. She decides to join a dating site and here she invents herself as someone who will meet for the allotted 30 minutes and recommend books. Over the course of the year she finds herself recommending books to over 70 people. Many titles of these books are appended to the book. I’m impressed that Nanako has given not only a brief overview of each book, but tells her recommendees why she chose them for each person. Bit by bit, her confidence grows and she becomes genuinely interested in the person she’s recommending for. At first she wants to be sure they’d read the book, and give her feedback. But then she realises that she really wants them to feel good about themselves and she wants her recommendations to reinforce the good she sees in them. She writes of her process like this: “And so I’d begun to introduce books in a different way. First, I’d tell my match about all the good qualities I saw in them. Then I’d draw a connection between those things and the book I had chosen. And then I’d explain how the book could help them: ” ‘From what you’ve said, I feel like you’re someone who tries to make other people happy through your work. You really think about what’s best for your colleagues and customers, and you power through life, always giving your absolute best. So here’s the book I want to suggest to you. When you’re worrying about your work, and when things seem difficult, I think this book will speak to you and be a support to you.’ “With this approach, I thought whoever was receiving the recommendation could consider their as-yet-unread book as a sort of a talisman, quietly waiting for its moment. It was okay if they didn’t buy the book – but if they did, and if they even just laid eyes upon it now and again, that was enough. “If, in some corner of their mind, they retained the thought that when things got tough, they could read this book and it would help bring them back to being the wonderful person they were – if they could do that, it would be like I was there beside them, talking to them again, and the value of what I had done would finally manifest itself.” Her own self development is a highlight of the book. Each person she connects with gives her an insight into her own psyche and approach to the world. She develops lasting friendships, learns she enjoys social activities, and acts on her own instincts to make life changes for herself. She even re-creates her career in the book world. Nanako’s book grew out of social media posts she shared with a growing readership. I borrowed the book from my library, but think it’s one I want to have on my bookshelf. It’ll be my talisman, reminding me of the warmth and self worth I felt as I read it this month. If you are also drawn to read it, I’d love to know if you liked it too. My Spring/Summer writing viewThis is the view from my desk where I spend most of my writing time – when I’m not drawn to the inspiration and warmth of the fire in winter, that is.
It’s equally inspirational. The weeping maple tree with its Spring flowering is particularly beautiful right now. That’s enough from me. As always, my WIP beckons! Till next time, may you be well and full of joy. My thoughts for Living Life in 2024 and beyond: “Write it on my heart that every day is Ralph Waldo Emerson “Remember that sometimes not getting “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.” Nelson Mandela Read past Newsletters and, if you enjoy them, please share with your friends and encourage them to subscribe http://www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com Join my Reader’s Group on Facebook. FOLLOW ME Like, post and comment at any of |
The Bookshop Woman
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