Finally got my hands on Sujata Massey's latest book, The Bride's Kimono, at the library. The bad thing about using a public institution for borrowing books is that you have to be patient and wait for it to come in/returned/become available. I've actually checked up on this book for several months already and only now did my luck come through for me last week when I spotted it sitting there patiently on the shelf. Waiting for me. I know I know, I can easily pop into Barnes and Noble or Borders and snatch up a copy for myself but I'm really trying to be frugal these days. Of course, then where's the rationalization when I walk in and buy a copy of Skin and Ink and National Geographic and other mags that add up to more than the price of one hardback? There is no rationalization of course. Because what we can't borrow for free, we buy ourselves or we coax/trick others into buying for us. Yes, it must be the American way. But about the book....

The Bride's Kimono is Sujata Massey's 5th novel and I have yet to still read her 4th one, The Floating Girl (which is unavailable for free at my library - damn!). It once again stars Rei Shimura and her lovely entourage of supporting characters. However this time, the story primarily takes place in Washington DC as opposed to Tokyo where her stories usually take place in. And by the title of the book, you can guess it's about a certain Bride's Kimono. I've so far enjoyed all the books I've read in Massey's Rei Shimura series and although it is part mystery, I think it shows you a side of the Japanese culture that you don't always see in other works of fiction. Plus, her books are always easy to read and follow regardless of whether or not you're familiar with the Japanese culture and language. And the fact that Rei Shimura is biracial is an added plus to give you her interpretation of the Japanese culture as well as the American one. It's an enjoyable read all around.

[You should click on the link of the author's name above to find out about her and her relation to the Rei Shimura character. Her background is interesting indeed. Plus check out her locations page to read about the hotel that I stayed at last time in Japan and also Hachiko the dog where I got accosted by the arabian octopus. :P]

I have to say that my luck at the library must be at an all time high because today, I scored the following two books for my nightstand reads:

Asian American Dream: The Emergence of An American People by Helen Zia

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

I thought for sure that The Hobbit would have been checked out but I guess I came across a brand new copy that the library just acquired. On a sidenote, have you noticed that all the major chain bookstores have these gigantic LOTR displays and if you look off to the side, in the corner lies the disheveled Harry Potter displays collecting dust? Just wanted to let you know.

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Recently, I watched a Korean scary movie called The Nightmare. Now, why it is called The Nightmare, I do not know because nothing in the movie really is related to nightmares. But I have to say that it was one of the scarier horror flicks that I've seen in a long time. I was griping recently to someone about how unscary HK horror movies are. They are in essence, cheesy movies disguised as horror films. So I was really excited to watch something Asian, and something scary that didn't come from HK. I have to say that not only was it pleasantly different to see new faces and listen to a new language but it really spooked me with the fantastic makeup and the whole aura of it all. In fact, days later, I'm still looking over my shoulder to see if anyone is standing behind me. I've always been interested in Korean dramas and movies but unfortunately, my Korean comprehension is only limited to Korean foods, bad words and common phrases. But if I can get my hands on more Korean films/dramas with English subtitles - I'd be in heaven because there's nothing like learning about another culture through their media.

The movie stars Yoo Ji Tae, Kim Kyu Ri and Ha Ji Won and is about a group of 7 friends calling themselves "A Few Good Men". When one of the friends return back from the US claiming that one of their old friend (who's dead) is following her, they all become embroiled in revealing a dark secret that all of them have kept hidden. Following that, there's deaths, alot of blood, and obviously a ghost back for revenge. Check it out if you're not too scared. :P

I'm wondering if other Korean scary movies are so freakishly spooky? Because all I know is that Asian ghosts with that long black hair and that pale face and such sends shivers up my spine much more than Jason, Freddy of Michael. :P

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I'm thinking of going to see the new play at the David Henry Hwang Theatre called Sisters Matsumoto. It's a play by Philip Kan Gotanda and done by the East West Players and will run until February 17th here in Los Angeles. Here's what the site had to say about the play:

[The cast includes (in alphabetical order): Thomas Boyle, Elaine Kao, Emily Kuroda, Randall Mark, Nelson Mashita, Natsuko Ohama, Sab Shimono, Ken Takemoto, and Ryan Yu. The set designer for SISTERS MATSUMOTO is Victoria Petrovich, lighting design by Jose Lopez, costume design by Dori Quan, sound composition and design by Joel Iwataki, and props by Ken Takemoto.

In this touching tale of strength and survival, a Japanese American family returns home from the World War II interment camps to grapple with lost opportunities, new beginnings, and the answer to a secret.]

Check the website for more info or call 213.625.7000.

I'm out.