Last Three Reads

Salmonella Men on Planet Porno
Yasutaka Tsutsui

T., a student of mine who writes novels, once told me about his dream. "I dreamt that I was eating my own body." He asks me if I believe in ghosts or UFOs, and I usually tell him (I may have been borrowing from Popper) that it might be something that science cannot explain right now, but eventually will.

I asked him what book he was reading and he told me about Tsutsui. I scored a few of his books and started with a collection of short stories, Salmonella Men on Planet Porno. It's a spectacular blend of sex, science and storytelling. It's terrible to compare a book to a TV show, but it was strongly reminiscent of Black Mirror. If Black Mirror was a reminder of how we are enslaved by technology, Salmonella is an agitation of our mediocrity. Women, however, were very negatively depicted.

The Pond
Ha Jin

A few months ago, during an afternoon break, we let our fingers flip through the titles at the Big Bad Wolf book sale. It was irresistible. An entire convention center was full of crisp, newly minted copies for the price of pre-loved books. There are books for everyone in the family, but the children's books had the most impressive collections at more affordable prices.

I got Ha Jin's the Pond from that book sale. This is a gripping tale of artist who stands up for his principles, persists on his principles, despite being confronted by political and spiritual corruption. He battles with his brush as his sword. I am convinced that Ha Jin is writing with authentic detail when he described the smell of a person's behind. The protagonist suffered so much that you had to read to the end to find out if he is still suffering.

He who fights with monsters must always be reminded, "He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster.

Hamlet
William Shakespeare
*No Fear Shakespeare Version

I scour second-hand online stores for books because that in itself is fun. I'm always very selective in what I buy, if not just stingy.

The No-Fear Shakespeare series appealed to me because I could never find it in ebook versions and the side-by-side (original text + modern translation) layout makes me feel less of a fool. The No-Fear Shakespeare series appealed to me because I could nev'r findeth t in ebook versions and the side-by-side (original text  + modern translation) layout maketh me feeleth less of a fool.  

While summaries and quotations of Shakespeare texts are abound in the internet, I read his works as much as I can because the experience of reading, especially Shakespeare, is in itself fun.

V. is Chu

When you turned two, your toes met the sand, you shook hands with the water, you were kissed by the sun. You made sand castles. And I told you crazy, fantastic things fathers tell their daughters. I will never be tired of loving you, feisty and charming V.

We didn't have to go very far. This beach was a scenic, 3.5 hour drive with a brunch stop at Tagaytay. It's a pampered beach experience, as D. puts it. We kept saying how this was just as spectacular as the trips we've made to Hong Kong or Boracay. Because even if those experiences were irreplaceable we know why this one was just as awesome.  

There were four of us. Even the sandcastles you made were all real. Perhaps you won't remember it, but it's in your heart now. Happy Second, V. You and your kuya make our lives more terrific everyday.