Dad and I passed a Kinokuniya bookstore in Tokyo. Dad, excited, declared that it is a very famous bookstore. I didn't bother popping his sense of discovery. He said he must go. I skeptically arranged to find him there after running an errand next door, wondering why he would care to see a bookstore chain.
Meeting up with him fifteen minutes later, he sheepishly said "all the books are in Japanese." And, no, Dad can't read Japanese.
I do agree with Dad, though. Kinokuniya is a fantastic chain. Outside Japan, that is. It is one of the stores with the most extensive English book inventory in its retail stores throughout Southeast Asia. Even in English-speaking Singapore where Borders has presence I found myself gravitating toward Kinokuniya for my shopping. For those of us avid readers living abroad, that accessibility is important.
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books. Show all posts
14 July 2010
04 August 2009
Until death does stop you
Has anyone else noticed the prevalence of books telling you want you need to do "before you die"? Especially in the travel section?
Examples:
Interestingly, a majority of the titles were published after the 1,000 Places to See Before You Die original. So much for originality here. Since it's been a while (2003), I can say those words have long faded in appeal and now has become such an overused cliché.
Look at two excellent books involving imminent death- Tuesdays with Morrie and The Last Lecture- are so much more dignified in their title selection. Now the dearth creativity has poured into the wealth of books aimed at huge demographic of mostly living active travelers.
In a short: I welcome ideas for travel but, seriously, give me a break and do some real writing work.
Examples:
- 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, obviously one of the most notable examples
- 1,000 Places to See in the USA & Canada Before You Die
- Unforgettable Things to Do Before You Die
- Unforgettable Journeys to Take Before You Die
- Unforgettable Walks to Take Before You Die
- Unforgettable Places to See Before You Die
- 1001 Natural Wonders You Must See Before You Die
- etc etc
Interestingly, a majority of the titles were published after the 1,000 Places to See Before You Die original. So much for originality here. Since it's been a while (2003), I can say those words have long faded in appeal and now has become such an overused cliché.
Look at two excellent books involving imminent death- Tuesdays with Morrie and The Last Lecture- are so much more dignified in their title selection. Now the dearth creativity has poured into the wealth of books aimed at huge demographic of mostly living active travelers.
In a short: I welcome ideas for travel but, seriously, give me a break and do some real writing work.
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