Tales from the Café [Book 2 of 4 of the series, Before the Coffee Gets Cold] –by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

 Publisher: Hanover Square Press; Original edition (October 12, 2021)

Language: English

Hardback: 256 pages

ISBN: 978-1335630988

5 Stars

 

I’m not sure where I first read about this series, but it sounded interesting, so I ordered a book. Thought I was getting #1 in the series, but ordered #2 by mistrake. Fortunately, this book contained 4 short stories, and I think I read somewhere that each book has 4 short stories in it.

 

The premise is, on a side street somewhere in Tokyo is a small, windowless basement coffee shop rumor has it one may travel back in time if they comply with the rules. The first rule is, you may only meet people who have been in the coffee shop. If you live in Tokyo, and wish to go back in time and meet the Emperor, and he’s never set foot in the coffee shop, well, you can go back, but not meet him. There is a rule that you can’t change reality, one that says while in the past you may not change seats in the coffeeshop, and perhaps the most important—you must return before your coffee gets cold, or else. Trust me, it’s the ‘or else’ that will get you! And, I did not give all the rules.

 

Although these are not murder mysteries, I would still call them ‘cozy’—they’re fun, and ‘comfortable’ to read in bed and not have bad dreams. I’m looking forward to reading the other three books.

Quantum Entanglement –Poetry Apocalypse Anthology

 Publisher: Bombaz Press (2023) / 548 S. Spring Street, Ste 1201 / Los Angeles CA 90013

Language: English

Paperback: 160 pages

ISBN: not shown

5 Stars

 

Poetry Apocalypse is a group of poets who frequently meet on a weekly basis to read their works. This is not a critique group, but a reading venue. The poems in this book are by many of the poets who meet and read weekly.

 

Some of the poems will bring tears to your eyes, and some will add more laugh-lines to your face. If you can find a copy, and you enjoy words, I strongly recommend you buy it. The poems (including prose poems) are written by many people, the photos are all by Janie Meine, and they are stunning. Ms. Meine is also one of the excellent poets in the book, and all the poets are excellent. 

A Howling--by Susan F. Blair

 Publisher: Press 53 (October 3, 2023)

Language: English

Paperback: 86 pages

ISBN: 978-1950413683

5 Stars

 

From the first poem, the first stanza of the title poem, I was hooked. “Candle flame shudders / an act of bravery / in the dark.” begins our adventure.  Blair takes us on the complete circle of life—insects, small furry animals, feathered ones, and her beloved sister. I found this book full of beauty, full of love, quite a bit of humor, and full of pathos. 

 

I do not care for spiders. At all. Well, when they are in my house. Outside, they’re fine. Her last poem, Black Widow Spider Soliloquies made me smile. I actually chuckled at “Scene V / Horatio     I die / Horatio     I dine”

 

A truly enjoyable book. Buy it. Read it. Review it.

Duck, Death and the Tulip--by Wolf Erlbruch

 Publisher: Gecko Press; Illustrated edition (August 1, 2016

Language: English

Hardcover: 38 pages

ISBN: 978-1877467141

Reading age: 9+ years

5 Stars

 

How do you explain death to a child? For that matter, how do you explain death to an adult? I think this is one of the best explanations I’ve ever read for anyone who was ever born and will eventually die. Even though I cry when I read it, and I’ve read it several times, I find the drawings delightful, and Death as friendly, and non threatening, as Duck.

 

I like that Death wears a nightshirt and is Duck’s size, that he’s sympathetic. But I love that Death doesn’t really know what happens when we die, either. And that he sees death as a part of the circle of life. 

 

If you are raising your children to believe in a Heaven and Hell, this might not be the book for you, but if you have an open mind, if you are curious, if simplicity, honesty, and beauty intrigue you, then I beg you to buy, read, and enjoy and share Duck, Death and a Tulip.

blacked out borderland from an exponential crisis –by john compton

Publisher: Ethel Zine, 2023, www.ethelzine.com

Language: English

Paperback: hand made,54 pages

5 Stars

 

I had the pleasure to see Mr. Compton read at one of the Zoom Room readings I attend, loved his reading—the poetry and the voice, so invested time and money in his chapbook. Well worth it. Normally, I mark the poems I loved more than others, but ran out of markers, (they arrive soon). In going through the book again, I realize I really like them all.

 

His dead poet poems are marvelous, “before we understood that death was here” brought me to tears, as did “skyla.” And, I really want to know how he knows about me and my closet, as he obviously does, from his poem “i am dressed in mistakes.” But then, perhaps it’s a common failing of many poets and writers. “i am dressed in mistakes /// garnished over my body / like an appetizer… / …from sweet imperfections / scattered throughout…”

 

If you need capital letters this book is not for you. I don’t think I saw a single one. If you like to play with words, get raw emotion from tears to laughter, and everything in between, then this is a book for you. And how many hand-made books do you have, anyhow? 

Ten Little Indians --by Sherman Alexie

 Publisher: Grove Press; Reprint edition (March 17, 2004)

Language: English

Paperback: 243 pages

ISBN-13: 978-080214117;0

5 Stars

 

In full disclosure, I’ve been in literary lust with Sherman Alexie since I first read one of his books, and the lust lives. No, I’ve never met him. And I am NOT in lust with him, just his writing.

 

Also, my copy of Ten Little Indians is probably somewhat different than yours, as I read an “Uncorrected Proof.” 

 

I love short stories. And these did not disappoint. I laughed in many, got sad in a couple, and angry in one or two. Most stories are funny, most offer insight and might give you something to think about. Like Rez humor? Read this book. There is a reason Alexie wins awards for his writing. 

 

But why only 9 stories? Why not 10? Or did I miscount?

All of Us --The Collected Poems of Raymond Carver

Publisher: Vintage; Reprint edition (April 4, 1996)

Language: English

Paperback: 416 pages

ISBN-13: 978-03575703805

5 Stars

 

I knew Carver as a writer of short stories and somewhat excited when I heard he was a poet. My friend suggested I get this book, a good choice.

 

Carver knew no boundaries in his poetry. If he made a poor choice, he admitted it, he wrote of the beauty he saw and the pain he lived. He was honest in his poetry and accessible by anyone. Don’t think you like poetry? Try these poems, they’re like mini memoir, mini stories. 

 

He begins with Drinking While Driving, “It’s August and I have not / read a book in six months / except something called The Retreat From Moscow /…” His second poem, Luck, explains a lot, “I was nine years old. / I had been around liquor / all my life. My friends / drank too, but they could handle it.”

 

The last poem, before the Appendixes (which you’ll want to read, too) is Late Fragment, “And did you get what / you wanted from this life, even so? / I did. / And what did you want? / To call myself beloved, to feel myself / beloved on the earth.” Is there a better poem to end the book? To end his life? 

 

There are something like 300 poems in this book, will you like them all? Probably not, but the ones you will like, and you will like some, will speak to you as no other poem possibly could. This is a book every reader needs.