Shinto: The Kami Way by Sokyo Ono My rating: 4 of 5 stars "In its general aspects Shinto is more than a religious faith. It is an amalgam of attitudes, ideas, and ways of doing things that through two millenniums and more have become an integral part of the way of the Japanese people." This … Continue reading Book Review – Shinto: The Kami Way

The Essence of Shinto: Japan's Spiritual Heart by Motohisa Yamakage My rating: 4 of 5 stars If you have a serious interest in Japan, and in the philosophies of Shinto, then I highly recommend this book. Not only is it an excellent translation, it's as straightforward an approach as you're likely to get to this … Continue reading Book Review – The Essence of Shinto

The Accessory Handbook: A Costume Designer's Secrets for Buying, Wearing, and Caring for Accessories by Alison Freer My rating: 3 of 5 stars For those who read Freer's previous book, "How To Get Dressed" and liked it...go ahead an pick this up. It's really more of a guidebook than a sit-and-read book, but if you … Continue reading Book Review – The Accessory Handbook

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain My rating: 4 of 5 stars Kitchen Confidential is less a memoir and more a series of essays--each chapter an anecdote about a place, time, or person from Bourdain's early career as a chef. It's funny, honest (maybe blunt is a better word), and might … Continue reading Review – Kitchen Confidential

Daily Life of the Ancient Greeks by Robert Garland My rating: 3 of 5 stars Daily Life of the Ancient Greeks does just what it says on the cover: it provides an overview of the customs, religion, politics, aesthetics, and sensibilities of the ancient Greeks (with focus on the Classical period). The author, Robert Garland, … Continue reading Review: Daily Life of the Ancient Greeks

The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century by Ian Mortimer My rating: 5 of 5 stars “If we really want to understand what humanity is, and how adaptable we are, we must see ourselves as a constantly living, evolving race—always on the very cusp of a vast … Continue reading Review: The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England

Doctor Who: The Writer's Tale: The Final Chapter by Russell T. Davies My rating: 5 of 5 stars "I only write to find out about myself, and I'll only achieve that if I'm honest." I'd always admired Davies. I was a big Doctor Who fan; while I enjoyed Moffit's tenure as show-runner, Davies will always … Continue reading Review: The Writer’s Tale – The Final Chapter

Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 4 by Stan Sakai My rating: 5 of 5 stars Stan Sakai: the most consistently excellent writer and illustrator currently in comics. Usagi Yojimbo is--for all the fight scenes, all the black-and-white blood, all the battles--a very quiet comic. It's about Miyamoto Usagi, a wandering ronin who travels the warrior's path … Continue reading Review: Usagi Yojimbo vol 4

Note: a client recommended this, and I no longer remember who. If you are that client, THANK YOU! The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón My rating: 4 of 5 stars “A story is a letter that the author writes to himself, to tell himself things that he would be unable to discover … Continue reading Review: The Shadow of the Wind

Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough My rating: 4 of 5 stars The story of Artemisia Gentileschi happened a long time ago. Sadly, it could have happened today, and it probably did. Artemisia lives in her father's house, and she paints. She paints for her father, who's a talentless hack, and his name is signed … Continue reading Review: Blood, Water, Paint