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Coffee Sunday -- More Mishima and SideCar

Feature

The Hunt for Used Classics

*Book hunting, coffee sidecars, and literary resolutions*

~$5
Avg Book Price
4
Japanese Authors
12
Annual Goal
Section I

The Hunt for Used Classics

I wanted to spend more time at that used bookstore I found last week, and it was fun exploring their selection of books. I picked up a few more works by Yukio Mishima. The prices are very reasonable, barely $5 each, which is a steal compared to Amazon, where used copies are often double the price or several times that for brand new editions. Plus, I couldn't find these books at my local library, so this seems to be the next best thing.

I managed to snag Book #4 of Mishima's tetralogy, but I still need to hunt down Books #1 and #2. There’s something enjoyable about this mini-treasure hunt for books, and I'll be in LA and Vegas in a few months, so I’m planning to check out the major used bookstores in those cities. I’m already scoping out potential spots!

 

Section II

Coffee Experience: The SideCar

For coffee, I decided to try a SideCar since I was undecided about whether I wanted an espresso or a cappuccino. Whoever invented this drink is a genius! It gives me the best of both worlds, and I noticed that the cappuccino tends to taste sweeter when I can readily compare and contrast it with the bitter espresso. This particular one was quite palatable, with a hint of sweetness—I'm assuming that’s an indication of the quality of the coffee beans used?

   

Tip: If you're torn between an espresso and a cappuccino, the SideCar is the perfect way to experience the full flavor profile of your beans by comparing the two side-by-side.
Section III

Reading Goals for the Year

This year, my goal is to read a dozen novels, focusing on my four favorite Japanese authors. While I am well-acquainted with most, I am looking to expand my horizons into new territory.

  • →Yukio Mishima — A master of psychological depth.
  • →Yasunari Kawabata — Known for his beautiful, sparse prose.
  • →Haruki Murakami — Famous for blending reality with the surreal.
  • →Ryunosuke Akutagawa — Often considered the father of the Japanese short story.

I’m not very familiar with Akutagawa’s work yet, but some of his titles sound intriguing. I know it sounds a bit silly, but that’s how I fell in love with Russian novels—thanks to an obscure book called Smoke by Ivan Turgenev.

AuthorStyleFamiliarity
MishimaPsychologicalHigh
KawabataSparse ProseHigh
MurakamiSurrealismHigh
AkutagawaShort StoryEmerging
Happy reading and happy hunting!

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