Skip to main content

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!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sony MDR-ZX100 vs ZX-110 vs ZX-310 Series Headphones

Gear Review Budget Audio Face-off: Sony ZX Series Review Comparing the ZX-100, ZX-110, and ZX-310 for your everyday carry ~3 Models ~$10–$20 Price 2.5+ Years Longevity Table of Contents ① Build Quality ② Cost Comparison ③ Sound Quality ④ Overall Value ⑤ Upgrade Path Section I Build Quality The Sony ZX series headphones primarily feature a durable plastic construction. My ZX-100 has lasted over 2½ years, enduring countless tosses into my backpack and car without any issues. However, the lower-end ZX-100 and ZX-110 models have a significant downside: poor-quality earpads.   The Earpad Problem Over time, the earpads on the ZX-100 and ZX-110 disintegrate, leaving vinyl flakes that stick to your hair and ears. The ZX-310 comes with upgraded earpads that don't suffer from this problem — a clear win in the build department. Tip: If your earpads start to flake, it is a sign of material degradation; consider replacing the cushions or upgrading to a model with more durable synthetic lea...
9 comments
Read more

Casio G-Shock - DW5600e vs DW5600ue - EL vs LED

Watch Review · G-Shock The G-Shock Square Evolution DW-5600E vs. DW-5600UE 200m Water Resistance 3 Generations Compared 1987 DW-5600C Debut Table of Contents ① Overview ② The Backlight Battle ③ Comfort Out of the Box ④ The DW-5600C (Vintage) ⑤ The Verdict Overview The Gold Standard, Quietly Updated For decades, the DW-5600E has been the "Gold Standard" for G-Shock squares. It's the watch that replaced the original screw-back models in the 90s and became the definitive tool watch for millions. But recently, Casio quietly updated this legend to the DW-5600UE. I've had both on my wrist recently, and while they look nearly identical at first glance, the differences in daily wear are surprisingly distinct. Section I The Backlight Battle: EL Nostalgia vs. LED Efficiency ...
Post a Comment
Read more

MacBook Air 2017 - A1466 - Linux - Project + Install Advice

Linux · Dev Hardware · Field Notes My "New" Linux Laptop 2017 MacBook Air — $120 on eBay, Running Linux Mint $120 Per Unit (eBay) 2× Units Acquired 6–8h Battery Life 2.96 lbs I needed a portable laptop with good battery life and decent specs to write code while outside — mostly small-to-medium Python or ASP.Net projects and a few basic ML models. My HP 2016 i7 is too bulky, the HP i3 is hideous, so I replaced my old Linux laptop with not one but a pair of MacBook Airs picked up on eBay for $120 each. Why two? Originally I got the 256GB MQD42LL/A, and when pricing a 512GB SSD upgrade it was basically the cost of a whole 512GB A1466. Why pay $80 for a drive when $120 gets an entire computer? Eventually I'll get a newer M-series MacBook to fulfill my programming needs — but for $120, this is unreal value. Even after 9 years it looks modern and...
Post a Comment
Read more