curious pig

Season note is my latest book (in Thai)
Tiny stories from my experience, feeling, impression, memory about four seasons
in Japan. Thanks mother of nature that gives me various angles/aspects in life.

This time I asked pilarcat to show her brilliant job on illustration. Certainly she is
still in charge of layout&book design as usual.

Lots of laugh, full of fun in doing this book, I hope it will remain, reflect and pass
this fun on the readers.

Pork & Sons is a lovely cookbook that I fell in love as soon as I saw it.
The great harmony of a story of the butcher history on the Ardeche plateau in France
and yummy recipes plus wonderful photos and illustrations!

a short lesson in anatomy

stylish and warm hearted photographs

Illustrations by Jose Reis de Matos
Sense of humor is sparkling all over pages and pages, even foot note.

How pork becomes a sausage.

Can Can dancing in the section of “ham” recipes

Pork & Sons
author : Stephane Reynaud
photographs : Marie-Pierre Morel
illustrations : Jose Reis de Matos
publisher : Phaidon
isbn 978 0 7148 4761 0

tokyo tokyo continues is my latest book (in Thai)
about Tokyo that I know and want to share.
It is the part II from my first book, “tokyo tokyo” published 2 years ago.
maewpilar is the one who takes care of layout&book design as usual.
At first, the planned cover would be the photo
as soon as maewpilar saw my illustration for “train” topic,
she cried out “This is the cover!”
Hundreds of photos were selected over and over again
and we had to throw away some
or laugh out loud when found my tiny reflection hiding among yummy sweets.
Finally, it was published and it looks simple and clean
as we (maewpilar and me) both love.

Roppongi becomes the hot spot both night light and daylight
since Roppongi Hills to Tokyo Midtown opened.
Nightlife in Roppongi is not only for drinking, listening music, dancing
but reading!
Tsutaya at Roppongi Hills is the pioneer to open its store
from 7:00am to 4:00am
At the end of last year ABC Aoyama Book Center Roppongi store
changed its store hours to open till 5:00am
(weekdays 10:00-05:00 sunday 10:00-22:00).
What a cool hang out spot!

Very nice and cute book from Japan by k.m.p.
It is the story of a girl in her elementary school life.
Full of fun and happy memories that everyone used to experience in either way.
Their cute illustration and funny angle do brighten my day.

right - “pudding” already set???

left - can’t go to school!!!

I am always fascinated in the traditional colors of Japan.
Regarding the Japanese geography, season, history, knowledge and culture enhance colors rich in shades and hues.

Every country has her own unique colors and it is fun to watch and find out where they come from.

Sometimes we are too busy and overlook the beauty of colors around us. We forgot to slow down and appreciate them.

The Traditional Colors Of Japan is a book by PIE Books published the beginning of this year. Describe the origin, history and characteristics of each color (in Japanese).
However, there are English names and CMYK of all too.

A new book by Yoshihiro Koizumi from long seller manga series of Buddha to Shittakabutta. It is the simple story in life. What is between left and right? What is between like and hate? Can’t help but smiling with funny pig showing the fact of life in the very simple way.

“pig peeling its ego”

“become a thin pig in an instant”

“happiness and unhappiness”

ブとタのあいだ
小泉吉宏
isbn 978-4-8401-1807-1

Nadiff at Omotesando will be closed by the end of this May as Casolare Harajuku, the building Nadiff is in will be pulled down and rebuilt. However, it will be back by the end of this year in new place and new name.

Mottainai Grandma by Mariko Shinju is the picture book which was published in Japan 2004. ( Mottainai Baasan / Japanese title) Mottainai is the thoughtful Japanese word with love and compassion to think of the gift from the nature or someone who made the product. The word closest to Mottainai in English is “What a waste!”, “Do not waste!” or the situation a thing is being wasted or being used without good care and consideration.

Mottainai Grandma is coming!
Leftover food on the plate.
Last grains of rice stuck to the bowl.
She will come and say, “Mottainai!”
“So much food left - mottainai! May I eat?”

Munch munch gulp gulp llick lick
“Oh, you have more rice grains sticking to your face.Mottainai!”
And she licked my face all over……
“Let me lick more!” lick lick lick

Splash splash
Leaving the water running.
She will come and say, “Mottainai!”
“One cup of water is enough! Don’t Waste it - mottainai !”

When I throw away mandarin peels,
she will come and say “Mottainai!”
“Dry them in the sunshine. Put them in the bathtub.
Mandarin peels will make you feel so good!”
“A warm and sunny mandarin bath!”

…
Mottainai
Mottainai
Are you sure you are not doing anything mottainai?

Foreign books and magazines will be 20% off on rainy days during 1 - 31 March, 2007 at all branches of Aoyama Book Center. What a cute promotion!

Aoyama Book Center or ABC is my all time favorite book store. Very glad to see them back and be so lively again after all branches were disappeared regarding the big storm of their business in 2004. Though the main store at Aoyama was back shortly after their crisis, it took a while to open new branches. Since last year, ABC seemed to strong enough again to reopen and open new store from Roppongi, Roppongi Hills, HMV Shibuya following the newest branch at Maru Building last January. Also, they always hold event, fair and interesting exhibitions at each branches.

*This rainy days promotion will be held 3 times a year in Spring, Early Summer and Fall.