Spring Musings
This week I finished reading a book called What you are looking for is in the library by Michiko Aoyama. A book I had gotten over a year ago at Waterstones when I was in London. I remember carefully packing it in my carry on, making sure the layers of clothes would act as a protective barrier between my precious book and whatever else would eventually be stuffed in there. Once back at home, I placed the book on my vanity table, right within sight and with every intention to read it, but I never did. Of course, there were times I picked up the book, skimmed its pages, debating whether I finally should read it, but I never could. It was as if my mind was blocked, unable to comprehend the words I was seeing, a feeling of now isn’t the time stopping me each time.
Until this month.
What you are looking for is in the library is about five people in very different life stages but dealing with similar sentiments and questions about life. They’re at an age where school is already years behind them, yet they find themselves unhappy in their current circumstances and somewhat lost. One is unsure of what they want to do in terms of a career, the realization she’s working with the company she’s at only because it’s the one place that offered her a job out of all the ones she applied to. Another has a safe and respectable job as an accountant yet deep down simmers with a someday dream of opening an antiques shop. Then we have the one who lost a promotion at work that was within her fingertips and worked hard for, all because she had a baby. Then there’s the unemployed artist who still lives at home, disillusioned because he expected more from life. And finally, the retired one, who is unsure of his place in society now that he doesn’t have a job.
Five stories all interconnected who find the answer to what they are looking for at a library and with the help of a wonderful librarian and her book recommendations. Life changing lessons that struck a chord with me since it corresponded to where I am in my own life. It gave me a new perspective, a reminder that the job I have may not be my dream position, but it allows me not only to go back to school for that film and television degree I want but also be able to pay for my classes. It points out how we are all part of society, contributing in ways we don’t even realize in this grand thing called life. Which begs the question: Had I read this book when I initially got it, would I have been able to relate to it the same way? Would it still have meant so much to me?
I’ll never know.
It’s akin to how I wonder if everything that holds my attention now (Korean dramas, K-Pop, Chinese dramas), well, what would have happened had I discovered those interests earlier? Years ago? Would it have changed the trajectory of my life? Would it have changed who I am today? Who I might have become?
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Again, I’ll never know.
And. That’s. Okay.
Why? Because there are things in my life that feel just right. Moments in time unable to be replicated under any other circumstances. An awareness that I’m right where I’m supposed to be. And I guess books, just like people, come into your life when you’re ready for them. So, I’ll continue in the routine I’ve set that gives me purpose each day knowing I’m also working towards my dreams. I’ll also continue listening to podcasts, reading books and watching my dramas. Which brings me to my top recommendations. The shows, books and even an audiobook I really enjoyed this spring.
- Pursuit of Jade
This was the ultimate romance, and I know I said that about the previous Chinese drama I suggested (Shine on Me), but this historical one really takes the prize. It’s about a strong-willed orphan girl who slaughters pigs for a living. She’s a butcher’s daughter and yeah, basically a butcher herself. A profession uncommon for a woman in that time and obviously not well perceived. But she doesn’t care, she has a little sister to support, and when the scholar she expected to marry (mind you her family financially supported him throughout his studies) breaks off their engagement because his mother doesn’t think she, Fan Changyu, is worthy of her son, our girl doesn’t cry. No, she holds her head up high against the humiliation. And life definitely rewards her when she finds a handsome man in the snow, on the brink of death, and rescues him despite barely having enough food on the table to feed herself. She brings him to her home and nourishes him to health. And who is he exactly? None other than a fallen noble, THE MARQUIS OF WU’AN (and yes, I did have to capitalize that because come on, my man is a freakin marquis!) But of course, our Fan Changyu doesn’t know that and when she proposes to him to be her live in husband so she can keep her house from the hands of a greedy uncle, telling him the famous line “If you stay, I’ll slaughter pigs to support you“, the Marquis agrees. And slowly, they fall in love amidst war and gore and it’s just epic, their love story that is. Best drama ever. Be warned thou: you will become obsessed with it like I did and literally have no social life until you finish the last episode.
2. Never Ever After by Sue Lynn Tan
Okay, so truth be told, I bought this book entirely because I saw a reel on Instagram recommending it if we weren’t over Pursuit of Jade (which I obviously wasn’t, cue the withdrawals) and wanting to read a book with similar vibes. So, despite it being a fantasy novel, a genre I typically don’t tend to read, I took a chance on it because I still wanted to live inside that historical world of Pursuit of Jade and everything it gave us. And Never Ever After delivered. It had everything from royalty to magic and politics, all wrapped up in a spectacular love triangle. Yes, multiple love interests! We have the crown prince soon to be King of the Iron Mountains who is feared by all and indifferent to everyone except our heroine, Yining, who is an orphan, a skilled thief and a liar. Then we have Jin, the mysterious, handsome boy that saves our dear Yining from the police, in spite of knowing that she’s no real fortune teller and it’s all just a ruse to rob people, including him. However, Jin is secretly a lord, the ruler of Thorn Valley (guys, a future King and a lord vying for her love? She is one lucky gal) yet at first Yining has no idea until she does and makes a deal with him that she stakes her very life on. Never Ever After is a book so beautifully crafted that you’re immediately immersed within its pages and anticipating its sequel that comes out later this year. Go out and read it, especially if you just finished watching Pursuit of Jade.
3. Perfect Crown
One of the most anticipated dramas of the year starring two of Korea’s most precious stars: IU, the talented actress who made us all cry in When Life Gives You Tangerines and Byeon Woo-Seok who stole everybody’s hearts in Lovely Runner as Sun-Jae, and now he’s back as a royal PRINCE. Guys, you are missing out on Fridays and Saturdays if you’re not watching this Korean drama. I mean, what else are you guys doing if not cheering for our ambitious chaebol heiress who decides to marry into Korea’s modern day royal family just so she can obtain the one thing money can’t buy her? A title. Nobility. So, yeah, wanting to marry the best of the best, instead of some simple businessman her father chooses (like, as if, right?) she asks for an audience with none other than Prince I-An to propose a marriage of convenience. Unfortunately for our heroine, Sung Hui-Ju, he says no, but she’s not deterred. She sets out to win his heart and once he agrees, a heart swooning, feet-sweeping romance begins. But danger lurks within the palace walls and there are some who want to see Prince I-An’s downfall and so our two lovebirds will have to fight against all odds while unraveling each other’s scars as they get to know each other and fall deeper in love.
4. Love, Sivvy, by R.L Toalson
One of the things I remember most about this audiobook is that I’d listen to it while doing the most mundane things like folding my laundry and eating breakfast. I even listened to it once while taking a stroll through the park. Yet, it was the perfect distraction to pass the time. I used to wonder how people were reading so many books in a span of weeks and now I realize they’re listening to the audiobooks. And it’s so convenient because it’s right on your phone (in my case: Hoopla app) that allows you to stop and resume whenever you have time. And those minutes, let me tell you, they add up and before you know it, you’re finished with the book. Anyways, this book chronicles the high school and college years of Sylvia Path (keep in mind a very fictionalized account) and just how much she wants to be a writer. In a society that expects her to get married young and have children, Sivvy desire more. She wants a higher education; to see the world and experience new things so she can be a better writer. It’s her highs and her lows with her writing, doubts of ever getting published and even mental health struggles that I think will resonate. It did with me which is why it was an absolute five star listen for me. I can’t recommend it enough.