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Monday, March 30, 2009

love it!

Friday, I met my friend Kathy in Umeda. Her contract to teach is up so she will be returning to Hawaii. I got to Umeda a little early and browsed Kinokuniya, a large bookstore. I was lucky to stumble upon their English book sale. Almost all their english written books were 50% off or more!

The thing about buying books written in English in Japan is that they are expensive, sometimes double the price that you see on Amazon in the US, probably because of the shipping and importing fees. So, I am always happy to see when a sale is actually a sale. (Most times at department stores they advertise "sales" or "bargains", but most times the prices are still very expensive.)

Kinokuniya had thrown the books in separate areas without really organizing them, so you really had to look at each title. For example, a gardening book would be right next to a cookbook.

After perusing every area, I bought four books, "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini, which my Aunty recommended highly. "Love in the time of Cholera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. An English-French dictionary, I've wanted to buy one for some time now but wasn't about to pay an arm and a leg for one. This is easy to use and hopefully I'll make good use of it. And lastly, "American Food Writing" by Molly O'Neill, which has many anthologies about America, its foods from the many cultures and also many recipes. I can't wait to get into all of these books.

So after Satoshi came home, I had him play, "guess how much this was". His first guess was 8000 yen (about US$80)...nope...then he mumbled to himself, "nah, you wouldn't spend that much money at once on books anyway"...finally after two other wrong guesses I told him...3500 yen (about US$35). He was pleasantly surprised.

I think I got a really nice deal on my purchases.

I'm sad to see Kathy move back (we've had many good conversations over lunch and shopping adventures). (Take care Kathy!)
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10 comments:

  1. Jann10:48 AM, March 30, 2009

    I think you got a heck of a great deal with these books!

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  2. KirkK12:03 PM, March 30, 2009

    Hi Kat - Kinokuniya....we still like to browse around the Little Tokyo store in LA, when we're in the area. I'm glad you got some good deals.

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  3. chandlerguera12:34 PM, March 30, 2009

    I loved "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini, and his other book, "A Thousand Splendid Suns." His writing is rich and it is fascinating to learn about another culture. I have not seen "The Kite Runner" movie but heard it is excellent as well. Enjoy!

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  4. Deb in Hawaii1:12 PM, March 30, 2009

    Yea! Book bargins! The Kite Runner is such a good book, tough at times to read, but a really good story.

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  5. Jenster2:08 PM, March 30, 2009

    I really enjoyed "Love in the Time of Cholera." It was so beautifully written and so sad. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

    I also rented the movie, which did not do justice to the novel (as is usually the case when the novel's prose is as rich and romantic as this one's), but it was still a good movie and featured the handsome Javier Bardem (another plus!)

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  6. Rowena9:58 PM, March 30, 2009

    That IS a score on books. I can't remember the last time I bought english books here...way too expensive...so I just read like crazy whenever I get back home. The Kite Runner is a fantastic read.

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  7. Deb11:33 PM, March 30, 2009

    Wowza! Buying my used books at the library and thrift shops (and even new books!) will be MUCH more appreciated from now on.

    Enjoy your new books - then you can sell it on ebay.japan when you're done:)

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  8. K and S8:35 AM, March 31, 2009

    Thanks Jann :)

    That is cool that you have a Kinokuniya there Kirkk :)

    Thanks Chandlerguera, I am looking forward to reading this, I heard there is a movie too, but I have a feeling it may not make it here.

    I realized that my trip home may miss the Friends of the Library sale, Deb, so I was happy to find some bargain books here.

    I generally feel that the books are better than the movie, Jenster, I will remember to have some tissue when reading this.

    Glad you thought the "kite runner" was a good read, Rowena. I hope to get to it soon.

    Thanks for your suggestion Deb, I usually donate my used books to an International reading room at a nearby university.

    Take care everyone.
    Kat

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  9. manju4:57 AM, May 10, 2009

    Hope you enjoy your great finds! Kite Runner is still on my to-read list, and I loved "Cholera". Nice to curl up with a mug of chocolate chaud and a good book. ; )

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  10. K and S9:20 AM, May 10, 2009

    Thank you Manju, I am looking forward to reading these, hopefully I'll get to them soon :)

    Take care.
    Kat

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