The Samurai's Garden...a graceful journey

Gail Tsukiyama's Book was a gentle read. The story contained horrific events (war, leprosy, suicide, etc.) and, yet, still graceful and poetic. It did not make those horrible events commonplace or understate evil or sadness but, perhaps it made things even sadder and more horrific because it was happening in and around daily life.
I will remember and think about Matsu and Sachi for a long time. The young man who narrates the book is an intelligent listener and sensitive to his surroundings.
Some in the book club thought he was too sensitive...one member said a "momma's boy".
I think that sensitivity to some is a female thing. I cannot think that way. Thinking about gender and its definitions makes my head spin.
I want to read more of Tsukiyama's stories.

Master and Commander...Ahoy and Oh boy!

Patrick O'Brian's sea stories of the early 19th century English Naval Captain, Jack Aubrey, has always been popular with male library patrons. The Aubrey/Maturin (the ship's doctor) novels had loyal fans. Now, saying this, you might wonder why this librarian had never read them since it was and is such a popular series.
Sad to say, I deemed them "men books"...books about war and ships and sails and fighting and macho man stuff.
I was wrong. They are about ships and sails and fighting but, so much more. "Master and Commander" is about friendship, loyalty, love, and all things human.
It is a sexy and witty historical read that most of us in the Evening Book Club enjoyed and will keep reading until we finish all the Aubrey novels.
Some club members complained about the sailing jargon and the need for a dictionary close at hand. (Some of us bought the glossary to the Aubrey books...ok...it was only me.)
I am sorry that it took so long but, glad that I have 21 delightful reads ahead of me.