Recent Books in korea

Recent Books

Japan Road Cha Baek-seong; lbig Media: 364 pp., 15,000 won Cyclist and traveler Cha Baek-seong inspired fellow bike riders in Korea with his first book ``America Road’’ in 2008, and the enthusiastic writer is back again, this time from trails in Japan. Cha’s new book ``Japan Road’’ features his travels and thoughts during his 80-day trip across the Asian country, along with interesting historical facts, tips and advice for travelling by bicycle. The book is divided into three main themes ― ``Korean Traces Within Japan,” ``In the Search of the 88 Temple Road of Shikoku’’ and ``Following the Trails of Joseon Tongshinsa.’’ Each section includes personal incidents, bike routes, eateries and background information specific to the locations. ``As I traveled Japan on my bicycle, I realized once again how fascinating it is to travel with it. The biggest benefit of bike-traveling is the leisure,’’ the writer writes in the preface, beckoning readers to follow suit. Readers will easily find the new book engaging as it focuses on the writer’s personal insights and experiences as a biker/ traveler, instead of merely listing catchy and flashy places and activities that so many travel books have already covered. -Han Sang-hee Face Shopper Chung Soo-yeon; Jamo: 374 pp., 12,000 won The number of plastic surgery clinics that can be found around Apgujeong-dong, one of Seoul’s hippest fashion districts, is astonishing to say the least, and yet more seem to be mushrooming. TV scriptwriter and chick lit author Chung Soo-hyun took readers on an intimate tour around the district in ``Apgujeong Diary’’ and now offers a peek into the world of plastic surgery. The protagonist, Jeong Ji-eun, is a sought-after plastic surgeon who comes across all sorts of patients, from those suffering severe complexes about their appearance to celebrities enduring cutthroat competition to outshine one another, and her own mother, an actress, who struggles to retain her youth and beauty. But there are others who enter the scene, including brokers who try to swindle patients for their money and netizens spreading false information about plastic surgery, and of course, a pediatrician-cum-potential boyfriend who belittles her specialty. The book dishes out some delicious behind-the-scenes tidbits in a brutally honest and humorous way: ``The most frequent question I get from patients is naturally, `what’s the estimate cost?’ ― as if it’s a car repair!’’ But the book is neither a criticism nor embracement of plastic surgery, and rises beyond the related issues to delve into the basic human desire for youth and beauty. -Lee Hyo-won Your Brain at Work David Rock; Random House: 370 pp., 13,800 won Have you ever noticed that the smartest people from the most prestigious universities don’t necessarily have stress-free experiences at work? If graduating from the best schools with the best scores doesn’t guarantee a stress-free and smooth career, what will? Leadership expert David Rock believes it’s not so much about intellect as much as it is about the brain, and he makes his point through a new book ``Your Brain at Work.’’ The author analyzes what people are doing wrong while they are working and what they should be doing instead. The book gives many examples such as when people try to multitask, which is bound to be inefficient. It offers a way to examine each situation and find a more effective and practical way to achieve the best results by using the ``right’’ part of their brains. Some may not be easily convinced that they can change their lives by trying to focus on only one part of their brain whenever they have a problem. The book however does offer some advice and new tips that may come in handy, especially when readers are already sinking in terms of work performance and are looking for a creative way to shine. -Han Sang-hee Conversing From Rome Nanami and Antonio Shiono; Translated from Japanese to Korean by Kim Nan-ju; Hangilsa: 345 pp., 15,000 won Nanami Shiono is a Japanese writer known for her intensive coverage of everything on Rome for some 40 years, most notably her best selling, monumental 15-volume tome on Ancient Rome “Stories of the Romans.’’ More recently however she penned a book about movies, surprising fans not only by sharing knowledge of the genre that equaled that of professional movie critics, but also explaining how she would show R-rated films to her young son Antonio without hesitation. Not surprisingly, Antonio grew up to become an aspiring filmmaker who has worked as a production assistant for Hollywood films such as ``Spider-Man 2’’ and Japanese movies as well. This time the author offers something even more intimate _ a discourse on cinema in conversation form with her son. The mother and son cover some 140 films, from 1940s masterpieces of Italian neo-realism to 2000s blockbusters. Even for non-movie buffs, the book is a great introduction to cinema; particularly filmmaking in Italy, the author’s other specialty. Movies often try to capture the violent world of the Italian mafia, but interestingly the book reveals how filmmaking in Italy is in fact strongly influenced by underworld powers. -Lee Hyo-won