Review: The Most Important Thing for People is to be Happy by Zhang Jia Wei |《人嘛，最重要的就是开心》张佳玮著

4 stars for 《人嘛，最重要的就是开心》张佳玮著.

Since there is no English title provided for this Chinese book, for purpose of book review, I shall title it "The Most Important Thing for People is to be Happy".

The title "The Most Important Thing for People is to be Happy" |《人嘛，最重要的就是开心》reads like a casual, everyday phrase, yet it serves as a gentle reminder to everyone living under modern stress.

This book avoids complex theories or preachy advice. Instead it explores the nature of happiness in a relatable, heartfelt and human way. It does not teach you how to succeed in life, but rather, how to find contentment in the small details of daily life.

The writing style is lighthearted and humorous at times, with a small dose of self-belittling, making it down-to-earth and easy to read. The author uses slice-of-life stories to share his own experiences, telling readers that life's imperfections and setbacks are normal, and so, there is no need to be overly demanding of ourselves.

If you are looking for a book that can help you to relax and offer spiritual comfort, this is a great choice. It encourages one to let go of anxiety, embrace the present moment and remember that no matter what happens, maintaining a simple sense of happiness is the most important thing in life.

Crochet: Shawl: Classical Attitude Shawl (Rainbow)

This shawl is completed. Finally! Completed and given away, all done on the same day.

I cannot remember when I started on this crochet project. It could have been Year 2023. Or was it Year 2024? It is easy to lose track of time these days. What I do remember was that I started this project with the intention of gifting it to a Shanghai colleague-friend. At less than halfway through, I somehow hit a road block - at the colour between purple and green - and found myself struggling with each stitch. I put a stop to my miserable by placing the project on hold, and tell myself that I will pick it up and continue with it again when I am ready.

Late August this year, I suddenly decided on a whim that I want to visit Shanghai. I bought air tickets and hotel accommodation for two weeks later. That done, I suddenly found myself very motivated to continue with crocheting this shawl. I put all my energy and poured whatever little pockets of time available here and there into this project. My biggest worry was I couldn't complete it in time for my meet-up with this Shanghai colleague-friend. In the end, all's well that ends well. I made the last stitch in this rainbow shawl and fastened off in the early hours of 15 Sep 2025, just in time for my 11am meeting with my Shanghai colleague-friend on the very same day.

Crocheting a shawl is both fulfilling and rewarding. Not only do I get to enjoy the peace and meditative effect of the process, I get to hold in my hands a beautiful pieace of practical end product which I can choose to keep for myself or make for a memorable gift to a choice recipient.

This Classical Attitude Shawl is a work of art - simple yet elegant. It is brilliantly created by Hobbii and available for free download at their website Classical Attitude shawl. The pattern is designed to provide both familiarity and variety to keep the person working on it relaxed and entertained at the same time. If you are looking to crochet a shawl with a meditative stitch pattern but one that is not so repetitive as to be boring, this is the one for you.

Review: Before We Forget Kindness (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #5) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

4 stars for Before We Forget Kindness (Before the Coffee Gets Cold book 5) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi.

This post is long overdue. I know I should have posted it months ago but somehow or other, I am unable to find the time to sit down, write my review and publish it.

This book is the reason I re-read the entire instalment of Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. I was told this book 5 is awesome and the best of all. But I have forgotten most of the characters and their stories. So I made the decision to re-read all the books to refresh my memory before coming to this latest book.

Despite this being the fifth book in the series, the author still manages to throw in surprises surrounding the magical Tokyo cafe and the chair that can bring one back to the past or to the future. This book focuses on four new stories, each with its own poignant tale of love, regret and the desire for connection.

Same as the earlier books, the novel follows a similar structure: a new cast of characters, each with their own reason for visiting the cafe and its unique time-travelling rules. While the formula might feel repetitive to some, it is this consistent, gentle rhythm that provides a sense of familiarity and warmth.

The strength of this book lies in its heartfelt exploration of the human state of mind. Author Kawaguchi masterfully weaves stories that, despite being about time travel, are really about the present. The central theme is that even though we cannot change the past, we can find peace and closure by understanding it and showing kindness to those we care about. This instalment, in particular, leans into the idea of kindness as the primary motivation for time travel, making for some truly touching moments.

If you are already a fan of the series, Before We Forget Kindness is a great read that delivers the same mix of bittersweet emotion and quiet wisdom we have come to expect. For new readers, I will recommend to start the series from book 1 Before the Coffee Gets Cold. Book 1 is still the one I like most. It leaves me with tears and a full heart even as I read it a second and third time.

Review: Before We Say Goodbye (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #4) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

4 stars for Before We Say Goodbye (Before the Coffee Gets Cold book 4) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi.

I have learnt my lesson well from past experience with this series. So, this time, I specially make time to continue on with book 4, no matter what.

Same with the earlier books and stories, book 4 Before We Say Goodbye is a heartwarming and introspective novel that explores the complexities of human relationships, love, loss and memory. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their stories. With beautifully crafted characters, and poignant storytelling, the book delves into the depths of human emotions, leaving readers with a lasting impression.

This series is a powerful exploration of the human experience. A must-read for those who appreciate emotional, character-driven stories.

If you can go back in time, who would you want to meet?

Review: Before Your Memory Fades (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #3) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi |《Reread》

4 stars for Before Your Memory Fades (Before the Coffee Gets Cold book 3) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi |《Reread》.

I like that there is this "relationship map of characters" provided at the start of the book. This greatly helps readers to recall and associate those customers who time travel in the cafe. It is also through this map of characters that I realise I no longer remember any of the stories and characters in this book 3 save for Kei who, in book 1, travel to the future to meet her unborn daughter, Miki.

By now, I start to notice a trend, that is, most if not all of the time-travelling cases back to the past or to the future, are related to deaths, and they mostly revolve around being happy for the sake of those loved ones who continue to live on, empowered by hope and the power to believe in the future.

Of all the rules regarding the time-travelling, one that sticks clearly with me is that while in the past or future, you cannot change the present, no matter how hard you try. With this rule, it actually defeats the purpose of going back to the past to right a wrong. Because nothing changes. However, some things can change, and do change, even if the present reality doesn't. That is the beauty of this series and how the author crafts each individual story (four in each book) based on this core concept. Well, after all, what can possibly change is one's mindset and perspectives which is even more important and priceless.

If you can go back in time, who would you want to meet?

Review: Tales from the Cafe (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #2) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi |《Reread》

5 stars for Tales from the Cafe (Before the Coffee Gets Cold book 2) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi |《Reread》.

After reading this book a second time, I decide to change my rating for this book from previous 4-star rating to a 5.

I have no idea why I didn't feel it the last time I read this book, but perhaps the level and depth I felt then was different. Reading this book again now, I am very much touched by the second and third story; they are sad yet heartwarming at the same time. Also, I feel that the last story is brilliantly crafted. Through a newly introduced character, detective Kiyoshi, the author manages to do an excellent summary of the people who have travelled back in time. To quote "...over the last thirty years, forty-one people have sat in that chair and travelled back in time. They each had their own reasons for doing so, to meet a lover, a husband, a daughter and so forth, but of those forty-one people, four returned to the past to meet someone who had died. There were two last year, one seven years ago, and then there was your mother twenty-two years ago... four people." Through detective Kiyoshi, readers are reminded once again of the stories of key characters who have returned to the past even after knowing that it is not possible to change the present no matter how hard they try while in the past.

Whether a person chooses to go back in time to visit a family member or a good friend, or visit someone in the future in this cafe, time-travelling to right a wrong does not mean having to change the present, which in any case, the rule does not allow the present to be changed, but even so, without changing the present, it does make a difference to see that someone again. There is always something to learn from the people who have gone back. Regardless of their reasons for returning to the past, there is one thing common among these people - they found inner peace upon their return from the time travel.

Once again, after reading this book, all I want to do is to find one such time-travelling cafe and be a regular there. Why is it that this kind of cafe only exist in books and not in real life?

What will you do if you are given the chance to return to the past?
Who will you want to meet?

Review: Before the Coffee Gets Cold (Before the Coffee Gets Cold #1) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi |《Reread》

5 stars for Before the Coffee Gets Cold (Before the Coffee Gets Cold book 1) by Toshikazu Kawaguchi |《Reread》.

I have read the first three novels in this series before I decide to recommend it to a Japanese boss-turned-friend. That was easily two years ago, or perhaps more as we sometimes lose track of time. I remember I envied him at that time for being able to read the original Japanese books when I can only read the English translated version where inevitably meanings get lost through translation. It turned out that this Japanese friend enjoys the story so much that he finished reading all five books (published and available) in succession.

In an unexpected twist of events, the one who recommends the books becomes the one who is being recommended. He strongly recommends that I continue to read the books and shares with me that the latest book 5 Before We Forget Kindness published in 2024 is his favourite. Well, where favourites are concerned, his and mine are polar opposites. My favourite was and still is book 1 Before the Coffee Gets Cold. Back then, I felt that book two and three did not live up to my expectations and the stories turned confusing after a while what with the time travelling - back to the past and forward to the future. That was the reason I did not follow up with book 4 in the series. That was Year 2022 then. Should I decide to continue, I will have to read from book 1 again. I simply cannot imagine myself picking up book 4 and start reading when so much of the story and characters have been lost on me.

Re-reading a book feels like visiting an old friend or a familiar old location. I sure am glad to revisit cafe Funiculi Funicula, the time-travelling cafe located in Tokyo with a unique name. I stand by the 5-star rating I gave to this book back in 2022. After I finish reading this book, I felt exactly the same as how I felt three years ago, that is, all I want to do is to visit one such cafe and be a regular there. If only such a cafe is in existence...

What will you do if you are given the chance to return to the past?
Who will you want to meet?

Review: Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

4 stars for Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones.

Howl’s Moving Castle is a heart-warming story about love, courage, magic, and self-discovery. The is a story that caters to all age groups.

I want to stress that though I give the novel a 4-star rating, the Japanese animation movie created by Studio Ghibli (co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki) warrants a 5 stars rating. The animated movie is rich and strange, and the animation is beautiful. Breathtakingly beautiful.

Of all the Japanese "animated movies" I have watched over the years, Howl's Moving Castle has always been my favourite and still is. I cannot remember how many times I have watched it, I only know that each time I watch Howl's Moving Castle again, it always comes across as amazing and captivates me as if I am watching it for the first time. I remember first watching Howl's Moving Castle in 2006, around August to October time, and I was greatly charmed by wizard Howl. There are two scenes that I adore much in the anime. One is where Howl made his first appearance to protect Sophie and together they walked in the air before safely reaching the bakery. The other one is where Howl made his second appearance; he returns to his castle and he took over from Sophie to cook a breakfast of bacon and eggs.

All those years, I have always assumed that this animation movie was the result of some Japanese standalone manga or series. I have no idea that the anime originates from a novel, that is, until I saw the story book available for sale in a big bookstore during my trip to Tokyo last November.

It has been many years since I watched the movie, and Howl charms me still when I read the book where it all originates from. The novel is written with a dazzling plot and the spectacular team involving Howl, Sophie and Calcifer is brought to life through the unlimited imagination of author Diana. All three characters have magic - strong magic, one of a kind magic - which they use in very different ways, and that makes the reader in me adore them so.

What I like most in this fantasy novel is that, Howl as the hero, is not what we expect to see in most conventional novels - Howl is a flawed hero. Due to his flaws, Howl turns out to be even more of a compelling hero character. Because no one is perfect, not even heroes. Flawed Howl is made interesting because we never know what he is going to do next. I think it will be interesting and exciting to live under the same roof with a wizard of his calibre. 

For my own reference sake, I will provide a brief summary of the characters and a few items of importance.

Howell Jenkins mainly known as Howl
Sophie Hatter, the heroine in the story
Calcifer, the fire demon
Michael Fisher, wizard Howl's apprentice

The characters live in an enchanted castle with four doors - each opens on a different dimension.
There is a square wooden knob above the moving castle door, set into the lintel, with a dab of paint on each of its four sides.

The green blob goes onto the wide, moving moorland and the hills.
The blue blob goes to Porthaven entrance - the inside of it is really just Howl’s old house in Porthaven, which is the only real part.
The red blob leads to Kingsbury entrance, where the King lives.
The black blob leads to Howl's private bolt hole.

Later on, the doors are changed as follows:

The yellow blob leads to the street in Market Chipping.
The orange blob leads to an empty mansion at the end of the valley.
The purple blob leads to the edge of the Waste.
The black blob remains unchanged.