Wow, Ruth Ozeki, you hooked me right away with Nao’s story. A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki was very different from what I expected (although I have no idea what I DID expect) but it was amazing.
I requested this book from NetGalley after seeing the cover everywhere and reading a 
few positive reviews, like Bookmagnet’s post. A Tale for the Time Being comes out today, and it is one that you really must read.
Nao is a Japanese teenager who is just living a crappy life. She went with her parents to California, where she lived from being a young child to age 15. The dot com bubble burst, forcing her dad not only out of the job but all of their invested money went down the drain. Now her dad’s favorite hobby is trying to kill himself.
Nao is also being bullied immensely at school, being physically tortured, cut, poked, etc. So if she’s worthless, and her dad is going to commit suicide, she might as well try to do the same. . . once she gets her thoughts out on paper.
She finds comfort in her grandmother, Jiko, and in her task of writing out what is intended to be Jiko’s story, but really turns into Nao’s story.
How does the reader meet Nao? Well, fast forward a few years to a remote island in Canada, where Ruth and her husband randomly find some zip lock bags washed up on shore, with Nao’s diary, a second diary written by a man in French, and some letters inside.
Ruth is captivated by Nao’s story, and so was I! I loved this book and raced through it. But I have to admit I was much more captivated by Nao’s storyline than Ruth’s.
Me reading Nao’s sections of the book
What book has captivated you lately?
Thanks for reading,
Wow! This book sounds fantastic! I requested it from NetGalley, too – I loved the cover! Now, I can’t wait to read it – thanks so much for your great review!
Oh I hope you enjoy it, too! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!!! Reading from the perspective of a teenager is so unique and fun, because it’s not something you see much in adult books!
Lol. Love the picture! Sounds like a good one. I’m captivated by In the Woods!
Which is your fault!
Muahahaha! That was my plan!
I just saw this for the first time yesterday (http://classicvasilly.wordpress.com/) and I’m so curious about it. I’ll definitely be looking for it
I think you will love it! Check NetGalley now that you can go all digital!
I recently joined NetGalley – and requested some titles. Not sure if I will get approved, lol. Maybe I will request this one too
You should! I think you’d enjoy it! So far, I’ve been approved on all titles, but there’s a few that haven’t gotten back to me about it in like a month, so I’m guessing I won’t be approved for those ones!
Well I’m an oldie to book blogging, but my actual blog is still “new”, so lets hope. I’m sure if they check out my blog and see I have lots of interaction (likes, comments) on almost all my latest posts, they should approve… right? RIGHT?
Yeah, I think so. I mean, it can’t hurt to apply!
All the ones I requested was approved! Yay
Yay! I’m still waiting on a few!
I’ve been so curious about this book! It sounds so good.
I should probably cave and get an e-reader soon, just so I can use NetGalley
DO IT!
It’d be worth it! You can get the older Kindle, without the backlight option, for only $80 or less. . . plus free shipping. That’s like buying 4 hardcover books!
I RARELY purchase a book on my Kindle. I usually “buy” the free classics, borrow from my library’s digital library, and use NetGalley. My Kindle has paid for itself over and over and over. But of course, I always switch back and forth from Kindle to physical, and physical to Kindle because you know, physical books are awesome.
I think I want the Kobo Glo, but buying an e-reader of any sort isn’t in the budget right now, since I’m only working part-time. But I look forward to splurging on one when I get a “real” job!
You can also ask for it as a present! Just make sure that whatever e-reader you buy is easily compatible with books! I just looked out of curiosity and it is compatible with all the major book formats, but I’m not as familiar with the Kobo, so I don’t know how you get all the books for it. But it’s like the indie version of the Kindle/Nook, right?
I’ve done some research, and Kobo seems to be up there with Kindle and Nook as far as quality goes. I think it has its own book store. I really don’t want to buy an Amazon product, and Kobo Glo seems to be better than the comparable Nook.
I’ve seen the Kobo (not sure if it’s Glo or what) at a few independent bookstores. Next time, I’ll play around with one.
I think they have them at the indie near me, too. I haven’t gone in to play with them yet, though
Oooh, this sounds really interesting!
I think you’d like it because it’s two stories kind of intertwined, but mainly telling Nao’s story.
Interesting book, especially because the character’s name is also the name of my Japanese foster sister. And oh how I love that image of the baby reading
There are a lot of double meanings, too. Like Nao has this whole thing about Nao and “now,” where once you say “now” then “now” has already passed and how Nao is “now.” It sounds confusing, but it’s actually explained much better by Ruth Ozeki!
I loved this book! Glad you did too.
I was listening to NPR today and they had a little blurb about this book. They seemed to like it, too!
Oh good!!! That’s always good to know. I trust NPR a lot.
Me, too!
Sounds great, Rebecca, a story through letters by unknown people… I think I would like it!!
Maybe you can try it in English and add it to your list of English books read!
I want to read this so badly! I have it on hold at the library, but I don’t know if I can wait that long. I might have to go out and buy it this week.
If you have an e-reader, check out Netgalley.com!!! You might be able to get it there!
Good thinking! Just requested it. I only have an ipod touch with the kindle app, but a tiny book is better than a nonexistent book haha.
That is true!
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