Recent books
Olle Spirit
Suh Myung-sook; Book House: 388 pp., 15,000 won
The Olle trails in Jeju Island have become a must for both foreign and local visitors in only a short period of time. There are numerous guide books that offer ways to enjoy the scenic paths, but this new book provides something different.
The book stands out for the sole fact that it was penned by Suh Myung-sook, the founder of the Jeju Olle. In her previous book ``Walking Jeju,’’ the journalist of 23 years shared how she managed to come up with such an idea, but in ``Olle Spirit’’ she writes about the future of the trails and her life.
The writer offers personal stories rather than listing tourist information and famous restaurants, and this actually makes the reader to want visit even more. ``People tell me that I must lead a happy life. This is partly true, and I hope everyone who reads the book feels happy as well. I hope to meet you all and say hello on the trails,’’ she writes in the preface.
-Han Sang-hee
Don’t Imagine Travel Without Museums
Lee Byung-hak; Dream Map; 320 pp., 13,800 won
Museums have long been regarded as venues for the past or the dead. But they attract visitors by showing off the life of people today and the unique culture of different regions.
This is a guide book that introduces 22 museums around the nation and tours in their vicinity.
The Salt Gallery was established at a real salt warehouse in Sinan, South Jeolla Province, while the Liquorium housed in Jungangtop Park in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, holds some 3,000 liquor-related artifacts from around the world with unique stories about their history and varied manufacturing processes.
Located in Daehangno, central Seoul, the Lock Museum displays a time-honored collection of locks and latches not only from Korea but also from other countries such as China and Germany.
The book divides the museums by geographical region to help readers plan excursions. Each chapter provides information on famous attractions, along with accommodation and local cuisine.
It also shows that the museums offer various experience programs that reflect the needs of visitors under diverse themes and formats.
-Chung Ah-young
Pirate Latitudes
Michael Crichton; Gimmyoung Publishers; Translated by Lee Won-kyung from English to Korean: 390 pp., 12,000 won
The fantastic action, mysterious thrillers and scientific escapes of the works of Michael Crichton have long affected people’s imaginations. The late author has sold more than 150 million copies of his 15 fiction and four nonfiction works across the world, from ``Jurassic Park’’ to ``The Great Train Robbery,’’ and is characterized by his integration of fact with quickly-paced sequences.
``Pirate Latitudes,’’ discovered as a complete manuscript on Crichton’s computer after his death in 2008, has finally made its way into Korean translation. The historical fiction centralizes around 17th century Jamaica, following the tale of privateer (not to be confused with pirate) Captain Charles Hunter who takes on a job to capture a treasure ship. Hired by the Governor of Jamaica, Hunter pulls together a rag-tag crew in Port Royal, from an explosives expert to the lone female who masquerades as a man, setting off to battle Spaniard Caption Cazalla for the gold.
Though perhaps not endowed with quite the detailed flair of Crichton’s now-classics and concluding with an epilogue seemingly edited for the big screen, ``Pirate Latitudes’’ still manages to captivate the reader and weaves new worlds of action only the author could have devised.
-Ines Min
Good Eats: Healthy Meal Stories Told by a Dad
Kwon Oh-joong, Park So-young; Seedpaper: 152 pp., 13,000 won
Korean TV drama fans may remember actor Kwon Oh-joong as a tough chef in ``Sikgaek.’’ True to his screen persona, the 39-year-old showed off his actual cooking skills in various entertainment shows.
Kwon says that his TV role, along with his friendship with star chef Edward Kwon, have inspired an interest in food but his reasons for publishing a cookbook stems from his role as a father.
With the help of popular gastronomist Park So-young, Kwon introduces various organic dishes that parents can prepare for their children at home, such as ``bibimbap’’ cakes. The mixed vegetable dish that usually comes in a big bowl has turned into small, bite-sized snacks that are not only delicious but fun to eat. Also included are tips on how to help children eat less-than-popular veggies.
``There are no reasons for parents to hesitate in making a little more effort if it means it’s better for their child’s health. Parents should question themselves, whether it is laziness, rather than impossibility of the task, that we don’t even try,’’ he writes in the essay that accompanies the recipes, on going that extra mile to feeding children something healthier.
-Lee Hyo-won