Recent Books

How Philosophy Can Save Your Life

Marietta McCarty, translated from English to Korean by Han sang-seok; Timebooks Publishing; 493pp; 16,000 won

The author wrote this book to answer the question: What is a good life?

We barely know what is actually necessary to lead a good life.

Buried in our daily work or chores, we hardly find time to think. Thinking is the bricks we need to build our life. Through thinking, we can find new roads and figure out what really matters.

This book is an invitation to readers to a gathering of great thinkers. It’s divided into 10 subjects which she wants readers to ponder.

Philosophy is the art of clear thinking. The writer wants people to be awake to think.

She came up with the 10 themes after decades of research. If these 10 themes are thought over, she believes it will help lead readers to have a good life.

The 10 ideas range from “simplicity,” “individuality” to “belonging,” and “joy.”

The author, a professor of philosophy and organizer of philosophical clubs, also introduces readers to not only philosophers but also to musicians and novelists.

-CHO JAE-HYON

Good Morning Malaysia

Cho Kyung-hwa and Marcus Peddle; Dream Key Book; 232 pp., 13,000 won

It’s time for vacation. If you haven’t decided where to go, this book can be a good option. The couple _ Korean wife and Canadian husband _ took their trip to Malaysia for the first time.

Malaysia is a place where people from diverse cultures, races and religions live together. The authors say they were first fascinated by Malaysians who are nice and honest, and by the cheap, abundant tropical fruits. Also, the couple praised food found in markets.

The book not only captures the beautiful tourist spots they visited, but also comments on small accidents and cultural misunderstandings.

However, they say that’s part of the journey that can unexpectedly pop up anytime and anywhere, and should be taken joyfully to enrich the experience.

The book also shows the flip side of the multicultural society in which some people are discriminated against for their racial backgrounds.

The writers introduced exotic hot spots such as Merdeka Square and Kapitan Kling Mosque and also famous restaurants that offer various Asian cuisines from China, Thailand, India and Japan.

-Chung Ah-young

Beer Notes

Lee Gi-jung; Woodumji: 111 pp., 7,000 won

In recent years, domestically brewed beers like Hite and Cass have had to make room for international brands on the shelves of local markets. The choice for beer drinkers has expanded significantly, from dry Japanese variations to smooth American ones and even available are intense Irish flavors.

The author, an anthropology professor and self-proclaimed ``beer hunter’’ who has traveled through 90-plus different countries to taste the beers of the world, offers a handy little guide to 73 labels that can currently be found around town.

The writer devotes one page to each beer, and provides basic facts such as the way it is fermented and the level of alcohol. He also shares personal observations on the taste as well as fun anecdotes about the beer. Even the most knowledgeable beer aficionados may find the author’s personal stories interesting.

The book is divided according to geography: Europe (with Germany boasting the longest list of brands), North America, Oceana and Asia.

``Beer Notes’’ is the seventh in a series of culinary guidebooks dubbed ``Gourmet Notes,’’ which includes volumes devoted to sushi, wine, sake (Japanese rice wine), traditional Korean wine, coffee and whiskey.

-Lee Hyo-won

Temple Travels 42

Yu Cheol-sang; Sangsang Publications: 382 pp., 15,500 won

Temples have long been a popular spot for people looking for some peace and quiet, and numerous books have been written to guide the way.

Among the colorful temple-related travel books, travel expert and reporter Yu Cheol-sang’s new ``Temple Travels 42’’ sticks out.

The writer visited 42 temples around the nation and instead of simply listing the pros and cons, locations and the best places to eat; he transfers his soul into his writings, making the guide easier for the reader to imagine the tranquility and serenity of the beautiful temples.

Yu describes the smallest things _from the delicate flowers to the paintings and wooden floors _ not from a Buddhist point of view, but as a modest traveler looking for a place to rest and appreciate the surroundings.

``It’s clear that temple tours offer a sense of therapy. By walking in the woods, you can experience a destination existing just for yourself. All you have to do is to make up your mind and just leave,’’ the writer says in the preface.

Through colorful photos of and around the temples and Yu’s calm prose, the guide book will hopefully motivate exhausted readers to shake off their stress and go out for some soul searching.

-Han Sang-hee