Recent books

Moon Sook’s Recipes of Nature

Moon Sook; Image Box: 262 pp; 14,000 won

With the New Year, one of the resolutions people tend to make is to become healthier eaters.

“Moon Sook’s Recipes of Nature” is the author’s latest book and her first cookbook, filled with easy-to-make healthy dishes and drinks.

This book is recommended for people who don’t have a lot of time in the kitchen but are serious about eating right.

The best feature about the former actress’s recipes are that they are simple, like oven-baked tofu or carrot soup.

She provides an easy explanation about the health effects of the ingredients and vegetables used in each of her recipes. The recipes are not confined to any one nationality, encompassing foods from Korea, Japan, and the Middle East.

After a longtime absence from public life, Moon re-emerged with a book titled “Moon Sook’s Natural Healing” last year about self-healing through yoga and the right food for the mind and body.

She shared these tools to her salvation after leaving Korea 30 years ago, right after the death of her lover Lee Man-hee, a master movie director in the 1950s and 60s.

— DO JE-HAE

The Entire History of January: World History

Lee Jong-ha; Dione: 260 pp., 12,000 won

History trivia fans may take particular interest in this book for the New Year, especially during the opening month of January.

The author, a history teacher, presents 31 pivotal events — from political schisms and economic news, scientific experiments and the birth of cultural icons — that changed the course of world history during each day of the month in January.

Selections include the birth of Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami (Jan. 12, 1949) and the opening of the British Museum (Jan. 15, 1759) to the division of the Roman Empire (Jan. 17, 395 A.D.), Barack Obama’s U.S. presidential inauguration (Jan. 20, 2009) and the Y2K bug 12 years ago on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, 2000).

Unlike most history trivia books, this one introduces not only the facts but also provides a bigger picture of each particular event, by providing background information about its cause, circumstances, processes and/or influence.

It’s a fun read but a little too Eurocentric, with just a small handful of entries on Chinese or Japanese events — which is surprising considering the author is local.

—LEE HYO-WON

Rebels of Nobel

Xavi Ayen and Kim Manresa; Translated by Jung Chang; Stage Factory: 295pp., 21,000 won

Xavi Ayen, a journalist at Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, interviewed 16 Nobel Prize in Literature winners then wrote a book on their perspectives and wisdom.

The esteemed Nobel Prize distinguishes the most outstanding literature work, but who are these laureates and how do they live after receiving the prestigious award? Ayen’s book begins by asking this basic question.

For three years the writer traveled the world with photographer Kim Manresa and met each Nobel laureate for a minimum of six hours to up to eight days. He looked around their house, met their family and visited the inspiration for the literature of the Nobel winners. The book not only covers their works, but overviews their thoughts on politics, economy, religion and culture.

Each has a different story about how they stumbled into writing — Kenzaburo Oe realized the importance of communication because of his brain-damaged son, while Jose Saramago started writing at the age of 50 after losing his job.

Ayen said most of the writers participate in society in unique ways — some of them confront the dominant logic of society while others nourish ideas beyond the general norms.

—KWON MEE-YOO

Andy Warhol Time Capsule

Matt Wrbican and Geralyn Huxley; Translated by Kim Gwang-u; Misulmunhwa; 135 pp., 65,000 won

Andy Warhol (1928-1987), one of the most well-known and influential contemporary artists from America, is a cultural icon who shaped and still affects the aesthetics of modern day society.

The book follows Warhol starting with his childhood in Pittsburg, Penn. and his adventures after moving to New York in 1950.

Packed with information about Warhol’s prolific creativity, the book is not limited to only his works as a painter. Expressive in a wide variety of media forms, Warhol produced some 280 TV programs and films. He is also the founder of the magazine “Interview” in 1969.

More importantly, the text in the book is accompanied by eye-catching visuals such as Warhol’s final products, documents that show his work process, and many photos.

—NOH HYUN-GI