What We Are Reading Today: ‘Mina’s Matchbox’

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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Mina’s Matchbox’

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  • The house becomes a character in its own right — a vast, almost labyrinthine entity that mirrors the confusion and fragility of familial bonds

Author: Yoko Ogawa

Japanese novelist Yoko Ogawa, renowned for her beautifully crafted narratives in “The Housekeeper and the Professor,” and “The Memory Police,” brings her storytelling style to her latest translation to English, “Mina’s Matchbox.”

Both of those previous works showcase her ability to weave intricate tales that explore human emotions and relationships, albeit in very different contexts. This latest offering, however, presents a more intimate and poignant exploration of family dynamics through the eyes of a child.

In “Mina’s Matchbox,” translated by Stephen Snyder, we meet Mina, a young girl who leaves Tokyo to live with her aunt in a sprawling coastal house.

The narrative unfolds from Mina’s perspective, allowing readers to experience the world through her innocent yet observant eyes. As she navigates her new environment, Ogawa deftly reveals the underlying tensions and complexities within her aunt’s family.

The house becomes a character in its own right — a vast, almost labyrinthine entity that mirrors the confusion and fragility of familial bonds.

Ogawa’s prose is often described as dreamlike; there is a magical quality in the way the author constructs her sentences, drawing readers into a world that feels both familiar and surreal. Her unpretentious style captures the subtleties of emotion with remarkable clarity.

As Mina grapples with her feelings of displacement and belonging, the narrative unfolds to reveal the cracks in the family’s facade. The story serves as an incisive analysis of how external pressures can threaten the stability of family life.

Ogawa’s portrayal of the characters is nuanced, allowing their vulnerabilities and strengths to shine through, making them relatable and deeply human.

In many ways, “Mina’s Matchbox” reflects the themes found in Ogawa’s previous works, yet it stands apart as a distinct exploration of childhood and familial collapse.

The juxtaposition of Mina’s innocence against the adult world’s complexities creates a hauntingly beautiful narrative that lingers long after the last page is turned.

Ogawa continues to enchant readers, proving once again her mastery of the written word.

 


What We Are Reading Today: The Entrepreneurial Scholar

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Updated 15 March 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: The Entrepreneurial Scholar

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  • This book calls on scholars to create ideas—not just consume them

Author: Ilana M. Horwitz

In the increasingly competitive world of academia, simply mastering your discipline is no longer enough to guarantee career success or personal fulfillment.
The Entrepreneurial Scholar challenges scholars at all stages—from doctoral students to tenured professors—to break free from conventional academic pathways by adopting an entrepreneurial mindset.
What opportunities can you create based on who you are, what you know, and who you know?
Drawing on her experiences in higher education, startups, and management consulting, as well as interviews with a range of academics and entrepreneurs, Ilana Horwitz provides a road map for those stifled by traditional academic norms and expectations.

This book calls on scholars to create ideas—not just consume them. It offers strategies to thrive in academia with limited resources and in the face of uncertainty. Embracing an entrepreneurial mindset entails viewing yourself as a knowledge producer, enhancing collaboration, creatively identifying resources, and effectively sharing your ideas.

 


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Original Sins’ by Eve L. Ewing

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Original Sins’ by Eve L. Ewing
Updated 14 March 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Original Sins’ by Eve L. Ewing

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Original Sins’ by Eve L. Ewing

Eve L. Ewing’s “Original Sins” shows how US schools were designed to propagate the idea of white intellectual superiority,  to “civilize” Native students and to prepare Black students for menial labor.

By demonstrating that its in the DNA of American schools to serve as an effective and underacknowledged mechanism maintaining inequality, Ewing makes the case for a profound reevaluation of what schools are supposed to do, and for whom. 


What We Are Reading Today: The Universe Within by Neil Shubin

What We Are Reading Today: The Universe Within by Neil Shubin
Updated 12 March 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: The Universe Within by Neil Shubin

What We Are Reading Today: The Universe Within by Neil Shubin

Neil Shubin’s “The Universe Within” takes an expansive approach to the question of why we look the way we do.

Shubin turns his gaze skyward, showing us how the entirety of the universe’s 14-billion-year history can be seen in our bodies and pointing out  how the evolution of the cosmos has profoundly marked our own bodies.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Ends of the Earth’ by Neil Shubin

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Ends of the Earth’ by Neil Shubin
Updated 12 March 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘Ends of the Earth’ by Neil Shubin

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Ends of the Earth’ by Neil Shubin

Neil Shubin’s “Ends of the Earth” takes readers on an epic adventure to the North and South Poles to uncover the secrets locked in the ice and profoundly shift our understanding of life, the cosmos, and our future on the planet. 

Shubin shares lively adventure stories from the field to reveal just how far scientists will go to understand polar regions and to reveal the poles’ impact on the rest of life on the planet.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘The City and Its Uncertain Walls’

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Updated 11 March 2025
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What We Are Reading Today: ‘The City and Its Uncertain Walls’

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  • The novel invites readers to engage with complex themes, making it impossible to summarize in a straightforward way

Author: Haruki Murakami

Haruki Murakami’s novel “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” with an English translation by Philip Gabriel, is a mesmerizing journey into the complexities of human emotions, memory and the elusive nature of reality.

As I delved into its pages, I found myself drawn into a world that felt both familiar and strangely distant, echoing the sentiments of my own life experiences.

The 2024 novel revolves around a nameless protagonist who navigates the labyrinthine streets of a city that is both vibrant and haunting. Murakami’s signature blend of magical realism and profound introspection creates a narrative that challenges the reader to ponder the walls we build around ourselves — both physically and emotionally.

The city serves as a character in its own right, with its “uncertain walls” symbolizing the barriers we erect to protect ourselves from pain and vulnerability.

Interestingly, the story has its roots in a short story published by Murakami in 1980, also titled “The City and Its Uncertain Walls.” The writer has expressed that he felt he could never let go of that initial narrative, which drove him to expand it into this larger, more fulfilling work.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is Murakami’s ability to evoke a sense of loneliness amid the bustling cityscape. As I read, I was reminded of my own moments of isolation, even in crowded spaces.

The protagonist’s encounters with various individuals — each grappling with their own fears and desires — resonated deeply with me. It made me reflect on the connections we seek and the disconnections we often experience in modern life.

The novel invites readers to engage with complex themes, making it impossible to summarize in a straightforward way. It led me to compare it to “1Q84,” one of my favorite Murakami novels, which also delves into parallel universes and unconventional love stories. However, “The City and Its Uncertain Walls” leans more toward philosophical exploration, prompting contemplation about reality and self.

The narrative unfolds in three parts, beginning with a young love story reminiscent of classic fantasy, where a boy searches for a girl who has mysteriously vanished. The first part conjures images of a medieval world, complete with castles and guards, which initially felt disconnected from my expectations of Murakami’s style.

The second part washes over the reader like a wave of melancholic familiarity, anchoring us back to the essence of Murakami’s storytelling.

In conclusion, “The City and Its Uncertain Walls” is more than just a novel; it is an exploration of the human condition. Murakami’s ability to capture the essence of solitude and connection left a lasting impression on me.

The book is a testament to the power of storytelling, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives while navigating the uncertain walls we all confront. I emerged from its pages with a renewed appreciation for the beauty and complexity of existence.