Philip Gabriel

"Based on a real-life tragedy in 1965, this novel tells the story of a party of climbers on the Hidaka mountain range on Japan's northern island. In spite of weather warnings, six men attempt an ascent on the highest peak, Mount Poroshiri - a fateful decision that costs all their lives as they are caught up in an avalanche. Miraculously, one climber, Odagiri, is known to have survived for four days after his companions had frozen to death. The reader enters the mind of Odagiri trapped in snow, half-frozen, half-asleep, and revisiting his past as death slowly creeps upon him, telling his own story and that of an adventure gone wrong"--

"The international literary icon opens his eclectic closet: Here are photographs of Murakami's extensive and personal T-shirt collection, accompanied by essays that reveal a side of the writer rarely seen by the public. Considered "the world's most popular cult novelist" (The Guardian), Haruki Murakami's books have galvanized millions around the world. Many of his fans know about his 10,000 vinyl record collection, and his obsession with running, but few have heard about a more intimate, and perhaps more unique, passion: his T-shirt collecting habit. In Murakami T, the famously reclusive novelist shows us his T-shirts--including gems from the Springsteen on Broadway show in NYC, from The Beach Boys concert in Honolulu to the shirt that inspired the beloved short story, "Tony Takitani." Accompanied by short, frank essays that have been translated into English for the first time, these photographs reveal much about Murakami's multifaceted and wonderfully eccentric persona"--

"Spirit Matters is the first book to explore a broad range of writings on spirituality in contemporary Japanese literature. It draws on a variety of literary works, from enormously popular fiction (Miura Ayako's Hyoten and Shirokari Pass and the novels of Murakami Haruki) to more problematic "serious" fiction (Oe Kenzaburo's Somersault) to nonfiction meditations on martyrdom and miracles (Sono Ayako's Kiseki) and the dynamics of religious cults (Murakami's interviews with members of Aum Shinrikyo in Underground)." "Spirit Matters is a look at some of the most influential works of contemporary Japanese literature. It will appeal to readers interested in women writers, Christian literature, the impact of religious fanaticism, and the intersection of faith and literature."--BOOK JACKET.

Bullied to the point of dropping out of school, Kokoro’s days blur together as she hides in her bedroom, unable to face her family or friends. As she spirals into despair, her mirror begins to shine; with a touch, Kokoro is pulled from her lonely life into a resplendent, bizarre fairytale castle guarded by a strange girl in a wolf mask. Six other students have been brought to the castle, and soon this marvelous refuge becomes their playground. The castle has a hidden room that can grant a single wish, but there are rules to be followed, and breaking them will have dire consequences. As Kokoro and her new acquaintances spend more time in their new sanctuary, they begin to unlock the castle’s secrets and, tentatively, each other’s.

Nix Monroe has a plan. Infiltrate the Enigma app and lure out whoever his cousin was last speaking with before everything went to shit. Nix won’t stop until he finds answers, even if that means transferring to a different university and getting entangled with the infamous Demons of Foxglove Grove. Lake, West, and Yejun. Three of the most powerful men on the entire planet, and also the deadliest. When Nix finds himself on their radar, he thinks maybe it’s not all bad, and he can twist the situation to his advantage. It’s not long, however, before he discovers the Demons have their own objective. Someone is after them, and they want to use Nix to lure out whoever that may be. Forced to pretend to be their new mutual plaything, Nix struggles to search for clues about his cousin and maintain personal boundaries between himself and the guys. They might take his body, but he refuses to give them any other part of himself, especially since there’s no way of knowing if one of them happens to be the person he’s after. Lake is next in line for the throne and will do anything to stop those secretly trying to prevent him from taking it. He treats Nix like a possession, something he has a right to take. And potentially break. West is an up-and-coming boxer who rules the school with boyish charm and iron fists. He doesn’t try to hide who or what he is, not even from Nix, the first of the Demons to bend him to his will, laughing all the while. Yejun is considered the flirt of the group, the one who’s hooked up with practically everyone on campus. Initially, he’s not interested in playing pretend with Nix, but it isn’t long before he’s changed his tune. It doesn’t take long before Nix realizes he’s in danger of falling for these monstrous men. He needs a way out, and fast, preferably before any of them realize he’s been using them as well. Nix needs to check their names off the list of suspects so he can move on and find his cousin’s killer. But what happens when they catch him scheming? Will they help him? Or destroy him?