Junior Kendra Anderson recently read “A Tale for the Time Being” by Ruth Ozeki.
“I like that it alternates between two different perspectives,” Anderson said.
The book continuously shifts perspectives from Ruth living off the coast of Canada with her husband, and a teenager living in Japan.
Ruth, the protagonist, discovers the diary of the teenage girl, Nao, as it washes ashore one day. She begins to learn about Nao’s life and circumstances as they face similar struggles.
“I saw a TikTok about the book,” Anderson said. “It had nice illustrations about it so I wanted to [read the book].”
Author and filmmaker Ruth Ozeki is a Buddhist priest and teacher of creative writing. She is mostly known for her novels “My Year of Meats” and “All Over Creation.” Her most notable film is her documentary “Halving the Bones,” which explores her ancestry.
“A Tale for the Time Being” won the LA Times Book Prize for fiction. Ozeki’s books have been published in over 30 countries.
“I think it’s really easy to read,” Anderson said. “It’s good if you’re looking for a quick read.”
The novel is somewhat somber, detailing the difficulties people often make with communication and isolation. Ozeki demonstrates the importance of living in the present moment.