I finally caught up on birthday mails! From now on, I’ll try to study them on the day we receive them (or the day after)!
I’m halfway through 警察執勤中：正義的代價 , and it’s obvious now that it’s about a case mentioned in 七十號，你的鳥歪了 where it was important but also not central.
I had no idea that 警察執勤中：正義的代價 would be mainly about that case!! It’s such a huge thing, I’m so happy that I get to read about the details of the whole process, if I had known in advance, I would have been so excited to start this book! On the other hand though, 七十號 kind of spoils 警察執勤中 if you’ve read it first like I did, so I think it’s best to read the books in chronological order.
I actually didn’t know that Yen Yu’s novels would share the same fictional world with recurring characters and cases, with stones thrown in a book creating ripples in others. I love the idea though, I find it so great! But I don’t understand why the books are not published as a series, or at least given a stronger identity that would show they belong to the same universe.
It’s probably best to read 警察執勤中：正義的代價 after 403小組 but before 七十號. Nothing mandatory though, each book is an independent story, but I really wish I hadn’t read 七十號 before 警察執勤中, because now I already know the outcome of what’s going to happen. It still is a very suspenseful and engrossing read though, that shows just how great the novel is.
Finished chapter 7, it’s so so intense!! Such a huge case, it’s both fascinating to follow, and devastating to see some of the consequences…
I went to the exhibition on Korean illustrator Keykney 키크니, and it was really worth it (DDP exhibitions are pricey!). Not just the artist’s work, but the exhibition itself was really cool, the work put into it is impressive.
There were several types of installation displays and it covered several themes like family, school, work, pets… The stories and illustrations showed felt all very relatable, they depict everyday life, common people, and the wide array of emotions we’re always dealing with.
The sections on losing a pet companion were really tough to go through, I was trying my best to not end up sobbing noisily, I don’t know how the others in the room were feeling, but I personally hadn’t expected the exhibition to be such a rollercoaster of emotions, with really funny moments and incredibly sad ones.
I read two chapters, and the novel really picked up the pace all of the sudden. There are so many things to digest all at once, chapter 6 was crazy! I really love this novel so far, it’s really good!
反正你們只要記得，多聽、多看、罩子放亮點，然後不要相信壞學長的話，尤其不要相信所長的話，就能平平安安過一生了，明白嗎？
— 王碩彥
I find that Yen Yu’s police novels are very easy to read even though they use quite a bit of specialised vocabulary. Every single bit of jargon and terminology is explained (like for example the difference between 收押禁見 and 交保候審), more difficult things like hierarchy and factions or the diverse procedures officers have to follow, etc. everything is explained in simple terms, which makes the novel very easy to follow.
I really appreciate authors who manage to convey specialised knowledge and insights but deliver it in a way that makes the novel pleasant to read without being too difficult or too didactic, and without sacrificing the plot and and pace to lengthy explanations or exposés.
Not only is the story taking a real turn now, but I’m also just realising now that this story might actually be linked to things mentioned in 七十號，你的鳥歪了! If I’m right, this would be insane!
I chose my next Japanese novel: I’m going to read Uketsu’s latest book 変な地図.
It’s strange that I missed this publication last year, but I was a bit disconnected from Japanese literature (I was mostly reading Taiwanese novels at the time), so I’m also not that surprised.
Surely this one can’t be as good as 変な家2…
Went to double-pity for Enigma but oh well… now the dynamo team is complete: Corvus, Charon, Ulrich and Enigma.
I don’t feel like reading at all today, but I did work a bit on the DB. I’m really happy with how the authors are displayed on the website now, and it’s interesting to see the result. I’m myself surprised at which authors I read the most, I didn’t realise I had read Futari Okajima, Jun Ikeido or Jokichi Hikage that much (5-6 books is not much to be fair, but more than most other authors is what I mean).
For most of the authors I only read one book, which is obviously not enough to judge whether I like them or not. I want to focus on getting more familiar with the authors I already read, so having this library display is very useful! 
Second episode was so good too! I’m really loving this series!
Could have been better, could have been worse… got a Keqing along the way… It’s actually the first time I get her on banner!
I’m pleasantly surprised by Sandrone’s traversal ability! It didn’t look that great on the SP for some reason, but I like it a lot. Still have no idea how to play her, but I think I’m going to enjoy her playstyle! I don’t have Neuvillette, so to me it feels very unique and new!
Read two chapters today!
| Word | Reading | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 爐渣 | lú zhā | (metallurgy) slag |
| 瀝青 | lì qīng | asphalt |
| 冶煉 | yě liàn | to smelt metal |
| 巡邏箱 | xúnluóxiāng | Patrol box |
