Naomi Hirahara Libros

The narrative invites readers into a reflective journey, exploring deep themes of introspection and self-discovery. Through its characters and their experiences, the book delves into the complexities of human emotions and relationships, encouraging a thoughtful examination of life's challenges and joys. Its contemplative nature offers a serene yet profound reading experience, prompting readers to engage with their own thoughts and feelings.

In the foothills of Pasadena, Mas Arai is just another Japanese-American gardener, his lawnmower blades clean and sharp, his truck carefully tuned. But while Mas keeps lawns neatly trimmed, his own life has gone to seed. His wife is dead. And his livelihood is falling into the hands of the men he once hired by the day. For Mas, a life of sin is catching up to him. And now bachi—the spirit of retribution—is knocking on his door. It begins when a stranger comes around, asking questions about a nurseryman who once lived in Hiroshima, a man known as Joji Haneda. By the end of the summer, Joji will be dead and Mas’s own life will be in danger. For while Mas was building a life on the edge of the American dream, he has kept powerful secrets: about three friends long ago, about two lives entwined, and about what really happened when the bomb fell on Hiroshima in August 1945. A spellbinding mystery played out from war-torn Japan to the rich tidewaters of L.A.’s multicultural landscape, this stunning debut novel weaves a powerful tale of family, loyalty, and the price of both survival and forgiveness.

Mas Arai, a curmudgeonly protagonist, finds himself embroiled in a murder mystery linked to baseball at Dodger Stadium. This sixth installment of his adventures not only involves a crime but also has international ramifications, promising a blend of sports and intrigue that will keep readers engaged as Mas navigates the complexities of the case.

The story follows Mas Arai, a grumpy gardener in Los Angeles, who is also a Hiroshima survivor and a passionate gambler. His character brings a unique perspective to the mystery genre, blending personal history with intriguing plots. Naomi Hirahara's novels, including "Summer of the Big Bachi" and "Gasa-Gasa Girl," showcase Mas's adventures and challenges, making him a memorable and distinctive hero in contemporary fiction.

From the time she was a child, Mas Arai’s daughter, Mari, was completely gasa-gasa–never sitting still, always on the go, getting into everything. And Mas, busy tending lawns, gambling, and struggling to put his Hiroshima past behind him, never had much time for the family he was trying to support. For years now, his resentful daughter has lived a continent away in New York City, and had a life he knew little about. But an anxious phone call from Mari asking for his help plunges the usually obstinate Mas into a series of startling situations from maneuvering in an unfamiliar city to making nice with his tall, blond son-in-law, Lloyd, to taking care of a sickly child…to finding a dead body in the rubble of a former koi pond. The victim was Kazzy Ouchi, a half-Japanese millionaire who also happened to be Mari and Lloyd’s boss. Stumbling onto the scene, Mas sees more amiss than the detectives do, but his instinct is to keep his mouth shut. Only when the case threatens his daughter and her family does Mas take action: patiently, stubbornly tugging at the end of a tangled, dangerous mystery. And as he does, he begins to lay bare a tragic secret on the dark side of an American dream.…Both a riveting mystery and a powerful story of passionate relationships across a cultural divide, Gasa-Gasa Girl is a tale told with heart and wisdom: an unforgettable portrait of fathers, daughters, and other strangers.

"Chicago, 1944: Twenty-year-old Aki Ito and her parents have just been released from Manzanar, where they have been detained by the US government since the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, together with thousands of other Japanese Americans. The life in California the Itos were forced to leave behind is gone; instead, they are being resettled two thousand miles away in Chicago, where Aki's older sister, Rose, was sent months earlier and moved to the new Japanese American neighborhood near Clark and Division streets. But on the eve of the Ito family's reunion, Rose is killed by a subway train. Aki, who worshipped her sister, is stunned. Officials are ruling Rose's death a suicide. Aki cannot believe her perfect, polished, and optimistic sister would end her life. Her instinct tells her there is much more to the story, and she knows she is the only person who could ever learn the truth. Inspired by historical events, Clark and Division infuses an atmospheric and heartbreakingly real crime fiction plot with rich period details and delicately wrought personal stories Naomi Hirahara has gleaned from thirty years of research and archival work in Japanese American history." -- Provided by publisher

"It's the middle of the pandemic and Hawai'i has been virtually closed to tourists. So when Leilani Santiago and her young sisters save a mysterious woman wearing a lei from drowning in Waimea Bay in Kaua'i questions abound: who is she and where did she come from? The lei, which is made of mokihana berries, the official flower of Kaua'i, is traced back to Leilani's best friend, the very pregnant Courtney Kahuakai, and her family's flower business. While the woman is in a medically induced coma in a local hospital, Leilani languishes as her shave ice shack is temporarily shuttered due to the pandemic. Leilani becomes obsessed with the woman and even breaks into her Airbnb to discover her identity. She finds that the woman, a travel agent who has a Japanese passport, has information about a local attorney on the island, Garvin Washburne. When Washburne shoots and kills a hospital nurse who, armed with a machete, had trespassed into the attorney's home, Leilani is further drawn into this mystery. As residents protest the reopening of tourism, do Garvin and the travel agent from Japan represent the opposition? Soon the future of Leilani's family member is threatened and Leilani realizes the serious repercussions of her amateur investigation. The survival of Leilani, her family and friends will depend on her sense of ingenuity and the strength of her island community"-- Provided by publisher

Focusing exclusively on Asian American businesspeople, this collection features 96 engaging biographies detailing their education, training, and career achievements. It serves as both an informative resource and a source of inspiration for students at various educational levels. Each biography includes references for further reading, while an appendix categorizes the individuals by their respective fields, ranging from fashion and restaurants to high technology and film.

Exploring the multifaceted identity of women in Los Angeles, the book delves into iconic figures like lifeguard CJ Parker, studio executive Lucy Arnaz, and reality star Angelyne, alongside historical references such as the Black Dahlia. It highlights the diverse personas shaped by various L.A. neighborhoods, showcasing characters like the Beverly Hills housewife and Hollywood starlet. Through these portrayals, the narrative examines how the L.A. woman has captivated public imagination and redefined femininity in contemporary culture.