Last years' Save the Himalayas event at the Rubin Museum was a fantastic success. The Dalai Lama's main representative, Lobsang Nyandak was there to speak. Richard Gere showed up, too! Not to mention, it was sold out!
Rima Fujita is back again. This time she will be at the Trace Foundation. Guest Speakers this time around will be Tracy Straus, Sonam Wangdue, and Maho Kawachi.

Trace Foundation's library, in Manhattan's West Village. For more information, email events@trace.org or call +1 (212) 367-7380.

For details please see the links below!

http://www.trace.org/events/events.html

http://www.shambhalasun.com/news/?p=31844

Words without Borders is a great site dedicated to works in translation.

From the WWB website:
“Our publications and programs open doors for readers of English around the world to the multiplicity of viewpoints, richness of experience, and literary perspective on world events offered by writers in other languages. ”

Hey, that's what we do too!

Recently, they decided to review Schoolgirl. It was a very good review. Please check it out:
http://wordswithoutborders.org/book-review/osamu-dazais-schoolgirl

The Bible: A Japanese Manga Rendition is our latest release. Now on sale!

That's right, the Bible! This is the only Bible on the market that's done in authentic Japanese Manga! At 576 pages this giant volume is something you'll want to have on your shelf. Especially for all our Christian readers out there, now you can give your kids something that they will love and teach them the lessons of the Bible at the same time.

Even the non-believer can enjoy this exciting read! Now everyone can delight in the scenes and stories of the Bible in cinematic style! Non-believers and Christians alike will be entertained with the real manga bible.

The stories and lessons of the Old and New Testaments in a unique format-the Japanese comic-book style of manga. Whether you are well versed in Scripture or are reading the Good Book for the first time, this illustrated Bible is vivid and entertaining, no matter your level of devotion. Translated from the original Japanese, this is the premiere manga Bible.

Breathe Deeply on About.com. Well, not a review but still nice plug. Check it out!

See it here:
http://manga.about.com/od/newmangapreviews/ig/2011-New-Manga-Preview/Breathe-Deeply.htm

Or according to Unputdownables,

“This novella has only whetted my appetite for more. I still can't believe I had never heard of this author who inspires yearly pilgrimages to his grave, and who sells millions of books each year in Japan. My reading needs to get more international, because I am clearly missing out!”

Read the full article here:
http://unputdownables.net/2012/01/05/schoolgirl-by-osamu-dazai/

A new review up for Breathe Deeply. This particular reviewer (The Contemporary Reader) came away with what one should come away with from Breathe Deeply. So it makes me very happy to read it. If you have a minute, please read over the review and you'll see what the book is getting at and what readers can discover from it.

The full review:
http://thecontemporaryreader.blogspot.com/2012/02/unbearable-unbeing-review-of-breathe.html

Another great review for Breathe Deeply on the Graphic Novel Reporter! This one is by Danica Davidson. A great reporter.

http://www.graphicnovelreporter.com/content/breathe-deeply-review

We don't always report on only the best reviews. This one below, while complimenting the novel, seems to attack the translation. Translation is a tough job, especially when it comes to Japanese-English (or vice-versa) because the languages are so different. Also, Dazai can be particularly challenging.

Read the review here:
http://mookseandgripes.com/reviews/2011/12/06/osamu-dazai-schoolgirl/

It's great to introduce manga people who aren't necessarily manga fans. “Otaku” opinions, after all, can get a bit pompous and stilted (sorry otakus out there but you know it's true). Here is one of those reviews from a American Comic book reader. Fresh and honest. Check it out!

http://graphicpolicy.com/2011/12/30/review-breathe-deeply/

Recently, Allison Powell, translator of Schoolgirl was interviewed on the popular literary blog Savy Verse & Wit. Allison is a accomplished translator with several books under her belt including some editing work. To find out more about her, please read the interview below.

http://savvyverseandwit.com/2012/01/interview-with-allison-markin-powell-translator-of-schoolgirl-by-dazai-osamu.html