theycallmegas

1998 / ♋ / 🎓 BSc material scientist - 💼 laboratory engineer / 🎨 visual arts & literature enthusiast

[theycallme-gas]

“In order to gain something, you have to lose something.” - Genki Kawamura, If Cats Disappeared from the World

In a nutshell: A modern, melancholic, and deeply philosophical fable that forces you to stare mortality in the face. It is a delicate journey through regrets, the small pleasures of life, and the immense value of the connections we often take for granted. Keep your tissues ready.

Title: If Cats Disappeared from the World Author: Genki Kawamura Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Magical Realism Pages: 160 (approx.) Personal judgement: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

Quick intro: A young postman discovers he has only days to live due to a terminal illness. Suddenly, the Devil appears (looking exactly like him, but in a loud Hawaiian shirt) and offers a deal: he can have one extra day of life for every thing he chooses to make disappear from the world forever.

My review: I was glued to this book till the very last page. In such a short read, Kawamura makes you rethink what is important in life. The writing is simple but carries that quiet, poignant wisdom typical of Japanese literature. It’s a quick read that stays with you for a long time. I highly recommend this to anyone who needs a story that touches (and squeezes) the heart.

[theycallme-gas]

“I needed to prove that I, as a woman, could be better than the rest of them. That I too could belong. That I too could be free.” - K. X. SONG, The Night Ends With Fire

In a nutshell: a lush, cinematic reimagining of Mulan that feels like a fever dream of ancient magic. It’s for the readers who love an ambitious protagonist who chooses pride over submission. Fair warning: the political intrigue is sharp, and the lines between "hero" and "villain" could get very blurry. Once you finish it, you'll be staring at the horizon waiting for the sky to burn too.

Title: The Night Ends With Fire Author: K. X. SONG Genre: Young Adult Epic Fantasy Pages: 512 (approx.) Personal judgement: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

Quick intro: Hai Meilin is a young woman trapped by a cruel father and a forced marriage. To save herself, she disguises as a man and joins the imperial army. But this isn't just a war story. It’s a journey across the Three Kingdoms where she encounters a mysterious prince, a legendary dragon, and a power that could either save her world or reduce it to ashes.

My review: What a well written book. I was devouring page after page, unable to wait for the next step of the party. Don’t expect to see a Disney style princess - I’m very happy there’s a sequel of this book. I highly recommend this reading!

[theycallme-gas]

Apple pie - full recipe

I didn't expect to turn out this good! First time preparing an apple pie.

Ingredients:

3 apples (medium size)

150 g of flour grade 0

37.5 melted butter

110 g of stevia/erythritol sugar

2 medium eggs at room temperature

120 g of soy drink

12 g of baking powder

1 tablespoon of icing sugar (some of it will be used before cooking)

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Procedure:

Prep the Apples: Remove the core of your 3 medium apples - you can of course peel them if you want to. Slice them thinly or cut them into small cubes. Toss them with a pinch of the cinnamon to let the flavours meld while you prep the rest.

Whisk the Base: In a large bowl, beat the 2 room-temperature eggs with the 110g of stevia/erythritol until the mixture is pale, light, and airy.

Add Liquids: Slowly pour in the 37.5g of melted butter (make sure it's warm, not hot!) and the 120g of soy drink. Whisk gently to combine.

Fold in Dry Ingredients: Sift the 150g of grade 0 flour, the 12g of baking powder, and the remaining cinnamon into the bowl. Fold gently with a spatula to keep the batter airy.

(If diced) Combine: Fold most of the apple cubes into the batter. Save a small handful for the top. Pour the batter into a lined tin and top with the remaining cubes.

(if sliced) Combine: Pour the batter into a lined cake tin. If you sliced the apples, carefully place the slices inside the batter. Otherwise, arrange the remaining apple slices on top and sprinkle with a bit of the icing sugar to create a sweet, golden crust.

The Oven: Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 35–40 minutes / oven mode: static mode. Use the toothpick test to ensure it's cooked through, but do not open the oven until you reach 30 minutes.

The Finishing Touch: Once cooled, dust with the remaining icing sugar.

Further tips and notes: I love cinnamon, therefore I sprinkled a little bit of cinnamon on top of the cake before baking. Original recipe included icing sugar, that's why you'll see it in the process - but unfortunately I didn't have icing sugar at home, so I tried to replace it with a little of sugar.

Hope you'll like it!! 🍎🥧

[theycallme-gas]

“If you can love someone with your whole heart, even one person, then there's salvation in life. Even if you can't get together with that person.” - MURAKAMI, 1Q84

In a nutshell: a novel for somebody who doesn't want an explanation for everything, and doesn't mind a very descriptive narration. A story about humans, desires, love, mysteries and some spices from real world events. Fair warning: this is not a typical reading. But once you push past the 800-page mark, you’ll find yourself looking for two moons in the sky too.

Title: 1Q84 Author: MURAKAMI HARUKI Genre: Alternate history, parallel worlds Pages: 928 (approx.), single edition Personal judgement: ⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

Quick intro: Tokyo (JP) 1984, we're inside a cab with Aomame, a young lady in her 30s, on the Shuto Expressway. While Tengo, maths preparatory teacher, is going to meet a controversial editor very soon in a café. Their connection starts at a very young age, but the fate separates the two souls due to the moving of Aomame's family somewhere else. But the novel storyline will let them get close through different reality spaces. My review: A long-winded story, with multiple perspectives getting twisted by fate. Read if you dare, but it will leave you with a strong sense that what is meant to be will happen anyway.