Book: A Tale For A Time Being

Author: Ruth Ozeki

When Ruth finds a freezer bag on the beach filled with two diaries, some letters, and a watch.  She goes on a journey with Nao, the young Japanese American teenager who struggles with depression, bullying, suicide, forgiveness, finding your inner strength, fighting for what you know to be right, and the power of love.

Ruth Ozeki portrays the real life struggles of families and young teenagers in a fresh way.  She brings about deep thoughts on how everyone and everything is connected through time.  Her characters were each unique and brought varying perspectives to the different human struggles explored in A Tale For A Time Being.  

Nao will have you crying, laughing, and rooting for her.  Her tell-it-like-it is attitude helps to take the sting out of the serious concepts.  The way that Ruth Ozeki unfolds all the parts of this story keeps the reader on their toes and gasping with insight when a new portion of the past is revealed.  As you read Nao’s diary with Ruth you feel like Nao is talking to you as well.  You are a part of the journey, too.  Some of the struggles by Nao and other characters will stick with you, even after you have finished and set the book aside. 

A Tale For A Time Being is an eye opening journey that will take you to places that you never imagined, might make you uncomfortable, and to find the power of love of forgiveness.  I’d give A Tale For A Time Being five out five stars.

I read this book with my friends for our book club. Want to see what else we have read, then click HERE.