Hey all you crisp/cool Backers!

Yes indeed, the "ber" months are upon us again! This season give Columbus Day and pumpkin spice the cold shoulder, and head straight to your local library. 'Tis the season for your nose to be stuck inside the pages of a great read, specifically the wild world of Mikhail Bulgakov's posthumous masterpiece, "The Master and Margarita". No spoilers...but it's a good 'un.

Speaking of books, we're throwing a soft sepia spotlight on one of Niigata's sons: the "Hans Christian Andersen" of Japan, Mimei Ogawa. Pumping out heartbreaking classics during the nation's roaring Taisho period, Ogawa's children's stories were all at once touching, heartbreaking and poignant. But hey, if kids can handle Harry Potter, they can definitely walk away from these unscathed!

Get yourself to either Joetsu, or your local library and crack the spine on these gems (totally for free!).

Stay golden, Backers 🍂🍁📚🍺