Our cover story this month focuses on libraries. Taiwanese readers recently named the Kaohsiung Main Public Library, renowned for its natural lighting, the Foundation of Chinese Dietary Culture’s library, which is the only library in the world that collects and preserves the treasures of China’s culinary culture, and the main building of the New Taipei City Library, which serves patrons around the clock, among “Taiwan’s Ten Must-See Libraries.”
Taiwan’s publishing industry has been amazed by this year’s sales figures for “coloring books,” which have become incredibly popular among working adults. The trend originated with The Book of Zentangle, which argues that its Zentangle® method provides practitioners with limitless artistic freedom, places the creative arts within reach of everyone, and has therapeutic benefits. Purchasers of such books say they find the lovely compositions in such books soothing, and enjoy the process of completing them.
This month’s issue also includes stories on the “botanical Noah’s Ark” of the Dr. Cecilia Koo Botanic Conservation Center. An important research facility located in Pingtung County, the center is home to Taiwan’s largest collection of tropical plants and is one of the world’s largest tropical plant sanctuaries.
Heading into November from a rainy October, I am reminded of a Guns N’ Roses song from my youth, the band’s hit “November Rain.” The song’s lyrics note that “Nothing lasts forever, even cold November rain,” a sound sentiment that has a healing power of its own. I hope all our readers take care of themselves through the upcoming change of seasons, and stay healthy through Taiwan’s very own November rain.
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