Preface

　　The passing of renowned author, translator and playwright Yang Jiang (1911-2016) has caused a sensation in literary circles in 2016. As she writes in Reaching the Brink of Life: Answering My Own Questions:‘Human beings are insignificant and lives are short. However, we humans can learn, cultivate our moral character and improve ourselves. Humans are valuable in themselves.’

　　Books are a major source of knowledge. Although it is said that‘travel broadens the mind’, travel can be as shallow as eating, drinking and having fun only or as deep as integration into local culture. ‘Food Foraging Tours’ in this issue will introduce a number of travel books that allow readers to initiate a meaningful and in-depth voyage encompassing books and food.

　　As books are a major source of knowledge, we should treasure library resources even more. In this issue we shall introduce Preference Book Station, the venue of Book Exchange activity. In this way, we can learn, cultivate our moral character - and make good use of our lives!