Espresso Love: A Novel
Read on Wattpad (EspressoLove.tk) | Bonus Content Collection | FB Page | Trailer & Music | Reviews
[ Dystopian / Philosophical / Psychological / Literary / Magical-Realism / Romance ]
In Tokyo, Japan, where identity, thoughts, memories and emotions decay, a strange clairvoyant and a literature student embark on a paranoiac escape against Kafkaesque system, oppression, mindless agents, civil unrest and reality itself, in a mind-blowing soul-searching journey for love, for what had been long lost and what it means to be human. Yet all that remains is a peculiar coffee shop order.
The literary novel examines the human condition, subjective perception, our socio-political system, capitalist mechanism and consumer culture, incorporating philosophy, surrealist dreamscapes, cosmic visions, circular symbolism and shifting parallel realities, with profound discussions of coffee, art, literature and music.
“System is Everything.”
Espresso Love has gained over 1 million reads, Wattys Award 2014 winner, ranked #1 in Science Fiction and #3 in Spiritual categories out of over 100 million stories, and featured on Wattpad, IndieReader, DIG on USA TV campaigns, and various sites.
“An interesting ‘vapoury’ style that seems to hover off world at times. …atmosphere and dialogue are strong…shows assurance and poise. Also very promising in suggestions. …Author’s intent to invoke/evoke mystery is very effective…haunting and strange (which is good); intelligence present on page…some sense of terror in the core here… You’re on to something different, striking.”
– B.W. Powe, Associate Professor, Dept of English, York University and author of “A Tremendous Canada of Light”, “A Climate Charged”, “Outage”, “The Unsaid Passing”, and “Marshall McLuhan and Northrop Frye: Apocalypse and Alchemy”
“Struck me to the very core of my being…” “Intellectually challenging…” “Very interesting concept of reality… Thought provoking..”
“Offers acute, almost painful observations of the minutiae of life, if life took place in a Murakami snow-globe.” – Review on IndieReader Insiders
“Like a seven course meal full of spice and illumination… One does not listen to a classical piece to get to its ending. No. It is the ride, the moment by moment…a genuine Masamune among stories.”
“This novel has definitely taught me alot about myself, and the world around me. That we are apart of something much greater than ourselves…I’m looking at life from a new perspective, a brighter one. Thank you, Takatsu for this journey.”
Of Forests and Clocks and Dreams
Order via Inspiritus Press | Kickstarter Completed | Press Release | More Links Coming Soon
[Literary / Philosophy / Poetry / Art] (Collection)
“[His pieces] have a timeless quality, little legends or fables that enlighten or explain a philosophy of life, a zen moment… [they] touch on an innate mystery of things that your stories allow one to see.”
– Patricia Keeney, Professor of Creative Writing at York University, Award-winning Poet, Critic, Author of One Man Dancing
From the author of Espresso Love and Secondhand Memories, the award-winning trailblazer of online literary fiction, English cell phone novels and transmedia storytelling, comes an unconventional postmodern collection of fragments, moments, imaginings containing thought-provoking and enigmatic short stories, poetry, essay, notes, drafts, excerpts, aphorisms, photography, and art.
His work explores surreal visions and philosophical themes of the self and identity, human condition and the soul, subjective perception and the nature of reality, criticism of the system and exploration of spirituality and the cosmos through strange conversations, umbrellas, a talking bird, grandfather clocks, a transfigured stone, white rice, bookstores, a man with twelve toes, and more.
“A thought provoking work that will leave the reader questioning the very existence around them… [Takatsu] always seems to be breaking the rules and combining various mediums of art… The pioneer of English Cell Phone Novels has continued to approach writing—and art as a whole—in different ways, breaking and manipulating constructs to produce work that, while still holding ties to the written word, manifests into something that defies its very foundation…A great glimpse into what the future of the written word—and art as a whole—can be.”
– C.J. Garrett, Author of Memoirs of a Zygote (Trapped in a Human’s Body)
“Takatsu is a fascinating writer, musician and illustrator and is at the forefront of transmedia storytelling.”
– Rowena Wiseman, Author of Searching for Von Honningsbergs, The Replacement Wife, Bequest, Silver.
“I am awestruck at the philosophical stance of your writing. Your writing is akin to that of Murakami in its surrealist execution.”
– Shane Oltingir, Wattpad Reader
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http://www.inspirituspress.com/books/of-forests-and-clocks-and-dreams/
Harbinger’s Child
Read on Wattpad (HarbingersChild.tk)
[ Science-Fiction / Space Opera / Literary / Mysticism / Philosophy ]
After decades of struggle, the last of humanity barely escapes a cataclysmic threat and searches for ancient wisdom and a long forgotten mythical planet called Earth. Yet the cycle of endless destruction and fear is always in pursuit.
In Takatsu’s new take on the genre, the interstellar novel and its grim contemplative characters search the cosmos for answers to the greater age old questions of the soul, the human condition, morality, civilization, myth, transcendence and our place in the stars.
This is thy hour O Soul, thy free flight into the wordless,
Away from books, away from art, the day erased, the lesson done,
Thee fully forth emerging, silent, gazing, pondering the themes thou lovest best.
Night, sleep, death and the stars.
– Walt Whitman
Secondhand Memories
OFFICIAL WEBSITE | Textnovel | Wattpad | Facebook | Print Book Available on Amazon or Sakura Publishing
[Young Adult / Slice of Life / Romance / Tragedy] (CPN)
They have been inseparable childhood friends and eventually, high school sweethearts. Believing in naive dreams and love, all seems well until a tragedy separates them with a chasm of frozen time. As one struggles with the aftermath, the world moves on, while the other remains still.
Battered by temptation and the pressure to grow up, he discovers that life is more complicated than he thought – and that the heart and mind is quite vulnerable to change. Secondhand Memories is an emotional coming-of-age story: a journey about the meaning of growing up, love, loss and sacrifice.
Originally serialized online in 2008, Secondhand Memories pioneered the Japanese cell phone novel phenomenon in the English-speaking world, marking a moment in history of a new literary movement among thousands of young writers and readers globally. The remarkably unique fusion of simple haiku-like poetic technique and prose narrative has re-envisioned technology, youth culture, community and literature.
After six years of memories and history-in-the-making, the highly-anticipated and beloved novel will be officially released on February 14th, Valentine’s Day, 2015 as ebook and a massive 6″ x 9″ 558-page paperback print book with stunning anime cover illustrations, interior formatting and graphic design, due to popular demand! It is now available for purchase on Amazon or Sakura Publishing, so be sure to grab a copy or a few as keepsakes, fond memories, seasonal gifts or for inspirational reading pleasure. Don’t forget to leave a review on Goodreads and Amazon if you have a chance.
Visit the Official Site for News, Synopsis, Excerpts, Characters, Store, Pre-Orders, Free Downloads, and more. Video blog special, the book, smartphone cases, coffee mugs, wall clocks, pillows, tote bags, laptop and iPad skins, t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies and more available in the store. More multimedia productions coming soon.
“The Extras Collection”: http://tiny.cc/extras
The Elephant Girl and Other Short Stories
Wattpad | Textnovel | TN Mobile
[ Philosophical / Existential / Romance / Literary / Magical-Realism ]
A collection of thoughtful literary short stories by Takatsu dealing with philosophical themes of the self and identity, life, death, the world around, moving between metaphysical abstract mysticism and capitalist mechanism.
1. The Elephant Girl: Someone left their phone behind. It rings.
2. Cats and Dogs in HK: A strange thing happens in Hong Kong; no one understands.
3. Sometimes I Think You Can’t Hear Me: The world keeps moving, they keep talking, but I don’t.
4. A Meeting at Noon: The clock strikes twelve, two people meet.
5. Clair De Lune (Halloween Short): Debussy and the moon I can no longer see.
6. By The River: A philosophical conversation by a river about rocks.
7. What We Talk About When We Talk About Growing Up: A jog and a chat about growing up.
8. The Boy Who Crows: A pensive dream about a dead parakeet.
9. Iced Lemon Tea: Reminiscing while peeling onions and crying.
10. He Who Takes Away Light: A master asks his servants three questions.
11. Brandy (Cosmo Clock 21 Teaser): They discuss a contract over Schubert and brandy.
and more…
Nights in TOKYO: A Travel Memoir
[ Travel / Lifestyle / Creative Non-Fiction / Autobiography / Philosophical ]
A combination of a novel, a memoir and a travelogue, both fiction and non-fiction, a globe-trotting adventure full of sentiment, music, low budgets, trains, encounters and lifestyle, the author confronts his memories – and the miracles – on the page, and embarks on a new trip to celebrate Christmas in Japan in 2014. This is a flawed attempt at aligning the past from two years ago and the present: the musician, the dreamer and the writer, the philosopher, together in one place. Follow his adventures in Japan, and within the soul.
Based 100% on true experiences.
Your Hands, Infinity: A Collection of Poetry
[ Poetry / Spiritual / Philosophy / Life / Love ]
A collection of poetry for the Soul, for the Spirit, of the Cosmos, and of the Universal, of the Divine and our Consciousness, of a Friend and a Lover, to open a window in the heart and set ourselves free. Having been inspired by many visionary poets throughout history, of both grand prophetic stature and of infinitesimal quiet beauty, written by this stumbling poet, helplessly out of practice and needs practice. He searches his soul and seeks enlightenment.
Title is a homage to William Blake. “Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand / And Eternity in an hour”
Archive: Move「旅」
[Semi-Autobiographical / Philosophical / Slice of Life / Music] (CPN)
The life of a struggling musician in a cruel world with no room for dreams.
Takagi finds himself trapped within the forces of the system and between long unspoken emotions. As he fights for opportunity, he also has to fight to discover the true meaning of music and the soul of his guitar.
A manifestation of colliding hopes, dreams, philosophies, thoughts and love through a refined poetic cell phone novel form.
It’s Pouring, Bring Two Umbrellas
[ Creative Non-Fiction / Essay / Philosophy / Politics ]
A thought-provoking creative non-fiction piece, a narrative essay and memoir, starting with a Toronto rock concert, ending with political discourse on the Hong Kong Occupy movement and philosophy. Events within are mostly factual.
Archive: The Fringe of District 24
[Fantasy / Sci-Fi] (CPN)
What lies outside of The Fringe?
No one has ever made it to the edge of the “World”
– or made it back to tell the story.
For District 24’s Shizuka and Yuji,
they’ve always dreamed of reaching the edge of the world.
But what exactly is the “World”?
Who constructed it? Why did they build it?
What was outside of its walls?
An epic journey into the unknown,
to test the limits of humanity and the reason for existence.
Archive: All’s Well That Ends Well
[Apocalypse / Thriller / Slice of Life] (CPN)
Sekai no owari.
The end of the world.
The story of the apocalypse
through a Japanese high school student’s eyes.
The final days are counting down.
A story of what’s truly important in life and how to fight for it.
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