Loukko by 
We are super excited to announce that the Czech rights to Mia Kankimäki’s THINGS THAT MAKE ONE’S HEART BEAT FASTER have now been acquired by Motto, imprint of Albatros.
Mia Kankimäki’s debut biography/travelogue was originally published in 2013, but now has sold to Estonia, Italy and recently to Japan and Germany, where it was just published this year with excellent reviews!
Download the English sample and synopsis for THINGS THAT MAKE ONE’S HEART BEAT FASTER here
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Author Mia Kankimäki travels to Japan to fulfill her long-time dream to do research about the court lady and poet Sei Shonagon, whose 1000-years-old writings had enchanted Mia’s heart.
She is fascinated by Sei Shinagon’s The Pillow Book and will travel to Japan to walk in her footsteps and compare her life with her own, finding surprisingly, that a lot of things have remained the same a millennia later.
In Kyoto Mia is faced with all things beautiful and strange. Cherry blossoms, bath houses, temples and incredible food, but on the other hand experiences a culture shock and language-barrier makes her research slow down. In her witty and humorous way she describes her three months in Kyoto, and the reader will learn a great deal about the modern day Japan, get great travel tips, and learn all there is to know about mysterious Sei Shonagon.
The book contains excerpts from the Pillow Book and describes Mia’s travels in today’s Kyoto and Tokyo as well as London and briefly escaping from the deadly 2011 tsunami to Phuket, Thailand.
Praise for THINGS THAT MAKE ONE’S HEART BEAT FASTER
“Thank you very much for allowing us to introduce such an intriguing book to Japanese readers. Finland on the northern edge of the Eurasian continent and Japan, an island country in the Far East, may be as far apart as possible, but we do seem to share some characteristic traits, such as being naturally shy. (Aren’t we!?) I am pleasantly surprised that Mia Kankimäki, the author born in Finland took an interest in a female Japanese author from 1,000 years ago and decided to travel all the way to this country. Readers here will be more than excited to discover how Japan appeared in her eyes.”
– Hiroshi Fujita, Chief Editor, Soshisha
“It is always the most delightful experience to find something new and valuable in unexpected places. Mia Kankimäki’s book is one of those things. Kankimäki imitates Sei Shonagon’s style of making lists and succeeds in conveying a message that human life is not a chronological story, but a collection of moments that carry different meanings.”
-Suvi Ahola, Helsingin Sanomat newspaper
”Mia’s fascinating books will definitely make your heart beat faster: A beautiful, exceptional style, fancy ideas, honesty, bravery and wittiness – an exciting new voice.
– Madlen Reimer, Editor, btb Verlag, Verlagsgruppe Random House
More about the book:
Who was Sei Shonagon? A sharp-tongued courtesan, a brilliant poet and forgotten genius or something completely different? What is actually known about this Heian era writer who has always been living in the shadow of her famous rival, Murasaki Shikibu?
In this book the author Mia Kankimäki quits her job and travels to Japan to fulfill her long-time dream to do research about the court lady and poet Sei Shonagon, whose 1000-years-old writings had enchanted Mia’s heart.
Perfect for those who love travelling and making lists!
Rights sold:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
CZECH REPUBLIC:Motto
ESTONIA: Varrak
ITALY: Edizioni Piemme
JAPAN: Soshisha
GERMANY: btb Verlag/Random House
Reading material:
English sample & synopsis
