JLC19 is here!

Hurrah! It's time for my dear friend, Meredith's (of Dolce Bellezza) annual Japanese Literature Challenge and this year marks the 19th year. How amazing is that?! The challenge runs from January through February - so, two whole months devoted to Japanese literature - how awesome is that? I know I'm excited to join in on the fun. The only question is...which books should I read? Hmm...

Here are a few options:

Hmm...so many wonderful choices...not sure which I'll start with. Most likely I'll reach for a Haruki Murkami book, because there's always just one more of his books that I haven't read. What about you? Are you joining in on the fun? If so, share which books you'll be reading. Or, if you have any recommendations- let me know. Cheers and Happy reading!

JLC18 starts NOW!

Hurrah! It's time for my dear friend, Meredith's (of Dolce Bellezza) annual Japanese Literature Challenge and this year marks the 18th year. How amazing is that?! The challenge runs from January through February - so, two whole months devoted to Japanese literature - how awesome is that? I know I'm excited to join in on the fun. The only question is...which books should I read? Hmm...

Here are a few options:

I have a few other titles on my list, so I'm not sure which ones to choose. There are just so many terrific choices. I'm definitely going to have fun figuring out what to read. Can't wait to share which books I wind up reading for the JLC18. 

What about you? Are you joining in the on the fun? Or, do you have any recommendations for me - let me know. 

Wishing you a terrific Thursday! Happy reading! 

Currently Reading...

(Thank you to Restless Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

I've just started reading this book and can already tell I am going to LOVE it. I am enjoying the characters, the story, and the writing - all of which makes the perfect recipe for a great read! I'm so excited to continue reading it later today. Hurrah! A new book to mark the beginning of February - how lovely is that? Plus, this will by my second read for my friend, Meredith's, JLC17 (Japanese Literature Challenge 17 - a reading challenge she created and hosts; this is the 17th year!) - I took the month of January to slowly read Murakami's Men Without Women - which I really enjoyed. It's a collection of seven of his short stories, which felt like the right way to kick off the JLC17 for me this year. And now, I'm excited to be immersed in The House of the Lost on the Cape. It's a nice change of pace from Murakami. And, if feels like a refreshing way to start off February - a new-to-me author for a new month (a leap year one to boot!) - Woo hoo! 

And now, I'm must get back to my overflowing to-do list. Wishing you a lovely weekend! Happy reading!

Thank you to Restless Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

My JLC17 read is...

I had to go with Murakami for my first read - how could I not? I'm a huge fan of his work and thought it would be fun to read a collection of his short stories for the challenge. I've read a few of the stories already, but that was ages ago, so I figured this would be a good re-read of sorts. I've finished the first story, Drive My Car, which was intriguing in the way in which it explored the idea of intention. Of course, I found myself humming The Beatles tune, Drive My Car. The next short is titled, Yesterday, and the title alone has me curious. And of course, Yesterday, by The Beatles will be running through my head. 

What about you? Are you reading any Japanese Lit for the JLC17? If so, share in the comment section. Or,  if you have any recommendations for me, share those, too.  Either way, I hope you are reading something great. 

And now, I'm off to journal about all the feels. Happy reading!

JLC17 starts now!

Hiya, folks! Just wanted to share about a fun challenge that my dear friend, Meredith, is hosting. It's called the Japanese Literature Challenge 17 and it is seriously a good time. From January through February all you have to do is read one (1) book that has been translated from Japanese. That's it! Of course, you can read loads more than one book, which is what I normally do. However, this year, I may just stick with two or three.  If you want to know more about the JLC17, head on over to Meredith's blog, Dolce Bellezza.

I need to peruse my bookshelves to figure out what I want to read for the JLC17. I'm thinking of rereading a Murakami...The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Norwegian Wood, or Kafka on the Shore - I have all three in the Folio Society editions and I've been itching to give those copies a read. I also have The Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories, so maybe something from there. Hmm...and I do have a stack of books by new-to-me authors that I could give a go. So the options are great, it's just that I have to figure out which ones will suit my mood. Either way, I'm excited for the challenge and can't wait to share about which books I've read. Hope you decide to join in on the fun, too. 

As for now, I'm off to work in my art journal. Today's prompt is throwback. That should be a fun one. Hope you all are having a great day! Happy reading!

How Do You Live? by Genzaburō Yoshino

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

First published in 1937, Genzaburo Yoshino’s enchanting novel HOW  DO  YOU  LIVE? is (Publication Date: October 26, 2021; $17.95) finally available in English for the first time. Award-winning filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away,  Howl’s Moving Castle) has long referred to this coming-of-age classic beloved by millions of Japanese readers as not only a major influence on his work but also his favorite childhood book, and he has recently announced plans to base his final film on it. Brilliantly translated by Bruno Navasky and with a foreword by fantasy master Neil Gaiman, who wrote the English-language adaptation of Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke, this new edition will introduce legions of new readers to Yoshino’s timeless tale. 

  

HOW  DO  YOU  LIVE? begins with fifteen-year-old Copper, who has recently suffered the loss of his father, gazing out over his hometown of Tokyo, watching the thousands of people below, and beginning to ponder life’s big questions. How many people are in the world? What do their lives look like? Are humans really made of molecules? The book moves between Copper’s story and his uncle’s journal entries, in which he gives advice and helps Copper learn pivotal truths about the way the world works. Over the course of a year in his life, Copper, like his namesake Copernicus, embarks on a journey of philosophical enlightenment, and uses his discoveries about the heavens, earth and human nature to determine the best way to live. Yoshino perfectly captures the beauty and strangeness of pre-war Japan – the changing of the seasons, the fried tofu and taiyaki stands, and the lush landscapes, as Copper explores the city on his bike and learns from friends and family what really matters most in life. “It’s funny and sad in a particularly Japanese way. As I read more of the book, I discovered that it contains lessons on everything: art, science, language, history, politics and philosophy,” translator Bruno Navasky writes. “It also contains a quiet but powerful message on the value of thinking for oneself and standing up for others during troubled times.”

“Books like this are important,” writes Neil Gaiman in the book’s foreword. “I’m so glad Mr. Miyazaki is making his film because it means that eighty-four years after it was written, Yoshino’s novel can be read in English, in Bruno Navasky’s gentle and winning translation, and that I got to read it.” Perfect for fans of The Little Prince and the Alchemist, as well as Miyazaki fans eager to understand some of his most important influences, HOW  DO  YOU  LIVE? is a whimsical and wise novel that will forever change the way readers think about their place in the world.

my thoughts:

Wow. What a beautiful story. I am absolutely enamored with How Do You Live? by Genzaburō Yoshino. It is the epitome of Japanese literature. Considered to be a classic within children's literature, this book is amazing. It's emotional, wise, entertaining, whimsical, and just brilliant. It has you questioning everything - art, politics, language, science. And, it inspires you to use your voice to speak up for others. Plus, it motivates you to contemplate your place in the world. This book makes for an excellent read. I loved it! 

Copper is fifteen years old and he's recently lost his father. He's dealing with the grief of such a monumental loss and soon finds himself questioning everything. With his uncle's journals and his best friends, Copper begins to explore the questions bombarding him and discover the life he wishes to live. Its fascinating reading about his life in pre-war Japan, his friendships, and his uncle's take on things. You can't help but enjoy this philosophical journey that Copper takes. How Do You Live? is a thought-provoking and heart-wrenching read that you won't forget.

I would happily recommend How Do You Live? to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will LOVE this book to bits! Check it out!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

First Book of 2021

My first read of the year was Karen M. McManus' novel, The Cousins. Yep, I went with a YA story and I have to say I'm glad that I did.  The book was a fun, quick read that I devoured in one sitting. There was family drama, BIG revelations, imposters, and so much more. It was definitely a great book to get caught up in - I really enjoyed getting to know this trio of cousins who didn't know one another, or the grandmother who invited them to work for her.  Yep, talk about a close family. Turns out that a long time ago, grandma cut off all contact with her children and has never spoken to them since - that includes never knowing her own grandkids. How crazy is that? Especially, since no one has a clue as to why she would do such a thing. Or do they? Let's just say that the small town she lives in has plenty of ideas as to why she would do such a thing - yep, gossip is rife and it's definitely not pretty.  Anyhow, decades have passed and she is now wanting to meet her grandkids.  So, she's invited them for the summer.  Only thing is, when the three cousins arrive, they are greeting by a grandmother who had no clue they were coming for the summer. Hmm...seems that maybe grandma still doesn't want to talk to her family after all. So, the question begs, who invited them and why? And that is all I will write about this terrific story. 

Now, I'm off to start reading for the Japanese Literature Challenge 14. Yep, it's that time again - JLC14! Meredith from Dolce Bellezza is hosting her fantastic challenge once again and I am stoked. I'm hoping that this challenge will inspire me to read a lot. Last year I read, but nowhere near the amount that I normally read and lets just say that I was not happy with my lack of reading. So, this year I am throwing myself at all of the books piled around my office and I plan on reading, reading, and reading some more. And, the JLC14 is the perfect challenge to get me started on tackling my books. Especially, since Murakami has a new book coming out in a few months - talk about perfect timing! 

And now, I'm off to read Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami.  Let me know if you have any suggestions for books to read for the JLC14. Hope you all are well. Take care and happy reading!!

My current read...

Goodbye Tsugumi by Banana Yoshimoto

Loved this book to bits! Goodbye Tsugumi is now my FAVORITE story by Yoshimoto. It just really touched my heart and got me thinking about my own family, specifically  my cousins.  Growing up, my aunt from Texas would send her three oldest kids to our house for the summer. And when I say house, it was a duplex that barely fitted us all in it.  Yet, we all managed to squeeze in there and enjoy a summer full of pizza, walks to the park, junk food runs at the local shop, and horror movie binges.  I was a kid, so it was all fun times for me. Looking back, I have so many fond memories of those summers. I think those memories ensured my love for this book - this story just gave me all the feels and I really enjoyed it.

This is the story of Maria and Tsugumi.  Cousins who grew up together.  Maria and her mom lived at the inn that Tsugumi's family owned on the beach.  Her father was married, so Maria and her mom endured year of waiting for him to get divorced.  Eventually, the three of them are able to finally live as a family unit, so they move to Tokyo to be together. Leaving behind the inn is hard for Maria who finds herself missing the beach and looking for smells of the ocean as she traipses around Tokyo.  One day she receives a phone call from Tsugumi telling her that the inn is being sold.  Maria is shocked. She always imagined revisiting the inn again and again.  So, she decides to spend her summer at the inn - one last hurrah before its gone.

As we learn about Maria, we learn about her cousin Tsugumi.  A cousin that she is quite fond of and a bit weary of.  Tsugumi was born sick and the doctors told her parents that she would die young.  Growing up alongside Tsugumi, Maria witnessed firsthand the constant battle with fevers and pains that her cousin endured.  She also witnessed the cruel behavior that Tsugumi became known for.  Being sick and knowing that death could come at any time, Tsugumi was not a nice person.  She was unhappy, therefore she made everyone else unhappy. She would throw out insults, steal your favorite treat, make you cry, and remind you that she was the one dying so you had no reason to complain.  She was the worst. She was also strong, smart, funny, and determined.  Tsugumi lived with her illness daily and yet she would push through it to live her life as best she could.  The two cousins grew close after an incident referred to as the Haunted Mailbox.  From that point on, the two seemed to connect even more so than before.  And now, Maria would be spending another summer at the inn with Tsugumi.

Happy to be back at the place she once called home, Maria quickly settles into life at the inn.  The summer moves along nicely - walks on the beach, seafood galore, and quality time with her family.  The girls meet a boy on the beach - his family is opening a huge hotel on the beach that is driving the locals crazy.  Tsugumi and this boy fall in love.  Life is good.  Maria is happy to see her cousin so content.  Things seem to be moving along swimmingly and then...DRAMA.  Yep, drama comes in the form of a dog-napping, a very deep hole, and a close call with death.  Maria sees Tsugumi in all her colors and gets to know her even more so during that last summer at the inn.  She sees her cousin be ill and endure so much pain.  She sees her cousin battle death.  She sees her cousin's resilience.  And, she finally learns about her cousin's take on life in the form of a letter - Tsugumi thought the end was near so she penned Maria a letter.  Its magical, sad, and just lovely to read all about.  I enjoyed it so much.

Yoshimoto has created a pair of cousins that I couldn't help but fall in love with. Their dynamic was such fun to read about.  She's written a story that not only explores family, but also looks at love, death, and illness. And she writes about it all with such depth and authenticity.  You can taste the sea air and feel the sand between your toes.  You can hear the chatter between cousins as they watch their favorite TV show.  You can feel Tsugumi's hand burning with fever.  You can hear the yapping of the dog as he runs around in circles. And you can see the love between all of these characters as they fight, yell, apologize, and accept one another.  Its truly such a treat to experience.

Goodbye Tsugumi is a quiet and emotional story that will just melt your heart.  It will draw you in and keep you hooked.  I would happily recommend it to everyone. 

My Current Read...

I was looking for a new-to-me author for the JLC12 and found this on my kindle. I had requested it from NetGalley and was lucky enough to get approved. I've just started and I'm already hooked. Here's to good reads!

What about you? What are you reading? Anything you want to recommend - please, do.  And, let me know if you've already read this one - how was it?

Happy reading!!

The Tale of the House of Physics by Yoko Ogawa and translated by Ted Goossen

For my next JLC12 read, I went with my favorite - Yoko Ogawa. Her short story, The Tale of the House of Physics was selected for The Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories edited by Jay Rubin. As soon as I saw her name included, I just knew that I was going to be in for a treat. I LOVE all of her work that I've read and am currently counting down the days until I can read her latest book, The Memory Police.  I was thrilled to get a taste of her writing with this short story - its only made me even more excited to read her new book.

The Tale of the House of Physics is a quiet story. Its slow-paced, aches with emotion, and leaves you wanting. Or at least that is how I felt. I couldn't help but get swept away into this tale of a retired book editor recalling the very first book he ever edited.  He's written down a list of the books he has edited throughout his career and thinks back to his first one.  He was a child.  Across the street lived a woman who no one liked.  She lived in an abandoned building that had once house a facility researching particle physics.  No one knew how she came to be there, she was just there.  She didn't talk to anyone and would walk on the edge of the sidewalk.  The children loved to play at the House of Physics.  They would play in the garden and sit out on the front porch.  They weren't afraid of the woman in the house.  In fact, they would listen to her speak about being a writer. You see, she would talk to them, but she would never look any of them in the eye. And she would tell them about being a novelist and how she had written many books. When the children asked for proof, she told them that her books had been burned in the war.  She had nothing left to show them.  The children laughed and didn't believe a word she said.  They continued to play in the garden and even buried a dead weasel they found one time. One day our narrator notices something slightly off about the House of Physics.  He walks over and looks around. He enters the house and finds the woman covered up in a bed in the middle of the front room. She is sick. He runs to get help.  She slowly gets better and he winds up spending time with her.  As he sits next to her, he hears her mumbling.  It finally hits him that she is mumbling a story.  So he writes it all down. He binds the copy he writes and leaves it for her.  And then one day, she is gone. The house is empty and no one knows what happened to her.  Our narrator is left with his memory of the woman, her story, and the House of Physics.

That's the story in a nutshell. There are details I left out, so you can definitely experience it all for yourself when you get the chance to read it. And let me say, you should most definitely read it. I absolutely LOVED it. I loved getting to know this character as he reflected on his career and the House of Physics.  Ogawa captured a feeling of nostalgia, authenticity, and innocence.  She wrote about him with such clarity and emotion - it was superb. I loved reading about his perspective of the woman in the House of Physics.  It made me think about so many things: how strangers can have an impact on your life sometimes; how relationships can develop out of nowhere; how people have histories we are not aware of; and how stories truly are magical. Plus, the simple and elegant style of the story provides such a rich depth to it. Its truly a treat to read.

I would definitely recommend The Tale of the House of Physics to fans of Ogawa and anyone looking for their next great read - especially, if you love short stories.

And now, I'm off to figure out which book to read next. Yoshimoto or Murakami? Perhaps, I should read something by a new-to-me author. Hmm...what do you recommend?

Happy reading!!

A Short Story by Murakami

I just finished reading a new short story by Murakami that was published in the New Yorker - Cream.  Its my second read for the JLC12. My next read will be a short story by Yoko Ogawa that I am so looking forward to. Anyhow, Cream was definitely a typical Murakami story. There was a sense of loneliness, mystery, and the unknown. It left me feeling confused, delighted, and full of questions.

In the story, an older man is telling his young friend about something that happened when he was eighteen.  A memory that haunts him still.  He recounts the time he was invited to a piano recital by a girl who was not his friend.  An invitation from someone he barely knew.  Strange yes, but nonetheless, he decided to go.  So, he traveled to the destination on the map that was provided with the invitation.  Once he got there he realized that the building was empty - in fact, it was locked up and looked as if no one had been there in ages.  Confused and unsure what to do, he knocked and knocked.  No one answered.  He walked away with the intention of heading home.  Finding a bench nearby, he stopped.  There was a small park he hadn't noticed before.  Thinking about what had just happened to him, he found he couldn't breathe, so he bent over and tried to relax in hopes that this panic would soon fade.  Eventually he came to realize that he was no longer alone in the park. An old man was sitting across from him.  The man stared at him and never spoke to ask if he was alright. Instead, out of nowhere, the old man made a comment about a circle - a puzzle.  Confused, he told the old man that he didn't understand.  The old man went on to talk about the circle and cream. Unsure what the old man meant, he tried to figure out this puzzle about the circle to no avail.  He even closed his eyes in concentration and when he opened them he found the old man had vanished.  Looking around, he decided it was time to go home.  Over the years (even now) whenever something inexplicable happened to him he would find himself thinking about the circle.  His young friend asked what the point of the story was and if he ever did figure out the circle puzzle. He told him the point was that odd things happened without explanation and all you could do was not think about them and move on.  He never figured out the circle puzzle, but he did have his own personal ideas about what it could mean.

And that is the story. I didn't give it all away so you can still enjoy it over at the New Yorker - Cream. I did give you plenty to help you get the gist of it all. What do you think? Its odd and has no closure, eh? Definitely a strange tale by Murakami. I found myself thinking about the circle and this notion of cream long after I finished reading. I thought about the young man turning up to an abandoned building and wondering about the invitation he had received. I thought about the point of sharing this memory from his past with his young friend. I thought about how he tried to figure out the circle puzzle over the years. And I thought about what made Murakami write this short story. So many thoughts floating around in my head about such a short tale. Like I said, it was typical Murakami.

Let me know if you read Cream and what you thought of it. Maybe you can give me some ideas as to what it was all about. I'm off to read Yoko Ogawa's short story now. I meant to read it yesterday, but read the Murakami one instead. I'm thinking that was smart of me, because now I know that I will be diving into something vastly different to Murakami and equally superior (if not more so).  Happy reading!!

Convenience Store Woman: A Novel by Sayaka Murata

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from NetGalley)

The English-language debut of one of Japan’s most talented contemporary writers, selling over 650,000 copies there,Convenience Store Woman is the heartwarming and surprising story of thirty-six-year-old Tokyo resident Keiko Furukura. Keiko has never fit in, neither in her family, nor in school, but when at the age of eighteen she begins working at the Hiiromachi branch of “Smile Mart,” she finds peace and purpose in her life. In the store, unlike anywhere else, she understands the rules of social interaction—many are laid out line by line in the store’s manual—and she does her best to copy the dress, mannerisms, and speech of her colleagues, playing the part of a “normal” person excellently, more or less. Managers come and go, but Keiko stays at the store for eighteen years. It’s almost hard to tell where the store ends and she begins. Keiko is very happy, but the people close to her, from her family to her coworkers, increasingly pressure her to find a husband, and to start a proper career, prompting her to take desperate action…

A brilliant depiction of an unusual psyche and a world hidden from view,Convenience Store Woman is an ironic and sharp-eyed look at contemporary work culture and the pressures to conform, as well as a charming and completely fresh portrait of an unforgettable heroine.

my thoughts:

My first book for the JLC12 is Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata.  I was provided with an ARC of this one last year, but wasn't too sure I wanted to read it. For some reason it just didn't appeal to me at the time. However, after reading some positive posts about it and learning that the JLC would be continuing this year I figured I would give it a go. So, I picked up my Kindle and dove right in.  And let me just say - Hurrah! I'm so happy I read Murata's story - it was fantastic!

CSW is a quirky tale about a woman named Keiko.  She's thirty-six and works at the same convenience store she started working at when she was eighteen.  She has no real friends, significant others, and is not particularly close to her family.  In fact, the only time Keiko shows any real emotional attachment is when she is talking about or thinking about or working at the convenience store.  That place gives her life - I'm serious.

As a child, Keiko was the oddball.  She was the kid no one wanted around.  Why? Well, it could be due to her "strange" behavior.  One time, two boys were fighting and everyone was screaming for them to stop.  So, what did Keiko do? She ran and grabbed a spade from the tool shed and whacked one of the boys over the head with it. Her explanation was that she helping to stop them from fighting.  Or, what about the time she pulled down her teacher's clothes.  The teacher was crying and carrying on and everyone was begging her to stop.  So, Keiko remembering something she saw on TV, decided to try it on the teacher - she pulled down the teacher's clothes to quiet her.  Yep, two incidents of "strange" behavior that had everyone worried about Keiko.  Her parents sent her to therapy, they showered her with love, and her little sister followed her around.  As for Keiko, she just didn't understand what all the fuss was about.  In her mind, she was fine.  In everyone else's minds, they couldn't understand why she acted this way - why couldn't she just be "normal?"

Eighteen years have passed and Keiko is still working at the same convenience store she got hired at when she was eighteen.  Her life consists of a routine she has fine-tuned over the years.  She works part-time, visits with "friends" on her days off, and phones her family.  Nothing has truly changed for Keiko, except she is getting older. And that means that people are once again starting to wonder about her.  They are starting to ask questions - why do you still work at a convenience store; who are you dating; why aren't you married?  And, Keiko's stock answers/phrases to these questions no longer seem to apply or suffice.  Her "friends" are starting to look at Keiko like she is someone they don't want to talk to anymore.  And her family is tired of hearing the same muted responses from their daughter/sister.  No one seems happy about/for Keiko.  As for Keiko herself, she is good. Her work brings her peace.  At the convenience store she has her role to play and she enjoys it - she wears her uniform, repeats the same phrases of greeting to her customers, knows her job inside out, and behaves in the same manner day in and day out. She likes the uniformity of her job, because she is able to wear it well and finally "fit in" somewhere. Its like a mask she puts on and it has molded to her face to the point she no longer knows herself outside of the store - she even dreams in convenience store colors.

And then, everything changes the day she meets a guy at work.  He's the newbie that has to be trained.  Except all he does is complain, criticize, refuse to actually work, and come in late.  He winds up getting fired.  Oh, and did I mention that he stalked female customers? Yeah, the guy was a total creep.  So, when Keiko runs into him outside the store and takes him to a coffee shop, I kind of figured that life was about to change for her. Lets just say it changed in some pretty major ways, but then it didn't.  In the end, Keiko was left exactly where she belonged. And that is all I will write about this gem of a story.

Murata has created a wonderful character in Keiko.  She is a woman who is true to herself in so many ways. She does try at times to "fit in", but in the end, she knows who she is.  I found myself warming up to Keiko at times - I could relate to not fitting in (who can't, right?).  I just couldn't relate to some of her quirks - like when she thinks about quieting her crying nephew by stabbing him with a small knife. Yeah, sometimes, she was a bit too odd for my tastes. Overall though, I agreed with her when she pondered over the idea of how people accepted her when she fit into their idea of what constituted as normal - having a deadbeat boyfriend is normal, but being alone is not?  What the hell? Seems like Keiko was living her life - working, living in her own apartment, and socializing on the weekends.  What more could she be doing right? Well according to society, she could be married, having kids, working at a better job, living in a better apartment, having more friends, etc..  Except, Keiko didn't want any of that. She was fine with her life.  She was good with it. So, what was society's problem? She wasn't hurting anyone - why did they care so much to question her choices? And that is the point.  To conform or not to conform - oh, the problems that question will bring.  I love Murata's exploration of conformity in modern day Japan - it was truly a treat to read.

Talk about a new favorite. I just loved this book to bits! I can't wait to read more of Murata's work - I read that its finally being translated into English (she has ten books under her belt!).  And, I also learned that she still works part-time in a convenience store. Yep, her job as a CSW is what inspired her to write this story - how cool is that?!

And now, I'm off to peruse through The Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories. I noticed one by Yoko Ogawa in there and I have to read it ASAP. She is one of my favorite writers and I am jonesing for her latest book, The Memory Police. I've already pre-ordered it and am counting down the days until I get my copy.

Happy reading!!

Japanese Literature Challenge 12 (JLC12)

A new year means new reading challenges.  To kick off 2019, I am participating in the JLC12 - Japanese Literature Challenge 12.  Yep, its the 12th year that my dear friend, Meredith, has hosted this wonderful challenge and I am so excited. From January to March, all you have to do is read one (1) book of Japanese Literature.  That's all. How easy is that? And, how fun? If you want any more information, or want to find out who else is participating then head on over to Meredith's book blog, Dolce Bellezza. 

Now I need to figure out which books I want to read. Ever since I re-read Murakami's novel, Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimmage, I've been itching to read (and re-read) more of his work, along with some other Japanese writers. I was thinking Yoshimoto - I have several of her books waiting to be read.  I do wish the new Yoko Ogawa book was already out - that would be at the top of my list. Hmm...I need to find more new-to-me Japanese authors. Until then, these are the books I was thinking about reading for the JLC12:

What do you think of my choices? Not bad, eh? Or, do you have any recommendations for me? Let me know, I would definitely appreciate it.
And now, I'm off to start reading for the JLC12.  Happy reading to you, too!!

Currently reading...

I've been sick with the flu these past few weeks, so reading has been my medicine.  Luckily, the new Murakami came out recently, so I've been reading that.  And let me just say, this story is AMAZING.  Its typical Murakami and I am loving the familiarity of that fact.  The way he blends the real and unreal is sublime.  I am taking my sweet time with this story and loving every minute I spend with it.

What about you? What are you reading? Let me know, I'm compiling a list of books to read.

Well, I'm off to pick up where I last left the Commendatore.  Happy reading!!

Inheritance From Mother: A Novel by Minae Mizumura

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:(OUT TODAY!!)

Award-winning novelist Minae Mizumura demystifies the notion of the selfless Japanese mother and the adult daughter who’s honor-bound to care for her.

Mitsuki Katsura, a Japanese woman in her mid-fifties, is a French language instructor at a private university in Tokyo. Her husband, whom she met in Paris, where he ardently wooed her, is a professor at a different private university. He is having an affair with a much younger woman.

In addition to her husband’s infidelity, Mitsuki must deal with her ailing eighty-something mother, a demanding, self-absorbed woman who is nothing like the idealized image of the patient, self-sacrificing Japanese matriarch. Mitsuki finds herself guiltily dreaming of the day when her mother will finally pass on. Though doing everything she can to ensure her mother’s happiness, she grows weary of the responsibility of being a doting daughter and worries she is sacrificing her chance to find fulfillment in her middle age.

The Inheritance from Mother not only offers insight into a complex and paradoxical culture, but is also a profound work about mothers and daughters, marriage, old age, and the resilient spirit of women.

my thoughts:

Minae Mizumura's stories are the cat's meow! They are seriously becoming my new favorite books.  I just LOVED A True Novel which is described as a "retelling" of Wuthering Heights (a book that I also happen to LOVE).  Her writing is simply excellent.  Its intelligent, creative, and unputdownable.  So, of course I could not wait for her next book to come out.  I just knew that I would be in for quite a treat.  Luckily, I was able to get an early copy from my favorite publishing house - Other Press (thank you!!). 

I grabbed my copy of Inheritance From Mother and a huge cuppa, then I settled down for what I knew would be a truly great story.  I read late into the night and early morning, savoring every word and enjoying every scene.  I could not stop reading.  I read and read until I turned the very last page.  And then I couldn't stop thinking about what I had just read.  It was, simply put, literature at it finest.  I kept thinking that this is a book that reminds people why they love to read - seriously, it is that kind of book and I LOVED it.

So, what's to love:

1.  The story is actually not new.  Mizumura wrote Inheritance From Mother in serialized form for the popular newspaper, Yomiuri Shimbun, in Japan around 2010-2011.  And it was a HUGE HIT! How cool is that?!  I swear, I need to learn to read Japanese, so that I don't have to wait for translations anymore.

2.  The book's cover.  Green is my favorite color, so I was immediately drawn to the book.  And yes, I am one of those bookworms who chooses a book by its cover - I can't help myself!

3.  The story.  A daughter's handling of her aging, invalid mother; whilst figuring out how to deal with her husband's recent infidelity.  The book opens with the death of Mitsuki's mother, Noriko.  Mitsuki and her sister, Natsuki, are trying to figure out how much money they will inherit now that their mother has finally passed away.  They have been waiting her death out and are finally able to breath a sigh of relief.  Sounds harsh, eh? Well, it is and it isn't.  Apparently Noriko was no walk in the park - she was difficult, overbearing and just too much to handle at times. The sisters have put their lives on hold to take care of their mother - actually, Mitsuki has done this (Natsuki is too fragile to deal with the care-giving responsibilities).  So, it is Mitsuki's story that we read about...her childhood, her family, and her life. We also learn about Noriko and come to understand why she was the way she was - sometimes mean people are created not born.  We also learn about Mitsuki's marriage and the ways in which she has dealt with her husband's dalliances before.  She's in her fifties now, so things are much different.  She must figure out how to survive on her own, if she decides to end her marriage - a thought that both terrifies her and excites her.  The second half of the story deals with the aftermath of Noriko's death.  Mitsuki goes away to recuperate from her mother's passing.  She winds up at a hotel she had gone to before with her mother.  She finds comfort in the familiarity of it.  She also winds up meeting some pretty interesting folks while she's staying there, which make for some entertaining encounters.  And once she's finally able to be away from everything, she is finally able to come to grips with planning out her future.  I absolutely loved getting to know Mitsuki and her story - it was truly an interesting and unforgettable experience. 

4.  The writing. Mizumura is a talent.  Her writing is top notch and clearly demonstrates her storytelling prowess.  The way she writes about Japan and Japanese culture is truly fascinating - you can't help but feel as if you are in Japan, breathing in the air, tasting the food, wandering around the streets, and simply taking it all in.  I just loved it!  You find yourself immersed in this rich culture that is steeped in tradition and history.  Oh, and the characters are terrific - they are flawed, realistic, and relatable.  Mizumura's writing truly captures their struggles and brings such depth to their story.  She is able to express the frustration, difficulties, and realities of what it is to grow old, take care of your elderly parents, and worry about your future - real life topics that concern us all - with such honesty and realism.  Her writing is just excellent!

There is so much more I could write about this amazing book, but I won't.  You need to experience it for your self, because Minae Mizumura is a writing force to be a reckoned with.  Her stories are MUST-READS!  They are Japanese Literature at its best!  I am serious.  She is now in my top three of my favorite Japanese authors (Haruki Murakami and Yoko Ogawa are the other two).  Definitely check out Inheritance From Mother and A True Novel - you will LOVE them both!

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

Currently reading...

I was in a bit of a reading bind - nothing was calling out to me.  And then, Murakami finally did.  Yep, his book just stared me in the face until I finally picked it up.  I don't know why I was hesitant.  I love Murakami and have devoured every book of his that I have ever read.  I love his writing that always seems to involve the strange and magical nature of people and life.  So, I was definitely prepared for what I would find within Hard-Boiled's pages...or so I thought.  Yeah, this book is weird and I honestly don't know where he is going with it, yet.  It feels like two totally different stories being told at the same time. In Hard-Boiled Wonderland we meet a Calcutec who has just met a scientist who can remove sound - how crazy is that?  And, in The End of the World, we have met someone who has just come to the Town, a place where he must give up his shadow and read Old Dreams.  Oh, and did I mention the unicorns?  Yep, there are unicorns!  How cool is that? I'm pretty sure that is the connection to both stories - plus, I think the Calcutec and the new guy in the Town are one and the same.  I have so many thoughts on this book right now - I can't wait to find out if I'm right about any.  Talk about a mesmerizing read! 

And now, I'm off to continue reading Hard-Boiled Wonderland and The End of the World. 

Gone Reading!

Look what I got for my birthday:

Hurrah!!  You can't go wrong with Murakami. Plus, the book was released on my birthday yesterday- talk about meant to be!  Looks like I will finally be able to read the Trilogy of the Rat in its entirety -  I can't wait! And now, I'm off to get lost in Murakami's words. Happy reading!!

Murakami for my Birthday...

Look what comes out on my birthday this year - HURRAH!!

How awesome is that? I've never read the Trilogy of the Rat, so I'm super stoked to get started later this year when the books come out: August 4th!!  I just love that both Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973 will be together in this new edition by Knopf.  I already own copies of both A Wild Sheep Chase and Dance Dance Dance, so I'm set to read all four books in the Trilogy of the Rat (which is really a quartet, since there are four books - the last one being the epilogue).  Anyhow, I'm over the moon that these new-to-me Murakami stories will be released on my birthday - talk about a great present!  I can't wait to settle in to my favorite reading spot and get lost in Murakami's words and world.   Pretty cool, eh?

What about you?  Are you excited that Murakami's first two books will finally be released here in the US?  Apparently, they were translated into English, but he was against a wide distribution of them, so they were limited in release.  He wasn't a huge fan of his early work and didn't want anyone to read it (or so I've heard according to Murakami folklore.)  Either way, I'm just happy to finally be getting my hands on the two stories - woo hoo!  Have you read these books?  Are they vintage Murakami?  And, why is it referred to as the Trilogy of the Rat?

I'm off to finish reading Marty Wingate's latest book, The Rhyme of the Magpie and continue reading The Mapmaker's Children by Sarah McCoy.  Happy reading!!

Japanese Literature Challenge 8 is here!

JLC8 is in full swing and I am ready to partake in the festivities.  Finally!  I can't believe that I haven't posted sooner about this wonderful annual event - especially since it is one of my all-time favorite reading challenges!  How could it not be, when it is a reading challenge dedicated to Japanese literature?!  And you know I love me some Murakami, Ogawa, and Yoshimoto - big time!  So, of course I am excited to dive right in and start a new TBR pile of all of the books I want to read for this challenge (the new Murakami will most definitely be included).  I'm really hoping to find some new-to-me authors to read.  Luckily, Dolce Bellezza (creator of JLC) has decided to highlight a specific author for each month of the challenge - how perfect is that?  Plus, there will be giveaways and read-alongs throughout the rest of the year - JCL8 runs from June 2014 thru January 2015.  How fun is that!?!  I know I'm excited.  I've actually just finished reading The Lake by Banana Yoshimoto (talk about perfect timing!) and have started Murakami's book, Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman - so, I think I'm off to a pretty great start.  And now, I'm off to finish reading An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear - its the last book in the Maisie Dobbs series that I need to read.  Happy reading!

June: Kaikō Takeshi (a prominent post WWII writer who won the Akutagawa prize in 1957)

July: Ryunosuke Akutagawa (known as the father of the Japanese short story)

August: Keigo Higashino (known primarily for his mystery novels; Naoko was one of my favorite books last year)

September: Haruki Murakami (a contemporary Japanese writer whose books have been translated in 50 languages and sold in the millions)

October: Yukio Mishima ( a 20th century writer nominated three times for the Nobel prize)

November: Yasunari Kawabata (first Japanese author to win the Nobel prize "for his narrative mastery, which with great sensibility expresses the essence of the Japanese mind". Nobel prize 

December: Natsume Sōseki (a novelist of the Meiji period (September 1868 through July 1912) whose writing has had a profound impact on almost all Japanese writers)

January: Banana Yoshimoto (a writer who claims that her two themes are "the exhaustion of young Japanese in contemporary Japan" and "the way in which terrible experiences shape a person's life.")

- See more at: http://www.dolcebellezza.net/2014/05/japanese-literature-challenge-8.html#sthash.YICBiPVf.dpuf

June: Kaikō Takeshi (a prominent post WWII writer who won the Akutagawa prize in 1957)

July: Ryunosuke Akutagawa (known as the father of the Japanese short story)

August: Keigo Higashino (known primarily for his mystery novels; Naoko was one of my favorite books last year)

September: Haruki Murakami (a contemporary Japanese writer whose books have been translated in 50 languages and sold in the millions)

October: Yukio Mishima ( a 20th century writer nominated three times for the Nobel prize)

November: Yasunari Kawabata (first Japanese author to win the Nobel prize "for his narrative mastery, which with great sensibility expresses the essence of the Japanese mind". Nobel prize 

December: Natsume Sōseki (a novelist of the Meiji period (September 1868 through July 1912) whose writing has had a profound impact on almost all Japanese writers)

January: Banana Yoshimoto (a writer who claims that her two themes are "the exhaustion of young Japanese in contemporary Japan" and "the way in which terrible experiences shape a person's life.")

- See more at: http://www.dolcebellezza.net/2014/05/japanese-literature-challenge-8.html#sthash.YICBiPVf.dpuf

June: Kaikō Takeshi (a prominent post WWII writer who won the Akutagawa prize in 1957)

July: Ryunosuke Akutagawa (known as the father of the Japanese short story)

August: Keigo Higashino (known primarily for his mystery novels; Naoko was one of my favorite books last year)

September: Haruki Murakami (a contemporary Japanese writer whose books have been translated in 50 languages and sold in the millions)

October: Yukio Mishima ( a 20th century writer nominated three times for the Nobel prize)

November: Yasunari Kawabata (first Japanese author to win the Nobel prize "for his narrative mastery, which with great sensibility expresses the essence of the Japanese mind". Nobel prize 

December: Natsume Sōseki (a novelist of the Meiji period (September 1868 through July 1912) whose writing has had a profound impact on almost all Japanese writers)

January: Banana Yoshimoto (a writer who claims that her two themes are "the exhaustion of young Japanese in contemporary Japan" and "the way in which terrible experiences shape a person's life.")

- See more at: http://www.dolcebellezza.net/2014/05/japanese-literature-challenge-8.html#sthash.YICBiPVf.dpuf