#japanesefiction

[thegirlbythefirelight]

To go back to Murakami after what seems like ages (it has been- last year somehow I missed reading any of his books 🫣) is to go back to life. 24 short stories, what our writer calls sprints, written in between his novels, (you guessed it right-marathons) are perfect for anyone who wants to sample his style. On offer are- crows that know the difference between cakes, a one-legged surfer, a couple who take off to Greece on a whim, unexplained disappearances and cats, of course they are Mhrakami's mysterious cats. This was my fifth by him and the one that left me most disappointed. Apart from 3-4 stories, the rest were less nuanced than what I had expected. Short stories lack the room to flesh out their characters, mostly, & someone who prefers character-driven tales vis a vis plot-driven narratives, the commitment they demand and offer is inadequate. Also, I felt at sea with some stories- neither I could understand their meaning nor the metaphor behind them, if any. But. Great if you want bite-sized Murakami morsels. Also great if time is at a premium (when isn't it?). My favourite - If you liked this read: For #magicrealism: •Kafka On The Shore- predictably the better Murakami to start with. •The Invisible Life Of Addie Larue •The Night Circus •The Master & The Margarita • Beloved •Midnight's Children For #Japaneseliterature: •When the Emperor Was Divine •Never Let Me Go •Before The Coffee Gets Cold •The Easy Life In Kamusari #shortstoriescollection #harukimurakami #blindwillowsleepingwoman #japanesefiction #contemporarybooks #fantasyfiction #asianliterature #delhireader #delhibookstagrammer #delhibookstafam #2023readingchallenge #januaryreads #murakamiharuki #murakamibooks #bookaesthetic #indianreaders #indianbookstagram #bookstagramindia #kindleflatlay #booksandtea #winterreads #mybookfeatures #readerslife #alwaysreading #bookdragon #bookishthoughts #alwayswithabook #readingchallenge2023 (at India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoEWLOirrKz/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#magicrealism #japaneseliterature #shortstoriescollection #harukimurakami #blindwillowsleepingwoman #japanesefiction #contemporarybooks #fantasyfiction #asianliterature #delhireader #delhibookstagrammer #delhibookstafam #2023readingchallenge #januaryreads #murakamiharuki #murakamibooks #bookaesthetic #indianreaders #indianbookstagram #bookstagramindia #kindleflatlay #booksandtea #winterreads #mybookfeatures #readerslife #alwaysreading #bookdragon #bookishthoughts #alwayswithabook #readingchallenge2023

[ktienh]

Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi -a review

Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi -a review

Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi The third novel in the international bestselling Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, following four new customers in a cafe where customers can travel back in time.In northern Japan, overlooking the spectacular view Hakodate Port has to offer, Cafe Donna Donna has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee…

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#BeforeTheCoffeeGetsCold #BeforeYour MemoryFades #japan #japanesefiction #japaneseliterature #japanlit #shortstories #shortstory #timetravel

[fredhandbag]

Bullett Train by Kotara Isaka was released in 2010 in Japan. I wanted to read it before the movie came out. So it’s my read for #chikfilatuesday So far it feels like Janet Evanovich and Dave Barry collaborated on a Japanese action thriller. Characters are over-the-top 😜 Do you like to read the book first? Or see the movie? #bullettrainbook #kotaraisaka #cfabushriverrd #readatlunch #japanesefiction #translatedbooks #bookstagram #bookshelves #booknerd #readinglife #bookwormlife #sodacityreads #bookworm #suspensebook #bookhaul #literarycrimefiction #homelibrary #thrillerbooks #domesticthriller #crimefiction #thriller #characterdrivenbooks #mysterythriller #bookrecs (at Chick-fil-A) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgwy0MOry7K/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#chikfilatuesday #bullettrainbook #kotaraisaka #cfabushriverrd #readatlunch #japanesefiction #translatedbooks #bookstagram #bookshelves #booknerd #readinglife #bookwormlife #sodacityreads #bookworm #suspensebook #bookhaul #literarycrimefiction #homelibrary #thrillerbooks #domesticthriller #crimefiction #thriller #characterdrivenbooks #mysterythriller #bookrecs

[missmusiclove]

“Her palm was being sucked right into the mirror. The surface was soft, as if she were pushing against water. She was being dragged to the other side of the mirror.” ✨🪞✨ Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura is a gorgeously written magical realism novel about friendship, family and school. Following the perspective of Kokoro, we meet six other students who are struggling to go to school, all of whom meet at a mysterious castle which is only accessible via their mirrors. The students are told that they get a year in the castle to find a key, and that the key grants one wish. This novel was absolutely incredible. The way that bullying and mental health were discussed throughout the novel was done sensitively, and I adored the way that these students came together and found both courage and strength from their friendships. The novel is very character driven, which I very much loved. It was interesting watching the way the differing personalities of the students played out, both as a group and as individuals. The magical realism aspect of this book was done beautifully, but I wish we had a little bit more of an explanation of how it actually worked. Overall, a beautifully crafted novel that I won’t soon forget. ✨🪞✨ Lonely Castle in the Mirror is book 68 for 2022. #bookstragram #books #booksofinstagram #booklover #bookphoto #reading #aussieswhoread #avidreader #bookwhore #aussiereader #bookdragon #reader #readersofig #booksofig #bookcommunity #bookish #bibliophile #readersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #booklife #bookaddict #girlswhoread #readinggoals2022 #auskiwibooksta #bookquote #lonelycastleinthemirror #mizukitsujimura #translaterfiction #japanesefiction #magicalrealism https://www.instagram.com/p/CjNnDMmLFwW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#bookstragram #books #booksofinstagram #booklover #bookphoto #reading #aussieswhoread #avidreader #bookwhore #aussiereader #bookdragon #reader #readersofig #booksofig #bookcommunity #bookish #bibliophile #readersofinstagram #bookstagrammer #booklife #bookaddict #girlswhoread #readinggoals2022 #auskiwibooksta #bookquote #lonelycastleinthemirror #mizukitsujimura #translaterfiction #japanesefiction #magicalrealism

[bahhumpug]

Admiring my new Vintage Classic Japanese Series books. I've only read Out, but that was forever ago so I'm definitely due for a reread. * #funaekreads #funaekbooks #instabooks #instareads #igreads #vintageclassics #vintageclassicsjapaneseseries #japanesefiction #japaneseauthors #pugsandbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/B5drNW0g6c5/?igshid=fqwqbkhuzvm4

#funaekreads #funaekbooks #instabooks #instareads #igreads #vintageclassics #vintageclassicsjapaneseseries #japanesefiction #japaneseauthors #pugsandbooks

[read-run-knit-drink]

Rainy Sunday morning. . #catsofinstagram #knittersofinstagram #readersofinstagram #catlapped #flaxsweater #japanesefiction https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu1OAs3DjL9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=b2v5s9bl9yva

#catsofinstagram #knittersofinstagram #readersofinstagram #catlapped #flaxsweater #japanesefiction

[bibliobethblog]

The Memory Police is a work of translated fiction which was also shortlisted for the International Booker Prize. I’ve been eager to get to this novel for some time in a bid to read more translated works and generally, it didn’t disappoint but I didn’t love it as much as I expected to. ⁣ ⁣ This is a story set on an unnamed island and rather dystopian in its outlook. Objects have been disappearing for some time and at first, the objects are small i.e. buttons, roses until things become more serious. Our female lead is an author whose mother was a sculptor and one of the few inhabitants in the island who remembered objects after they disappeared. ⁣ ⁣ The Memory Police are responsible for enforcing the laws around contraband possessions and they encourage residents to burn or destroy items which are due to disappear. They don’t take too kindly to the people who do remember and if they find out that they do, they too disappear. Our protagonist finds that her editor is in danger she is determined to stow him away under her house, protecting him and learning herself from him about the mysterious forgotten objects.⁣ ⁣ This is such an innovative idea for a novel and I was fascinated by the objects that disappeared and what effect this had on the people in the town, especially as the objects became more important - for example, how would you feel if you lost your left leg? ⁣ ⁣ Generally, I really did enjoy this story for the above reasons but I believe it’s fair to say that I just wanted more. I would like to have seen the effect of the disappearing items or indeed, The Memory Police on other characters in the town. Additionally, I would have loved to have had more background on the history of the island and how it became to be this way. ⁣ ⁣ Saying that, it is a unique and interesting piece of writing and I’m glad that I read it. ⁣ ⁣ Three and a half stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 💫 ⁣ ⁣ #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookworm #booklover #bookreview #bookrecommendations #thememorypolice #yokoogawa #japanesefiction #asianliterature #bookerinternationalprize https://www.instagram.com/p/CVsEmLMrFUG/?utm_medium=tumblr

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookworm #booklover #bookreview #bookrecommendations #thememorypolice #yokoogawa #japanesefiction #asianliterature #bookerinternationalprize

[roodgeads]

this was the first murakami novel that i read and far from the last. murakami is an author in his own league, as much as i want to detest him. i’ve mentioned before that his oeuvre is problematic, and this isn’t an exception - but his prose is so detached, and his narrative so unique, that it’s impossible to drag yourself away. it’s borderline addictive. this is in my top 3, alongside the first book of IQ84 and norwegian wood. i don’t want to discuss the plot because it would detract from the surrealism. it’s a must read that you’ve got to decipher yourself. 4.5/5 ⭐️ #book #books #bookstagram #fiction #japanesefiction #harukimurakami #murakami #kafkaontheshore #contemporaryfiction https://www.instagram.com/p/CKZyi_mFCgm/?igshid=mzj1pxycrnbf

#book #books #bookstagram #fiction #japanesefiction #harukimurakami #murakami #kafkaontheshore #contemporaryfiction

[hross42877]

The most colourful collection of books I own! I don’t need any excuse to display my #assassinationclassroom collection! Have you read the series, watched the anime or film? ⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #bookpile #scottishbookstagrammer #scottishbookstagram #japanesebooks #japanesefiction #yuseimatsui #vizmedia #manga #japan #japanesebookstagram #bookstagram #manga #colourfulbooks #booklover #japanesemanga #igbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CHcvWNDg5u1/?igshid=1dpwfxyt0ua2c

#assassinationclassroom #bookpile #scottishbookstagrammer #scottishbookstagram #japanesebooks #japanesefiction #yuseimatsui #vizmedia #manga #japan #japanesebookstagram #bookstagram #colourfulbooks #booklover #japanesemanga #igbooks

[0nce-upon-a-tome]

I know Valentines is about celebrating romantic love. But some of the best kinds of emotions are ones that are formed between two friends or platonic partners in life, or even a human and an animal. The Travelling Cat Chronicles is such an enigmatically powerful tale of an unbreakable bond of love, respect, compassion, and friendship between two lost souls who found one another and helped to give each other such a beautiful existence through companionship. It should be read by all who are seeking comfort, albeit quite bittersweet, and those who are in search of something that isn’t about romance but the intimacy of a shared life. You will cry. You will smile. You will realise that the bonds that tie us are so much more than we ever could have imagined. 🌸 • • • • • #thetravellingcatchronicles #hiroarikawa #japaneseliterature #japanesefiction #diversebooks #ownvoices #ownvoicesbooks #weneeddiversebooks #bookrecommendations #contemporaryfiction #bookstagram #bookphoto #booktography #bibliophile #bookworm #booknerd #bookgeek #bookreview #bookish #bookobsessed #有川浩 #旅猫リポート　 https://www.instagram.com/p/B8iMS4WJYWR/?igshid=18k3q8jlieesw

#thetravellingcatchronicles #hiroarikawa #japaneseliterature #japanesefiction #diversebooks #ownvoices #ownvoicesbooks #weneeddiversebooks #bookrecommendations #contemporaryfiction #bookstagram #bookphoto #booktography #bibliophile #bookworm #booknerd #bookgeek #bookreview #bookish #bookobsessed #有川浩 #旅猫リポート

[verityreadsbooks]

Cheeky @foylesforbooks purchase the other day. Can’t wait to read it! #amreading #tbr #japanesefiction #translatedfiction https://www.instagram.com/p/BtnOTBFHnLe/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wc5vswaejv1t

#amreading #tbr #japanesefiction #translatedfiction

[motherfritters]

Mieko Kawakami ‘Breasts and Eggs’

What does beauty mean to you?

Why is being beautiful equated to moral high handed ness?

#japanesefiction #beauty #literature #academia #dark acadamia aesthetic #light academia

[taraadevlin]

The Graveyard Apartment by Mariko Koike (ft. my cat), a review. . I wanted to like this. I really did. It’s Japanese, it’s a haunted apartment, it’s all those things I love. But it was not great. The translation is probably to blame for many of my issues. It’s exceedingly verbose, it uses words I’ve never heard of nearly every chapter, and it uses weird sayings that might make sense in English but are very strange in a Japanese context. That aside, the story itself was so slow paced that often nothing was happening, and the ending wasn’t a cliffhanger... it just ended in the middle of a scene. It gets ☠️☠️ out of ☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️ for me. That extra skull is simply because it’s Japanese. Would not recommend unless you especially like Japan and a long building kind of dread that never goes anywhere and abruptly ends without giving any sort of ending whatsoever 😕 . . #horror #horrorbooks #japanesehorror #horrorreview #bookreview #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookish #bookreviewer #horrorauthor #horrorwriter #bookclub #bookaholic #bookworm #bookcommunity #booksofinstagram #japanesefiction #japanesebook https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq5CAUHlFqn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tj7mf1tlqfei

#horror #horrorbooks #japanesehorror #horrorreview #bookreview #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookish #bookreviewer #horrorauthor #horrorwriter #bookclub #bookaholic #bookworm #bookcommunity #booksofinstagram #japanesefiction #japanesebook

[bahhumpug]

Yay! I'm so excited to have The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa. I love books that have to do with memory & strange settings where strange things happen. I haven't read all of Ogawa's books yet, but I highly recommend her short story collection, Revenge. The stories & characters there are woven together which I always love to see in a short story collection. * #funaekreads #funaekbooks #instabooks #instareads #thememorypolice #yokoogawa #translatedfiction #translatedbook #japaneseauthor #japanesefiction #pugsandbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/B0_Q6phgfd2/?igshid=j978o4fbufnm

#funaekreads #funaekbooks #instabooks #instareads #thememorypolice #yokoogawa #translatedfiction #translatedbook #japaneseauthor #japanesefiction #pugsandbooks

[generallygothic]

'Coin Locker Babies' (1980) is authored by the weirder of the two famous Murakami's. In case that warning isn't clear enough, read the unexpected opening sentence of this revenge tale... It's comparatively rosey after that...for a minute at least. #generallygothic #gothic #gothichorror #gothicnovel #horrorfiction #coinlockerbabies #japanesefiction #japaneseliterature #ryumurakami #revenge #openingline #bookstagram #bookcover #bookworm #booklover #booknerd

#japanesefiction #booklover #gothicnovel #bookstagram #generallygothic #bookworm #gothic #openingline #ryumurakami #horrorfiction #bookcover #japaneseliterature #booknerd #coinlockerbabies #revenge #gothichorror

[bibliobethblog]

It’s Friday!! That means it’s time for another book haul 😂 and today I’ve got three fantastic paperbacks to show you. I can’t remember where I heard about The Exiles now but I know I was excited for it 🤔 Swan Song was bought so that I can read all the Women’s Prize longlisted books ever! Finally we have The Woman In The Purple Skirt which I’ve had on my radar for a little while and then my bestie @keeperofpages did a wonderful review on her page which just made me glad I had preordered it! 😂 As always, I’d love to know your thoughts on any of these books or authors. Let’s have a chat in the comments! Have a lovely weekend everyone 🤗😘 #bookstagram #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookhaul #bookobsessed #paperbackhaul #morebooksplease #toomanybookstoolittletime #theexiles #christinabakerkline #swansong #kelleighgreenbergjephcott #thewomaninthepurpleskirt #natsukoimamura #japanesefiction #womensprizelonglist #booksiwanttoread https://www.instagram.com/p/CQjYIz9r_A_/?utm_medium=tumblr

#bookstagram #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookhaul #bookobsessed #paperbackhaul #morebooksplease #toomanybookstoolittletime #theexiles #christinabakerkline #swansong #kelleighgreenbergjephcott #thewomaninthepurpleskirt #natsukoimamura #japanesefiction #womensprizelonglist #booksiwanttoread