One reading challenge I’m very excited about this year is the Japanese Literature Challenge, now in it’s 16th year! Dolce Bellezza is once again hosting the challenge which runs through the end of February 2023. I’ve enjoyed participating in this challenge in the past and I’m excited to join in once again.
When I lived in Dallas I belonged to a book group where we read a lot of books in translation and I think that’s when I first discovered Japanese literature and have read quite a bit of contemporary novels since then but of course there’s always many more authors to discover. For this year’s reading challenge between the books on my shelves and those on my Kindle, I have quite the pile of possibilities. Here they are:
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle Haruki Murakami
Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri
Fish Swimming in Dappled Sunlight by Riku Onda
Spring Snow by Yukio Mishima
Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata
The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
My goal is to read at least two books for this challenge and I’ve actually just started one of these. Guess which one? The Travelling Cat Chronicles. I’m usually not a fan of stories from the viewpoint of an animal but this is delightful!
So tell me if you’ve read any of these and if there’s one you recommend or if there’s an author I must read. are you participating in this challenge?
I’ve only read one book from your list – Fish Swimming in Dappled Sunlight. Although it was an OK read to me, I find the story quite unique and unusual, which is a good thing. Hope you’ve fun with this challenge! 🙂
I haven’t read any of these, so I’m looking forward to your thoughts on them! Enjoy your reading!
The Travelling Cat Chronicles does sound like fun. Enjoy this one! 😀
Melody – I read her book the Asoawa Murders and thought it was so intriguing so I’m hoping I like this one as much but we’ll see! Thank you!
Robin – I hope you are enjoying your reads for this challenge too!
Lark – I’m so surprised at how much I’m enjoying this one but I get the feeling I’m going to be reaching for the tissues!
I have read all the books you listed but Fish Swimming in Dappled Sunlight; we will come together with that, hopefully, this year! I can wholeheartedly recommend each of the others you have, although, some are sad and some are strange. But, you probably knew that already! xo
The Travelling Cat Chronicles is wonderful, but you’ll need your tissues handy!!