A lot of new books were add to my bookshelves in December so I wanted to share a bit about those with you.

I got three books in translation Cockfight by María Fernanda Ampuero; translated by Frances Riddle; Vista Chinesa by Tatiana Salem Levy; translated by Alison Entrekin and Jawbone by Mónica Ojeda; translated by Sarah Booker.

Two crime books I received from publishers are The Hollow Tree by Phillip Miller and The City of the Living by Nicola Lagioia; translated by Ann Goldstein.

For creative inspiration I got Print Workshop by Christine Schmidt, The Creative Act by Rick Burn and Gel Plate Printing for Mixed Media Art by Robyn McClendon.

Finally two books which have been on my radar for a while are the bestsellers Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. I’ve heard such great things about both of these.

I’d love to hear if you’ve read any of these, and did you get any new books for Christmas or over the holidays?

Another wonderful way to start the year is by joining the Japanese Literature Challenge hosted by Dolce Bellezza. This challenge is now in it’s 17th year and runs through the end of February 2024.

I’ve enjoyed participating in this challenge over the years so I can’t wait to see which book(s) I discover this year. Whether it’s a mystery, classic or contemporary fiction, I do enjoy Japanese literature a lot. I would love to visit Japan one day but in the meantime, I’ll let the books take me there.

So here is the pile of possibilities:

At the End of the Matinee by Keiichiro Hiram; translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter
Fish Swimming in Dappled Sunlight by Riku Onda; translated by Alison Watts
The Inugami Curse by Seishi Yokomizo; translated by Yumiko Yamakazi
Where the Wild Ladies Are by Yoko Matsuda; translated by Polly Barton
There’s No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura; translated by Polly Barton

With the exception of Riku Onda, the other authors are all new to me. I hope to read at least two books for this challenge but all of these sound so good that I don’t know which one to start with. Do I go with a mystery or short stories? I’ll tell you which one I chose start with soon.

In the meantime, I am contemplating a few other challenges. Why is it that the new year, I always feel like I can conquer all? If you are thinking of a reading challenge and not sure where to start, check out this amazing list.

Anyway, I’d love to hear if you are participating in the Japanese Literature challenge or if you recommend any of the titles I listed. Or if you are participating in any other challenge let me know.