Monday, July 21, 2008

Japanese Reading Challenge


I know....I know. But I couldn't help myself. Besides, I have to redeem myself from last year's pitiful performance!


Hosted by the beautiful Bellezza from Dolce Bellezza, the rules are easy. Read three books of your choice. They can be a novel, a work of poetry, a children's book, graphic novel, biography or autobiography.Read them between July 30, 2008 and January 30, 2009.

I was going to throw in a Graphic Novel or two, but decided against it. I FINALLY came up with a reading list, so here it goes:


Spring Snow by Yukio Mishima

After Dark by Haruki Murakami

Out by Natsuo Kirino

Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

I'd love to hear from you if you've read any of these !!

14 comments:

Bellezza said...

Stephanie, I'm so glad you're joining! I just sent you an invitation to post on the review site, and I'm adding you officially to the list of participants in the sidebar (www.japlitchallenge.blogspot.com).
Your list looks just wonderful. I finished After Dark recently, and I loved it (I think that had something to do with finally understanding Murakami better: just go with the flow instead of analyzing every last detail to death). I read Kitchen last yeat and was quite touched by that story; Banana must have had some grief in her life to write so achingly. I checked out Spring Snow from the library, just yesterday, because Chris (Stuff as Dreams Are Made Of) liked Mishima so much last time around.

So! It looks like we're in for a fun time! Thanks again for being my blogging buddy!

Carl V. Anderson said...

You no doubt know that I read and loved After Dark since I raved about it last week. I really look forward to hearing your thoughts on this one. I'll be posting my list sometime later this week. I look forward to the challenge.

Anonymous said...

Psst! I've nominated you for a blog award.

Unknown said...

Sounds interesting! I'm not sure if I'm up for another challenge this year, but I may check it out. Thanks!

Iliana said...

I want to read all of these! I'm probably going to join too - I can't believe I missed it last year.
I've read a couple of Murakami's books and one Banana Yoshimoto - loved them all. Have fun with the challenge Stephanie!

Ana S. said...

I couldn't resist either. I haven't decided what to read yet, though. I haven't read any of your picks, but I look forward to your reviews!

The Bookworm said...

this is very tempting, great picks!
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Bookfool said...

I haven't read any of those, but Spring Snow is on my wish list. I read a book by Mishima, last year, that I absolutely loved.

tanabata said...

I've read Out and Kitchen (loved Out even if it's a bit dark and disturbing) and have the other 2 in my TBR. I really should try to read something by Mishima this year since I haven't read anything by him yet.

Debi said...

I'm excited about this challenge...kind of new territory for me. I've got a Murakami and a Kirino on my list, but not the same ones as you.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Ha ha! i couldn't help it either. I have two books so far and have been searching high and low for a used copy of Murakami (Kafka on the Shore in particular). I look forward to hearing what you think of these books!

Amy said...

Good luck with your challenges. I had to back off some of mine. I just overdid it.

I nominated you for an award on my blog!

Teddy Rose said...

I must resist temptation, resistance is not futile,
I must resist!
Boy is it hard to resist this one, but I must! LOL!

moonrat said...

KITCHEN and SPRING SNOW, yes and yes.

I even plowed through KITCHEN in Japanese... it made my eyes burn, but I lived. .

re: OUT: I'm actually about halfway through right now. I'm having trouble with it, because I'm kind of bored by the rotating perspective. You know how Japanese translations often work clumsily into English. But I rarely put stuff aside without at least trying to finish.

Next on my list is THE MAKIOKA SISTERS, which I've heard is awesome.

My favorite Mishima is THE SOUND OF THE WAVES.