Japanesefiction

Seventeen | Hideo Yokoyama

so-so

Seventeen is a solid, methodical read. Using the 1985 JAL crash as a backdrop, it focuses more on newsroom politics and strained family dynamics than the accident itself. It captures the grit of journalism and the friction between work and home life well, though the pacing feels sluggish. It‘s a decent procedural and character study, even if it lacks some narrative punch.

24 likes

AvidReader25

The Lantern of Lost Memories | Sanaka Hiiragi

pick

This gorgeous story gives us a glimpse into the lives of 3 people, each arrive after their deaths at a photo studio run by Hirasaka. They select a photo from each year of their lives to add to the lantern that will be their "life flashing before their eyes". We get to know a nursery teacher, a yakuza enforcer & a young abused girl. The ending was so satisfying it made my heart hurt & I'll be thinking about these characters for a long time.

Merethebookgal Wonderful review! 2w

AvidReader25 @Merethebookgal I loved this one so much! 2w

37 likes2 stack adds2 comments

Texreader

The Full Moon Coffee Shop: A Novel | Mai Mochizuki

No I‘ve never been to Powells and don‘t live anywhere near it but it‘s on my bucket list. So I follow it on Instagram and they‘ve posted their staff recommendations for all those fiction books featuring cats! First book recommended is tagged. Read the staff reviews here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSBcERbjUlg/?igsh=bHgycnNtY3pzYnph

TEArificbooks Love this display. One day I will go. 3w

Serotonin I love Powells 🩷 Need to go there to pick up more of the series my 6 year old has been reading 👍🏼 3w

ChaoticMissAdventures Their store is so distinct when I saw this I was like who is at my store! If you get to come give me a shout out and I will meet you for some coffee at the cafe! 3w

59 likes3 comments

TracyReadsBooks

Tokyo Express | Seicho Matsumoto

pick

First published in 1958 this book, according to Towles, launched the mystery genre in Japan. Having read it, I understand why. A crime that, on the surface, doesn‘t appear to be one. An airtight alibi. A grizzled veteran investigator who can‘t escape a sense of doubt, a young investigator who knows something isn‘t quite right. It has all the elements and Matsumoto‘s revealing of the truth is really well timed. I really enjoyed this one.

23 likes1 stack add

TracyReadsBooks

Tokyo Express | Seicho Matsumoto

Went to a bookstore for the first time in ages and didn‘t find any of the books I was actually looking for. 😬 I did, however, find three books on my “keep an eye out for these” list and a new one by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. Definitely ready for some holiday long weekend reading!

Ruthiella Nice haul! 👍 1mo

charl08 Wonderful covers: tempting! 1mo

27 likes2 comments

Centique

Vanishing World | Sayaka Murata

pick

This is a really interesting and odd little book. Amane lives in a near future Japan where conception takes place solely by artificial insemination and sex is no longer considered civilised. The family unit is also being revolutionised as living alone may just be more convenient. Its a fascinating concept and as Amane is one of very few still having sex she deeply questions her morality. ⬇️

Centique There were a couple of scenes near the end that confused me and made me cringe but I wont be forgetting this book anytime soon. Ive seen people post that they wanted to throw this across the room - so you‘re forewarned! 2mo

Centique Photo: a great sunset from my deck 2mo

Ruthiella Sounds fascinating. 2mo

See All 16 Comments

BarbaraBB Great review. You describe the book so well!! 2mo

Centique @BarbaraBB thank you Barbara! 2mo

Suet624 So interesting! 2mo

Cathythoughts Great review. Sounds good. I feel like I have this book , if not , I‘d like to get it. ❤️ 2mo

Reggie Great review, I‘ve liked the other 2 of hers I‘ve read so stacked! 2mo

Centique @Reggie i will be so keen to hear your thoughts. Especially on the ending! PS I have just sent you a couple of books from Amazon (sorry evil as they are) for Christmas. I am not going to be home so you dont need to send me anything!! But its just a couple of books I read this yr that I thought you would get something out ot 💕 2mo

Reggie @Centique I think I got one of them. Thank you so much my friend. I hope you have good holidays. Is this when you‘ll be going to the UK? 2mo

Centique @Reggie yay! The Sleeping Car Porter is probably the character this year that I loved the most. The cover doesnt do it justice. Its just a guy doing a job having such a hard day and you just want to fight for him. 2mo

Centique @Reggie and yes off to London and Paris with a stopover in New York on the way. With the kids. Its costing two arms and two legs! But it will be the first time my hub or my kids have been to Europe - and probably the last big trip we take them on. Hopefully lifelong memories for them 💕 2mo

Reggie @Centique I hope ya‘ll have the best time. I hope you post a picture of with you and the Tardis. Is that weird? 2mo

Centique @Reggie I will try! But failing that I can post a photo of us in the street that inspired Diagon Alley 👍 2mo

Rissreadswithcats Wow Paula! This will be such a special holiday you all have together! Have you picked some books to read set in or about the places you are visiting? 1mo

Centique @Rissreadswithcats thanks Nerissa! Ive read some English history this year to understand London a bit better and Villette by Charlotte Bronte. Not sure what Im going to take with me yet! 1mo

49 likes1 stack add16 comments

Mayhawke

Full Moon Coffee Shop | Mai Mochizuki

bailed

I was really looking forward to this, but it's suffocatingly heavy on the astrology. Which is a shame because the premise and the cats were delightful!

*Litsy photo editor and I are not getting along...

#Japaneselit #cats

TieDyeDude Welcome to Litsy! I use Canva or another app to create images before posting, so I don't have to mess with Litsy's photo editor 😉 (edited) 2mo

Mayhawke @TieDyeDude Hi, thank you, that's probably a good idea. I think it's possibly because I don't have the app (can't get it on Android, atm). For some reason Litsy is now posting my pics at a 90 degree switch from how they were taken. I'm going to try uploading from the PC, and see how that goes 😁
(edited) 2mo

TieDyeDude Yeah, my understanding is that when LibraryThing acquired Litsy, there was some issue with obtaining the code for the app. Since Litsy is more of a side project for them, they've basically given up on the app and are just focusing on the site. I had the app until a few weeks ago when we got new phones 😩 2mo

5 likes3 comments

TheEllieMo

The Lantern of Lost Memories | Sanaka Hiiragi

pick

This has Before The Coffee Gets Cold vibes, and I was finding it mildly enjoyable, and then the third of the three chapters came along and hit me in the feels.

25 likes