I've seen a couple of blogs link to Belleza's Japanese Literature Challenge 3, and despite the fact that I'm a little late, I reckon it would be fun to join in - specially as I already have two Japanese books lined up for the next couple of months.
Also, after looking at the challenge's button, I just had to join in. :)
The rules look straightforward:
This year, all you have to do is read one work of Japanese origin. It can be literature of course, but don’t feel confined to that. You may choose to read poetry, biographies, short stories or even manga. If you are willing to read one such piece, you’ve met the challenge. If you read more, all the better.
So, the two I definitely plan to read:
- Out {Natsuo Kirino} : Jackie @ FarmLaneBooks had a five-star review for this book, and it intrigued me. I love thrillers as well, and feel like I haven't read my share this year (the only out and out thriller I have read is Mary Higgins Clark's Where Are You Now).
- Kafka On The Shore {Haruki Murakami} : I've had this book on my shelf for ages, much before I read Norwegian Wood (February 2009). It's one of those books I've been "saving", and I think the time is right now!
- A Wild Sheep Chase {Haruki Murakami} : Instead of reading Kafka On The Shore, which I'm still "saving", I read another Murakami instead!
I'll probably read a couple more as well, as I love Japanese literature, and the stories are always so mesmerizing and different. There are a couple of other Murakamis that I want to read (I actually want to read all of them), so, I might make this more of a Murakami challenge!
Thanks for hosting this - I'm sure it's going to be lots of fun!