I've Accepted the Challenge!


I've officially joined my first reading challenge...ever! Big news, right? I've been blogging for over a year without participating in a challenge, but this one was just too good to pass up. Like a lot of readers, I find that many of my book choices unintentionally fall into very homogeneous territory regarding both author and story. This is my attempt to rectify that just a little bit.

Hosted by Bellezza over at Dolce Bellezza, the Japanese Literature Challenge 6 is an exciting way to expand my reading horizons. Running from June 1st, 2012 to January 30th, 2013, the goal is to read one or more books by Japanese authors. Of course, mine will be translations, but it would be awesome to be able to read the original texts. Head on over to her site for some great recommendations to jump start your reading. Also, I must point out (if you hadn't already been awed) that the badge for this years challenge is absolutely gorgeous!

In all honesty, the fact that I'm currently reading The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino is what prompted me to join in the first place. I mean, I'd almost completed the challenge without even knowing it, so why not make it official? However, I then realized that I've had Haruki Murakami's Kafka on the Shore sitting on my shelf for ages. This challenge gives me the motivation to finally get one of this widely read author's books under my belt.


So, my goal for the sixth annual Japanese Literature Challenge will be 2 books. Hopefully reading these will be such positive experiences that I'll want to seek out a few more, but for now I'll leave the goal small.

Have any of you signed up for this challenge or participated in years past? Whether you have or not, I'd love to hear your Japanese literature recommendations!

Comments

  1. That's great you'll be joining in on the JLC fun ;) I love this challenge and look forward to it every year. I'll be reading Murakami, too and some Ogawa and Yoshimoto - can't wait!

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    1. Thanks! I love branching out with my reading...sometimes I just need that little push. Can't wait to read your reviews for the challenge.

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  2. Hah, when I first read what challenge you're doing, I was going to suggest that you read some Murakami but it looks like you're already taking care of that ;)

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    1. I just have to get some Murakami under my belt! This is one of those authors who everyone seems to have read but me. Must fix this asap.

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  3. Good luck with your first challenge! I hope it goes well :)

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    1. Thanks! I didn't set the bar too high so it should be doable. I don't ever want my reading to feel forced. I've seen what that can do to many other bloggers.

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  4. Sounds like a fun challenge! Good luck!

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  5. Thanks for visiting my blog, I'm now a new follower of yours :)

    To be honest I know next to nothing about Japanese literature and it kind of intimidates me, so I'll be looking forward to all of the reviews that come out of the challenge.

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  6. So glad to have you along, Jenna! It'll be fun to discuss Japanese literature with you, and hopefully we'll both get to The Thief in due course.

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