I must say thank you to those of you who have been "gently" nudging me back to blogging for several months now. I'm sorry it has taken me so long, but I do think I'm finally in a place where I'm ready to ease myself back in. Your continued support really means a lot to me.
One of those nudges came from Tony (Tony's Reading List) who is hosting a fabulous Japanese literature event this month. Sadly, I'm still more of a book-buyer than a book-reader these days (more on that another day), but January in Japan is the perfect motivation to spend some time reading JLit this month. If you haven't already, check out the January in Japan blog for some great posts on some JLit Giants, and other Japanese literature related goodies.
As for my own JLit reading this month, so far I've finished Yoko Ogawa's The Diving Pool, and have just started on The Briefcase by Hiromi Kawakami for the group readalong. I really enjoyed the three stories that make up The Diving Pool, and having heard some good things about it, I have high hopes for The Briefcase. After that, we'll see how it goes. I certainly have plenty of JLit on my shelves to choose from.
Happy belated Year of the Snake, by the way! I'm not at all fond of snakes but as the snake is a symbol of resurrection and regrowth, I'm hoping for a good year. Bear with me as I try to get back into the swing of things here, and in the meantime, there's still time to pick up a book and join in January in Japan.
It's good to be back!
The small print: Links in this post to Amazon contain my Associates ID. Purchases made via these links earn me a very small commission. For more information please visit my About Page.
Welcome back - hisashi-buri desu ne :)
ReplyDeleteHopefully, you'll soon be back in the swing of things and reviewing away with the rest of us ;)
Arigatou Tony! I hope so too. And thanks for the nudges. ;)
DeleteWelcome back! I don't blame you for taking time off. That was a very big move you made with much adjusting needed. Glad to see you blogging again though.
ReplyDeleteI like the symbolism of Year of the Snake - resurrection and regrowth :)
Thanks Terri! I've missed blogging and chatting with everyone about books! I like the symbolism of the Year of the Snake too, and hope it holds true for this year. :)
DeleteSo glad to see you back, Tanabata! I've missed your posts, but I certainly understand 'losing a year'. I feel a bit lost myself, lately, in terms of not reading much and blogging less. Anyway, it's good to know the platform's here and waiting for us to converse when we're able. I'm so looking forward to The Briefcase. I began it, but prior committments got in the way of finishing it. I plan on finishing it closer to the discussion date of January 30. I've so loved Ogawa's work. I haven't read The Diving Pool, though, so I'm looking forward to that particular novel of hers. I think The Housekeeper and The Professor will long be one of my favorite works of Japanese literature.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bellezza! I still feel rather out of touch with blogland, but I've missed this. I haven't read too far into The Briefcase yet but am enjoying it so far. I'd had The Diving Pool on my shelves for ages so I'm glad to have finally got around to reading it. The Housekeeper and the Professor is one of my favourites too. :)
DeleteI'm doing a happy dance. Happy, y'hear? Thanks for your recommendations. Off to explore amazon...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jeanne, for your nudges as well!! I have to say I'm really touched that you, and others, are so happy for me to be back. :)
DeleteWelcome back, Nat. I hope you're back for good this time. :)
ReplyDeleteMe too, Kristen. Me too. Thanks! :)
DeleteWelcome back! I am so pleased to see a post from you again and I look forward to many more!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marg! :)
DeleteWelcome back! I hope 2013 is a much better year for you and your reading.
ReplyDeleteI do too, Jackie. Thanks!
DeleteYay! Welcome back, Nat! I think if I were to move to sunny SoCal, I'd take a year off, too. I'd be busy walking on the beach, watching sunsets, eating Roberto's fish tacos, and simply enjoying the good life. Of course, I could probably read an entire book while sitting in traffic... ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL. Luckily I can avoid rush hour traffic most of the time, but have been stuck in some bad LA traffic a couple times. Crazy! I'm still hoping to see you out here one of these days. ;)
DeleteWelcome back Natalie. Past year must have been a year of adjustment, this year will be a year of settling in! I do not look forward to the year of the Snake as I am born in the year of the boar, I'm praying that I come out of this unscathed... while reading more of J-Lit obviously. All the best!
ReplyDeleteThanks! So, do the snake and the boar not get along? I'm pretty clueless about the subtleties or relationships of the Chinese zodiac. But I hope this is a good year for you regardless. :P
DeleteWelcome back! 2012 was a bit of a lost year for me too.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping that 2013 is a little less lost for both of us. :)
DeleteIt's good to have you back!
ReplyDeleteThanks Vasilly! It's good to BE back.
DeleteWelcome. Glad to see a new In spring it is the dawn post, I thoroughly enjoyed The Diving Pool & am looking forward to reading her new collection The Revenge. Hopefully another post will visit me soon best wishes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gary! I'm really looking forward to Revenge as well. I still need to dust off some blogging cobwebs but hopefully things will get back on track soon.
DeleteWelcome back! 2012....well, let's just leave that year in the past, shall we? =O)
ReplyDeleteYes, let's. Thanks Michelle! :)
DeleteGlad you're back in the book blogiberse--we've missed you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Florinda! It's nice to be getting back into it again.
DeleteOkaeri! I've only read The Housekeeper and The Professor and now would like to try The Diving Pool since you enjoyed it so much!
ReplyDeleteArigatou! I think The Diving Pool would be a good choice as the next one of Ogawa's books to read since Hotel Iris is so much darker than The Housekeeper and the Professor.
DeleteYou're back! Excitement!!! I just peeked in thinking, "She won't have posted." So nice to be wrong and I'm thrilled to see you posting. I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like to move to the U.S. Just moving 30 miles feels like it's turned my life upside-down.
ReplyDeleteHey Nancy! Yup, upside-down pretty much describes it! Moving someplace new is always such a big adjustment but it's nice to finally be in a place where I'm ready to blog again. :)
Delete