Japanese Literature Challenge 3

Well, here it is again. Dolce Bellezza is hosting the third Japanese Reading Challenge. This will be my second journey on the challenge, and I'm joining this one because the first one I did was so enjoyable, eye opening, challenging and inspirational. In the Japanese Reading Challenge 2 I read

1. Sputnik Sweatheart - Haruki Murakami
2. After Dark - Haruki Murakami
3. Underground - Haruki Murakami
4. Bells of Nagasaki
5. The Devils Whisper
   

This year DB says 'all you have to do is read one work of Japanese origin.' However I cant see that happening. I've already got three on my list.... and I want to expand my horizon with at least one other author - hopefully female. So my pledge for now is

1. Forbidden Colours - Yukio Mishima
2. The Wind-up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami
3. Blind Willow, Sleeping Widow - Haruki Murakami

I'm also really looking forward to my fellow challengers reviews, because even if I cant read all the books, I get to vicariously travel with others on their journey.

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

For the past few weeks I've had the pleasure of sharing the lives of Madame Michel, Paloma, Kakuro Ozu, Leo, Manuela and others who reside at 7, Rue de Grenelle. I have really enjoyed this book, and I think it is one I will return to. It's got alot of philosophy, art, love of music, and lessons of life filling its pages.

This has been one of the books for my 'Lost in Translation' Challenge, as it was originally written in French. I first read about it on the Challenge website when Julie reviewed it. Then RubyReb reviewed it and reminded me I wanted to read it soon. For a work that has been translated, it flowed well, described places, people and events in enough detail for me, and expressed much about french life in an apartment building.

You see below that I found a reference to the joy of sharing a tea ceremony with special friends, but there was so much more. I encourage others to pick this one out of the pile.