Welcome to the Japanese Literature Challenge, now in its fifteenth year. What a joy it is to share our affection for Japanese literature together!
The term ”challenge” comes from the early days of blogging, when reading challenges were set forth by so many of my blogging friends. But, this is not really a challenge; it is more of an opportunity to read and share works written by Japanese authors.
Here are a few guidelines:
- Read as many books as you like from January through March. (Even if that is ”only” one.)
- Make sure the work was originally written in Japanese.
- Choose from classic to contemporary works, whatever appeals to you.
- Leave a link here to your review so that we can visit you.
Finally, there will be prizes. I have several books I would like to give as prizes during the three months of the Japanese Literature Challenge 15. So, do stay tuned for those announcements. I will leave this post as a sticky post at the top of my blog. Hopefully, that will help you access it easily to leave the links to your reviews. I am so looking forward to what it is that you read!
(Just click on the widget below to add the link to your review.)
Very excited! Thank you for hosting it again this year!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for participating and commenting here, Karen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Count me in! Thanks for organizing this event again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hooray, Emma, so glad to have you again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hurrah! If nothing else, I have some unread Mishima!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He seems to be a quite popular author this year. Several people have mentioned him on Twitter and Instagram in relation to this challenge, so you certainly won’t be alone. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! I haven’t done Japanese literature challenge for a couple of years now (extended reading block), but I have some cool books lined up, and am all set for the challenge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t wait to see what you have lined up, Nish. So glad you’re joining in again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have Klara and the Sun, and The Devotion of Suspect X lined up so far. Let’s see if I can squeeze anything else in.
LikeLike
Love taking part in this, I’ll have to see what I have in the pile!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love having you, Cathy! So glad you’re in, as I love participating in your challenge, too.❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
So honored to be included in your Winding Up The Week, Paula! Thank you.
LikeLike
Sounds exciting! Would love to take part.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m really glad you found this, Phillip. And, I see we have much in common (from what I can tell even with your header containing books on Christianity). Welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am in! Here is my post, I’ll try again 12 books like last year. Here is my list: https://wordsandpeace.com/2021/12/14/japanese-literature-challenge-15/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sure I’ll read at least one novel from a Japanese author early in 2022. Count me in. First I’ll research which one I’d like to read … that came out in Japan in 2021. hmm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay, Susan! It was my hope that “merely” reading one would entice people to pick up some Japanese literature this winter. There are many, many exciting books published this year, and I’m sure some of them will be highlighted. I even have a few picked out myself, such as My Annihilation by Fuminori Nakamura (which might just show up as a prize, wink wink). A few others on my radar are Heaven by Meiko Kawakami, The Woman In The Purple Skirt by Natsuko Imamura, and There’s No Such Thing As An Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura.
LikeLike
this seems like so much fun. i am going to have to do some research. i think i have a japanese translated work but i am not sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you’re joining in! If you are not sure of what to read, you might find some ideas from the titles I’ll read on my sidebar. Of course, once people start posting their reviews, that list of what to read gets a lot longer!☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello! I just read about this challenge from my online friend Emma at WordsandPeace. I would like to participate this year. I will post my blog and list soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m starting low with one book a month for a total of three. Here is my blog page with my proposed selections. I will post links to their reviews when that occurs! Crossing my fingers for discipline this coming year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think one book a month is a great way to begin! Don’t be worried about discipline, more important is joy with what we read.😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed all 3 of the books that I chose for this challenge and completed a Mr. Linky link to 2 of the review. The third review for the book I read in January – Before the Coffee Gets Cold – has not yet been posted on the review site (FreshFiction.com) where I received it yet. I suspect it will go up when the 3rd book in the trilogy is published or a new edition of book 1 or 2 is released.
LikeLike
It’s wonderful that you found out about this on Emma’s blog. She has been a faithful participant in the challenge, and I welcome you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see your books on the left, but can’t seem to find a post on them, so I’m commenting here on them. Seeing all kinds of new books to me, looking forward to your reviews.
I have read the two by Murakami. His latest one on his collection of T-shorts is fun.Very short pieces, but they make think I get to know Murakami a bit better
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would love to get to know Murakami better! He and his writing are always a bit elusive to me. I didn’t post on the books in my sidebar as I just finalized them last night, but perhaps I will. They look awfully exciting to me!
LikeLike
YAY I’m joining! Already have one or two lined up for January.
LikeLike
What I may read: https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2021/12/29/japanese-literature-challenge-15-what-i-may-read/
LikeLike
I’m in! Just need to find some books to read, but I’m sure that won’t be a problem. Happy New Year!
LikeLike
I’m already enjoying my reading for this challenge! Thank you so much for hosting this again. Here’s my setup post: https://afondnessforreading.com/2022/01/02/japanese-literature-15/
LikeLike
I’m spending January on various areas of Japanese culture, and have linked my review to the first Japanese book in translation that I’ve read this month – Kobo Abe’s The Woman in the Dunes, a nice bit of absurdist dystopia!
LikeLike
I’d love to join in as well. Have a few unread japanese translations on my TBR. Also an assorted sample of japanese writing, Monkey via NetGalley
LikeLike
I have come to know of this challenge through Tracy K @Bitter Tea and Mystery. I’d love to join too as there are some Japanese books I am excited about. Thanks for hosting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you’re joining in! Lovely to have you.
LikeLike
Am enjoying this immensely although the Mr Linky won’t let me link as my URLs are too long, so here are my posts so far!
https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2022/01/19/all-the-demons-of-the-modern-age-had-been-swept-away-lifeforsale-mishima-japaneseliteraturechallenge/
https://kaggsysbookishramblings.wordpress.com/2022/01/17/exploring-a-pioneering-woman-author-for-the-japaneseliteraturechallenge-chiyouno/
LikeLike