7 Must-Read Japanese Books

[{"selector":"#anim-f3b91928-2ccf-4c6f-af62-19e2b3ca7d34","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a13363fe-40ae-4c66-b73a-08a6d699b0f7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 451.38818%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] 30 July, 2024 Credit: Pexels

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

[{"selector":"#anim-0fd959aa-fc22-4e5e-899f-90cc21d502da [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(7.105427357601002e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7f16e3ad-bcfe-415e-9758-1b7fa2faf80d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c884326-0654-460b-abd9-54521f760f63","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -734.55085%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-611fae1c-fe33-4b61-8edc-5a1489fcca3b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b3319914-2081-4a48-bc46-5a99875490aa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 215.62881%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dd09bee4-a648-427d-9397-9e121be73214","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-346f8ca0-8bbf-4d41-99fa-7b9406f76031","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 434.22953%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0a301832-78bb-4295-b2bf-534ecbd2399a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2789be07-9580-439a-9a68-8df8b7f21e14","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 457.63847%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A nostalgic and moving tale of love and loss set against the backdrop of 1960s Tokyo, perfect for fans of deep emotional stories. Credit: Amazon.com

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

[{"selector":"#anim-ce8dce93-67c9-418e-a26b-4c72fcb7ca4f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(1.0658141036401503e-14%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0613e4ee-4066-4f16-b185-31689cfc1605","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a1d0b12c-f7fc-4175-99f3-3d4d635984bf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -734.55085%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6c1fde57-a2ee-4ee9-bb11-b57b24339d86","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7fb0c48e-48df-4c3d-bfc1-f75c50caf0b0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 215.62881%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46ca843e-8993-45ae-8c3c-b8cac945472d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0ec4a37c-1e76-4482-ada9-d7733555c636","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 432.61655%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1a960d44-162c-4966-82b7-d840e64e2be4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-13ff55e4-35bf-492a-a669-d0ea8d64fa35","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 457.63847%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A surreal journey of two characters whose lives intertwine in mysterious ways, blending reality with fantastical elements. Credit: Amazon.com

The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu

[{"selector":"#anim-6e8f3913-3eba-43db-92b1-4efad8844116 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f1fda5a0-9147-4abd-9bf1-3d471a565847","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0aa0ea60-f16d-4658-8450-d4681a6c88f6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -734.55085%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2b4d8ad2-6fad-4484-9205-c31de39a6f41","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-53864c88-76e9-4b91-bcfd-cd6c2173801f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 174.53293%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bb83a16f-21d6-4d63-9240-86724e833b03","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c916c8b4-a6a3-4142-9f34-408bbed580e7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 434.22953%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-38a21ffa-8993-4e14-8ac7-302202a9a7c2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a3d59294-53e8-4711-9e70-b74a1b57a03e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 457.63847%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Often called the world's first novel, this classic Japanese tale explores the life and loves of the "shining prince" Genji, offering a window into Heian-era Japan. Credit: Amazon.com

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

[{"selector":"#anim-779cad70-2212-4033-a158-6570bfcac4a6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e7a7bad3-5bb1-45cd-9f4d-d32cc15e950f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-492537aa-b7ca-497a-9490-e3118b2ecc9c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -734.55085%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c8f9f37b-7c53-4226-9751-ddc4143f6929","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e5936fc0-7b0d-4e5d-a32a-7d24ebde8c08","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 246.39801%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7d82c341-bba1-4691-82ac-a021f37f92a9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-62c82af7-1c42-4602-8de5-bc07f4f456b1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 868.45907%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4db6499c-4c88-46c9-b035-3ae0ee6321a0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a248a7cb-5f34-438f-becb-db700ca862d7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 457.63847%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A gripping alternate reality story featuring a parallel world, blending elements of suspense, romance, and fantasy. Credit: Amazon.com

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

[{"selector":"#anim-9008a050-0405-471a-bec2-742671d94dd9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(1.0658141036401503e-14%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-081b286a-390e-4ea9-beb1-469a7a61902f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f5b435b8-25a0-43f4-a15e-1c20f2aa3dfa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -734.55085%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f4c4df68-b870-4682-8334-a28cca38a459","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bce2cd79-b375-418f-a161-b5305d5c0c37","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 173.64799%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4457be69-8ae4-41c3-aeee-e9cbc7fc1615","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-99113b00-832f-44f9-912e-2d9422b4303f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 434.22953%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-80ae95ff-1ed9-4b42-9919-4f8494a3f2ae","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cc22259a-dbac-4989-8769-feb54af3a4fd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 457.63847%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This quirky novel follows a woman who finds solace in her job at a convenience store, offering a unique take on social conformity and personal happiness. Credit: Amazon.com

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami

[{"selector":"#anim-e3bf52e4-ee2c-4296-9131-8939c488143d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e61ccf4e-59f0-46ec-843a-4ddafea1f8b9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-80daac52-f162-4a22-a81d-3b0067c17ded","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -734.55085%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-97e43c08-52b1-4304-a99e-cd449f6b4925","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-99839a4e-9746-41fe-9bd7-f33215862ed1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 173.64799%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ea1004ac-5ae7-4717-ac72-6da16be19056","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8da94197-2ee8-4ee8-bcd3-201672e61ed9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 434.22953%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-05b2a189-fdfb-4b42-9bf3-10a52215dea6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f8c070f6-adf4-4a4d-8bb7-8b191f8ddad5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 457.63847%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A pulse-pounding story of a group of students forced into a deadly game, exploring themes of survival, violence, and human nature. Credit: Amazon.com

The Little House by Kyoko Nakajima

[{"selector":"#anim-88c83e21-1ede-464e-b350-92f7eb166c33 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-36366190-1949-4232-b0ef-6e991f1cbdca","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c85b3567-9067-414d-ad97-b92e308fba69","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -734.55085%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f8a0d6b4-7398-4e57-ad93-a5178bab20dd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-44922675-797b-4187-bdd0-16aab456e40d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 225.51892%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f0329259-a2c8-4cd2-ac5d-ebd89d8445e6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a3527c7-8c52-4212-abb8-187d84d8438d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 450.35854%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-284172ba-a34e-48c5-afe9-7dd4d8aef589","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9b8f71e7-017b-4598-a8a0-7ec121bdbccd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 457.63847%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A touching narrative about a housemaid's life and her silent struggles amidst the changing dynamics of her employer's family. Credit: Amazon.com

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