#JapaneseinJapan is a hashtag or term widely used in the bookish community. It is kind of a reading theme to have at least one book in your reading pile with a background set in Japan. Over the past few years, I have fallen in love with Japanese literature, especially classic murder mysteries, as they have this kind of vibe that hits home. So, here is a list of book recommendations if you are interested in this theme. I also added some of my favorites for easy-to-catch-up English writing, especially if English is not your native language.
1. There’s No Such Thing As An Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura
If you are searching for a slice of life with less drama, inclined to be monotonous but with its own voice that is relatable, then I suggest There’s No Such Thing As An Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura. Embark on a journey to find the ideal job in Japan within this book, it offer social interaction, culture and most of all a quest to find what you want the most.
Buy on Shopee : There’s No Such Thing As An Easy Job
2. My Annihilation by Fuminori Nakamura
Fuminori Nakamura is an established author who specialises in psychological thrillers. This book offers an eerie, devastating way to get revenge. A must read for a fan of psychological thrills, it offer twist after twist that makes you mutter to yourselves, ‘I need a moment’ to digest it all.
Buy this book on Shopee: My Annihilation
3. Seishi Yokomizo books
No words can explain how much I like Seishi Yokomizo’s classic mystery-solving. Set back in world war II, an amateur and genius detective, Kosuke Kindaichi, takes the reader on an interesting ride of searching for who did it. I must say that this series fits perfectly with the January in Japan theme as it offers the raw life of Japanese culture at its time, the good and the bad, no sugarcoats, and as raw as it had been presented.
Buy This Book on Shopee : Seishi Yokomizo’s Complete Book
4. Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s books
Everyone must know this bestseller book, a cafe that offers a pass to travel to the past. This book offers a variety of ways of self-discovery and how to heal with time. Each book features different stories of customers in every chapter, making every book kind of stand alone. It is also a thought-provoking and reflective book as to whether you can save what you want to save when you return to the past.
Buy this book on Shopee: Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s books
5. Yukito Ayatsuji’s Books
Another classic murder mystery in the collections because why not? *Evil laugh at the back* Yukito Ayatsuji offers a complex and mechanical puzzle, perfect for those who want to challenge the mind to find ways to solve the mystery. Yukito’s pieces involve an architect who likes to insert some mysterious room inside every building he makes. Despite the beautiful work on the building, it turns out it can also be the perfect place to commit murder, which adds to the eerie and suspenseful to the story.
Buy this book on Shopee: The Decagon House Murder, The Mill House Murder
6. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
Another cozy read for a fan of books, this very book surely will rekindle the reason to fall in love with the act of reading in the first place. Set in Jombucha, a place filled with books, this book will serve as the missing piece you never knew you needed.
Buy this book on Shopee: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop
Do you participate in #JapaneseinJapan this year? Which Japanese-translated book do you like?