Welcome to Litsy!

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This book had been on my list for a long time and I thank Litsy for bumping it back up on my TBR. It was even better than I expected it to be. I‘m excited to read her other books including the new one just coming out. And, I‘m also excited about this New Yorker profile of Murata written by one of my favorite writers, Elif Batuman: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/04/14/sayaka-muratas-alien-eye

“The sensation that the world is slowly dying feels good.”

I thought I‘d read just a few pages of this book (from my niece) tonight before bed and I‘m finding it totally hard to put down!

I have been curious about this book for a while and am glad I had an impetus to finally read this. What a great little book exploring the life of a neurodivergent person. A lot of great ideas were explored including what it means to live your best life in the space of societal expectations. I was surprised to find myself often tense, wanting the best for Keiko. Another great one for #AuldLangSpine. I continue to read the list as promised!

#12Booksof2024 ❤️ MARCH❤️ I read this one around last March. It‘s a quirky little book with a main character that I loved. I remember how real it felt.

I feel like I'm wading into the deep end of terminology I don't have enough knowledge of, but I'd be surprised if some of the most common keywords in reviews for this book weren't neurodivergent and masking. 1/?

Most of the time I'd like to think I would not wish a set of instructions (aside from the mostly unvoiced, implicit, learned the hard way set achieved via the struggle to adulthood) to dictate my behaviour. But there are days when a manual for functioning in society would come in very handy...

I‘m sharing some book recommendations about weird girls. I‘ve always thought I was weird and awkward because I‘m Autistic and I‘ve been Autistic my whole life. I used to be a member of an app called MeetMe and a guy that I was chatting with on there told me that I‘m weird and my response was,”A lot of people are weird.” And he said,” I know that.”

https://fable.co/blog/weird-girl-book-recommendations

This was an odd little book, but I think I liked it. It‘s a fascinating exploration of neurodivergence, societal expectations, and what makes a good life—although the narrator is often frustrating to read. I was also frustrated by a rushed and underdeveloped ending, especially because at just over 160 pages, there certainly was space to flesh out the conclusion a bit more. ⤵️

#ItTakesAllKinds #FoodOnCvr

One of my very favorite kinds of character-driven novels. Murata's title character describes her difficulty relating to other people and how her work in a convenience store became a sort of salvation for her. Many novels would lead someone like this towards making some kind of first-time human connection, but Murata shows how much more interesting it can be to get to know this person instead of portraying her lifestyle as a problem to solve.

There is art, science and soul that goes into running a convenience store.

Keiko is a loveable - albeit frustrating - character. You root for her, but can‘t help being annoyed with her for some of the whacky decisions she takes.

Shiraha - the resident incel - really gets on your nerves.

This book was a powerful introduction into the way patriarchy functions and expresses itself in Japan.

Both the translation and narration were great.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Heartwarming, relatable, beautifully written and translated. Always love a book that changes my perspective of the world… and this one did so in under 200 pages! #onedayread #mycupoftea

A short , quirky book that I couldn‘t put down once I started it. A real snapshot of a real life .. I loved our mc .. It‘s one I‘ll be thinking about.

A quirky tale of a woman whose life‘s mission and purpose is to be a convenience store worker. An indictment of Japanese (and Asian) cultures which value marriage and motherhood over career for women; and only ever particular types of careers over others. A strange and phenomenal tale of being yourself against all odds and against society‘s harsh judgments. Performance on audible is truly fantastic. A memorable read!

1/12. Amazing how it shows us that no matter how monotonous one‘s life is, it‘s important because it gives your days structure. I really enjoyed this book! Such an easy read. Also, it‘s a bonus that I love Japan and been there twice already, so the convenience store life there is something that I have experienced. It also spoke to me that it‘s ok to not follow societal norms. Bought at 1/6/24 ❤️

@TieDyeDude - here are my thoughts on this book

A bizarre little book, but damn, I really rather liked it.

At its heart it's saying it's ok to march to the beat of your own drummer. It's about the feeling of peace when finding where you fit and finally being able to say, 'This is who I am and I'm good with that.'

4/62
#BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

#MountTBR #ReadAway2024 @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

"A convenience store is a world of sound."

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

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interesting concept, quick read, unlikeable characters done in an enjoyable way

This is kinda of a boring book at first, but the more you start thinking about it, the more interesting I think it is. There has been multiple times in my everyday life where I feel like I am confronted by themes and messages in the book, it‘s been pretty eye opening.

🤯 OH MY GODS I love this. 😂

4⭐️/5⭐️

This was a quirky and sweet little novel.

A really cute novella following the life of Keiko and she works at the Smile Mart near her home. Everyone thinks she is weird because she is 36 and unmarried.

This is a story of how Keiko tried to fit in, but eventually learns how to live as she pleases. It was sad how Keiko knows she doesn't fit in, but doesn't exactly know why. Her personality is just different from the norm, and society has a hard time accepting this. I enjoyed reading this.

I didn‘t read this when it was first released. Now, I‘m pretty sure I‘m going on a trip to Japan in 2025, which is a place I never thought I would go, but I always want to travel if I have an opportunity. I listened to a podcast (Strong Sense of Place) about Japan, & this book was recommended.
I loved this book, did the audio version. I kept rooting for the MC to keep working at the store & ignore all the traditional roles.

This is tough to rate. The story overall was good. A middle aged woman just wants to be left alone living her life as a low-level convenience store worker, but her community keeps trying to force her to wed or get a "real" job. There were a few points, though, where it got weird. Like when she imagines killing a crying baby to keep it quiet. I could almost see this adapted as a very quiet, slow burn monster movie. Very strange, but well written

I have enjoyed this one a lot! I found the main character very likable and felt sorry for her and and angry with everyone else for the way they treated her. It‘s about Keiko, who has been working in a convenience store every since school and absolutely loves it. There she understands how to behave, how to act, while outside the store‘s manual she doesn‘t know how to be „normal“ (as everone else calls it). 5/5🌟

The next one of the way too many books I have ordered before book depository closed down has arrived🥰 and I‘m starting it right away🫶🏽 I had my eyes on this one for so long!

There were definitely some things I enjoyed about this book. I liked the main character and the commentary about society and the way it looks at people who are different. Also how it looks at retail workers. I was annoyed with everyone else in the book and the main character's "solution" to how to fit in better was horrible. I'm glad she decided to stay true to herself in the end. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

I loved this; I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did to be honest! Keiko is such a lush character - I really valued getting a little insight into her brain & she is the most perfect convenience store woman

Started this audiobook on my way to work this morning. I already recognize certain things from my time in retail. Some things are universal.

I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

Life has a manual & it's engrained in all our brains. But if we choose not to follow those instructions & decide to lead life on your own terms you become "abnormal". Story of such an abnormal lady.

#2023Book3
I really got into this story and my heart broke for the main female character. But I was furious at the main male character and the other characters who encouraged his behavior. I know this story is fiction, but the way he treated her felt way too real to life.

$1.89 on Kindle! What a bargain!!! Grab it if you have a Kindle! Great book.

I did not dislike this book.

This was a quick read about a 36 yr old woman, who has been working in a convenience store for 18 years. Friends and family begin to worry because she is in a part time job, isn‘t married, and hasn‘t even dated.

Overall I enjoyed this, despite not really liking any characters! I have a lot of jumbled thoughts I won‘t bore you with 😂
I think the main message for me is living the life you want even if it doesn‘t fit with societal norms.

#WomenInTranslation
An interesting look at societal norms and how one woman tries to fit in and what she would lose and gain.
The overall writing was a bit too sparse for me, and I had some anxiety with her new friend but I appreciate how the book takes on expectations.

#lettergame #letterC @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

One of the many books I am reading this month for Women in Translation, I just started today and am already in love with the writing.

This brief, quirky, and potent novella about a woman who doesn‘t fit in anywhere but at the convenience store she‘s worked part time at for 18 years had me alternately laughing, cringing, and cheering, and ultimately left me reflecting on how radical it is to live authentically and the beauty of the vast array of ways living authentically can look like.

I loved this story of an unconventional life, honest choices and ultimate belonging. It was absolutely charming.

Keiko Furukura has never felt like she fit in, except in her job as a convenience store worker. In the store, she knows the cues and feels the rhythm. In all other aspects of life, she just does what she thinks people expect of her. This is a quick read that makes human interaction into a satire.

I lived in Japan for 2 years so I am very familiar with the “konbini” and it made me homesick (if you can be homesick for a place you only lived briefly). Anyway, I loved this little novella about finding where you belong despite societal expectation.