Welcome to Litsy!

In this series of reflective essays, we get an insight on how Murakami became a novelist; his writing process; views on what it means to be a writer; thoughts on creativity, literary prizes; his relationship with his readers, translators, publishers, and why he writes abroad. From his first novel that he wrote at his kitchen table, to how he closed down his jazz cafe to become a ‘full time‘ writer, these essays are candid, and Murakami comes off⬇️

Sundays are for pancakes 🥞! Listening to Murakami reflects on his career.

“What I was seeking by writing first in English and then “translating” into Japanese was no less than the creation of an unadorned “neutral” style that would allow me freer movement…Writing in my new style felt more like performing music than composing literature, a feeling that stays with me today.”

Interesting how Murakami developed his own writing style.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed Murakami's reflections on both what it is to be a novelist and how his writing process has evolved over time. I also enjoyed learning about how he found success in the American publishing industry.
You don't need to be familiar with his works to read this – just a lover of books or an aspiring writer yourself!

1. I am not a genius
2. Writing novels is hard
3. Geniuses accomplish hard things
Murakami w/ his annoying equivocations. So many “I don‘t mean to says” & “on the other hands” it feels like reading in circles. “I don‘t like literary prizes, but it feels good to win them.” Make your claim or leave the novels to speak for themselves. Irritating, but that‘s the Murakami aesthetic? The novels irritate, but also fascinate. That‘s missing here. DNF 2022

Easy choice with this one! 😎

#SundayFunday #HarukiMurakami #authors
@ozma.of.oz

If you‘re looking for an analysis on the craft of writing a la King‘s On Writing, this is not that type of book. It‘s a series of essays about Murakami‘s attitude on being a writer. There are some great nuggets of wisdom, but overall it‘s just him telling you how he works. His straightforward style is perfect for these essays—it feels like he is talking directly to you.

I love how he constantly insists that he is an ordinary dude who got lucky.

Just finished it and I enjoyed it a lot: a very cool view into the mind of a great writer about writing novels, publishing, readers, literary awards, and more. A pick.

This read also helped me get a #BookSpinBingo for this month.

@TheAromaOfBooks I was trying hard to find a book with a title starting with N for my #BookChain challenge, only when I finished it I realized this was it 😃

I read everything Murakami writes as he is my favorite contemporary author. This book is not an instruction manual on how to become a novelist, but it‘s a book that explains Murakami‘s personal process for writing and creativity. It also speaks to other interesting topics related to books and the publishing industry.

4.5 stars, rounded to 5 because it was like meeting an old friend.

I am really looking forward to the rest of this month (reading-wise).