Yep, it’s back – a month of J-Lit wonders in an event that does exactly what it says on the tin badge. January in Japan returns in 2014, and today I’m here to whet your appetite and give you a little taste of what’s in store early next year.
*J-Lit Giants*
Series two of J-Lit Giants will (hopefully) see the appearance of Japan’s two Nobel Laureates in literature – plus a Giantess or two. I need your help with this, so if anyone is interested in penning a guest post for posterity, please leave a comment, or e-mail me at tonysreadinglist at y7mail dot com 🙂
*Readalongs*
I’m planning to have two readalongs for the month – one male writer, one female writer, both contemporary(ish). For lovers of twisted short stories, we’ll be reading Yōko Ogawa’s trio of tales, The Diving Pool, a book which comes highly recommended. The other book will be one I’ve read several times, but not in my blogging years, namely Haruki Murakami’s coming-of-age drama, Norwegian Wood. Exact dates to be confirmed closer to January 🙂
*Giveaways*
I’ve been sending out e-mails left, right, centre and front and back too, and I’ve been very fortunate in finding some great partners to provide prizes for the January in Japan giveaways. I’ll be offering some great J-Lit courtesy of:
Make sure you’re subscribed to this blog so as not to miss out on the great books offered!
*News and Reviews*
In addition to all that, every Sunday in January will see a new edition of Nichi-Yōbi News, where Momotarō and I will round up all the latest Japanese literary gossip. Contributions are welcome – and for the review section they’re absolutely vital 😉
So, what are you waiting for? To sign up, just leave a comment below, and don’t forget to follow the blog today for your chance to share in the J-Litty goodness that awaits us all in January 🙂
January in Japan 
I'll plan on joining you for at least one book, Tony. Probably not a Mishima this time around, though, ha ha. 😀
Thanks for hosting again!
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Officially signing up, Tony, and looking forward to the extravaganza you have planned for the first month of the year!
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Oh, now this looks very interesting. How have I missed this these last couple of years?
The Diving Pool has been on the pile for a while now, so this looks just perfect. Count me in. You've no objections to a bit of Japanese SF to make up the numbers, have you?
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I am in, once more 🙂 I will be reading a new Murakami, I haven't decided yet, but it won't be Norwegian Wood since I have already read it 🙂
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Have a few books set aside for this Tony. I have Norwegian Wood so will join in on that and I also have Óe's The Silent Cry which I intend to read also. Looking forward to it.
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I'm on board
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Richard – Here's hoping this year's selection is more to your satisfaction 😉
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Bellezza – I'm looking forward to it too – but also nervous about all the work ahead…
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Kamo – Good to hear that someone appreciates my choices – and anything you choose to read is fine 🙂
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Ally – Well, you can't go far wrong with Murakami 😉 I've read 'Norwegian Wood' two or three times, but not since I started blogging, so I'm looking forward to a reread.
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Séamus – 'The Silent Cry' is well worth a read, and its influence on Murakami is evident right from the start…
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Guy – Welcome aboard (enjoy the voyage!).
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I'm definitely participating again! I'll also definitely join the readalong for The Diving Pool. Might join for Norwegian Wood too, can't hurt to reread that.
No idea yet what else I'll be reading 🙂
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Carola – Good to see you're back for more – hope you come up with some interesting choices for us to hear about 🙂
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Signing up! 🙂 This is my first time…
I've heard good things of The Diving Pool (a Japanese online friend said he enjoyed it) so I'm looking forward to reading it. I read Norwegian Wood before but with Murakami, it wouldn't hurt to read it again 😉
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fiveeyedboookworm – Glad to have you along for the ride (and nice to hear you're planning to join in with the readalongs). Any other books you might try?
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I'm in! I'm yet to decide the book(s) that I'll read. Maybe I'll do the Norwegian Wood readalong.
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I might finally read “The Housekeeper and the Professor” and maybe “Kafka on the Shore”. My interest for Japanese literature was certainly on a high this year so I'm really looking forward to this.
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I got my hands on a large pile of Japanese literature in May, and there's definitely some interesting things in there. Got to sort through it sometime soon…
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5eyedbookworm – 'Kafka…' is great 🙂 The Ogawa is a little tame compared to her other books, but still a good read.
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Kinna – No worries 🙂 Now, about that J-Lit Giants post… 😉
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Carola – I've got a shelf full of books waiting to be read too 🙂
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Count me in Tony. I enjoyed Ogawa's The Housekeeper and the Professor' so sourcing a copy of The Diving Pool right now.
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Jo – Good to hear – I'll sign you up 🙂
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My mission this coming year is to read more Japanese fiction, so I will be joining you in January and for the rest of the year. I'm starting Natsuo Kirino's Grotesque soon.
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Marina Sofia – Good to hear 🙂 I've never really been tempted to try Kirino, but I know that many people like her work. I'm more into cherry blossoms than blood when it comes to J-Lit 😉
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Do you have a date for the Ogawa readalong?
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Lizzy – Ogawa on the 16th, Murakami on the 30th 🙂
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Hi Tony, I'm going to do the read along. I also intend to read 'Strange Weather in Tokyo' by Hiromi Kawakami. Looking forward to it; outside of the Murakamis, I know little about Japanese literature although it's a country I've long wanted to visit.
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Naomi – Good to hear 🙂 I lived in Japan for three years, and it's an intriguing country. One of the reasons I read so much J-Lit is to understand the country more, even if I'm no longer there.
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I'll join you, I've already done the Diving Pool so ill chose something different, it won't be 1Q84 as I've got a busy month, possibly Ryunosuken Akutagawa
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Tony – Good to hear, and Akutagawa would be a great choice 🙂
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Might do Norwegian Wood or Kafka On The Shore too
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Hi Tony. I'm planning to join The Diving Pool readalong in mid Jan. I've also got Yasushi Inoue's Bullfight and a few by Murakami on the bookshelf. I've already read Norwegian Wood, so it'll be something else – possibly Dance Dance Dance or Kafka on the Shore. Looking forward to it!
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Jacqui – Good to hear 🙂 Are you planning to write any of them up anywhere – you could always do a guest post here if you wanted to.
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Hi Tony, please sign me up. I just posted on an interesting short story http://rereadinglives.blogspot.com/2014/01/sea-by-yoko-ogawa-2006.html
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Mel – Will do 🙂 If you have reviews posted in 2014, just pop them on the linky in the 2014 Reviews page (the tab is at the top of the home page).
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Hi Tony, sorry I didn't sign up earlier, but you can count me in. Really looking forward to reading more J-Lit!
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Dan – No worries; I'll add you to the list 🙂
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That's a very kind offer, Tony, but I'm not sure I'd know where to start…I'll comment on your reviews, though! I've kicked off with Inoue's Bullfight novella (which I loved, a terrific little book) so I'll head over to your review to add a few thoughts 🙂
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Jacqui – Thanks for that 🙂
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I've signed up! I've listed 3 but as far as I understand, I only need to read one?
http://astripedarmchair.wordpress.com/challenges/#japanjan
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Eva – As little or as much as you want 🙂
Don't forget to check out the weekly posts (J-Lit Giants on Wednesdays, the news wrap on Sunday), and you might win some great books if you enter the Friday giveaways too 🙂
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I'll subscribe to the blog! I'm just not sure how many I'll get to in 1 month. I was glad to see you adding a woman to your giants list. :p (Even though I didn't care for The Housekeeper & the Professor.)
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Eva – Well, there should be at least one more woman added to the list before the month is over 🙂
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I'm in, too (if it's not too late to join in). Can't for the Norwegian Wood readalong! 🙂
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Cayce – No worries – better late than never 🙂
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Awesome! Thank you! 🙂
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