What is your go-to recommendation for someone who doesn’t read often?
I don't really have a one-size-fits-all book recommendation, especially if the person to whom I am recommending is not a regular reader. I wouldn't want to suggest something that didn't suit them, thereby putting them off books more. I would want to talk to them first, maybe find out what films they like etc., to get a sense of which genre they might prefer, and then I'd make a recommendation from there.
Opening sentence:
Most people--by which I mean most of us who are part of Japanese society--graduate from school, then find work, then, after some time has passed, get married.
From page 56:
When the train started moving she waved to me from the window. I raised my hand to the level of my ear, but when the train went out of sight, I felt awkward all of a sudden and stuffed it in the pocket of my raincoat.
Wind/Pinball
Haruki Murakami
Hear the Wind Sing and Pinball, 1973 are Haruki Murakami’s earliest novels. They follow the fortunes of the narrator and his friend, known only by his nickname, the Rat. In Hear the Wind Sing the narrator is home from college on his summer break. He spends his time drinking beer and smoking in J’s Bar with the Rat, listening to the radio, thinking about writing and the women he has slept with, and pursuing a relationship with a girl with nine fingers.
Three years later, in Pinball, 1973, he has moved to Tokyo to work as a translator and live with indistinguishable twin girls, but the Rat has remained behind, despite his efforts to leave both the town and his girlfriend. The narrator finds himself haunted by memories of his own doomed relationship but also, more bizarrely, by his short-lived obsession with playing pinball in J’s Bar. This sends him on a quest to find the exact model of pinball machine he had enjoyed playing years earlier: the three-flipper Spaceship.
I'm not Japanese, but that's my culture too... I think it's just the way people are programmed. Graduate, work, marry... Love that 56. So different from the beginning. I'm intrigued! Happy weekend! I added you to the linky but I hope you visit for our Memeversary!
ReplyDeleteThanks Freda. Yes, the opening line is more an introduction to the book, so the narrative tone is a little different.
DeleteI need to know about a person's interests before making a recommendation too.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to read Haruki Murakami. I find myself intimidated by his books for some reason. I have several of his on my TBR shelf though. One of these days. I like both excerpts. I know before I married it was important for me to be able to stand on my own two feet so to speak. I didn't want to be dependent on anyone. We did get engaged though in college--I just made him wait until until I was established in my career.
Have a great weekend, Nicki!
Thanks for the visit. I highly recommend Murakami's books. They are actually pretty easy reading once you get going with them. :)
DeleteI need to read more Murakami. It's been way too long since I've picked him up!
ReplyDeleteLauren @ Always Me
I love his writing so much! I decided this year to finish off the last few of his works I haven't yet read, so you may see me mention him again during the year. I think I only have about 4 to go! :)
DeleteI don't have just one recommendation for everyone. That'd be an impossible task. I'd hate to suggest a book they didn't like and ruin their reading experience. I'd try to cater it to that one person's interests. Hope you have a great weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree completely.
DeleteInteresting snippets. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit, Laurel.
DeleteYeah, like you, I'd need to know what sort of genres the person enjoys first too before I would recommend anything.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend, Nicki.
Here's my BBH Post
Flora x
Thanks Flora. You too.
DeleteSounds like an interesting read. Hope you enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sammie; I did.
Delete