100 days of japanese summer
After 7 years in a hectic corporate job, this break feels like a summer vacation. Everyday, I wake up with the same feeling I used to have when I had my summer vacation as a child. Reading during summer vacations reminds me of the time I had with my grandfather in Chennai. He was devoutly religious and used to wake up at 3 am to read his prayers. I would beg him to wake me up to read alongside him. He used to diligently wake me up and sleepy eyed, I would pick up the “Famous Five” book from where I had left off. Munching on biscuits and grinning together while reading, are some of the happiest memories of my summer vacations.
With this project, my aim is to read as many Japanese author books as possible in 100 days, mainly because the library near my home in Tokyo has a section of Japanese works translated in English.
Happy Reading to you!
Harp of Burma by Michio Takeyama
This book is a simple read. The story has a sad, poignant backdrop following the hardship of a Japanese troop making their way through the mountains of Burma and finally surrendering as PoW, however the beauty of the book lies in the perspective it provides on the lives on the Burmese. It debates whether the carefree, greed free, unambitious lives of the Burmese are better or worse than the Japanese striving to get better at things and working hard to accomplish something in life. Which life has more meaning, who is to say? Beautifully narrated from the eyes of a singing Japanese soldier troop and one particular soldier, a passionate harp player who discovers the joys of easy going life. It is a perfect antidote to a corporate detox - much needed in my life. This book resonates with me on all values - happiness spirituality, compassion, music, living in the present, simple lifestyle surrounded by people you love, journeying through remote places in Burma, smiling faces of the Burmese people. This must be the reason why Myanmar is my favorite country.
The Pillow book of sei shonagon
reading in progress…
The diary of a courtesan in tenth century Japan
Kokoro by Soseki Natsume
in queue..