6.12.11

Recent reads

About a year ago, I found myself rather ashamed at how little I had read of "classic" English literature. This prompted me to pick up a Jane Austen book (now one of my favorite authors) and since then I've been reading whatever I could get my hands on, in particular off of the BBC's list of 100 books you should read.

I've only read 23 out of the top 100 which at first I found really embarrassing, until I realized that it's almost 1/4 of the list- huzzah! ( ﾟ▽ﾟ)/

Since moving to Japan however, I haven't had English books so easily at my fingertips. I did bring some of my English books with me, and had my parents send me some in the mail too, but I commute for 2 hours a day, and read for most of that so my rate of finishing books is much higher than normal.

Luckily, there is an AMAZING used book store here called BOOK-OFF, and if you happen to stumble upon one in the more populous areas, they tend to have English books, and every so often they'll have some that interest you. And I found just such a one~ ♪

What is especially great about BOOK-OFF is that everything being used, you can get them for very cheaply. All of these books were only ¥2500! Ｏ(≧∇≦)Ｏ


I was REALLY excited to find these- ESPECIALLY the Moomin book. I've been so into Moomin recently. ♡ There is a moomin mook out recently that I've been chewing on buying.
I think from now on I'll canonicalize what I'm reading here! It'll be a good motivation, I think.

xoxo,
Bee 
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Location: Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo, Japan

5 comments:

  1. CathDecember 6, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    I love moomin! What exactly is in the Moomin mook? It sounds interesting!
    Even though it's not on the list, and if you haven't read it already, you should read Norwegian Wood. It's written in such a lovely way, even if it is translated from Japanese!

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  2. ElderberryDecember 7, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    Now I'm wondering why there aren't more used bookstores in my country (England)...there are some here, but they're generally just for antique books :/

    The WTP and Moomin books are also on my to-read list! It seems as though everyone else read them as a child, but I never did '__' Never mind - I'm hoping I'll be able to get even more out of them with adult eyes :)

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  3. BeeDecember 7, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    @Cath - The Moomin mook is SO cute. Pretty much it's like a "fan book," with information about the characters, moomin products, moomin-related places to visit etc. It comes with an adorable blue and white striped moomin bag too. :D

    I actually have read Norwegian Wood. It was a beautiful book, I really liked it. Have you seen the movie adaptation? I haven't, but I've heard mixed reviews so I'm debating whether I want to or not...

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  4. BeeDecember 7, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    @ Rhiannon - Yea, the US (at least where I was from) was rather scant on used books with exception to second hand stores, which carried used everything. ^^;

    I never read Winnie the Pooh or Moomin when I was a child either! When you can get your hands on them I think you'll really enjoy them- even though it's my first time to read them, there is still a feeling of nostalgia to it. :)

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  5. Piperita PattySeptember 5, 2012 at 7:22 AM

    OMG, classic Pooh and Moomins! I really like Moomins!
    I only read 20 books of the list, I have to work harder XD

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