8littlebookshelves

  His novel The City and Its Uncertain Walls , published in the spring of 2023 in his native tongue and not yet translated into English, is speculated to be the "next big thing" in literature (The German translation, published Januarz 2024 is already a bestseller). His collection of short stories called First Person Singular , published in 2021, also became an instant success. The author, Haruki Murakami, is world-famous and has been writing fiction for over 50 years, including a number of bestsellers. Over a dozen novels are published under his name and he has won highly-valued awards for his works. So, who is Haruki Murakami and what makes his books so special? About the Author Haruki Murakami, born in 1949 in Kyōto, is a renowned Japanese novelist, short-story writer, and translator, known for his deeply imaginative and often ambiguous works that have achieved international acclaim. Murakami's early novels, including Hear the Wind Sing (1979) and Pinball, 1973 (1980)...

  It's been heading the bestseller lists for a while now: The third volume of the Crescent City saga, House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas. Rightly so? Here is my very personal view on the book (no spoilers) ... The preceding book, House of Sky and Breath, left me hanging on a cliff with its tantalizing conclusion. So, naturally, I approached House of Flame and Shadow with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. Yet, from the moment I delved into its pages, I was captivated, reminded of the sheer joy of immersing myself in a compelling story. Without delving into spoilers, let me just say that House of Flame and Shadow surpassed all my expectations for Maas's interconnected universe. The crossover elements were seamlessly integrated, offering delightful nods to familiar characters and expanding the rich tapestry of lore. While some may find the world-building exposition overwhelming, I relished every morsel of information. And let's be honest, if readers can endure ...

  Ever heard of magic realism? Curious about what it is? Let me give you a short introduction and tell you about my favorite books within this genre. What is magic realism? This form of art - in its wider sense, meaning visual arts, literature, and so on - represents the fusion of actual reality (tangible, visible, rational) and magical reality (hallucinations, dreams). It is a "third reality," a synthesis of the familiar realities to us. The transition to surrealism, another category, is fluid. It is mainly a genre in literature and in paintings or at least more known as such. It evolved during the 1920s mainly in Europe and America. In the late 1940s it became a major literary movement in Latin America. Magic realism in literature is closely related to the 3 genres of social realism, fantasy and surrealism. Some see it as a subcategory of fantasy.    Famous authors   Well-known writers of magic realism include Isabel Allende, Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel García Má...

    The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo, a review I know, this book is old and has been talked about a lot, but it still is important to me and has had some impact on my life. That´s why it needs to be on this list. Plus, for travelling, this is one of the best reading options to take along. Why? Because it´s about a young man who sets out on a big journey … Santiago is the main character in The Alchemist . He is a shepherd in Spain and has a dream about a treasure at the pyramids – and he actually decides to go look for it. And so, his adventure begins. The book, however, is not only about what happens along his journey, but the things he learns, the mistakes he makes, the challenges he faces, the choices he is forced to make. It is a spiritual journey, too. The reason I, and I guess a lot of other people, like this story so much is because it is so universal and relatable. Everybody has to face difficult times in their lives, has to make up their mind and choose a path t...