What I'm Reading Right Now (16)


Quote of the day:
A book is a box of words until you open it.
-Ursula K. Le Guin


There are millions of books to chose from on a daily basis. How does one begin to sift through what to read, what theme, what author, genre and so on.

For the week, I'm reading a new book but with a familiar author.

I've sort of delved back to Japanese author Haruki Murakami. My current read is 'The Elephant Vanishes', a tremendous collection of short stories that make for fine reading.


image: www.exorcising-ghosts

This is taken from the back cover:

When a man's favourite elephant vanishes, the balance of his whole life is subtly upset. A couple's midnight hunger pangs drive them to hold up a McDonald's. A woman finds she is irresistible to a small green monster that burrows through her front garden. An insomniac wife wakes up in a twilight world of semi-consciousness in which anything seems possible - even death. In every one of these stories Murakami makes a determined assault on the normal.

His writing is refreshingly authentic, in a shadowy kind of way. The stories are all set in Japan, and each story is about everyday life and events, with the usual signature Murakami references.

All in all a brilliant book so far.
What books are you reading at the moment?


Peace & Love.


Current Listen: Nat King Cole -Unforgettable

Post a Comment

63 Comments

  1. I'm reading or more correctly trying to decipher the instructions for following a long distance path called the runumadum. I think I've got it then I get lost again. A glutton for punishment I keep going back.

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    1. Earlier today I saw some boxes of books arranged on a trestle table outside a shop, and there I discovered a copy of Harold Pinter's classic The Caretaker on offer at € 2.99.
      By the time my friend turned up I was on page 27.
      There are only 3 characters in the play and it all takes place inside one house which is a microcosm of the world outside. The character of Mick, Aston and Davies have been played by some great actors; performers such as Alan Bates, Donald Pleasance, John Hurt, Fulton Mackay, Colin Firth and other talented actors since the premier in 1960 and 1991 when my paperback edition was published.

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  2. Enjoy this book! I love the quote by Ursula K. Le Guin

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  3. Sounds like a great read to get into the everyday happenings there

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  4. @Gwil W: I hope you find it in the end, greetings and nice to have you here!

    @Liuba: Hello and many thanks to you!

    @Patt Hatt: Yes indeed, its good of you to stop by!

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  5. Sounds like an interesting book to read. That's a good quote of the day!

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  6. I'm reading The Martian by Andy Weir - a very exciting, gripping book!

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  7. I am not familiar with that author but the book does sound interesting.
    Authenticity IS refreshing....I agree.
    Last night, I picked up the book, "Gut Solutions." (Shades of old age LOL)

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  8. I love short story collections, they can be so much fun! Glad this is an author that you already like and I hope you enjoy this as much as you have their other work!

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  9. I'm reading Devoted in Death by J.D. Robb.

    Eve Dallas tracks a couple whose passion is fueled by cold brutality in the newest crime thriller from the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of Obsession in Death and Festive in Death.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

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  10. Is it like a real world or fantasy? I don't know this author. Right now I'm reading Coco Chanel biography - very interesting - I had no idea of her collaboration with fascists...

    I invite you to read my latest post QUICK GUIDE TO GILI ISLANDS

    http://www.travelekspert.com/2015/08/quick-guide-to-gili-islands.html

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  11. I'm reading and laughing a lot as I read this light funny refreshing first novel by Kaavya Viswanathan
    titled 'How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life

    Have a nice day

    Much love...

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  12. Bonjour,

    Un grand merci pour votre gentil petit mot laissé sur mon blog !
    Je découvre avec ravissement le vôtre... je m'autoriserai une prochaine visite.

    Déjà le titre me plaît beaucoup, "l'éléphant qui s'évapore"...
    Je suppose que toutes ces petites histoires ont quelque chose qui tiennent en haleine...

    Gros bisous ☼

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  13. Great review!! I'll read this one when I finish "Edge of Eternity".

    Thanks!!

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  14. Silver Linings Playbook. So far it's not as good as the movie.

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  15. New author to me.
    I just finished a book this past weekend and need to pick another.

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  16. Sounds interesting, I'll have to check this book out too!

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  17. Sounds interesting, I'll have to check this book out too!

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  18. Collections of short stories are sometimes a refreshing change from novels and longer books. Sounds like an interesting read. :)

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  19. I love short stories! Just looked this up, and my local library has it. I will definitely go pick it up today.

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  20. Ironically enough, I'm re-reading Ursula K. LeGuin's 'Four Ways to Forgiveness'...

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  21. Such a a good quote to start this post, which sounds a good read ... glad that you are enjoying this author.

    All the best Jan

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  22. Such a a good quote to start this post, which sounds a good read ... glad that you are enjoying this author.

    All the best Jan

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  23. Yay I just got a new book too! I'm so excited to start! xo

    Wishing you a fabulous week!
    Love, Suzy ( ˘ ³˘)♥

    THE KAWAII PLANET

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  24. Besides the book I mention I was reading on your last book post, I am also reading Chicken Soup for the Soul.

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  25. Besides the book I mention I was reading on your last book post, I am also reading Chicken Soup for the Soul.

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  26. Glad you are enjoying your book, Blogoratti!
    I am reading one called, "Curves in the Road - Biker Stories from a Lifetime of Motorcycling". Quite interesting and I like the style.
    Have a Great Day!
    Peace :)

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  27. unique sounding short stories, should be interesting reading.

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  28. I'm still working on the third book in the Clifton series by Jeffrey Archer. It's been much too busy and I haven't been reading as much. When things slow down around here, I'll be able to pick up the pace.

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  29. Does sound interesting. Definitely not the norm so probably very good. I'm reading The Picture of Dorian Gray. Never have so thought I should.

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  30. The way we come about our reading material is as varied as the material itself, isn't it. I often go on recommendations, or because someone has given me a book for Christmas or my birthday. Also, I have a handful of favourite authors of whom I try to read every book and eagerly await thier next one. Then there is the kindle shop on Amazon - I love browsing the free ebooks section and often find a hidden gem there.

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  31. I haven't had time to read this week. I wouldn't mind having a shot at The Elephant Vanishes, though.

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  32. I heard a lot good about this author!
    Thank you so much for your last comment about the slow living conference: )
    Xx
    Larissa
    cenestquedelachance.blogspot.de

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  33. Hello,

    Thanks for visiting my blog. I follow you now. :-) By the way, I haven't read yet any Murakami's book.

    Greatings from Spain

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  34. oh nice read!

    Thank you for your wonderful comment on my earlier post :)

    Here’s my new post The Striking one Come Have a look :)

    Follow me on Google Plus

    Love
    Akanksha

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  35. Very interesting story!

    http://www.mundodecaty.com

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  36. I love Unforgettable and I've always enjoyed that version the best. It's so beautiful to hear Natalie singing with her late father.

    I'm currently reading Edge by Jeffery Deaver. This book is a really good crime thriller and it reads like a great action movie from beginning to end. Seriously, I can't put it down... :)

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  37. @Blogoratti thanks for inspiring a new generation of readers...Tho i haven't read any of Hurakami's book but will do soon.. Thanks again

    Meanwhile, Meet Mexico's most dangerous female cartel 'La China', 30, and more stories on DTB. click my profile to read and don't forget to join us on Saturday for DTB's weekly SATURDAY DIGEST

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  38. Hello, what a great quote. I am glad you are enjoying your new book. It sounds different and interesting. Have a happy day!

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  39. I don't know this autor, but he/she seems unique.

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  40. I don't know this autor, but he/she seems unique.

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  41. This is the first time I heard of this book and it sound interesting.

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  42. Reading is so inspiring!;) I wish I could do it more!
    ♥♥♥
    Jeanne
    http://fashionmusingsdiary.com

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  43. i like that quote. books are the key to our imaginations ... they can run wild from there. so fun!! ( :

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  44. I love Murakami... reading The Book Thief at the moment....

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  45. I have never read anything about by this author. I have always wanted to visit Japan so I really need to pick up some of these books since they are all set there.

    Currently I am reading The Shining. It is my book club's pick for the month of October.

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  46. I love Hurakami. Great choice :) I'm reading The Girl In The Road by Monica Byrne

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  47. Oh sweetheart I love it the Murakami books are so refreshing in a good way. Now I´m currently reading The Young Elites by Marie Lu. Today I finished the second book of Remanent Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson and was amazing!
    Thanks for share this book with us
    xx

    www.sakuranko.com

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  48. Sounds interesting, but I don't remember seeing or hearing of any elephants in Japan

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  49. Looks like a great book!
    Melanie @ meandmr.com

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  50. I really love books set in other countries. Heard of this author, but never read anything by him!

    -Lauren
    www.letsgetbeyondtolerance.blogspot.com

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  51. So I picked up this book from my Library. Can't wait to dig into it.

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