i couldn't resist this little goose pin from ferdinand (only $4!). she seems very curious, which is how i prefer my geese. i am into pins and brooches lately...i think they are a great way to spice up a simple outfit.
i hope you enjoyed the book reviews i posted yesterday. it seems that many of you like quirky, so today i want to recommend my favorite quirky book i read in the past couple of years:
4. Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
i love haruki marukami. he is no doubt one of the best writers of our time. Kafka on the Shore is the story of teenage runaway kafka tamura and an old man named nakata who is able to converse with cats. the tale of the two men start out separate and slowly become intertwined. the book is surreal and dream-like. there were many details of the story that lacked a full explanation, but to me this did not matter. i enjoyed the book because of murakami's exquisite decriptions which allowed me to briefly travel in another world where the lines between reality and fantasy are often blurred.
i also recommend this review of the book written by john updike. i suggest reading it after you read the book as it contains many details from the story.
i will try and post a couple of more reviews over the weekend but for now i leave you with one more bit of quirkiness:
the amazing home of textile artist sara lechner.
Oh, that pin is so cute...maybe geese are going to be the latest trend after hedgehogs and birds!
Posted by: Tricia | June 22, 2007 at 12:09 PM
I LOVE and appreciate your book reviews... I have been thinking I should do the same, but then I feel like that would be a blog unto itself and I can barely keep up with the one I have...
Yes, Updike always seems to feel the responsibility to put a touch too many details into his reviews. His coverage of the last to Houellebecq novels, "Platform" and "Possibility of an Island", were wonderful just for his sheer hatred of Houellebeqc (whom I love).
Posted by: Briana | June 22, 2007 at 12:52 PM
i love your book reviews!
Murakami is a weird dude - i like his writing most of the time, but sometimes it makes me dizzy, i lose the thread, get confused....
what's on the summer reading list?
Posted by: marsha | June 22, 2007 at 01:37 PM
I love, love, love Murakami. This book especially seemed to circle back to themes in Hard Boiled Wonderland. I need to read it again. As far as your other reads. Loved Extremely Loud etc (never can remember the name) did you see the movie Everything is Illuminated? Same guy. And History of Love is on my radar, recommended by a student a year or two ago, I might even have it on the shelf. I liked Bee Season, but heard that the second book was so-so. Keep these reviews coming!!! No pressure, I swear.
Posted by: Sonya | June 22, 2007 at 11:20 PM
I also really appreciate your book reviews. I am a very picky reader... But talking to cats and scuh.. Brilliant!
AS for the pin. All I can say is that I want that goose to be named Ferdinad. And just the name Ferdinand is making me want to dance. Why is that??
xxxxxoooo
Posted by: | June 23, 2007 at 09:54 AM
Random?
That last comment was from me. However, as you can see, my name is present nowhere. :) Weird. see see, Mercury again... argh... hehehe
Posted by: Vanessa V | June 23, 2007 at 09:56 AM
Sweet pin and thanks for the link to visit Lechner's home, great images though I really wouldn't want to have to do the dusting!
Posted by: carolyn | June 24, 2007 at 07:19 AM
Love your pin and thank you for the amazing link to Sara Lechner's beautiful home -a case of a house filled with 'things' but everything having its place and looking like they belong.
Posted by: cruststation | June 24, 2007 at 10:23 AM
A charming pin Risa :) and loved the link to Saras fab home - so like her work! xxx
Posted by: julie | June 25, 2007 at 06:19 AM
Your'e a great book-review-writer!!!
I never tried Murakami, don't know why, but I love Updike!
And I love the work of Sara!!
Posted by: Uschi | June 25, 2007 at 09:18 AM
kafka on the shore was one of my favourite reads of the past year. I just loved it ... can it have 6 or 7 cupcakes please :)
what an amazing home. I'm just not sure I would be able to live in it. although I admire everything in it.
Posted by: simple me | June 25, 2007 at 03:10 PM
Marukami is amazing. I've read everything he's written. His book Underground on the Sarin gas attacks in Tokyo is amazing. But my favorite book is The Wind Up Bird Chronicle where the protagonist searches for his wife's missing cat - the young girl he meets is one of the most memorable characters I've ever read in fiction. Read it, if you haven't already it's a really stunning book.
Posted by: Michelle | June 26, 2007 at 08:26 PM
Like many, Murakami has to be one of my favourite authors too. I'll follow him down wells and into jazz clubs anytime.
Happy reading! grache xo
Posted by: g | June 28, 2007 at 09:55 AM
Get out of my head! Love Murakami. I think Wild Sheep Chase might be my favorite.
Posted by: ambika | June 28, 2007 at 03:17 PM