tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444239480570451270.post821389591091371649..comments2023-10-25T11:03:29.174-04:00Comments on Impressions of a Reader...: Update + South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki MurakamiHilciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17765831808358693421noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444239480570451270.post-27887653608469221072015-05-10T14:25:21.978-04:002015-05-10T14:25:21.978-04:00I've been eyeing Scribd! The only thing that&...I've been eyeing Scribd! The only thing that's stopping me now is that I'd have to use my tablet/phone, and I so much prefer reading off my Kindle Paperwhite. But it seems like such a bargain - I think I'll probably cave once I find time for some proper reading again.<br /><br />LiAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444239480570451270.post-80145897360400840352015-05-07T08:42:31.937-04:002015-05-07T08:42:31.937-04:00I like to dream but learned early to stay grounded...I like to dream but learned early to stay grounded in reality. . . The first book I read by Murakami was surrealist in style, this one is melancholic. Let's see what the next one brings. :) Hilciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17765831808358693421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444239480570451270.post-3676093012958332822015-05-06T06:28:17.945-04:002015-05-06T06:28:17.945-04:00Sometimes the fantasy itself is better than the ex...Sometimes the fantasy itself is better than the expected reality of "what if". I know I prefer to have my dreams than to actually admit I'd go after them. I understand the fault in this way of thinking, I know I'm not really living per se, but it's a reality I control. I suppose Hijama felt in control that way too even if he never thought about it.S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12010038911071421007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444239480570451270.post-25344944360235854052015-05-05T20:38:23.167-04:002015-05-05T20:38:23.167-04:00That's key, Sonia. The fact that you connected...That's key, Sonia. The fact that you connected with Hijama. I believe that we all allow things to fall into place without making an effort at some point in our lives. I was thinking about that today after answering your comment. I know that, personally, in my younger years I was much more proactive, a "go getter." But there certainly have been years of complacency between then and now. <br /><br />It's not just about ambition though. I couldn't relate to Hijama inability to connect with people or make an effort on his own behalf. Or his using Shimamoto as a reason not to let himself really live by giving of himself to others. I see her as his "fantasy," one he never really understood, and when he did? He was not ready to go all the way to the end with her. Hilciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17765831808358693421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444239480570451270.post-65074535599866365992015-05-05T19:56:29.491-04:002015-05-05T19:56:29.491-04:00Honestly I don't remember much of the plot.
I ...Honestly I don't remember much of the plot.<br />I just know I connected to Hijama because like him, I don't feel ambitious and have a lack of goals. I understand his behavior and Murakami's writing resonates with me in that capacity, of making me feel like one of his characters somehow. It's weird. lolS.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12010038911071421007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444239480570451270.post-40133627153681923392015-05-05T15:20:08.015-04:002015-05-05T15:20:08.015-04:00Wendy my dear! My TBR is huge! I have no excuse fo...Wendy my dear! My TBR is huge! I have no excuse for joining. Except that as I say above after that first free month's trial, I found that even though I have some books in print already, the convenience of having them on ebook format made it easier to read a few. The same with the audiobooks. I've listened to a couple of books (SF and Fiction mainly) that I let sit in my TBR because I just could not get myself going. <br /><br />But my goodness Wendy!!! There are Harlequin's galore in there! I don't have many left in my TBR at the moment and you have no idea how much $ I spend yearly trying to obtain backlists or looking to complete series. It's indulgent for it works for me. <br /><br />PS: I was reading KristieJ's post and her rant about the Heath ebooks prices.The previous month I had downloaded all those books. (I have one in print and another in my Kindle) but, you know? When you see those ebook prices going wild for backlists, Scribd makes sense. Hilciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17765831808358693421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444239480570451270.post-7475037477396086312015-05-05T15:01:17.737-04:002015-05-05T15:01:17.737-04:00Once Harlequin got in bed with Scribd I was sorely...Once Harlequin got in bed with Scribd I was sorely, sorely tempted. All those category romances! The backlists! Then I looked at the giant Rubbermaid tote in my closet that holds nothing but contemporary category romances (my Harlequin Historicals have their own shelf - I just *might* have a problem) and resisted. But seriously. If my TBR wasn't already so ginormous I would be there in a hot minute.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444239480570451270.post-4607347111814234452015-05-05T09:10:25.849-04:002015-05-05T09:10:25.849-04:00Sonia! Yes, I agree with you about the pace. It wa...Sonia! Yes, I agree with you about the pace. It was good, the story didn't drag. <br /><br />What did you think of the plot itself though? Murakami wasn't directionless, I thought Hijama was on a subtle journey to suicide that he frustratingly and to his relief did not have the momentum to accomplish. Worse than that, his perceived connection with Shimamoto was nonexistent because he did not understand her. Anyway, I liked this novel. It had some brilliant moments. But in the end, yes, the plot as a whole did not take me to the moon and back. :) <br /><br />I have a couple of his classic books in my TBR and hope to get to them this year. Hilciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17765831808358693421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1444239480570451270.post-32890352367832231712015-05-05T07:13:01.781-04:002015-05-05T07:13:01.781-04:00Hilcia! Well I went back to my notes and what I li...Hilcia! Well I went back to my notes and what I liked best about the book was the pace. Somehow it felt like it suited the story. I understand your opinion about the less than good things and I agree with some but overall, I enjoyed the book. Will have to go back to the author one day. S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12010038911071421007noreply@blogger.com