Second Book: REAL WORLD by NATSUO KIRINO

This was the second book I have read after I declared I’d join this challenge. I read Natsuo Kirino’s first book, OUT, and was disappointed at it. But I realized that I wanted more of her (Kirino) books. So I searched for her second book, GROTESQUE. I luckily found it in a local thriftshop (the price was still too high, but it was NATSUO KIRINO, for God’s sake). I read the book, found out that the first book was much better because the second book has more disappointing. Then I again started to search for the third book, REAL WORLD. After successfully downloading an ebook, I read it in one sitting.

And I was scowling after I've finished reading it.

I don't know but the books really left a mark. They are disappointing (personally, this is not a spoiler or anything like that) but still I want more. Arrghh. I began an obsession: NATSUO KIRINO books. That sounded weird, right? Well, to me, it sounded realistic. When you read Miss Kirino's books, it's like you're looking at the dark side of the society. The reality of the place we are living today. The stories might have occurred in Japan, but it has a general concept. It reaches to all the corners of the world. I'm not sure but the books think that everyone in the world is somewhat connected. Even if you don't care what you're neighbor is up to in the middle of the night, something related to that fact will affect you. It's like that. And that's a scary reality.

I read that REAL WORLD is the third English-translated book of Natsuo Kirino. There's one more: WHAT REMAINS, so I'm keeping an eye for that one. However, if I wanted to read all her books, I have to learn Basic and Advanced Japanese to work it out. Plus, I have to order books (in Japanese) from Japan just to get a hold of them. So I guess, my search for the other Kirino's books ends temporarily after I find the fourth translated book.

I just need to write this down because I can't get the book out of my mind. The book is so damn effective in making you think so deep.

100 Books Challenge

It's the middle of the year and I join a within-2011 challenge. But then, I got to try it. There's always time and reading books is the best way to kill time. Right? So I'm joining this 100 books challenge and though I start with one book, I know I can make it. By 2011 December, I will have to finish 100 books. That's right! I'm doing it.

Fun with Tuesday Teaser

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along. Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read.
2. Open to a random page.
3. Share two (2) "teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
4. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!).
5. Share the title & author, too, so that the other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers.

-------------------------------------Teaser--------------------------------- 
The door to the adjoining room opened softly, and the man who had brought me there poked his head in and pointed to me.


"You, come here. The rest of you can leave."

- page 263, GROTESQUE by Natsuo Kirino

I'm back!

I've been gone for some time but I'm back! Harhar!

So some updates in my life. First, I submitted a resignation letter to my boss and left the office I was working in. Reason? My dad wanted to set-up a business with moi as the business manager. Hmmm. Not bad. So I said "I'm in!" Well, the job was great but you can't blame me. It's a bigger opportunity and the only way to get to it is to get off the regular work and help my dad with the business building.

Then, last Saturday (July 16, 2011), a Comic Convention was held in our small city. It was actually the first comic convention and it was small. It was successful despite the small number of attendees. But I had fun anyways. Really loved that day! The organizer promised another comic convention on February and he hopes more comic artists (indie and well-known professionals) and comic fans will participate. I'm crossing my fingers here. Our city has very conservative and tradition-bound residents and comics is a small part of their lives. That's why thank God for a thoughtful resident comic artist who set up a small comic convention. Comic awareness successful!

Now to the novels. Because I was busy, I was successful reading only one novel last month. Praise Natsuo Kirino's GROTESQUE. What I can say about it is...honestly? It gave me the creeps. It wasn't a thriller or a horror story, but it scared me. To think that it actually tells the story of Japanese women, from childhood to adulthood. I admit I was so irritated with the narrator - I forgot that her name was never mentioned in the book - at first. She was rude and selfish. Then I got irritated with her sister, her accused killer, then the rapist's sister and rapist's so-called second victim. But when I got to the end, I started feeling sorry for all of them. Miss Natsuo Kirino really got me there. It just gave me the creeps that the story has some truth in it. That many women, Japanese or not, can actually turn to monsters (a term repeatedly mentioned in the book). The ending was the shocking part. That was really not expected. It was definitely a GROTESQUE book.

I loved OUT, Natsuo Kirino's first book (in English, too). It was the first Kirino book I have read and it was the culprit that made me rush to bookstores and thriftshops to look for a Natsuo Kirino book. I found out that her books are rare finds here in the Philippines and I was lucky to find one hardbound in a local bookshop. It was a little expensive but I'd give a thousand pesos to complete my Natsuo Kirino collection. Within two months, I was able to get a copy each of OUT and GROTESQUE. I hit the stores for the third English-translated book, REAL WORLD, but no luck. I'm still searching, though. I'd order abroad if I have to...some time, I guess. Until I can pay for the shipping and customs costs.

That's it for now. I'm starting on another novel. I'm a thriller and fantasy fan so I'm getting my hands on one of my Dean Koontz collection.