Recs if you like The Housekeeper and the Professor...

books whose main characters are older and disillusioned with life and go on a little adventure that melts their hearts (and heals yours)

Not all collections hold things you can touch. This one holds worlds that breathe, selves that dissolve, and realities that refuse to hold their shape. These are the fictions that live on the edge of what language can contain - and sometimes just beyond. Admission is free, through entry requires a signed waiver: the curator cannot be held responsible for any transformations that occur upon your exit. We welcome specimen recommendations!

you can enter a space. you are a regular guy, you can enter a room. you are a regular guy, you can do that transaction. you are a regular guy, you know how to answer the phone. you are a regular guy, you know what sleep is. you are a regular guy, you know what it means to be you.

all of these books have regular people as the protagonist doing all sorts of things, from kissing to killing!

as always, open to all suggestions!

Short books that you can read in a sitting, to help you achieve your yearly reading goal 🤭🥳 Feel free to mention anything else from the list, I'm so glad to add & check them out 😁

ladies love to write all around the world!

Books where we never find out the narrators'/ protagonists’ names. Feel free to comment any additions!

Mostly Korean and Japanese translated works that have that cozy, slice of life vibes.

also known as "cozy fiction", heartwarming, comforting stories focusing on everyday life, most well known examples would be Before The Coffee Gets Gold or Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

Japanese literary fiction by prestigious authors who have proved themselves through the Akutagawa and Naoki prizes. I've included significant historical fiction as well.

Short novels can sometimes be overlooked by readers who usually go for content that will leave them thinking. Usually, only books that are exceptionally long or are known as classics can leave a reader reeling for hours after. However, in around 200 pages or less, these authors have composed multiple or a single story that cause you to question the way things are in the world in comparison to how they could be.

This is my Japanese literature list: Little Japan. Most of these books sit on my bookshelf in my little corner of the world. Enjoy!

books that smell good

Books exploring memory

Strangers form unlikely friendships that turn into family

Winners and nominees of the Japan Booksellers’ Award (Honya Taisho) translated into English

*Not listed in year or sequence

Please note that this is by no means a fully comprehensive list. This is a start in a journey to try to read more globally, and I would love to hear your translated literature recommendations

All buddy reads taking place in the Organized Book Club discord starting and/or ending in 2025. The list will be updated throughout the year.