Recs if you like Palm of the Hand Stories...

books featured in the film Perfect Days (2023) directed by Wim Wenders, a glimpse into the quiet life of toilet cleaner Hirayama —

a life of light filtered through leaves, old cassette tapes, playing shadow tag with strangers, and reading until you can’t keep your eyes open. a life of hidden pain, and fleeting beauty found in unexpected places.

(soundtrack in the comments!)

i used to have a book bin in the bathroom, mostly short stories and anthologies you could read in one go. @scampireads said that could be a list, so here it is. short story books, one story per visit. some are ultra-short (quickies, for those in a hurry), others give you ten minutes, in case your stomach is acting up. a few run longer, skip those unless you want half an hour in there and everyone at home worried. recommendations are much appreciated! (books in english and spanish)

I can’t read Japanese fiction in their original language, only translated so I guess aim at the mercy of translators and their interpretation of these works.