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This reading journal is just a personal project of mine, to keep all the Asian novel translations I've read in one place, along with any notes, quotes, info, and thoughts I had about the books. I've been reading a lot of novel translations lately, particularly Japanese Mysteries, so I thought it would be fun to put this site together. Like an annotated bibliography of sorts.
You can peruse the complete catalog of entries, or scroll below to view the entries for my favorite titles.
"I'm a huge fan of mysteries; in fact, they're almost an addiction. If a week goes by without reading a mystery, I suffer withdrawal symptoms. Then I wander around like I'm sleepwalking and wake up in a bookshop, looking for a mystery novel. I've read just about every mystery story ever written...but it's not an intellectual pursuit; it's more like me getting my fill of gossip."
Sōji Shimada, The Tokyo Zodiac Murders
"What mystery novels need are – some might call me old-fashioned – a great detective, a mansion, a shady cast of residents, bloody murders, impossible crimes and never-before-seen tricks played by the murderer. Call it my castle in the sky, but I’m happy as long as I can enjoy such a world. But always in an intellectual manner."
Yukito Ayatsuji, The Decagon House Murders
Why translated Asian novels? And why so many Japanese Mysteries?
Why translated Asian novels? And why so many Japanese Mysteries?
I honestly have no idea. It really came out of nowhere. Aside from having watched a handful of animes, I'd never had more than a passing interest in Asian media or literature until a couple years ago. But I suppose, why not?
While I'd read a couple translated novels in college, I didn't start seeking them out purposefully until the end of 2021, after I picked up Bullet Train by Kotaro Isaka on a whim after starting my first position at the library. I had been struggling with a years-long reading slump, and discovering translated Asian novels revived my former enthusiasm for reading. Japanese mysteries, though, quickly became a particular favorite of mine after stumbling across Keigo Higashino's work in August 2022, and since then I've been devouring as much of the genre as I can get my hands on!
My Favorites
My Favorites
Yukito Ayatsuji
Koushun Takami
Kotaro Isaka
Masahiro Imamura
Seishi Yokomizo
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