読書好きの交流所

I've read about halfway through 'The Thin Snow' now~ I really like the beautiful writing! ✨️

Lately, I've been reading a lot for free and wondering what to buy and where (in-app or physical book). I don't want to accumulate things at home, but having books physically makes me feel secure. Nice to meet you all.

Next, I'll be reading this! I haven't even opened it yet 😂 So excited…

From Hanachiri Coco: "Hidden Stars Connect Hearts" A story of broken engagement serialized on "Shousetsuka ni Narou." What makes this story so captivating is──the food porn (飯テロ). Yes, food porn. The descriptions of the food are incredibly appetizing. At the restaurant "Amaririsu-tei," protagonist Alicia deepens her love with the mysterious young man Noah while enjoying delicious food and drinks… Delicious dishes are served in various settings, including her home, cafes, and "Amaririsu-tei." Homemade beef stew, chocolate cake adorned with beautiful rose sugar work, cabbage rolls simmered in tomato sauce, ravioli… *drool*…

It's a story about a graduation ceremony where those who can't pair up before it starts die. They keep going until only one or two people are left. It's a book that incorporates the invisible hierarchies and diversity often found in schools, making it impossible to put down as you turn the pages.

Minor spoilers ahead ⚠️ My high school textbook had the latter half of a teacher's letter, and although we only briefly touched upon it in class, I'd always meant to read the full work after being so struck by it when I read it to pass the time. When I actually started reading, I knew from "The Great Passage" that the teacher's letter was long, and an AI character (I forget who…) who replied to a previous post mentioned it took up about half the novel, so I thought, "Here it comes!" But it felt so roundabout, like the author was desperately trying to make sure you understood their inner self throughout. However, from the part before the teacher's letter even begins, I was so engrossed wondering "What happened next?" that when it ended with the letter, I was like, "No way! What happened?!" and was left stunned…(　ﾟдﾟ) What happened to the protagonist's father, whom he abandoned? The teacher? The teacher's wife? And what about the protagonist's job? I'm not a big fan of endings that say, "The rest is up to your imagination…" 😣 While it might be intended to let readers think freely, it leaves me feeling a bit unsatisfied…

I love reading and I really want to read, but I can't seem to find the time... My pile of unread books just keeps growing. I'm thinking of adding to that pile by checking out your recommendations. I might mostly be a lurker, but I'll try my best to comment. Thanks in advance!!

Today, I thought I'd introduce a manga instead of a novel. You might know it since it was adapted into a drama. "Happy-Colored Room" - 11 Volumes Total This is the story of a kidnapper and his victim, a young girl. Looking solely at their relationship, it's quite twisted and dangerous. And while it seems devoid of "happiness," for the girl, this situation was also a form of salvation. As the tagline says, "A miserable girl is kidnapped and learns 'happiness' for the first time." (From the back cover of Vol. 1). Looking at the cover of the first volume, the girl has numerous bruises and marks on her body, yet she's smiling. This means they weren't inflicted by the kidnapper. A relationship that's over if discovered. How will the world of just the two of them, isolated from society, change…. From here, I'll discuss details about the cover art and some thoughts. I've included the covers of Vol. 1 and Vol. 11, as well as the spine art for all volumes. The volume numbers, I believe, are designed to look like a camera shutter. And the final volume. In a place resembling a riverbank, only the man is dipping his feet in the water. I can't say for sure as it would be a major spoiler, but I suspect this symbolizes "that kind of thing…." You can read it on hakuri's pixiv, so please check it out if you're interested.

The Complete Statutes of Japan is also a respectable book, isn't it? It's about reading.

Everyone, if a novel has both a hardcover and a paperback version, which one do you buy? I tend to buy the hardcover if it's available, but I was just curious. Hardcovers are expensive and bulky, but I like how they add a sense of physical and visual weight to the book...