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• 
  @daddie42017 сағат бұрын

  Hey! I have just finished reading this book, and specifically looked for a book review since none of the people I knew have read it 😅 by the way, I found this book in a thrift book shop. The sypnosis looked so promising, that I bought it with the little money I had (I am a broke college student), and it was very worth it! I have been trying to get into reading lately, and since English is not my first language, it is not a fun experience to hop in to reading books from English speakers right off the bat. I then had the idea of reading from translated works. You're right! It is so easy to read and I enjoyed it a lot. I was already expecting to cry, since the first thing we read about is a car accident, and a lost and grieving mother. What I was not prepared for was the comedy! I laughed so much that I worried I may have woken up my house mates in the middle of the night. LMAO The only worry I have about this book is that I may have read it too quickly... in my re read of this after a while, I will make sure to read slower to take it all in better. Great review!

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks17 сағат бұрын

  So glad you enjoyed this book and I loved how you found it great to read in English too. I have the same issue. I’m learning French but I’m finding that sometimes reading in another language is a lot slower plus I lose the nuance of the language. I always feel like I’m “missing something”. I guess finding books that are written simply without lots of detailed descriptions and with more dialogue is the way to go if you want to read in another language. For the record, I wish my French was as good as your English!!! It’s brilliant. Happy reading!

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  @amelmahmoud8221Күн бұрын

  THANK YOU SO MUCH, VERY USEFUL

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks21 сағат бұрын

  Appreciate that, glad it was. Happy reading!

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  @andyjones18993 күн бұрын

  Hi Helen..totally agree..I read this book recently and read it over two days..I think it was extremely well written and raises a lot of interesting questions about the publishing industry..I watched some interviews by the author and I remember thinking what a smart person she is..I wonder what her next book will be?.. great review looking forward to your next one..just read (or started) Day by Michael Cunningham, would love to know your thoughts on that one if you come by it...toodleooo

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks21 сағат бұрын

  Thanks for this. Yeah I listened to an interview of hers on Radio National's Book show and it was interesting to learn of her inspiration for the book. I don't know Day so will check it out. I have created a "Shelf" on GoodReads with all the books that viewers recommend and I steadily add these to that so I can refer to them when I'm out and about on my travels to libraries and stores.

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  @andyjones189919 сағат бұрын

  @@LifeLessonsFromBooks awesome..just half way through The Pachinko Parlour..loving it..great recommendation

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks17 сағат бұрын

  Glad you’re enjoying it. Have you read the other Pachinko book out of interest. It’s by Min Jin Lee and also had rave reviews. I’d like to read that too. It’s on my TBR…..like so many others. 🤣

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  @andyjones189916 сағат бұрын

  @@LifeLessonsFromBooks on reserve at the library..I'll let you know on that one..yes reading list growing..just discovered Javier Marias..so many books so little time and writing in between...but great joy.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks16 сағат бұрын

  @andyjones1899 ooh I have The Infatuations here on my book shelf by him but I haven’t read it yet.

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  @belhypotheque64173 күн бұрын

  I enjoyed your review. Thanks. I’m trying to read all the booker prize books

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks21 сағат бұрын

  Good luck, that's a great goal to have!

• 
  @prairierose11155 күн бұрын

  Thanks for the review and insights. 👏

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks4 күн бұрын

  Thank you for watching 😊

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  @Tsuki101-5 күн бұрын

  I've read "Babel" from the same author, I really enjoyed it. There's some controversies as well but it's an interesting read nonetheless. I'd love to know what you think once you've read it!

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks4 күн бұрын

  Yes, now that I know her work, Babel would be intriguing. I’ll be borrowing it from the library to read. Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts here. 😊

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  @ocholamwanafalsafa86275 күн бұрын

  Thanks,this was very ueeful to me❤

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks4 күн бұрын

  Thank you for watching. 😊

• 
  @aaaaaaaaaa22605 күн бұрын

  Ur reviews are thoughtful and comes from heart and shows ur passion about it too. Gratitude 🙏

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks4 күн бұрын

  Thank you for that kind observation. Happy reading. 📚😊

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  @DefaultName-nt7tk5 күн бұрын

  Unfortunately a successful marketing is the key most of the time nowadays to 'make it' whether you are an author or an artist 😢. So many talented musicians are to be discovered but lack the connection and the funds 😢.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks4 күн бұрын

  Yes, and further to this it makes you think just what fantastic creativity we are missing out on because of this. Many voices disappear under the noise.

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  @mkdesu7 күн бұрын

  Do you know about this book THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak? I've read this book three times and finished,

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks7 күн бұрын

  Yes, another great book!

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  @mkdesu7 күн бұрын

  While going through the library here at Fully Booked in the Philippines, I saw this book and instantly caught my attention when i also saw from the cover that Haruki Murakami recommends it. So as of now just listening to it for the audiobook version. Looking to collect my thoughts after im done.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks7 күн бұрын

  Yeah it’s interesting to read how Kawakami and Murakami relate to each other’s different writing styles. That’s what intrigued me to read Kawakami. This year I’ve been getting into more Japanese literature because I like their style and also glimpses into Japanese life.

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  @mkdesu7 күн бұрын

  I also find it great that we seem to have similar interest. I am a distance runner that is currently about to try to do a Sub 2 Half Marathon attempt 3 days from now. And in regards to Japanese Literature Haruki Marakumi and the authors he vouches for. (similar writing style / vibes i guess)

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks7 күн бұрын

  Oh good luck with the run! (I don’t run anymore until recently opting for gentler exercise like walking now 🤣) .

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  @mkdesu7 күн бұрын

  Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami is one of the first books that introduced me to Haruki Murakami. I used to be a bad boy and skipped classes and instead either play computer or more so read books instead at the library or somewhere else. I've finished reading Men Without Women in one sitting about 5 to 6 hours? And it completely gripped me in the world during that time.

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  @mkdesu7 күн бұрын

  Hi. I just recently learned about Meiko Kawakami about a week a go. I'm currently listening to the audiobook of Breast and Eggs. And I appreciate your channel for making these videos providing a great listen as I write some boring papers for my school requirements. I assume you are from either Australia or New Zealand regarding your accent. Thanks again.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks7 күн бұрын

  Thank you so much for your kind comment. I appreciate it and wish you all the best with your studies. I hope they greatly improve for you! Yes, my accent is Australian. You guessed well. Happy reading from down south in Melbourne Australia!

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  @vedshukla22868 күн бұрын

  The underground basement book store was definitely what I have always dreamt of. A perfect book store with rain pouring outside and a cup of coffee sipped to make me warm while I browse through the titles endlessly. Thank you for documenting this visit of yours. It truly touched the inner crevices of my heart and made me so very happy:)

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks7 күн бұрын

  Thank you for this feedback. I appreciate it. 🙏 Isn’t it wonderful that books make us feel this way? 😊

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  @vedshukla22865 күн бұрын

  @@LifeLessonsFromBooks of course! It is the most magical feeling ever to have felt by someone ✨

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  @AaliyahfathimaalFaizal8 күн бұрын

  I was read the book early above one year ago and I love this book very much as other books and I'm also a poet i wrote so many poems related to human life since above 1 year ago can you review my poems ❤

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks7 күн бұрын

  Wonderful! Thank you for your comment. Poetry is something that is difficult to write so writing it must mean you have so much to share and express. All the best with that and thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts. 🙏

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  @AaliyahfathimaalFaizal7 күн бұрын

  ​@@LifeLessonsFromBooks❤❤❤

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  @amarbawa55229 күн бұрын

  I loved this analysis! Thanks for sharing :)

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks8 күн бұрын

  Thank you, greatly appreciated! 🙏😊

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  @andyjones18999 күн бұрын

  Ive read some books by Japanese and Korean writers..The Vegetarian by Han Kang..Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au..Out by Natsuo Kirino and I love the freshness of these writers..not every book needs to start with 'a shot rang out' and novels that cook on a slow boil are just as good...your recommendation looks like a library reserve..great review

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks9 күн бұрын

  Thanks for this. I’ve not read Out by Natsuo Kirino nor The Vegetarian but I’ve just finished listening to Cold Enough for Snow which I liked. I love these type of books that are slower and reflective. All the suggestions people are recommending, I’m now putting into a Goodreads list for me to look for and read. So I’ve put yours on this too thank you. Yes, it’s a library book. Many of my books are borrowed as it can be an expensive hobby……

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  @no1un010 күн бұрын

  Great video!

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  @royfr813610 күн бұрын

  You've confused 'review' with retelling...

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  @SevenUnwokenDreams10 күн бұрын

  I loved this book, and her first one Winter in Sokcho. I think they're both underrated. I just found out she had another book translated into English last month and I must get my hands on it. Her books are so intimate.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks10 күн бұрын

  Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree wholeheartedly and I will be reading her latest in the next month.

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  @RevengeoftheEnts11 күн бұрын

  Similar to you, I picked it up based on a quote i read by Ursula K LeGuin: “The single best science fiction book to this day”

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  @reaganwiles_art11 күн бұрын

  Me too. I taught in Japan in 2001. Pachinko is or was a big problem for the poor. Like scratchoffs in USA.

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  @reaganwiles_art11 күн бұрын

  The Chrysanthemum and the Sword is a book of Japanese social history, fascinating. For me it was a page turner.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks10 күн бұрын

  @@reaganwiles_art thanks for this. Pachinko was new for me and there might be a history there about it - and with what you said regarding it being a problem for some (I assume it may be addictive?). I'll look out for this book you recommend too. I'm fascinated by Japanese stories and want to read more.

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  @NYLeafy.V12 күн бұрын

  I want to read this - it sounds like one of those stories you don’t forget

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  @Mersthamgal113 күн бұрын

  Just a point of interest. Eileen has an Irish surname pronounced O'Seanasee (shorn as in trimmed sheep😂). or in my county pronounced O'Shockensee ..... dont ask😂😂😂😂

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks13 күн бұрын

  Love it! Thank you so much for letting me know. The wonder of accents and different pronunciations of names around the world. 🙏

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  @JustinWoodwardComedy13 күн бұрын

  Your thumbnail caught my eye because Catcher in the Rye is my favorite novel. I’ve ordered this one and can’t wait to read it.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks13 күн бұрын

  Oh I loved The Catcher In The Rye. It was brilliant. Enjoy reading Dostoyevsky. It’s truly an experience.

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  @JustinWoodwardComedy13 күн бұрын

  @@LifeLessonsFromBooks I've already ordered all his core novels! Can't wait.

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  @JalapenoCookie14 күн бұрын

  I thought the book was a fun read but relatively shallow. The main character was relatable (unfortunately) but the story for the most part felt like depression p*rn. Books like No Longer Human and The Blind Owl portray NW's themes much more fluently and originally.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks14 күн бұрын

  Thank you for sharing your thoughts of the book here and also recommending a couple of new ones especially from a Japanese and Iranian author. I’ve added these to a list I compile based on what viewers of this channel recommend to me to read. 🙏 . www.goodreads.com/review/list/7228482?shelf=life-lessons-viewers-love&sort=date_added&order=d

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  @xScazza8 күн бұрын

  One of the main takeaways from the book is that Toru chose life (Midori represents life and hope) instead of sinking like his friends. To call it depression porn is ironically shallow in itself and misses the entire point of the book. The book is incredibly deep in meaning and deals with some heavy topics in a realistic and relatable way.

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  @killerskiely10016 күн бұрын

  Nice review thanks.

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  @The_Open_Book16 күн бұрын

  You've got a nice subtle sense of humor 😂 excited to hear the lessons you've found in books :)

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks16 күн бұрын

  Thank you. That’s a lovely comment. I appreciate that. 😊

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  @martinrasmussen775417 күн бұрын

  I finally understood Chemistry, when i took an education at the age of 31. Listen...If a majority is to understand and STAY INTERESTED IN CHEMISTRY, YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT INTERESTING. WITH ALL IT INCLUDES...LIKE FIRST OF ALL...EXPLOSIVES. I DONT KNOW ANY CHEMIST, THAT DIDNT START WITH THE MOST INTERESTING. AND THEN EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENS IN THAT CHEMICAL REACTION. Then the rest is like LEGO. Teach what is dangerous, and what is not. AND WHY IT IS LIKE THAT IN NATURE. Incredible you havent learned that yet. So called teachers.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks17 күн бұрын

  Well I started my professional life as an organic chemist and then I spent the rest of it in learning and development. What you say is correct. Teach what may spark an interest and curiosity but ultimately it’s up to the individual to find the motivation, practice the skill, get feedback from learning to master anything. I enjoyed chemistry because it was like a puzzle for me.

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  @readingthe20thcentury17 күн бұрын

  I enjoyed this review a lot! I've just finished reading 'We' and agree with a lot of your analysis, especially that it's a reminder that all of your favourite authors took their inspiration from somewhere. Atwood from Orwell, Orwell from Zamyatin, Zamyatin from Kafka, Verne...? Considering 'We' and '1984': I think Zamyatin's book is more difficult, but also more rewarding. It's a more 'literary' text, the narrative style is different to Orwell's, and that makes for a very different reading experience, even if the content is very, very similar in places. 'We' has that 1920s modernist/expressionist thing going on, it doesn't strive to tell you exactly what is happening at every moment. In places it's almost stream of consciousness style: you get the protagonist-narrator's diary entries, and it's kind of up to you to work out exactly what's going on. (If you haven't read it yet, don't be put off by this! It's not that hard, I'm just comparing to Orwell's style which is quite plain and straightforward to read.)

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks17 күн бұрын

  Wonderful. A great way to explain the style of this book and why it’s so good. Thank you for watching and sharing your thoughts. 😊

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  @user-ox6wd7kz1o17 күн бұрын

  Very enjoyble and I have the book on my shelf so I better give it a read.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks17 күн бұрын

  Let me know what you think!

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  @andyjones189918 күн бұрын

  A while ago a did some reading on Greek history, culture, mythology and theatre. I bought a book Sophocles The Three Theban Plays..your review made me pull the book off the shelf and give Antigone another go..if i see your book on my rounds ill scoop it up and give it a go..who wouldnt love to go to Greece once in their lives

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks17 күн бұрын

  Yeah that’ll be good. Ok. I’ll do the same too. I’ll read it before this year is out. Done. ✅

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  @cowboy570918 күн бұрын

  Thank you for your review dont think so negatively about yourself and your reviews keep doing what you love and i found this one useful if that gives you some motivation

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks17 күн бұрын

  Thank you so much for your kind words. Always appreciated. 🙏😊

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  @LibroParadiso-ep4zt18 күн бұрын

  Medea is one of my favorite tragedies. I've re-read it often, but never seen it performed. Even made a video about it on my channel. When I read Jason and the Argonauts by Appolinius of Rhodes, it added another layer to Medea, exploring how her love for Jason was orchestrated by Hera and Aphrodite, leading to betray her family and have her brother killed. In the Rhodes book Jason is a hero, in Medea he isn't. That's something that appeals to me deeply about Greek mythology, the ebb and flow of emotion, intent, conflicted characters who we strive for and then in another story are horrified by their actions.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks17 күн бұрын

  Thanks again for watching and sharing your thoughts. I headed over to your channel and watched what you said about Medea too. I should have read these years ago!

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  @LibroParadiso-ep4zt16 күн бұрын

  @@LifeLessonsFromBooks I like the Greek tragedies. Often return to them. If you see the Rhodes book, get it. I think you'd enjoy it.

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  @Abuamina00118 күн бұрын

  It is truly a great short novel. An ideal 'introduction' text for folk new to the author. (Yes, I mean grumpy teenage students.)

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks18 күн бұрын

  🤣

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  @Abuamina00118 күн бұрын

  Kudos.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks18 күн бұрын

  Thank you! 🙏

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  @sivarbest163819 күн бұрын

  This was my second novel from this author, and i really liked it .

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks18 күн бұрын

  Fab! Happy reading and hope you read more of his books. I can recommend Norwegian Wood too.

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  @anilthapa563119 күн бұрын

  Good job 👍

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  @torresetm20 күн бұрын

  Thank you for the review. I'm gonna read it.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks17 күн бұрын

  Fab! Let me know what you think.

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  @Abuamina00120 күн бұрын

  I read the book, soon after high school, still a teenager, before university. I think it made me very cynical in employment situations. Nobody likes a smart-alec one boss told me. Under the circumstances, how could be anything else?, I replied.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks17 күн бұрын

  I understand the cynicism. After all I’ve done that too in job situations. 🤣

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  @thomasmcculloch413021 күн бұрын

  I loved the review and the mention of of The Nervous Breakdown, which I will read. I think as a 20 something hearing the breakdown of the book from someone who’s lived it really helps me grasp the concepts present better. I will definitely check out more of your reveiws to find more books

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks17 күн бұрын

  Thank you for watching and sharing your feedback. Always appreciated 😊🙏

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  @LibroParadiso-ep4zt22 күн бұрын

  The Good Soldier, wonderful book. I think I commented that I have it next to Great Gatsby and The Age of Innocence. When I read one I read the other two.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks22 күн бұрын

  Interesting, I'm looking forward to reading it. I think I'll read it this year. I haven't read Age of Innocence but I'll keep that in mind to read both close together. Great Gatsby was good too. I think I did a review of that too on this channel.

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  @LibroParadiso-ep4zt22 күн бұрын

  @@LifeLessonsFromBooks All three books have many things in common which I won't mention here to not spoil anything. The Good Soldier was the first Ford book I read and it led me to his quartet of novels collected as Parade's End. It's one of my favorite books. A few years ago the BBC did a faithful adaptation starring Benedict Cumberbach.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks22 күн бұрын

  @@LibroParadiso-ep4zt Intriguing. Okay, I'll definitely need to read this book. I love Benedict Cumberbach so I'll need to check this out too. I have been collecting all the books that viewers of this channel have been suggesting to me to read and adding them to the GoodReads Collection so these will be what I will refer to anytime I'm at a library or shop to find these books. I really appreciate you sharing these www.goodreads.com/review/list/7228482-helen-blunden?shelf=life-lessons-viewers-love&utf8=%E2%9C%93

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  @Abuamina00123 күн бұрын

  Charming review. Have you ever read "Hadji Murad" by Leo Tolstoy ? Another forgotten gem.

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  @LifeLessonsFromBooks22 күн бұрын

  No I haven't. I haven't even heard of it but you sent me down a rabbit warren now exploring it. Thanks for this recommendation, I've added it to my list of books to read!

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  @Abuamina00122 күн бұрын

  @@LifeLessonsFromBooks ... guaranteed hours of family fun and entertainment.🙂

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  @MrNeroCat23 күн бұрын

  1st: Goethe was more of a poet than philosopher (I mean.. ok.. granted, there is much "philosophy" in his works, but that is the case with almost all poetry/writing art) If anything, he was a science man (in addition to being a poet) 2nd: I read the "Steppenwolf" and "Glasperlenspiel" and.. well.. I still don't like Hesse :D ... A friend of mine said , it is because I didn't read it as a Teen, but in my mid twenties. So yes, it seems Hesse really "speaks" to (modern) teens somehow