Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It is very fascinating to read a book about someone who has no interest in conforming to society's expectations. I think Sayaka Murata did an incredible job making me care about the life of someone who essentially does not have any emotions and only thinks about what is rational to her.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Sexual harassment
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
just an autistic girl with a special interest in convenience stores
A funny take on prescribed expectations from society
A funny take on prescribed expectations from society
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Violence, Stalking
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i read earthlings before reading this one, so the whole time i was on edge waiting for something crazy to happen, but this was a very mundane (for lack of better word) read. i actually really loved the main character! sayaka murata likes to focus on critiquing society in her novels, which could create an opportunity for redundancy. however, that being said, i would not consider her a redundant author. while both convenience store woman and earthlings paint society as a working system that individuals are supposed to and expected to involve themselves in, the characters in the books have completely different worldviews. i really enjoyed reading this one after having read earthlings. super excited to read her short story collection!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Classism
Minor: Bullying, Violence, Stalking
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I devoured this book. The writing is just so good and brings the emotions, thoughts and personality of all characters to life so well. This is incredible especially considering it's a short book (~160 pages).
The exploration of what is "normal" in society and how it is self-policied is explored brilliantly. The comparison of social behaviours between Keiko and their friends/family(i.e. the same but seen differently) is done so well, too.
As someone who is neurodiverse, this exploration of societal norms and expectations was so relatable. I also connected with Keiko who I have similar behaviours and thought patterns with. So intentional or not, it was nice to read a positive representation of neurodiversity.
I would highly recommend this perfect book to anyone.
The exploration of what is "normal" in society and how it is self-policied is explored brilliantly. The comparison of social behaviours between Keiko and their friends/family
As someone who is neurodiverse, this exploration of societal norms and expectations was so relatable. I also connected with Keiko who I have similar behaviours and thought patterns with. So intentional or not, it was nice to read a positive representation of neurodiversity.
I would highly recommend this perfect book to anyone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence
Minor: Bullying, Stalking
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was short and interesting, I read it in about an hour. I did expect there to be some violence at the end honestly, because it felt like that was what the book was hinting at and leading up to. But yeah, the people in this book really just needed to let the main character do what she wanted instead of trying to force a certain way of living onto her. Also, there is some very clear autistic coding happening with the main character, which I wish was something it went into more specifically.
Read from the BYU library.
Read from the BYU library.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Stalking, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Rape, Violence
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Minor: Violence
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Very no-plot-just-vibes. Keiko (and her story) make some interesting points about the role of employees under capitalism and societal norms and expectations for women, but the misogyny of one if the main characters made it annoying to read at some parts. But, it was short and fast-paced enough that I read it in one sitting, so I can’t complain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Violence
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm not really sure how to review this book beyond saying it was extremely weird and I liked it very much. A short book that tricks you into believing not much is happening but continues to surprise you with increasingly bizarre and dark events/reflections around the MC/narrator. I found the descriptions of the way the narrator embodied the convenience store to be strangely evocative and really beautiful. Something about comfort and meaning in the mundane and menial? Superb translation work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you get it you get it. This is a book that tells more how it is to be autistic rather than how people want being autistic to be. Although quite extreme in its protrayal of this experience, I think the book has to be so as the properly convey the story and emotions to non autistic people. Otherwise the book would not be thought provoking enough to the average reader. I loved it, although I honestly wish Shiraha had not been so violently sexist, as it made the book a bit too uncomfortable at times, and I was in many places fearful he would assault Keiko. I feel the story would have been told better without him and a different character in his place. Perhaps an opposite kind of woman to Keiko coming to work in the store, to act as her foil and to make her question whether she was happy in her life.
Overall, I loved it. More absurdist autistic literature please.
Overall, I loved it. More absurdist autistic literature please.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Stalking
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Violence