Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World: A Novel (Vintage International)
The combination of the intimate and the irrational is probably what makes this fantastic piece of writing so exciting. It is unbelievable how the writer manages to combine a real twisty thriller with a romantic, onyric story about two lovers. I'll probably never understand what do you have to do to become such a writer, but even if it takes moving to Japan and eating rice each consecutive day, I'm on it.
Sputnik Sweetheart: A Novel
I remember when the book was introduced to me for the first time, I thought that the title could be better. But there's nothing more ridiculous in the world than this stupid thought of mine, The title suggests everything, at the same time not having any relevant meaning on its own at all. That is why, I recommend it very highly. This is just a beautiful story about not knowing what is going to happen next.
Dance Dance Dance
This work presents this kind of writing which appeals to me the most - it's beautifully written, and at the same time it gets bitter - the two worlds of sweetness and bitterness intertwine, which makes me want to shout out of exitement. I guess everyone should read it, just to see if there's something in their lives that needs to be changed.
Norwegian Wood
"I once had a girl/ Or should I say/ She once had me." The famous Beatles' lyrics is a nice introduction to Murakami's masterpiece. Although the story is set in Japan, Murakami seems to embrace the two cultures [that is the East and the West, so to speak] and point to the fact that we all suffer. And he presents all this in such a manner, that no wonder it has been a bestseller in Japan ever since. He starts to be recognised in Europe and this is great news, Japan's one of the most talented writers deserves much more attention. Our attention. After all, we all suffer. And Murakami can tell us why this is, exactly.
Woody Allen
Stig Björkman is quite an expert of film and therefore delivers an outrageously professional interview. But still, the interviewer stays humble, asking questions showing a profound knowledge of the subject. Since Woody Allen is very good at answering in a direct but well thought about way, it never gets boring and never seems primitive that the book is written simply in direct discourse.
What I personally appreciate as well is that the talk is purely about film and about Woody Allen as an artist - his private life does not enter unless it is closely related to the discussed subjects. So you get a very relevant view to Woody Allen's career. I highly recommend it to all the Allen's fans out there who have not yet managed to read it.
Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain, Revised and Expanded Edition
This will certainly be of interest to anyone who loves music, the mysteries of the mind and the human condition in general. Inside the book one will find topics ranging from synesthesia to musical hallucinations, and beyond. It is a wonderful manifestation of Oliver Sacks' love for science and also for music. Apart from that, it is also an excellent page-turner, which means it is a must for someone who feels music an important role in their lives.
An Anthropologist on Mars
Believe it or not but these tales were first written down in a clinical neurologist's notebook, which means they are all real cases of human disorders. Of course there are many neurologists in the world, but there is only one of them who can TELL US there stories in an extraordinary and yet simple manner. Putting a human face on neurological traumas, he helps a lay audience understand how hard it gets for people with brain and neurological problems. An astonishing piece of writing which deserves much more attention, especially today when any kind of irregularity in human behaviour is mistaken for a serious disorder.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat: And Other Clinical Tales
The first thought that crossed my mind after having read this book was to go to the nearest bookshop and buy "An Anthropologist on Mars". These two particular works written by the same author, namely Oliver Sacks were recommended to me by my friend, who at the time had bought the whole collection of works by Sacks. It took me over a year to pick it up and the only thing I regret is that I hadn't read it earlier. I was, and still am, amazed what a complex machinery the human brain is. The disorders described by Sacks are unique and unusual, which makes the reading ever more fascinating. The only shortcoming seems to be the length of the book, because, I mean, this is one of the most really interesting and fascinating pieces of writing I have ever come across. I very highly recommend it and I am not joking when I tell you - this book can really change your attitude and way of thinking.
