It's the time to be thinking about new year resolutions: Lose a few pounds, finish that DIY project, finally get down to studying for the JLPT. Whatever it might be, some resolutions are easier to make than keep. If you want to see out the next 12 months without breaking your resolve, it's best to pick something fun and attainable. I suggest reading more books about Japan and Japanese authors in translation. Here's a selection of what's coming our way in 2019.
January is a busy month for Japan-related publishing. While the rest of us are recovering from New Year's eve, Harvill Secker is celebrating Haruki Murakami's 70th birthday with its paperback and e-book reissue of a short story, coincidentally titled "Birthday Girl." This year should also see two Nobel literature laureates announced, after the postponement of the award in 2018, so expect heavy speculation on a Murakami win.