On Our Bookshelf
by Haruki Murakami
For those who have read a story by Haruki Murakami in the past, you will find within this novel his inimitable ability to string together beautiful, yet simple, sentences that reveal a unique portrait of the range of human emotions: sadness, isolation, joy, love, loss. Murakami tells the tale of Tsukuru Tazaki, a man whose name translates into "Colorless," as he drifts apart from his close childhood friends. Years later, with the weight of first loves, first jobs, firsts encounters with sex, among other firsts, Tazaki journeys back to the place and memories of his childhood seeking answers to the questions that have plagued him during his entire adult life. What he learns will unshed new insights into his perceptions of the world. A splendid, mesmerizing read that is sure to keep the flame of curiosity burning strong through the final page.