Alright. You've convinced me. I've been reading more lately, getting off the computer and out of the house and just reading, and these seem short enough to squeeze in before I need to resume reading 2666. What should I read first? Once I read it I'll have to go back and read your other post on the translating process, since I really didn't get it the first time around.
Ooh, hurrah! Normally I'd suggest 1Q84, but if you're looking for something short then that's way out of the question. Depending on how long you want to be reading, I'd suggest Sputnik Sweetheart (a day-long read, perhaps? Just over a hundred pages) or Norwegian Wood (one of his most popular, but a bit longer than Sputnik). Otherwise a collection of his short stories, like The Elephant Vanishes. The stories in there you can get through in a matter of minutes, really, and I think they'd make a pretty decent entry point to his work.
Perfect. If you think it is okay to start with The Elephant Vanishes then I'll start there. I trust your judgement, and I just read such great things about it. have a chunk of time dedicated to be by myself, alone, on the beach from 9-11 tomorrow. I'm excited to read this.
Yeah, I think it's a good place to start. Oh, boy, that sounds wonderful. I was up til 3 last night reading in the lounge - which, being on the fourth floor in an inner-city apartment with a large window, was a wonderful thing to be doing. Enjoy!