Haruki Murakami

Both are great choices for different reasons. Wind Up is undoubtedly his best work and Hard Boiled is my personal favorite of his work. Brain function has always fascinated me.

Wild Sheep Chase is fun. Come to think of it, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of his books.

Enjoy

I would start with the Wind-Up Bird and then venture out to his other works. It's an addicting read, really imaginative and thought-provoking and hilarious.

Kafka on the Shore was pretty good except it kind of all unravels towards the end.

I've only read Hard Boiled Wonderland, lots of really cool imagery and an engaging plot. I liked it and will pick up more when I get the time.

Yeah, I really his work. I think I've read pretty much all of his novels now, there are a few short story collections that I've yet to work my way through. I think the writing is pleasant and easy to read and all the characters tend to be complex and interesting.

One thing that takes a bit of getting used to is the way his stories end. I've heard a lot of people say that they love his books but are disappointed by the end, especially with his longer novels like Wind-Up Bird Chronicles and Kafka On The Shore. I think his stories are more about the journey than the destination.

I'd say Sputnik Sweetheart is a good introduction simply because of it's length, it has a lot of the themes and ideas from his longer books but condensed into an more readable form. If you don't mind taking a risk on a longer book then definately start with WUBC or KOTS.

Hard-Boiled Wonderland is good, but quite different from all his other stuff. I think Norwegian Wood was the one that made him famous internationally. That's good, but it doesn't have any of the surreal/supernatural elements that are in a lot of his stories.

I started with Kafka in the Shore, and loved it. Then read Wind Up Bird Chronicles. Those are the only two I've read so far, but either of those I think would be a good start.

I think the only one of his published in English I haven't read (though I just got it so I might read it soon) is his What I Talk About When I'm Running. I think you could read any of his works in any order and enjoy them.

Probably my favourite author. I began with 'The Wind-up Bird...' but, as others have said, mostly any of his works I would recommend to a first time reader. Shame it's going to be a fair few years before 1Q84 will be translated into English.

I just got into him myself. Norwegian Wood is very good, I'm currently reading The Wind-up Bird Chronicle and it's a good read so far but I would highly recommend Norwegian Wood.

I've read Kafka on The Shore.

Went to the bookstore last night, they only had kafka on the shore, wind up, and dance dance dance.

I picked up dance dance dance because it was a few dollars cheaper, but apparently it's a sequel to Wild Sheep Chase, but I also here it's the same characters but a totally different plot and world so there is no need to read wild sheep chase.

Is this true? Or should I read WSC first?

I think reading Wile Sheep Chase made it more understandable. I remember reading Dance Dance Dance and kept thinking "Oh Yeah" when I would read certain parts because they would remind me of Wild Sheep Chase.

Probably not imperative though - just adds to the experience.

I picked up "Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World" a few weeks back and look forward to reading it soon.

hmm.. maybe I should try translate it...

I read Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World a couple of months ago. It was totally weird and trippy, but it was a lot of fun to read, even if just for the good story.

Without a doubt, Sputnik Sweetheart is one of my favourite books ever, though some may classify it as romance, I think it is worth reading anyway...

He is so unique and refreshing. I read wind up and then proceeded to gobble up the rest of his work.

Har Boiled is cool....it has one of my favorite scenes of any book...when he describes the "chubby" girl walking him to the office at the very beginning of the book....

Ears, wells, and don't forget Col. Sanders and Johnny Walker...thats Murakami

Everyone should read Underground though...Very insightful look at the Sarin gas attacks in Tokyo. 9/11 kind of overshadowed this event, but the book is an oral history on the attacks...he interviews survivors and family of suvivors. It is an interesting picture of Japanese culture as well.....

He is by far my favorite author (sorry Chuck), and it is all about the journey...

I picked up Wind-Up Bird Chronicles recently. I liked it enough but I'm going through a horrible reading block right now. I'll probably read through some short stories to get me back in the habit of reading then continue with it.

A friend of mine let me borrow his copy of A Wild Sheep Chase, and I'm greatly enjoying it. My first impressions of his writing style is that it is quite simple, yet very poetic and visual. Its is enjoyable to read. I sat down to start the book, and before I knew it I was 70 pages in. I can already tell that I like this author and will want to read more of his work.

"Dance Dance Dance" is an amazing book. This guy is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.