Why Apps Like Duolingo Don’t Work for Japanese
I’ve been learning Japanese for twenty years, but it hasn’t been consistent. I’ve stopped and started, bounced around multiple different study methods, and overall had a very slapdash approach to…
Can We Break Up Now? – もう別れてもいいですか？ (Mou Wakaretemo Ii Desuka?)
もう別れてもいいですか？ (Mou Wakaretemo Ii Desuka?) by 垣谷美雨 (Miu Kakiya) Author: 垣谷美雨 (Miu Kakiya) Japanese Level: High-Intermediate (N2) Genre: Slice-of-life, drama, middle-aged protagonist Pages: 321 Bookwalker Japan: もう別れてもいいですか？ Japanese Summary 58歳の主婦・澄子は、横暴な夫・孝男との生活に苦しんでいた。…
Boosting Your Japanese: Ultimate Guide for Intermediate Japanese
I previously wrote a very, very long article all about study resources and tips for beginners looking to learn Japanese. But there’s not really anything like this for intermediate learners.…
Horrible Confessions in this Thriller Novel – 告白 (Kokuhaku)
告白 (Kokuhaku) by 湊かなえ (Kanae Minato) Author: 湊かなえ (Kanae Minato) Japanese Level: High-Intermediate (N2) Genre: Thriller, horror, mystery Pages: 226 Bookwalker Japan: 告白 Japanese Summary 「愛美は死にました。しかし事故ではありません。このクラスの生徒に殺されたのです」我が子を校内で亡くした中学校の女性教師によるホームルームでの告白から、この物語は始まる。語り手が「級友」「犯人」「犯人の家族」と次々と変わり、次第に事件の全体像が浮き彫りにされていく。衝撃的なラストを巡り物議を醸した、デビュー作にして、第6回本屋大賞受賞のベストセラー。 English Summary (translation by…
What 20 Years of Learning Japanese Has Taught Me
This week marks twenty years since I first started learning Japanese. Twenty years!!! I started this journey the week before my 17th birthday by learning from a private teacher. I…
Fast-Paced Action Sequel to Bullet Train – 777 (Triple Seven)
７７７ トリプルセブン (777 Triple Seven) by 伊坂 幸太郎 (Kotaro Isaka) Author: 伊坂 幸太郎 (Kotaro Isaka) Japanese Level: High-Intermediate (N2) Genre: Action Pages: 334 Bookwalker Japan: ７７７ トリプルセブン Japanese Summary 殺し屋シリーズ最新作。世界で最も不運な殺し屋、ふたたび！！ あの世界で一番不運な殺し屋が、また騒動に巻き込まれる――。『マリアビートル』では新幹線から降りられなかったが、今度は東京の超高級ホテルから出られない……！？ 伊坂幸太郎、２年ぶりの完全書き下ろし。殺し屋シリーズ最新作。…
A Simple Trick to Improve Speaking Japanese as a Beginner
I started learning Korean recently—okay, that’s a lie, I actually started learning Korean about three years ago but was struggling to get beyond beginner level. I even went to Korea…
Collection of Cozy Mysteries for Intermediate Learners – 早朝始発の殺風景
早朝始発の殺風景 (Souchou Shihatsu no Sappukei) by 青崎 有五 (Yugo Aosaki) Author: 青崎 有五 (Yugo Aosaki) Japanese Level: Intermediate (N3-N2) Genre: Cozy mystery, short stories, slice of life Pages: 228 Bookwalker…