My January 2024 Reading Favorites | Dhini's Favorites

    Hello, peeps! So, I began the year 2024 by developing my reading habits. Yeah, I thought of exploring to figure out which genre and writing style are my cup of tea. This way, I hope to make reading a book a regular and enjoyable part of my routine.

    My reading in January was so fun. I dived into Japanese literature, romcom novels, and, of course, indulged in graphic novels, a must-read genre. Inspired by discussions on X, hence I opted to read J-lit. Now, let me share my top 3 favorite reads from January.

˚୨୧⋆｡ Keajaiban Toko Kelontong Namiya by Keigo Higashino | 5 ★

    The first book that became my favorite in January was this Japanese Literature (J-lit), Keajaiban Toko Kelontong Namiya the English title is The Miracles of the Namiya General Store (ナミヤ雑貨店の奇蹟) by Keigo Higashino with 398 pages. Actually, I had watched the movie, but I didn't pay much attention. I read the translated ebook in Indonesian on the iPusnas application. Indonesian translation is easy to understand. 

    The plot twist is incredible; I couldn't even guess if everything is connected.  In the first chapter, I felt bored, but when I reached Chapter 3: Overnight in the Civic, I got excited to read the whole story. It was quite challenging to understand because of the back-and-forth timeline and the time in the other universe. There are lots of characters and their name in Japanese which makes me need to memorize their name and the stories they had. There are a lot of meaningful stories and heartwarming about friendship, family, and love.  

    It begins with three men who rob a house near Namiya's Shop. Seeking refuge, they stumble upon a miraculous discovery within the store: a letter from the past. The narrative concludes by revealing the reasons behind the men's robbery.

“Kita sering dengar bahwa sebenarnya orang-orang merasa bersyukur selama ada yang mau mendengarkan cerita mereka.” p.27

˚୨୧⋆｡ Ganjil Genap by Almira Bastari | 5 ★

     Ganjil Genap written by Almira Bastari is her second book with pages 344. This metro-pop novel caught my eye after seeing it frequently on my iPusnas timeline. Despite having already watched the movie adaptation, I was intrigued by the story and decided to give the novel a go. I like this book because it has a sense of comedy. Just when I was feeling down while reading, the comedic moments lifted my spirits. It is personal actually, but some parts resonated with my own experiences, helping me understand why my relationship didn't work out. It's a bit sad, but that's just how life goes.

    Bara asks to break up with Gala for a reason that doesn't make sense, even after being together for 13 years. In Gala's story, many people may relate to the challenges of life after a breakup. It's a journey of becoming more independent and realizing when a relationship turns toxic. Gala, facing a breakup at 30 years old, navigates societal expectations while her younger sister plans to marry her boyfriend at just 22. Amidst pressure from her big family, who knew Gala and 'Bara' had a long relationship, Gala embarks on a journey to find a new boyfriend. With the support of her three friends, she explores various methods.

    “Mulai sekarang, kamu ngomong sama aku ya apa yang kamu rasakan. Jangan semuanya dianalisis pakai logika, terus kamu diam dan nangis sendirian.”

“Bisa berbahagia nyatanya belum tentu didapatkan dari "digenapi" orang lain. Bahagia harus datang dari diri sendiri. Tidak memiliki pasangan tidak menjadikan dunia berakhir. Dunia berjalan semestinya.”

˚୨୧⋆｡ The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy | 5 ★

    This type of book, the "graphic novel," holds a special place in my heart. But, I didn't purchase this book; instead, I borrowed it from the public space. Honestly, it was a coincidence that I came across this book. I found it at Bookhive in Taman Literasi Martha Tiahahu, Blok M. It was my first time discovering a library in Blok M because many people had talked about this library. The library was crowded then, and my friends and I wanted to grab a drink while reading, so we decided to borrow from Bookhive and enjoy our reading time. We were curious about how to access books from that 'cupboard' that caught our attention, but X and TikTok became my lifesavers, providing the answers.

    I really enjoyed reading this book, because of my fondness for graphic novels, diving into this book was an absolute delight.  I found myself completely enjoying it, finishing it in one sitting. Things I didn't particularly enjoy are the font; it's handwritten type and challenging for me to read easily. I love the illustration, it's like unfinished art but it looks so pretty. Beyond its simplicity, the book carries valuable lessons and gentle reminders. Despite the straightforward storyline, it left a lasting impression on me. 

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

“Kind,” said the boy.”

“What is the bravest thing you've ever said? asked the boy.

‘Help,’ said the horse.

‘Asking for help isn't giving up,’ said the horse. 'It's refusing to give up.”

    So, these are my favorite books at the start of 2024. I've rated them 5 out of 5 stars because I thoroughly enjoyed the stories, found some personal connections, and the quotes really made me contemplate. Happy reading!