Loving a novel you also hate

By Teresa Parrales

I don't remember the moment I met him virtually, but I know that for at least six years I have been following him with great attention and curiosity, as his networks show a lover of coffee, good conversations, dogs and what originally caught my attention the most, his adoration for Japanese literature .

One day fate put us face to face and although the reason for the meeting had nothing to do with books I couldn't resist and when we said goodbye, I let him know that I was his faithful follower on what was then Twitter and apparently that statement made his day a little brighter because what I expected happened, the appointment was extended and we started a conversation about books, authors, bookstores and of course a discussion about Japanese writers; I excuse to say that as a good defender of the unpopular, he tried to convince me not to read -so much- Murakami, something that neither he nor anyone else will achieve, but I let myself be carried away by his list of recommendations and he had me a very good few months getting to know new pens that I am infinitely grateful for.