Haruki Murakami

As part of my Japanese learning I read the translated version of Haruki Murakami books.
Well, it's not really part of my Japanese learning, but it definitely brings me closer to Japan. Discovering Murakami has definitely contributed to my decision to try to understand Japan.

The reason why I started reading him was because he made me feel like Japanese people could be just like me (murakami is soo, just like me). Reading not only Murakami's books, but others like Junichiro Tanizaki and well, for now just Murakami, has exposed me to how people are in Japan today.

Growing up outside Japan I'm exposed only to a small world of Japanese people and that unfairly shapes my understanding of the Japanese people. After I lived there through the JET program I realized that I have to broaden my horizons. I have to expose myself to more Japanese people and my quest is to do that through books.

For the longest time I thought Japanese people were materialistic, uptight and racist (i know, how nice). This may still be so, but these authors don't fit my stereotype and I am pleasantly surprised.

who do you read?
What Japanese authors changed your conception about Japan?