This is a long post about me taking and passing the JLPT N1 for the first time. I will talk about: my scores, section by section;what I did during my six-month preparation for N1, what was useful and what was useless;why I am going to sit the test once more in December and how I am..
Book review: 『ケモノの城』by Tetsuya Honda
It is the first time I read Tetsuya HONDA, but I know that he is a very famous author of thrillers and mystery novels. I also think that some of his work is translated into English. Setting The police is investigating a shocking case involving abuse, torture and maybe murder. Through questioning and field work,..
Book Review: 『新参者』by Keigo Higashino
『新参者』is the 8th (out of 10) book of the detective Kaga series (加賀シリーズ). The series feature detective Kyoichiro KAGA (加賀恭一郎). The series spans 30 years, the first novel was published in 1986 (it was Higashino's second novel) and the last one was published in 2016. Setting Detective Kyoichiro Kaga has just been dispatched to the police..
JLPT N1 round 2: Start!
Since January 2019, I am studying to pass the JLPT N1. My goal is to pass the test in December, but I also took the test of July to gain some practice. It was helpful, but it also gave me a sense of achievement, and it is hard to get back to the JLPT preparation now! After..
Book review: 『下町やぶさか診療所』by Yo Ikenaga
I bought this book in Japan, partly because I loved the cover, partly because I wanted to read something else than mystery novels. Setting Rintaro MANO, alias "大先生", is working as a doctor in Asakusa, Tokyo. His prices are cheap, and it is no secret that people come to him to talk about their problems..
Taking the JLPT N1 for the first time!
I have taken the JLPT N1 on July 7th (2019) for the first time, and I was not very surprised by my performance... I think that I might pass, but I also feel that I need the remaining months until December to increase my vocabulary and progress in listening. Report on the July test Vocabulary/Grammar..
Book Review: 『ガーディアン』by Gaku Yakumaru
Gaku Yakumaru is a popular author of mystery novels and thrillers. Recently, one of his novel has been a huge best-seller in Korea (where I live). The novel is 『誓約』 , and I have read and liked it. When I was in Japan for a short trip earlier this year, I saw that Gaku Yakumaru..
Book Review: 『わたし、定時で帰ります』by Kaeruko Akeno
This novel has been adapted into a TV drama featuring Yuriko Yoshitaka. It started airing in April this year (2019). Setting As the title suggests, this novel is a story about work and workplace. The protagonist is Yui Higashiyama, she is 32 years old and works for a web company. She is known for always..
JLPT review: So-matome grammar N1
This is my review of the textbook So-matome Grammar N1. I loved studying with it, I don’t think that it is the perfect textbook, and I could point out many things that I didn’t like in it, but… for someone who learns Japanese as a hobby, it was pleasant and not overwhelming.
Quick Update
Hello everyone! I just wanted to apologize for not posting lately, but I have been sick last week, and I still feel tired now. I still want to make a quick update of my reading progress, and of course, the JLPT. I had to take a break in my JLPT preparation last week, but in..
Book review: 『模倣の殺意』by Sin Nakamachi
Sin NAKAMACHI (1935-2009) was an author of crime fiction. 『模倣の殺意』was first published in 1973 under the title "新人賞殺人事件". In 2004, 創元推理文庫 brought this mystery novel to the public again and gave it its present title. Setting An introductory chapter sets the facts: A man called Masao SAKAI dies on July, 7th at 7pm. He was..
JLPT Journal: Grammar done, starting drills!
I can't believe that the test of July is in a little more than one month. My real goal is to pass in December, and I am taking the test of July as an exercise. Nonetheless, I cannot help but feeling excited (stressed) for July, and I am focusing on making vocabulary and grammar drills. So-matome..