This second part of Killing Commendatore is even better than the first book and I can't really put my finger on the reason why exactly.

Obviously, there are pointers for me, mostly the way he writes his stories: - How he just casually talks about some minor off topic point at great length - The awkward sexual side plots (I don't actually like them, but I expect them and get weirded out) - Delivering everything like you'd think about it happening in the moment - Some plot points leading into nothing, things that seemed important not going anywhere - Nothing really happens, yet I enjoy exactly that every time - How the protagonist is very much in the story and not part of it at the same time - and many many more

That's the general, why I love Murakami books section. I think my brain just likes his writing, even though there are always things in every one of his book that creep me out, especially the sexual stuff.

What I enjoy about this book specifically (without spoiling anything): - The way he describes the act of painting, I don't care if he's correct, he probably isn't, it just feels so lively, a craft of technique, skill and personality - His description of how he feels during the road trip and interactions with his wife, they feel so unpolished (a theme of the book in general) in a good way

I dunno why I made this review in two lists lol. It's a good book, another one I can't recommend in good conscious. He's just weird, I can never remember what they are about, but I just enjoy reading them.