(2016-04-06, 12:23 am)kusogaijin Wrote: Murakami's definitely one of my favorites as I find his style both accessible and engaging. Before I started studying Japanese I also really enjoyed reading English translations of Banana Yoshimoto and Oe Kenzaburo (haven't gotten around to reading them in their original language).I suppose you are referring Murakami （村上）, in this case to Haruki （春樹）, and not the other Murakami Ryū （村上隆）? I hope you'll find other fascinating and engaging Japanese authors when you're done with Dazai.
As far as older authors go, I've read short stories by Soseki and Akutagawa, but I think I like Dazai the most (read a another short storyトカトントン today). There's something appealing to me about the dark, psychological themes he explores in his work.
Thank you everyone for your awesome recommendations so far. This thread is becoming a gold mine. ^^
(Buonaparte thread have some audio files on Dazai, you may have to dig around for it though.)
I used to listen to the short podcast of 村上隆 and 伊坂幸太郎 over at 新刊ラジオPodcasting ─話題の本や新刊を耳で立ち読み！新刊JP─ where there are lots of interesting stuff.
For about 15 minutes of listening, I usually like to tune-in to NHK ラジオ第２ in the morning for my 朗読時間. The previous reading aloud by 朗読:近石真介（ムーブマン） is really entertaining and he is a very good voice artiste.
【新作】 「夏目漱石・百年の予言」第1回～第10回
テキスト:「吾輩は猫である」
Currently, it is broadcasting 「蓼喰う虫」 (Some Prefer Nettles) by 【作】谷崎潤一郎 (Tanizaki Jun'ichiro) and read-aloud by 【朗読】長谷川稀世.