The Author's Blog

Nihongo wakarimasen received a four star review by Reedsy Discovery! The review is very honest and objective, see for yourself here https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/nihongo-wakarimasen-a-sicilian-s-journey-in-japan-from-confused-to-insider-marina-lizio#review

Thank you for casting your votes for the covers of 'Nihongo wakarimasen', Italian edition! We have reached a shortlist of the top three favourite proposals, and I am asking your help again to choose among the finalists. As usual, scroll to the bottom of the page to vote your favourite. Here they are 1) Japanese snack bar cook 2) Chaotic city 3) Temple view

Last minute addition to the selection of cover ideas! This is a photo I really, really wanted to use somehow. So, here is another option for the Italian edition of Nihongo Wakarimasen. It represents the isolation, the processing of one's own thoughts, while the world moves past fast. Original below, used for both front and back covers. It needed very little editing. Photo taken on a train somewhere between Hakone and Yokohama in 2008.

This is the last of the series. It is another cover about the importance of traditions, their key role in the society, and how fascinating they can be to an outsider. For this cover, I thought of two variants. At first, I was happy with the dark hues, but I feel dark colours are best suited for mystery novels. Vote the variant you like most at the bottom of this page. Front cover: original photograph of a group of musicians performing at the Fukagawa Hachiman Festival, also k

This cover wants to symbolize the traditions of a country stuck between the past and the future. While the Japanese religious identity is fluid, beliefs and superstition, as well as all the events that mark a person's life milestones, are part of their culture. Vote by clicking Yes/No at the bottom of this page. Front and back cover: a summer evening photograph from the top of Kyomizudera temple grounds in Kyoto. Taken in 2009. Another one that doesn't need editing at all. Vi

Another cover symbolising the overload of infrastructure, physical barriers, but also progress and efficiency: railways anywhere, everywhere, a tangle of wires and rattling noises. Vote by clicking Yes/No at the bottom of this page. Original photos for this cover don't need any editing at all. Taken in 2018 from just outside my apartment building, to immortalise one of the hundreds of beautiful sunsets I witnessed. Also, a great color palette!

The very first book review has been published in Likely Story. Head to the URL below to check it out! https://likelystory.blog/2026/07/24/review-nihongo-wakarimasen-by-marina-lizio/

A cover that beautifully symbolises the confusion of the first weeks in Japan, when everything is raw and incomprehensible. A kaleidoscope of emotions and sights. Vote by clicking Yes/No at the bottom of this page. Front and back cover images are created from the same photograph: the iconic mirror escalator entrance of Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku department store. Original photo taken in 2018 in Omotesando, Tokyo.

A cover symbolising the hum of the city and some of its contradictions: the adoption of foreign traditions, topping with the Halloween crowds, seem to be rather at odds with the mystic beauty of floating torii gates. Vote by clicking Yes/No at the bottom of this page. Front cover: two women dressed as killer geisha, cleverly mixing tradition with gruesome. Photo taken in 2015 in Shibuya, Tokyo. Back cover: the torii gate that stands in the waters of Hiroshima bay, in front ot

This cover symbolizes two of the key features of the metropolis: crowded places and infrastructures at all costs. Vote by clicking Yes/No at the bottom of this page. Below the original photos used to create this cover. Front cover: the beautiful Nihombashi Bridge in Nihombashi, Tokyo, whose view and air is spoiled by the too low motorway overpass. Photo taken in 2014. Back cover: cherry blossom festival crowds. Photo taken in 2013 in Naka Meguro, Tokyo.

This cover symbolizes the many daily challenges of living in a foreign country. The language barrier is real, and everything is strange or frightening. Vote by clicking Yes/No at the bottom of this page. Below the original images used to create the cover. Front cover: man preparing scallops in his small mom and pop's "snakku baa" (snack bar). Photo taken in 2018 somewhere around Tokyo. Back cover: one of the many "yakitori" (chicken skewers) eateries scattered all over the co

An exciting opportunity to learn more about the author and her book. Read the full interview on Atmosphere's site, here: https://atmospherepress.com/interview-with-marina-lizio/

Nihongo Wakarimasen has been out for about a month now. But the author's job is far from done. Marina Lizio is working on a translation of her memoir to Italian, and it is soon time to choose a book cover for the Italian edition! Readers will be offered a chance to vote their favourite. Watch this space for updates. Stay tuned .

There have been increased instances of late of Amazon de-listing books because of "review manipulation." Whereas historically it was common practice to ask others to leave reviews, Amazon now considers that to be disallowed. Authors are now forbidden to use any third parties to obtain reviews, paid or otherwise, nor sell or give away books in exchange for a review. As readers, you are kindly asked to NOT write any reviews on Amazon, UNLESS you have purchased the book on Amaz

Nihongo Wakarimasen is out! This is great news for all who have been waiting to purchase a copy, and the many of you who couldn't pre-order. Check your online bookstore of choice to see if the book is on sale. I don't have control over the distribution, alas, but with time more stores should pick up the book's ISBN and hopefully add it to their catalogue. Bookshop.org lists it among its million books, so that's your best place to look. Currently, Amazon USA, Canada, Italy, Me

There have been some delay in the distribution of 'Nihongo wakarimasen' paperback version re pre-orders. While the eBook can be already ordered on Amazon worldwide, the issue with paperbacks is still unresolved. Apologies if you can't order a paperback copy from your trusted bookstore or Amazon, but stay assured that the book will be available from the date of release, June 2nd 2026.

Nihongo Wakarimasen is available for pre-order! Both paperback and eBook formats are now on Amazon. Links to pre-order can be found on the main page.

There is an official date for the launch of NIHONGO WAKARIMASEN! Marina Lizio's first book, her memoir detailing her experience in Japan, will be released on June 2nd 2026!!! Pre-orders will be announced soon.

I am thrilled to announce I have a contract with Atmosphere Press for my first book 'NIHONGO WAKARIMASEN - A Sicilian's Journey in Japan, from Confused to Insider'! Atmosphere Press is an author-friendly hybrid book publisher based out of Austin, Texas.