Fiction by Yoko Ogawa and Souvankham Thammavongsa, and graphic novels by Lee Lai and Fumio Obata

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I'm not sure how [Mina] came to love matchboxes the way she did or why the adults around her never put a stop to her obsession, despite the danger involved. But by the time I arrived at the house in Ashiya, it was clear that there was always a box of matches in Mina's pocket and that it was her responsibility to light the gas burner to heat the bath, to light the oil lamp in the light-bath room, and to light the candles when the electricity went out or for a special dinner.
—From Mina's Matchbox, a novel by Yoko Ogawa, translated from the Japanese by Stephen Snyder (Pantheon, 2024). This story first appeared as a newspaper serialization in Japan as "Mina no Koshin" by Yomiuri Shimbun (2005). Originally published in book form in Japan as Mina no Koshin by Chuokoron-Shinsha, Inc., Tokyo (2006). The segment above is from page 81 of the hardcover. 

He was a bartender. He could make a drink for you, if you wanted. All you had to do was lean over and ask.
—From "Bozo," a short story by Souvankham Thammavongsa, The New Yorker (April 8, 2024), pp. 50-52. 

Everyone is ugly. I should know. I look at people all day.
—From Pick a Color, a novel by Souvankham Thammavongsa (Little, Brown and Company, 2025). 

Oh if I was a rat / oh if I was a rat / I'd live in the trees / 'cuz a scary-ass rat / can do what she please
—From Stone Fruit, a graphic novel by Lee Lai (Fantagraphics Books, 2021). This song (by one of the "fun weirdo aunties") is on pages 36 and 37.

Mountaineering is a popular sport in Japan. However, people tend to forget how dangerous it can be . . .
—From Just So Happens, a graphic novel by Fumio Obata (Abrams ComicArts, 2015). This segment is from page 60, but the artwork is the standout of this book. There are samples on the publisher's listing.