First of all, I keep reading the book every minute or so when I'm free to do it, e.g. in the bathroom as well. I also carry it with me everywhere, and I happen to travel a lot by public transport, which is a slow way of travelling but also quite suitable for reading if one's lucky enough to find a vacant seat. Right now I don't mind even reading it while standing (or walking) because this book has caught my attention to such extent. Even though it was written by a man, its whole point of view and style is just so authentic and immersing. The text is full of beautiful and clever similes, frequently from the source domains of nature or women's sphere, e.g. kimonos, little birds, insects, etc.
The personality of Sayuri, or rather of Chiyo, also reminds me very much of myself. Partly because I've always been (and probably always will be) a naive girl, even if not a fisherman's daughter from a 'tipsy' house. Also the way she relates to her family and to grandiose men, and most essentially to beauty itself, makes me easily identify with her.
I've also thought of my present situation as one of an apprentice. This is the period when you have to make your fortune, work hard, show off, and do whatever is expected from you to please possible patrons. Also our career is similar somehow because right now I feel I made a mistake somewhere along the road and was given the chance to put it right and make something of myself. Yet at the same time I'm not sure of what will come out of all this in the long run, and I don't even know which outcome I would prefer.
Maybe the difference is that while Sayuri made his fortune when she was only fifteen, I'm sitting here two weeks after turning twenty-four. Moreover, the cover of the book, and particularly the title, tells the reader in advance that the protagonist will succeed, whereas in my case there are no such clues. At least I don't see them just now.
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