Almond by Won-pyung Sohn

Details
Hi everyone!
For our March book club, we will be reading and discussing
Almond by Won-pyung Sohn

Synopsis
Yunjae was born with a brain condition called Alexithymia that makes it hard for him to feel emotions like fear or anger. He does not have friends—the two almond-shaped neurons located deep in his brain have seen to that—but his devoted mother and grandmother provide him with a safe and content life. Their little home above his mother’s used bookstore is decorated with colorful Post-it notes that remind him when to smile, when to say "thank you," and when to laugh.
Then on Christmas Eve—Yunjae’s sixteenth birthday—everything changes. A shocking act of random violence shatters his world, leaving him alone and on his own. Struggling to cope with his loss, Yunjae retreats into silent isolation, until troubled teenager Gon arrives at his school, and they develop a surprising bond.

As Yunjae begins to open his life to new people—including a girl at school—something slowly changes inside him. And when Gon suddenly finds his life at risk, Yunjae will have the chance to step outside of every comfort zone he has created to perhaps become the hero he never thought he would be.

About the Author
Won-pyung Sohn (손원평) is a South Korean writer and filmmaker born in Seoul in 1979.
Her debut novel, Almond (2017), became a bestseller in Korea and has been widely translated, earning international acclaim for its compassionate portrayal of emotional difference and youth.

Book Details
Length: approximately 272pages
Price: Kindle ¥2190 (about USD $13.90)
Join Us!
Our online book club will take place on
Sunday, March 8, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Japan time)
You can join even if you don’t have a Jitsi account by clicking the URL provided on the right.
Please do not click “Join in app”—simply select “Join in browser.”

What We’ll Do
You don’t need to finish the book to participate—though reading it will certainly enrich the discussion! Bring a cup of coffee or tea and share your favorite passages, thoughts, and questions. We’ll use a discussion guide based on the novel to help structure our conversation.

Important to Know
✓ For smooth communication and security, please keep your camera on during the session. If your camera is off or your face is not visible, you may be removed from the call. Thank you for your understanding.
✓ There is no entrance fee or membership fee.
✓ Participants come from diverse backgrounds—please be respectful of different perspectives.
We would love for you to join us!
We look forward to discussing this beautiful novel together and spending a wonderful time with everyone.