Kyoto Book Club

Hi, everyone. For the July book club, we will be discussing a book Letters from Thailand by Botan.

About Letters from Thailand by Botan
Original Title: จดหมายจากเมืองไทย (Chotmai Chak Muang Thai)
Author's Pen Name: โบตั๋น (Botan)
Author's Real Name: สุภา สิริสิงห (Supa Sirisingh)

Originally published in Thai in 1969 and winner of the SEATO Prize for Thai Literature, this novel tells the story of Tan Suang U, a young man who emigrates from China to Bangkok. Told through letters to his mother, the book explores themes of family, cultural conflict, assimilation, and alienation, and remains one of Thailand’s most enduring modern literary works. Furthermore, this work is used as a textbook or recommended reading in many Thai schools.

About the Author
Botan (real name Supa Sirising) is a Thai author of Chinese descent who was named a National Artist in 1999. Translator Susan Fulop Kepner has worked for over 30 years translating Thai literature into English.

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【Join Us!】
Our online book club will be held on Sunday, July 27, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 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.
You don't need to click [Join in app]. Please just click the blue link [Join in browser].

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【What We'll Do】
Reading the book beforehand will enhance your experience, but it’s not mandatory!
Join us with a cup of coffee or tea to share your favorite moments, thoughts, and questions.
The book is 582 pages long. The Kindle version is available for 1,042 yen (approximately $6.70 USD).

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【Important to Know】
● For smooth communication and security, please turn on your camera during the sessions. 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.
● Please be mindful that participants come from diverse backgrounds and respect each other’s perspectives.

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We’d love for you to join us! We’re looking forward to discussing the book with everyone and having a wonderful time together.

Hi, everyone. For the August book club, we will be discussing the novel Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk.

About Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
First published in 2009, this existential murder mystery is set in a remote Polish village near the Czech border. The story follows Janina Duszejko, an eccentric, aging woman who spends her days studying astrology, translating William Blake’s poetry, and caring for the summer homes of city dwellers. Her quiet life is disrupted when her neighbor is found dead, the first in a series of mysterious deaths among local men—all hunters. Janina, convinced that animals are taking revenge for the cruelty inflicted by these men, tries to alert the authorities, but is dismissed as a crank. As the deaths continue, the novel explores themes of animal rights, the morality of hunting, and society’s treatment of outsiders, all with a rich vein of dark humor and philosophical insight.

About the Author
Olga Tokarczuk is a celebrated Polish author and essayist, known for her inventive narratives and psychological insight. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2018 and the Man Booker International Prize in 2018 for her novel Flights. Tokarczuk’s works often explore themes of identity, borders, and the relationship between humans and nature.
Book Details
Pages: about 290pages
Price：Kindle 1210円（about $8.47）

【Join Us!】
Our online book club will be held on Sunday, August 31, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 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.
You don't need to click [Join in app]. Please just click the blue link [Join in browser].

【What We'll Do】
Reading the book beforehand will enhance your experience, but it’s not mandatory!
Join us with a cup of coffee or tea to share your favorite moments, thoughts, and questions.

【Important to Know】
● For smooth communication and security, please turn on your camera during the sessions. 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.
● Please be mindful that participants come from diverse backgrounds and respect each other’s perspectives.
We’d love for you to join us! We’re looking forward to discussing the book with everyone and having a wonderful time together.

Hi, everyone!
For our September book club, we will be reading and discussing the acclaimed novel:
The Mountains Sing by Que Mai Phan Nguyen

About The Mountains Sing
Set against the backdrop of twentieth-century Vietnam, The Mountains Sing is a multigenerational family saga that weaves together the lives of the Tran family as they endure war, hardship, and the quest for hope. Narrated by both a grandmother and her granddaughter, the novel offers a deeply personal perspective on the Vietnam War and its aftermath, exploring themes of resilience, loss, and the power of storytelling. Through lyrical prose, Que Mai Phan Nguyen brings to life the beauty of Vietnamese culture and the enduring strength of family bonds.

About the Author
Que Mai Phan Nguyen is a celebrated Vietnamese poet and novelist whose works have been translated into more than 20 languages. Her writing often explores the complexities of Vietnamese history and the experiences of ordinary people living through extraordinary times. The Mountains Sing is her first novel written in English and has received international praise for its emotional depth and historical insight.

Book Details
Pages: about 352 pages
Price: Kindle 1,200yen（about $8.40）

【Join Us!】
Our online book club will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 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.

You don't need to click [Join in app]. Please just click the blue link [Join in browser].

【What We'll Do】
Reading the book beforehand will enhance your experience, but it’s not mandatory!
Join us with a cup of coffee or tea to share your favorite moments, thoughts, and questions.

【Important to Know】
For smooth communication and security, please turn on your camera during the sessions. 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.

Please be mindful that participants come from diverse backgrounds and respect each other’s perspectives.
We’d love for you to join us! We’re looking forward to discussing the book with everyone and having a wonderful time together.

Hi, everyone!
For our October book club, we will be reading and discussing the acclaimed novel:
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

About Americanah
Americanah follows the journey of Ifemelu, a young Nigerian woman who emigrates to the United States for university, and her experiences navigating issues of race, identity, and belonging in a new country. The novel also explores the life of Obinze, her high school sweetheart, who faces his own challenges as an undocumented immigrant in the UK. Through their intertwined stories, Adichie offers a powerful exploration of love, migration, and the complexities of cultural identity, providing a nuanced look at both Nigerian and Western societies.

About the Author
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a renowned Nigerian author whose works have garnered international acclaim for their insight into contemporary issues of gender, race, and history. Her storytelling is celebrated for its vivid characters and thought-provoking themes, and Americanah has won numerous awards for its bold and honest portrayal of the immigrant experience.

Book Details
Pages: about 497 pages
Price: Kindle 1,277 yen (about $8.40)

【Join Us!】
Our online book club will be held on Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 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.
You don't need to click [Join in app]. Please just click the blue link [Join in browser].

【What We'll Do】
Reading the book beforehand will enhance your experience, but it’s not mandatory!
Join us with a cup of coffee or tea to share your favorite moments, thoughts, and questions.

【Important to Know】
For smooth communication and security, please turn on your camera during the sessions. 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.
Please be mindful that participants come from diverse backgrounds and respect each other’s perspectives.

We’d love for you to join us! We’re looking forward to discussing the book with everyone and having a wonderful time together.