Season 3-146 Book Talk with Yuko 9 癒やされたい？刺激が欲しい？日本語教師2人がハマった対照的な6冊

• ビートたけし『アナログ』
• 太宰治『女生徒』
• 九段理江『Schoolgirl』
• 坂木司『和菓子とアン』
• 坂木司『アンと青春』
• 村田沙耶香『世界99上下』
• 村田沙耶香『コンビニ人間』
• 村田沙耶香『消滅世界』
• 星野道夫『約束の川』
• 村田沙耶香『消滅世界』
• 朝井リョウ『時をかけるゆとり』

In this episode of Book Talk with Yuko, Noriko and Yuko talk about several Japanese books they have recently read or want to recommend.

First, Yuko introduces the novel “アナログ” by Beat Takeshi. It is a romantic story about a man and a woman who decide not to exchange contact information and instead meet at the same restaurant every Thursday. The story feels very “analog” in a digital age.

Next, Noriko talks about “Schoolgirl” by Kudan Rie, a short story connected to Dazai Osamu’s “女生徒.” The story explores relationships between three generations of women and touches on modern topics like social media and environmental activism.

Yuko then introduces the “An-chan series” by Sakaki Tsukasa, which takes place in a department store food basement (depachika) and features traditional Japanese sweets. The story focuses on everyday life, human relationships, and personal growth.

Noriko also shares her thoughts about “世界 99” by Sayaka Murata, a dystopian novel that explores society, gender roles, and a mysterious new creature called “Pyokorun.” The book is intense and thought-provoking.

For a calmer reading experience, Yuko recommends “Yakusoku no Kawa” by photographer Hoshino Michio, a book that beautifully describes nature and life in northern regions.

Finally, Noriko talks about the essay “Toki wo Kakeru Yutori” by Asai Ryo, which made her laugh a lot because of its humorous stories about everyday life.

They conclude by encouraging listeners to choose books depending on their mood—sometimes relaxing books, sometimes challenging ones—and invite listeners to join their Japanese Together book club.

• 恋愛小説 — れんあいしょうせつ — romance novel

• 連絡先 — れんらくさき — contact information

• 現代 — げんだい — modern times

• 会話 — かいわ — conversation

• 表現 — ひょうげん — expression

• 読書体験 — どくしょたいけん — reading experience

• 世代 — せだい — generation

• 母と娘の関係 —ははとむすめのかんけい — mother-daughter relationship

• 環境問題 — かんきょうもんだい — environmental issues

• 和菓子 — わがし — Japanese traditional sweets

• デパ地下 — でぱちか — department store food basement

• 主人公 — しゅじんこう — protagonist

• 成長 — せいちょう — personal growth

• 社会 — しゃかい — society

• 価値観 — かちかん — values

• 生きづらさ — いきづらさ — difficulty of living / social pressure

• 自然 — しぜん — nature

• 写真家 — しゃしんか — photographer

• 描写 — びょうしゃ — description

• 癒し — いやし — healing / comfort

• エッセイ — えっせい — essay

• 日常 — にちじょう — everyday life

• 失敗談 — しっぱいだん — story about a mistake