HAJET Book Club: The Cuckoo’s Calling
Hyogo AJET Book Club (3)
Happy New Year Hyogo!
It’s time to stop kidding yourselves and write off those generic, unattainable New Year’s resolutions now. You might join the gym this January, but are you going to GO? Here are some realistic resolutions to consider: socialise with more Hyogo Jets, venture to our capital more often, get stuck into more literature… OK you got me, shameless plug, but don’t just listen to me, here’s the trustworthy Jessica McSavage from Kita-ku, Kobe for her take on the last Hyogo AJET Book Club.
On a Sunday afternoon in December, I attended the second meeting of the Hyogo AJET Book Club. This time, we discussed J.K. Rowling’s recent endeavour The Cuckoo’s Calling, a mystery novel where a private detective attempts to discover whether a popular fashion model truly committed suicide or 
was murdered. Thirteen of us gathered at Macha Macha, a charming café in Motomachi. The most popular food items of a wholly delicious menu proved to be margarita pizza and pancakes topped with a variety of treats like fresh raspberries and caramel drizzle, which we munched upon while discussing the book. Overall, the consensus was that it was an enjoyable read with a twist at the end no one quite expected. I thoroughly e
njoyed my second book club experience. It’s more than just reading and discussing a book, you never know if a spontaneous game of book charades will break out or a group of people will decide to go ice skating afterwards. So come along to our next meeting on February 2nd for some great food, discussion, and spontaneous event planning with new friends!
The margarita came straight from the pizza oven and into my stomach, even with a burnt mouth I can back Jessica up with an “oishikatta!†Food aside, let’s announce the next book. Our editor Char (who gorged on the raspberry pancakes if you were wondering) won the vote for the third book…
A Tale for the Time Being
Ruth Ozeki
Man Booker Shortlist 2013
In British Columbia, Ruth discovers the diary of 16-year-old Japanese student Nao. Possibly debris from the 2011 tsunami, Ruth’s reading of the diary introduces us to a teenager’s Tokyo. But the neon lights, love hotels, maid cafes and all the trappings of the capital we know, do not distract from the emotional tale of bullying, suicide and sadness and we, as Ruth the reader, are soon sucked into this maelstrom of a novel, desperate to discover what happens.
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Reading this novel whilst in Japan is particularly poignant as we have a far better grasp of the cultural references which to an outsider can only be understood on a superficial level. Furthermore, Nao’s tales of Junior High School life can be painfully close to home as we think of our own students.
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With an uncompromising depiction of issues deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, Ruth Ozeki’s era flipping novel is a study in identity, communication, and the essence of time itself. She exposes a world in the throes of disaster, whilst creating characters worthy of salvation. Touching on war, computer science, global warming, Zen meditation and human nature, this book is a celebration of life in all its complexity.
It’s already on my Kindle ready and waiting to be read. Now, the venue: hidden among vintage shops and boutiques is the delightfully named Bo Tambourine Café, a Tex Mex specialist in a quiet corner of Kobe that will serve as our next club hangout.
Now all that’s left to do is click ‘going’ on the Facebook event, source A Tale for the Time Being, enjoy it this January then meet us in Sannomiya on Sunday February 2nd to continue with those New Year’s resolutions you’ve just made.
See you then!
Cherie Pham
Hyogo AJET Book Club 3
Book: A Tale for the Time Being, Ruth Ozeki
Date: Sunday February 2nd
Time: 2pm-4pm
Meeting place: Tits Park, Sannomiya, Kobe. Between JR and Hankyu Sannomiya
Venue: Bo Tambourine Café (兵庫県神戸市ä¸å¤®åŒºåŒ—é•·ç‹é€š3-3-7)
All details on the Hyogo AJET Facebook page – click ‘going’!
http://www.amazon.co.jp/Tale-Time-Being-Ruth-Ozeki/dp/0857867970
