Host: Tete Co-host: NAgoyaBOOKCENTER Tete works in sales and is a book lover who reads about 200 books a year. She reads novels, essays, non-fiction, and whatever books catch her interest at the time. This reading group warmly welcomes book lovers, of course, as well as those who have just started reading but are unsure what to choose, or people who don't have fellow book lovers around to talk about books with. Would you like to have a relaxed chat about books? Please feel free to join us. ＊NAgoyaBOOKCENTER does not tolerate any form of discrimination or violent behavior/language＊

This is a talk and signing event with Kenji Kuroda, who will publish his new book 'Perfect Locked-Room Matryoshka: Mystery in the Mystery' with 星海社FICTIONS in June.\nHe will speak at length about his latest work and about Nagoya as a puzzle-solving city.

Noran Nijino, who made a striking major debut with 'Sono Humming wa 7' at KADOKAWA. Her new book, 'Akari no Tomoru Hello', which the author says is her favorite work, has been published by her local Nagoya publisher Sakurayama-sha. To commemorate the publication, we will hold an author talk and signing event. On the day there will be a reading by Tomoko Shio. Please look forward to it.

Reading and writing are two sides of the same coin. Knowing the writer's perspective makes reading even more enjoyable. From what viewpoint does an editor read a work? Behind-the-scenes stories that are a must-listen even for those aiming for newcomer prizes. Instructor profile: Hisayuki Arai (新井久幸) Born in Tokyo in 1969 and raised in Chiba Prefecture. Graduated from the Faculty of Law at Kyoto University. While at university he belonged to the Detective Fiction Research Society (Kyoto University Mystery Club). He joined Shinchosha in 1993. After editing magazines and books, he served as editor-in-chief of the magazine "Shōsetsu Shincho" for six years from 2010. He is currently head of the publishing department. Major works he has handled include 『夜のピクニック』（恩田陸）、『重力ピエロ』（伊坂幸太郎）、『ボトルネック』（米澤穂信）、『向日葵の咲かない夏』（道尾秀介） and the anthology "Story Seller." Last year he edited 『失われた貌』（櫻田智也）, which won a triple crown in mystery rankings.

(ephemere)'s first ZINE 20 poems collecting the fleeting, heartbreaking emotions of a breakup A person you can't forget who makes you ache when you remember them But you want to keep them as glittering memories... A poetry collection for those who have such a person I just wanted words Even a parting that pushes you away would be fine Not silence, but your words 'It was only then that I realized I had entrusted all of myself to you'

I run a shared bookshelf at a bookstore called 'Hon no Sumika' 💭 I made a poetry ZINE Instagram→@ephemere_atelier_ 8/22 Machi no ZINE Fest 9/27 ZINE FEST Kyoto Selling texture art and original goods

Akane, about to enter sixth grade, lost her mother at age five and developed a stutter. She sings a rapid tongue-twister from her memories and, today as always, heads to the library alone. Seen with special eyes and having no friends—Akane treats her stutter as proof of her love for her mother and cannot bring herself to pursue treatment. One day she receives an email on her computer from an unknown sender that reads, "Let's be friends." The sender is Akari, and the two quickly become close. Battling resistance to speaking and the fear of expressing her feelings—while troubled by how to relate to friends, she gradually reevaluates herself and deepens her trust in Akari. Meanwhile, Akane finds a picture book in her father's room... [From Sakurayama-sha] ★Who do we want to read or buy this? We want upper elementary to middle school students to read it. In practice buyers may be mostly adults, such as school librarians, teachers, and parents with children. It’s for anyone who has ever wanted to say "hello" but couldn't—just as I once couldn't. ★What is the best thing about this work? I recommend the whole book. I often think, "What is life?" In the story there is a Ferris wheel. Although it moves forward, it looks as if it circles the same place. Even if it seems to be going down, that descent may be the path to rise again. That mirrors Akane's emotional movements. I found myself identifying with Akane and, for a while, losing track of time while thinking about life. Life felt like a Ferris wheel. ★What I fell in love with in this work The entire work is exceptionally gentle. I became a fan of Akane. I also loved the presence of Mr. Anzai. The coming-of-age story of a sixth-grade girl who lost her mother and struggles with a stutter is portrayed very gently alongside her father; although the setting is everyday, the plot draws you into its extraordinary moments. While dealing with "things you can't say well," the book turns them into language that arrives very beautifully. Above all, it was the author's passion. I was truly glad when the author candidly said, "I have a work I cherish." I think I fell for the writer Noran's intensity along with the work.

B6 format, 198 pages. Published February 1, 2026. Author: 虹乃ノラン [Who this book is for] For those who have grown a little tired from trying to meet someone else's expectations. Those who tend to carry everything alone thinking 'I must be independent.' Those who are fed up with the role they keep playing. Those who want a beautiful binding to keep and admire. [Stock status] As of February 16, online stock has fallen below 20 copies. Restocking after sellout is undecided. "Skating, you see, is like a small silvered garden on the ice; struggling with constraints, you desperately spread your wings to express freedom, like an art." A pure wish to 'meet expectations' can quietly turn into chains that bind you. It's not because she lacks talent. It's not because she didn't try hard enough. It's just that by continuously performing a 'role' for others, she lost a place for her heart. The protagonist Darlene came to hate figure skating for such painfully plausible reasons that could happen to anyone. This work, Flamingo on the Ice, is neither a lonely comeback story nor a flashy success tale. What it records is a **quiet and sincere rebirth**: wrapped in her parents' deep love and rescued by the hands of her friends, she slowly heals her broken wings. Independence is not about gritting your teeth alone; it's about believing in your own worth again while accepting the support around you. Nijino Noran traces that journey delicately, like the tracks carved on the ice. Instead of pushing 'You can do it,' the book affirms 'It's okay to stop.' After finishing it, a warmth like the echo of cheers left on the cold ice quietly spreads through your heart. Reader impressions: For those tired of facile happy endings: "This is not an easy growth story. What exists here is the author's courage not to indulge the characters' uncertainties and a realistic form of salvation." — (reader comment) For fans of foreign dramas and translated literature: "An American-like dry atmosphere and a prose that avoids wet dependency. It feels like reading quality translated literature — a fresh immersion." — (reader comment) For those who have struggled with relationships with their parents: "Believing she was respecting her daughter, she ended up taking away her freedom. The book even shines a light on such a mother's 'regret' with terrifying objectivity and kindness." — (reader comment)

A ZINE fest held in Kagoshima. The venue is Li-Ka Nangkoku Hall (Li-Ka1920, 5th floor), and admission is 11:00〜16:00. Information for exhibitors—such as booth sizes, exhibition fees, rules for cooperating with event operations, prohibited items/acts, and application procedures—is provided. Photography and posting on social media may occur.

A zine sales and exhibition event held at KIITO (Design and Creative Center Kobe). The event will take place on November 3, 2026, from 11:00 to 16:00; admission is 500 yen. Exhibitor applications are open, with single- and two-person exhibitor plans (fees vary depending on promotional cooperation). Information is provided about delivery/setup and operational assistance, prohibited items (e.g., erotic or grotesque content), and a no-refund policy.

Isn't today's publishing world becoming a kind of “print macho”? Reading only in printed characters—difficult words and kanji—is not the only form of reading. By expanding ways of reading beyond the conventional frame of “reading”—comics, graphic works, audiobooks, etc.—we can lower the barriers to reading and increase readership. We will hold a talk and signing event to celebrate the publication of publishing journalist Kazufumi Iida's latest book, "An Introduction to 'Yuru Reading' for 90% of Japanese."

The Queer Feminist–themed zine event “Queer Feminist Zine Fest (QFZF)” will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at the A Dashwork Creative Center in Osaka. Details on the date, time, and venue will be posted on the blog; calls for exhibitors and organizing committee members will be announced on social media and the website as they become available.

'ZINE Fest Fukushima' is an event for enjoying zines. It will be held at Corasse Fukushima on January 10, 2027, from 11:00–16:00. Exhibitor applications are open, and details about exhibition plans, move-in/operations cooperation, and other information are provided (there are prohibited items for sale and cancellation rules).

We will hold a consignment sale of zines (self-published booklets) by borrowing the space of the share-type bookstore "HONBAKO Kyoto Uji". This event is a consignment-sales format, so exhibitors do not need to be present at the venue on the day. If you can’t make it to the venue because you live far away but want people in Kyoto to pick up your work, if you’d like to leave your work while visiting Kyoto, or if you are interested in share-type bookstores, please feel free to participate.

We will hold a workshop to actually create ZINEs (small booklets produced by individuals or groups) using the space of the share-style bookstore "HONBAKO Kyoto Uji" in Uji, Kyoto. For more details, please see the application page. Thank you.

We will hold a consignment sales event for ZINEs (self-published booklets) using the space of the shared bookstore “HONBAKO Kyoto Uji”. This event is a consignment-sales format, so exhibitors do not need to be present at the venue on the day. *There will be a small number of booth exhibitions only on 7/19. If you can’t come to the venue because you live far away but would like people in Kyoto to pick up your work, if you’d like to leave your work while visiting Kyoto, or if you’re interested in shared bookstores, please feel free to participate.

We will hold a consignment sale for ZINEs (self-published booklets) using the space of the shared bookstore “HONBAKO Kyoto Uji”.\r\nThis event is a consignment-style sale, so exhibitors do not need to be present at the venue on the day.\r\nIf you can’t travel to the venue but want people in Kyoto to pick up your work, if you’d like to leave your work while visiting Kyoto, or if you’re interested in shared bookstores, please feel free to participate.

An essay by a freelance writer who pushes forward as a minority. Written anew on themes that couldn't be included in the "If We Removed the Borderlines" series. It strings together queer stories, an account of a shared bookstore, and various musings on being single. Size: Bunko (Japanese pocket paperback) Pages: 36P

ZINE isn't just for talking about the things you like! It's okay to talk about the things you dislike too! If you're just going to hold it in, let it out. An odd collection of essays of questionable demand that relentlessly talks about everyday things I dislike. Size: Bunkobon (pocket paperback) Pages: 76P [Contents] Introduction 4 I Hate Shiitake 11 I Hate Love Stories 16 I Hate Makeup 22 I Hate Body Hair 26 I'm Not Fond of Old Commercial Logos 30 I'm Uncomfortable with "Sorry to bother you" 34 I Hate the Sound of Typing on a Keyboard 38 I'm Not Good with Being Recommended Entertainment 43 I'm Bad at Single-Tasking 47 I'm Bad at Getting Up 52 I Hate Emojis 58 I Hate Being Ordinary 64 Afterword 70