• 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

My program : Let's read a Japanese novel

1️⃣ Short English Summary：In this episode, Noriko talks about “luxury time” and “analog experiences” in our modern digital world.

She begins by sharing a recent visit to the cinema in Liverpool. The tickets and popcorn were expensive, and the movie itself was not very good. However, she realized that watching a film without checking her smartphone for two hours felt like a luxury.

Noriko reflects on what “luxury” means today. For her, luxury is not expensive hotels or restaurants, but cultural experiences such as going to museums, concerts, events, or reading quietly in a café.

She also talks about analog choices in a digital world. Because we are constantly connected to smartphones, the internet, and AI, many people feel information fatigue. Noriko shares how she limits her social media time and tries to reconnect with slower, more intentional experiences.

For example, one of her students built a mechanical analog watch, and her husband started wearing a traditional watch again to check the time during meetings without using his phone.

Noriko also joined two meetups in Liverpool: a Quiet Book Club and a philosophy discussion group. Although she is introverted, meeting people face-to-face felt refreshing and meaningful.

She concludes that choosing slightly inconvenient, analog experiences—like going to the cinema, reading books, or meeting people in person—may actually be a modern form of luxury.

2️⃣ Vocabulary List (for understanding the episode)

• 贅沢（ぜいたく） — luxury
• 文化的（ぶんかてき） — cultural
• 特別展示（とくべつてんじ） — special exhibition
• 情報（じょうほう） — information
• 情報疲れ（じょうほうづかれ） — information fatigue
• 悪循環（あくじゅんかん） — vicious cycle
• 制限する（せいげんする） — to limit / control
• 腕時計（うでどけい） — wristwatch
• 部品（ぶひん） — parts / components
• 組み立てる（くみたてる） — to assemble
• 通知（つうち） — notification
• 便利（べんり） — convenient
• 不便（ふべん） — inconvenient
• 確認する（かくにんする） — to check / confirm
• 集まる（あつまる） — to gather
• 実際に（じっさいに） — in reality / in person
• 新鮮（しんせん） — fresh / new feeling
• 体験（たいけん） — experience
• 傾向（けいこう） — tendency
• 選ぶ（えらぶ） — to choose

🎧 Episode Summary : In this Coffee Break with Noriko episode, recorded in late February 2026, Noriko shares reflections on her month.

She talks about celebrating her 19th wedding anniversary at a high-end restaurant in Liverpool — delicious food, but very small portions! She also shares her disappointment about a postponed rock concert that has been rescheduled for a year later, which makes her reflect on how unpredictable life can be.

A highlight of the month was reconnecting with her husband’s childhood friend, who is currently on a three-month world trip. Hearing about his journey inspires Noriko to think more seriously about travel and making the most of life while she is healthy.

She also reflects on her recent reading, especially Sekai 99 by Sayaka Murata — a powerful and mentally exhausting dystopian novel — and an essay collection by Banana Yoshimoto, which reminded her to live simply, avoid excessive desire, and not expect anything in return when doing something for others.

Finally, she encourages listeners to turn input into output — after listening or reading something, try summarizing it or sharing your thoughts. Small output habits can transform language learning.

📚 Vocabulary List (15 Key Words)

• 結婚記念日（けっこんきねんび）– wedding anniversary

• 高級レストラン（こうきゅうレストラン）– high-end restaurant

• 延期（えんき）– postponement

• 再会（さいかい）– reunion

• 世界一周（せかいいっしゅう）– around-the-world trip

• 憧れる（あこがれる）– to admire / to long for

• 中年（ちゅうねん）– middle age

• 上下巻（じょうげかん）– two-volume set (upper and lower volumes)

• 放心状態（ほうしんじょうたい）– state of shock / mental blankness

• 衝撃的（しょうげきてき）– shocking

• エッセイ – essay

• 欲（よく）– desire

• 見返り（みかえり）– something in return / reward

• 名言（めいげん）– memorable quote / wise saying

• アウトプット – output (active production, e.g., speaking/writing)