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BJA Friendship Committee (FCOM) is launching a Book Club!

Calling all book lovers! The BJA Friendship Committee (FCOM) is launching a Book Club!

Are you a book-lover interested in exploring and chatting about modern Japanese lit in a relaxed and welcoming environment? Then come join the first book club hosted by the BJA Friendship Committee on August 17.

This time, we'll discuss the 2016 Akutagawa Prize winning book, Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata (「コンビニ人間」村田沙耶香), a quirky and nuanced story about a socially-awkward convenience store worker in her 30s, exploring the themes of conformity, societal norms, and gendered expectations. This book has been translated into English, Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish etc., so feel free to read the book in whatever language you prefer. For Japanese learners, this is a suitable book for anyone with a JLPT N2 or upper intermediate level of Japanese, since the book is short and its prose are fairly simple making it a good book to challenge yourself with. This event is, of course, open to anyone who was unable to finish the book.

Our first Book Club meeting will take place on Sunday, August 17, from 14:00 to 16:00, at Het Goudblommeke in Papier (La Fleur en Papier doré)—a historic Brussels tavern with deep artistic roots.

Located at 53–55, rue des Alexiens/Cellebroersstraat, this charming venue has long served as a gathering place for artists, writers, and creatives, including figures from the surrealist movement like René Magritte. We'll be meeting in a separate private room to keep things cozy and conducive to discussion.

If you are interested in joining, please let us know by replying to bja.fc.organiser@gmail.com. You’re welcome to join even if you don’t finish the book—just come for the good conversation and company!

Save the date!  We can’t wait to dive into this story and share a memorable afternoon with you!