Japanese Light Novel Book Club discussion
Resources
>
Find a Buddy (Read)
I managed to get a copy of Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World from the library. Anyone want to buddy read this book with me?

One thing - if you haven't seen the anime I recommend watching that first if possible. The LN is excellent and it's not a huge deal, but Tokyopop reordered the chapters to be chronological, which does affect the story's impact a bit.
^ I watched the entire anime, which is why I wanted to read the manga.
Did Tokyopop really rearrange everything? Somehow, that doesn't surprise me...No wonder they went out of business
Did Tokyopop really rearrange everything? Somehow, that doesn't surprise me...

Yeah, sadly. The anime moved a couple of stories around too, but nothing important. Tokyopop going chronologically means they open with Land of Grown Ups (ep 4 I believe), so instead of establishing Kino with a few stories and then giving backstory, the LN opens with Kino's "origin". It was weird and not at all as originally presented/written.

What do you think?
I'd rather start sooner than later (since this is a library book, lol), so let's start this weekend. I'll set up the thread, then. :)

Let me know if anyone's interested in Buddy Reading more of Spice & Wolf! Or if anyone wants to buddy read Kieli, Volume 2

I never actually heard of that one. Must've come out just before Tokyopop crashed and burned.
What's that one about? Do you know which "The World" it's in?
What's that one about? Do you know which "The World" it's in?


What's that one about? Do you know which "The World" it's in?"
Possibly :O I saw it a few years again and bought the first and second books on a whim. I'm a bit embarrassed, I haven't read them yet though ^^; so I'm not sure which 'The World' they're set in.
Allison wrote: "Is it okay if I just list what I have in my TBR pile? It's 10 books, so I suspect that's kind of excessive."
Go for it. :) I'd say list them in a numbered list in the order you'd like to read them to make it easier for people to see what you want to buddy read.
Go for it. :) I'd say list them in a numbered list in the order you'd like to read them to make it easier for people to see what you want to buddy read.
Heather wrote: "Possibly :O I saw it a few years again and bought the first and second books on a whim. I'm a bit embarrassed, I haven't read them yet though ^^; so I'm not sure which 'The World' they're set in. "
I looked it up. The .hack// Wiki says 2 books long and set in R2 (the GU universe). Not a whole lot of other details, though.
I looked it up. The .hack// Wiki says 2 books long and set in R2 (the GU universe). Not a whole lot of other details, though.

Okay, thanks! I won't list them all, then, since I've got a lot of mid-to-late series stuff in my stack. I'm leaving Ballad of a Shinigami off, too, if that's in the group read running. The list of books I'm looking to buddy read are:
1. Zaregoto, Book 2: The Kubishime Romanticist(and I have the first one at home, and can bring that back to my campus apartment if anyone's still looking to read that)
2. Chain Mail: Addicted to You
3. Missing (Novel) Volume 1: Spirited Away
4. Kamikaze Girls
5. Maid Machinegun: A Novel
6. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: The Lost Memory
7. FLCL Volume 1
8. Rocket Girls
I tried to put them in some sort of preferential order, but would really be willing to read any of them at any time. I wouldn't be bothered putting any of these off for a bit, since my used book store and penny on Amazon loopiness involves plenty of Western novels, too. ^_^

I have read Ghost in the Shell:: SAC, however it has been awhile & I am always willing to re-read (or re-watch) any Ghost in the Shell.


(This is a reply to both.) Okay, cool! I can note you in a few minutes, but I'd really like to read both of them, too, so I'm almost tempted to flip a coin to choose. Thank you! ^_^

Okay, thanks! I won't list them all, then, since I've got a lot of mid-to-late series stuff in my stack. I..."
I have the second Zaregoto book as well ^^ I was thinking of re-reading the first one, however; some time soon.

I think I have to re-read the first one, too. >_< I loved it, but it's been a couple of years since I read it now, and I want to make sure I don't miss anything when I read the second. If the first volume was any indication, it's a shame that this series fizzled in the English translated editions.

I think I have to re-read the first one, too. >_< I loved it, but ..."
^^; It's been a few years since I last read it as well, haha. I finally got the second one too, so it'd be a nice reminder of everything that happened. Oh gosh, o.o Wasn't there also some confusion with how it was translated too? I think I remember being confused on how some things sounded or were worded? o.o;

I don't remember exactly what the trouble was, but I remember scribbling corrections into the book as I went, so there must have been something. A lot of the older (well, not that old, really) light novel translations had stuff that drove me nuts, but this one, I marked up a lot. I suppose I'll be rudely reminded of it when I re-read it.
Would you like to buddy read the two books? I can't get my copy of the first until Saturday, since I'm in a university apartment now, but that's only a couple of days off.

XD hahaha aww~ at least the plot and story is worth all the annoyance.
Sure! ^^ I have to get my first copy from a friend, I think I should have mine by Saturday as well. I look forward to reading it again and having someone to discuss it with now :3

All right, cool! Note me if you want to do any planning stuff ahead of that. I'm *so* glad to be coming back on Thanksgiving break!

^^ I suppose we should see how quickly we want to read each chapter or the book over a course of time? :O
Yay! :D

Yeah! I'll go ahead and note you to avoid further clogging of the thread. Besides, our reply markers are getting ridiculous. XD
You guys are welcome to talk here as much as you want. That's what the purpose of this thread is for. :)
Also, feel free to start a thread in the LN section for your book discussion. If you want to move the figuring out of details there, go for it.
Also, feel free to start a thread in the LN section for your book discussion. If you want to move the figuring out of details there, go for it.

Also, feel free to start a thread in the LN section for your book discussion. If you want t..."
Thank you! :3
So I got a hold of Kieli volume 2 (finally yay).
Anyone want to join in a buddy read? I'm thinking starting in March. And being generous on the reading schedule since I know my school life might get hectic.
Anyone want to join in a buddy read? I'm thinking starting in March. And being generous on the reading schedule since I know my school life might get hectic.

As close to the end of the series as things are getting, it would be really cool to backtrack to v3. If there's enough interest, I'm definitely in.
Allison wrote: "As close to the end of the series as things are getting, it would be really cool to backtrack to v3. If there's enough interest, I'm definitely in."
Only takes two to do a buddy read. :)
I'll probably figure out a schedule and all sometime next week. That should give enough people to see that I'm planning a buddy read if they want to join in.
Only takes two to do a buddy read. :)
I'll probably figure out a schedule and all sometime next week. That should give enough people to see that I'm planning a buddy read if they want to join in.

Cool, I'm looking forward to it! ^^ It should be fun.
Once I finish the book I'm currently reading, I'm thinking of starting a buddy read for A Fox's Love. Would anyone be interested in joining me for a buddy read?

Fanta wrote: "Do you guys know Japanese old horror story, Kwaidan, written by Lafcadio Hearn? That's a book written more than a hundred years ago. I think its copyright has expired in many countries. You can rea..."
Yeah, all of his stuff's copyright is expired so it's freely being shared on the web without concern. I was actually going to get around to reading Hearn's writings one of these days. What better place to start than Kwaidan? People say it's his best.
Yeah, all of his stuff's copyright is expired so it's freely being shared on the web without concern. I was actually going to get around to reading Hearn's writings one of these days. What better place to start than Kwaidan? People say it's his best.

I'll create a thread, looking at the rule of this group.
Thank you!


Also, I am currently readingThe Irregular at Magic High School, Vol. 1: Enrollment Arc, Part I. Its pretty neat. I would be up for it if anyone wants to read that with me as well.
Fanta wrote: "Do you guys know Japanese old horror story, Kwaidan, written by Lafcadio Hearn? That's a book written more than a hundred years ago. I think its copyright has expired in many countries. You can rea..."
I think you're right that the copyright on that one's up, so it should be fair game.
I think you're right that the copyright on that one's up, so it should be fair game.
Books mentioned in this topic
Juni Taisen: Zodiac War (other topics)Yume Nikki: I Am Not in Your Dream (other topics)
Magical Girl Raising Project, Vol. 2: Restart I (other topics)
KATANAGATARI 1: Sword Tale (other topics)
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (other topics)
More...
Buddy Reads are great for when you want to read later books in a series or books that for one reason or another we can't read as a group (like books that are no longer available because the publisher went out of business).
Set up your buddy reads here!