BOOK CLUBS RETURNING FALL 2024 — STAY TUNED. THANKS!
ARCHIVE:
FALL 2023 BOOK CLUBS: HOSTED BY MANGA MANGA
12 person limit each club; meet every 3 weeks
$22 total for all four sessions
Meeting @ the shop (5908 Hamilton Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45224)
SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE ONLINE ON FRI SEP 1, 2023 AT NOON OR IN STORE WHEN WE OPEN AT 1PM!
SEE FAQ’s BELOW
FA23: BOOK CLUB #1 - Our Dreams at Dusk (Shimanami Tasogare) by Yuhki Kamatani
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Tuesday, November 28, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
"A short and emotional series about what it's like to be LGBTQ+ in contemporary Japan. One fateful day Tasuku, a gay high school student who's going through a difficult time, encounters and befriends a group of fellow queer people. Together Tasuku and his new friends face the challenges and triumphs of love, identity, and self-discovery. This is a 4 volume series and the first session will cover Volume 1." - Sarah Geisler (Facilitator)
OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION:
https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/shimanami-tasogare/
The Harvey-nominated manga about a broad LGBT+ community. Not only is high schooler Tasuku Kaname the new kid in town, he is also terrified that he has been outed as gay. Just as he’s contemplating doing the unthinkable, Tasuku meets a mysterious woman who leads him to a group of people dealing with problems not so different from his own. In this realistic, heartfelt depiction of LGBT+ characters from different backgrounds finding their place in the world, a search for inner peace proves to be the most universal experience of all. Total Volumes: 4
$22 - CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR BOOK CLUB SPOT
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLYGXQRXJ4ACN/checkout/5SMC4INPRVJZ5F62FQZGYACC
FA23: BOOK CLUB #2 - Tokyo Ghoul by Sui Ishida
Thursday, September 14, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Thursday, October 5, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Thursday, October 26, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Thursday, November 30, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
"Tokyo Ghoul is set in an alternative reality, where ghouls and humans must co-exist. After an encounter with a ghoul, Ken Kaneki becomes a hybrid and must figure out who he really is between the human world and the ghoul world. The first book club meeting will cover the first volume." - Megan Willenborg (Facilitator)
OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION:
https://www.viz.com/tokyo-ghoul
Ghouls live among us, the same as normal people in every way—except their craving for human flesh. Ken Kaneki is an ordinary college student until a violent encounter turns him into the first half-human half-ghoul hybrid. Trapped between two worlds, he must survive Ghoul turf wars, learn more about Ghoul society and master his new powers. Shy Ken Kaneki is thrilled to go on a date with the beautiful Rize. But it turns out that she’s only interested in his body—eating it, that is. When a morally questionable rescue transforms him into the first half-human half-Ghoul hybrid, Ken is drawn into the dark and violent world of Ghouls, which exists alongside our own. Total Volumes: 14
$22 - CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR BOOK CLUB SPOT
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLYGXQRXJ4ACN/checkout/WG5PHCF576E4XLWSB4LKKMQL
FA23: BOOK CLUB #3 - Land of the Lustrous by Haruko Ichikawa
Tuesday, September 19, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
"Land Of The Lustrous is a fantasy series about crystalized lifeforms known as the Lustrous. We follow Phosphophyllite, a weak gem who can't fight, and the other Lustrous who have to defend themselves from inhabitants of the moon known as Lunarians. For the first session, we will cover the first volume." - Devon Moore (Facilitator)
OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION:
https://kodansha.us/series/land-of-the-lustrous/
In a world inhabited by crystalline lifeforms called The Lustrous, every unique gem must fight for their way of life against the threat of lunarians who would turn them into decorations. Phosphophyllite, the most fragile and brittle of gems, longs to join the battle. When Phos is instead assigned to complete a natural history of their world, it sounds like a dull and pointless task. But this new job brings Phos into contact with Cinnabar, a gem forced to live in isolation. Can Phos's seemingly mundane assignment lead both Phos and Cinnabar to the fulfillment they desire? Total Volume: 11 so far
$22 - CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR BOOK CLUB SPOT
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLYGXQRXJ4ACN/checkout/7PLXAETX63DYLRSDJILBM3ZN
FA23: BOOK CLUB #4 - BL Adventure Club
Thursday, September 21, 2023 - (7PM-9PM)
Thursday, October 12, 2023 - (7PM-9PM)
Thursday, November 9, 2023 - (7PM-9PM)
Thursday, December 7, 2023 - (7PM-9PM)
"Are you a fan of BL (Boys-Love) manga? Do you often find yourself wishing you had a community of like-minded individuals to share your passion with? Well, look no further! This club is the perfect place for you to connect with others who share your interests and discover new titles to add to your reading list. The upcoming titles include two fantasies and two contemporary romances such as "Entangled with You: The Garden of 100 Grasses" by Aki Aoi, "Old-Fashioned Cupcake" by Sagan Sagan, "The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter, Vol. 1" by Kazuki Irodori and Yatsuki Wakatsu, and "Restart After Coming Back Home" by Cocomi. Each story promises a unique and engaging experience that will take you on an journey. I look forward to meeting you for these new exciting readings!" Faciliated by: Hediah Wooden-Perdue
Thursday, September 21, 2023 - "Entangled with You: The Garden of 100 Grasses" by Aki Aoi
https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/entangled-with-you-the-garden-of-100-grasses/
OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION: Once upon a time, Marcel’s sister injured herself in the forest while gathering herbs. Marcel was at a loss for what to do until a fearsome horned man appeared, offering help–in exchange for a promise. Now, ten years later, Marcel returns to the woods, steeling himself for death. Instead, he finds something quite different: a gentle soul, friendship…and perhaps something more. (One-Shot)
Thursday, October 12, 2023 - "Old-Fashioned Cupcake" by Sagan Sagan
https://www.sublimemanga.com/old-fashioned-cupcake
OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION: A visit to a pancake shop leads to an unexpected May-December romance that breathes life into the monotonous routine of an older salaryman. The daily grind both soothes and troubles older salaryman Nozue, until an unexpected visit to a pancake shop with his blunt younger coworker shakes things up! At 39 years old, Nozue lives a routine, if not melancholic, life of sleep and work. Togawa, his younger subordinate, finds this troubling and takes it upon himself to shake up Nozue’s routine. During a lunch outing, the two go to a pancake shop full of exuberant young ladies to “do what girls do,” and it’s just the thing to breathe life into Nozue. The two men start an unlikely friendship—and perhaps something a little sweeter! (One-Shot)
Thursday, November 9, 2023 - "The Other World's Books Depend on the Bean Counter, Vol. 1" by Kazuki Irodori and Yatsuki Wakatsu
https://yenpress.com/series/the-other-world-s-books-depend-on-the-bean-counter
OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION: Once upon a time, in the not too distant past, a holy maiden was summoned. Not just any holy maiden—one hailing from modern Japan. But this story is not her story. This is the tale of the humble accountant, Kondou, who accompanied her and his trials and woes as he accounts in a new world... But no tale is complete without a love interest. And who better to play that role than the handsome knight captain Aresh? Will he begin a personal quest to save said bean counter—who toils around the clock—or is Kondou doomed to be married to his work evermore...?! (Total Volumes: 3 so far... Only the first volume will be discussed during this session)
Thursday, December 7, 2023 - "Restart After Coming Back Home" by Cocomi
https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/restart-after-coming-back-home/
OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION: Hotheaded Kozuka Mitsuomi left his home in the country for a sophisticated life in Tokyo. Unfortunately, at age 25, he’s fired from his job and returns home in disgrace. As he tries to rediscover himself, he meets Kumai Yamato, a man about his age who was adopted into his community while Mitsuomi was away. The sweet and even-tempered Yamato is hiding his own pain, and as the two men connect, they start a journey together. (One-shot with sequal)
$22 - CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR BOOK CLUB SPOT
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLYGXQRXJ4ACN/checkout/SNJSVVZOAQJ7XN2SICYU3HHY
FA23: BOOK CLUB #5 - Bungo Stray Dogs (Manga) by Kafka Asagiri / Sango Harukawa
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Tuesday, December 12, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
“Join us in exploring the story of Bungo Stray Dogs, following the Armed Detective Agency, who use their supernatural gifts to keep Yokohama safe from the multiple crime families lurking in the shadows. Throughout the journey, we'll discuss the allusions to classic literature, the main characters' grey vs. grey moralities, and how this is just Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure with a side helping of mafiosos. We aim to get through the second major story arc, The Guild Arc, but we'll adjust the pace based on the group's preferences. I can't wait to see you all there!” - Sarah Herzog (Facilitator)
OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION:
https://yenpress.com/series/bungo-stray-dogs#
Having been kicked out of the orphanage, a despairing young man by the name of Atsushi Nakajima rescues a strange man from a suicide attempt--Osamu Dazai. Turns out that Dazai is part of a detective agency staffed by individuals whose supernatural powers take on a literary bent! Total Volumes: 22 so far
$22 - CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR BOOK CLUB SPOT
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLYGXQRXJ4ACN/checkout/LN377L7FZCPYUSWKQYPTI5A6
FA23: BOOK CLUB #6 - Berserk by Kentaro Miura
Thursday, September 28, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Thursday, October 19, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Thursday, November 16, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
Thursday, December 14, 2023 (7PM-9PM)
"Please join dual-facilitators Griffin and Jeremy as they start to cover “Berserk”, the legendary manga by the late Kentaro Miura! The series is Miura’s life’s work, starting in 1988 and continuing up through his passing in 2021 and beyond. The goal for the club is to cover the “Golden Age” arc, which spans through volume 14. “Berserk” is an amalgamation of genres, including horror and fantasy, but those genres are grounded through the trials of its central character, Guts. “Berserk” is notorious for several reasons, one of which is because Guts’ story of perseverance is not for the faint of heart. Miura’s depictions often teeter into extreme depictions of violence, and so we’d like to ask potential readers to consider their tolerance before committing. Despite the often difficult subject matter, it’s cemented itself as one of the greatest manga of all time. There’s so much to love within this story, so enlist with Guts, Jeremy, and Griffin into The Band of the Hawk!" - Griffin Richardson and Jeremy Moore (Facilitators)
OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION:
https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/12-705/Berserk-Volume-1-TPB
Have you got the Guts? Kentaro Miura's Berserk has outraged, horrified, and delighted manga and anime fanatics since 1989, creating an international legion of hardcore devotees and inspiring a plethora of TV series, feature films, and video games. And now the badass champion of adult fantasy manga is presented in an oversized 7" x 10" deluxe hardcover edition, nearly 700 pages amassing the first three Berserk volumes, with following volumes to come to serve up the entire series in handsome bookshelf collections. No Guts, no glory! Total Volumes: 41 so far
$22 - CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR BOOK CLUB SPOT
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLYGXQRXJ4ACN/checkout/GVQIXPET34GZ4MHPSK4JFZB4
FAQ’s
1. It costs $22 total for all four sessions.
2. It is not required for you to buy the books from Manga Manga. Already own them? Great! Want to share with a friend? Great! Borrow from the library or get somewhere else? Go for it! Wanna read online? Saves paper! Want to buy from us? No problem. We don’t always have all these in stock, but will try our best to have them available for you!
3. Typically, the club will cover at least the first 4 volumes of the series. But this will be determined during your first meeting. In preparation for your first meeting, refer to the club description for information on what volumes you need to read. At the first meeting, the future pace of the club will be decided collectively by the group and facilitator.
4. The club will meet at the shop (5908 Hamilton Ave.) If you would like to make any purchases before the meet-up starts, please arrive before 7pm to do so!
5. You may purchase your spot online (see links above) or visit the store! Book Club Spots go on sale online on Friday, September 1st, 2023 at noon.
6. Once you sign up, expect to receive an email from us a week before our first meet up! If you buy online, please provide your current email address so we can contact you!
7. The book clubs are limited to twelve people.
8. This is a new and exciting venture… about dialogue and community building!
9. These clubs are limited to those 18 years and older. Book Clubs for younger folks will be offered in the future! Stay tuned!
10. Questions? Contact us at mangacincinnati@gmail.com.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING MANGA MANGA!