“The book I want you to read right now,” chosen by creators and publishers — 33 recommended titles for #AutumnReading2022

The ongoing reading review contest “#AutumnReading2022”. It is a “reading festival” where you have a chance to win prizes by posting about your favorite books on note.

This year, under the theme of “The book I want you to read right now,” we asked creators and publishers to select recommended books. We have a rich variety, from masterpiece novels to trending business books and essays. Why not take this opportunity to discover a new book?

Recommended Books

■ Kaoru Ariga (Soup Writer)

“Mukolitta on the Shore” by Naoko Ogigami / Kodansha
This is a novel written by director Naoko Ogigami, known for “Kamome Diner” and “Close-Knit,” as the original work for her latest film, “Mukolitta on the Shore.” The lonely protagonist lives in an apartment building by the river called “Heights Mukolitta” and begins to change as he gradually interacts with the other residents. The gentle descriptions make life and death feel very clear, and I thought, “Yes, this is what reality is like.” By the way, “Mukolitta” is a unit of time in Buddhism, apparently meaning 1/30th of a day, or 48 minutes. Whether you start with the movie or the novel is up to you. [Hashtag
#MukolittaOnTheShore]

“The Greatest Legacy to Posterity / The Story of Denmark” by Kanzo Uchimura / Iwanami Shoten
Try pulling back from your life, as if you were zooming out with a camera. After you die, what will you leave for the next generation? This is similar to the fundamental question of what a noble way of living is for a person. The brilliance of “The Greatest Legacy to Posterity” lies in how it speaks the answer in straightforward words. Because it is a transcript of a lecture, the words are alive. Only those who read it from start to finish and let it accumulate will experience the great catharsis at the end. It can be said that this is a book that gives the great joy of reading. [Hashtag
#TheGreatestLegacyToPosterity]

▼ Click here for Kaoru Ariga's note. Her latest book, “Life Soup,” is also on sale.

■ Shuichi Okita (Film Director)

“Fog Descends on the Town of Melancholy (Vol. 1)” “Fog Descends on the Town of Melancholy (Vol. 2)” by Makoto Shiina / Shogakukan
This is a well-known masterpiece by Makoto Shiina. I thought everyone in my generation had probably read it, but when I spoke to a young person recently, they said they hadn't, and I thought that was a shame. It's a story where Shiina reminisces about his days with his young friends, but now, the “present” in the book is already a distant story. When I suddenly feel like re-reading the excessively long prologue, which says “the story doesn't really begin,” and turn the pages, I end up reading it all the way to the end. For me, it's like dried squid—a book that still has plenty of flavor. [Hashtag #FogDescendsOnTheTownOfMelancholy]

▼ Click here for Shuichi Okita's note. His directed film, “The Fish Tale,” is currently in theaters.

■ Emi Kusano (Fictionera Representative / Artist)

"World 2.0: How to Walk Through and Create the Metaverse" by Katsuya Sato / Gentosha
I am working on "NFTs" as a business. The buzzword that is often used like a prefix when discussed in the media is the "metaverse." While they are essentially completely different technologies, they are compatible, so I bought this book thinking it was a required subject. It is an excellent book that allows you to philosophically understand this inevitable future while viewing it from a bird's-eye perspective. If you focus on how children play, you will naturally see the future. A book that makes you excited for the arrival of a true creator economy.
[Hashtag #HowToWalkThroughAndCreateTheMetaverse]

"True Heart" by Keiichiro Hirano / Bungeishunju
A mystery novel set in the near future where "voluntary death" has been legalized, exploring the death of a mother through a realistic avatar. Through this book, you can immerse yourself in the daily life of a slightly distant future. While cutting into modern social issues such as AI ethics and poverty, it is a book that approaches the most universal philosophy, such as "What is love?" and "What is the other?"
[Hashtag #TrueHeart]

▼ Click here for Emi Kusano's note. Her book "Neo-Parenting" is also on sale.

■ Kensu (CEO of Aru)

"OPEN: Only People, Organizations, and Nations That Can 'Open' Will Survive" by Johan Norberg, translated by Hiroshi Yamagata and Masafumi Morimoto / NewsPicks Publishing
This is a book that makes you strongly realize that respecting diversity is not a matter of ethics or social justice, but is essential for making the world a better place. In particular, I was able to feel the danger and meaninglessness of distinguishing between "us and them."
[Hashtag #OPEN]

"Social Media Prism: Why Does SNS Make People Radical?" by Chris Bail, translated by Nobuhiko Matsui / Misuzu Shobo
I want people who think "Why are there so many idiots on social media?" to read this. Also, for those who think "It's biased because I only see the same opinions due to algorithms." It contains hints for making the world a better place through social media.
[Hashtag #SocialMediaPrism]

▼ Click here for Kensu's note. He also runs the subscription magazine "Aru Development Room".

■ Sayaka Kobayashi (The real-life 'Biri Gal' / Graduate student at Columbia University Teachers College)

"Live by Your Own Opinions: 4 Steps to Finding Answers to 'Problems Without Correct Answers'" by Chikirin / Diamond Inc.
To be honest, I have often felt troubled or hurt when encountering the words of many people on Twitter. However, since a friend recommended this book to me, that stress has almost completely disappeared. We live in a society where we cannot avoid facing questions without clear answers together with others, not just on social media. This is a book that helps you acquire the mindset we should have in such a world.
[Hashtag #LiveByYourOwnOpinions]

"So Clear You Can Teach 3 Years of Junior High School Math" by Takuya Kosugi / Beret Publishing
When I was a student, I also thought, "Math is pointless." But not learning math is like trying to swim across a river when there is a ferry available, just because you don't know how to ride it or find it too much trouble. For us living in this unpredictable era, there is no reason not to equip ourselves with the crystallization of wisdom that our predecessors left behind, known as "mathematics." Honestly, you can understand most junior high level math with just this one book. It is recommended for current students and adults looking to relearn.
[Hashtag #ThreeYearsOfJuniorHighMath]

▼ Click here for Sayaka Kobayashi's note. She writes about studying abroad in the United States.

■ Virtual Bishoujo Nem (Metaverse Culture Evangelist / World's Oldest Personal VTuber)

"Why Is Human Sex So Bizarrely Evolved?" by Jared Diamond (Author), Hisakazu Hasegawa (Translator) / Soshisha
When it is revealed that the sexual behaviors we take for granted as humans—such as "romantic relationships between couples," "constant estrus," and "obsession with facial beauty"—are actually the "most heretical of all" among all animals, we realize that this is a program for humans to form society. This book is full of suggestions as to why we evolved this way and came to form our current society. Now that we have acquired the means to hack our perceptions and sexual behaviors through VR and metaverse technology, what kind of society will we create from here on out?
[Hashtag #WhyIsHumanSexSoBizarrelyEvolved]

"AI vs. Children Who Can't Read Textbooks" by Noriko Arai / Toyo Keizai Inc.
Generative AI is currently attracting a lot of attention, and the theory of the threat of AI (artificial intelligence) is being shouted once again. The truth revealed by the author, a mathematician and leader of the "Todai Robot Project" which aimed for AI to pass the University of Tokyo entrance exam, is logical, frank, and cruel. Modern AI, which can only perform arithmetic, cannot become "intelligence" in the true sense. However, AI still poses a threat to society. In the world of VR and the metaverse, AI has finally acquired a form indistinguishable from humans. What is it that only we humans can do?
[Hashtag #AIvsChildrenWhoCantReadTextbooks]

▼ Click here for Virtual Bishoujo Nem's note. Her book "Metaverse Evolution Theory" is also on sale.

■ Chiaki Matsumoto (Manga Artist)

"Run (Lol)" by Denpō Torishima / Shueisha
A science fiction novel depicting a Japan where spirituality and science have swapped places. When a husband is suffering from a 38-degree fever and tries to take antipyretics, his wife gets angry, asking, "Why don't you think about how the immune system feels?" Prayers to lower the fever, water infused with power. A normal body temperature that has been raised to 38 degrees. I read this development without feeling like it was entirely fiction. Having experienced an unprecedented situation where infectious diseases spread, and living through days where I have to choose "what to believe" amidst ever-changing rules and various speculations flying about, I found it relatable. Feeling my way through... where will it lead?
[Hashtag #Run]

▼ Click here for Chiaki Matsumoto's note. The latest volume, "New Tokyo Camouflage Hour 3," is also now on sale.

■ Kochiraku Ryutei (Rakugo Performer)

"That Girl and Q" by Manabu Makime / Shinchosha
For those who find themselves overthinking things or feeling stressed, I want you to savor the stress-free, gentle foreshadowing and resolution that Makime-san weaves. This work is a thrilling, heart-warming story about a high school girl who is a vampire fully integrated into human society, as she summons her friendship and courage to stand up against vampire society. And, without forgetting to sprinkle in the laughter that is so characteristic of Makime-san, it is a refreshing book that gently untangles a stiff mind from start to finish.
[Hashtag #ThatGirlAndQ]

"Living in Search of a Reason to Die" by Ryo Asai / Chuokoron-Shinsha
A book released as part of the Spiral Project (a collaboration project by authors) started by Kotaro Isaka. The story is set in the Heisei era. Multiple protagonists. Some are desperate to find a reason to live, while others find nothing and search for a reason to die. I felt a shiver of awe when the many dots finally connected into a single line. Recommended for those who are obsessed with something, perhaps too much so, those who feel anxious because they haven't found anything, or those who feel that living is difficult. It is a book through which you can feel what the battle of living is all about through the protagonists.
[Hashtag #LivingInSearchOfAReasonToDie]

▼ Click here for Kochiraku Ryutei's official website. He will also be appearing at the note Creator Festival 2022 on Thursday, October 27th.

■ Kawade Shobo Shinsha

"Reading Lolita in Tehran" by Azar Nafisi, translated by Eri Ichikawa
The words in the title might feel a bit strange to some. This book is a memoir by a university professor, detailing her days of fear and conflict in Tehran, Iran, after the Islamic Revolution, and the secret book club she held with a few of her students. The relationship between their lives—stripped of all freedom under tyranny and war—and the literature that sustained them reveals how inseparable "reading" and "living" truly are. The commentary by Kanako Nishi, "What Is Ours," is also a must-read.
[Hashtag #ReadingLolitaInTehran]

"Viscera and the Heart" by Shigeo Miki
Perhaps only a few people would naturally reach for this book, drawn in by the title and cover art. While this book is said to be the "legendary masterpiece debut" of the author, an anatomist, it is actually a very easy-to-read collection of lectures on "child-rearing" at a nursery school, complete with "(laughter)" in various places. It is a book that invites deep reflection on the human creature—whose "heart" is gradually formed through the developmental processes of the stomach, lips, and more—and the life that connects us to 400 million years of evolution.
[Hashtag #VisceraAndTheHeart]

"On the Road" by Jack Kerouac, translated by Minami Aoyama
Many of you may already know the title. This book is the author's autobiographical novel published in 1957. It has been read as the "original text of counter/subculture" and continues to influence many artists and works. Do not underestimate it as a story from over half a century ago. The loop of conflict and pleasure, melancholy and excitement of young people who set out on a journey in search of liberation from daily life and spiritual freedom will surely take us somewhere else once we read it. Please enjoy it from your favorite chapter with the windows wide open.
[Hashtag #OnTheRoad]

▼ Click here for details on prizes and more

■ Gentosha

"Asakusa Runtatta" by Gekidan Hitori
Asakusa Runtatta is a novel where you can hear voices and music, and visualize the characters from the text. While depicting the harsh lives of an orphan and a courtesan, Gekidan Hitori uses words to create a festive atmosphere. It is surprising to see the expression he has taken on after his film Asakusa Kid. Even though you are reading it, it feels like you are watching a stage play. This is a book that can be enjoyed by many: those who love human-interest stories, those who want to read a fast-paced narrative, those curious about Asakusa Opera, and those who simply want to read a guaranteed interesting work.
[Hashtag #AsakusaRuntatta]

"Kanikama Jinseiron (Imitation Crab Life Theory)" by Michiko Shimizu
The extraordinary entertainer Michiko Shimizu is, in fact, a "timid and easily worried" person. In this book, she looks back on her life autobiographically, writing lightly yet poignantly about the days leading up to when she realized she had become "less prone to worrying than when I was young" after many encounters and experiences. Along with nostalgic Showa culture, this is also a "book on how to live" where you can encounter many maxims. I highly recommend this to those who worry easily or lack self-confidence.
[Hashtag #KanikamaJinseiron]

"Red Clover" by Toshika Masaki
Incidents such as child abuse, random stabbings, and family murder-suicides never seem to end. Even when you want to dismiss them by saying, "I can't believe it!", isn't there a time when you can't take your eyes off them? Thinking, "Couldn't I have ended up like him or her?" Is the anger strong enough to kill someone really a fire on the other side of the river? Isn't the wall separating incidents from daily life surprisingly thin? "Just snapped"—this is a mystery that pursues the essence of that anger. "Who does anger kill?" Now is the time to see it through to the end.
[Hashtag #RedClover]

▼ Click here for details on prizes and more

■ Diamond Inc.

"My Makeup Felt Somehow Off, So I Asked My Friend Who's a Beauty Advisor for All the Tips" by Keito Yoshikawa, BA Panda
If you find makeup counters intimidating, usually go bare-faced, tend to slack off on skincare, or feel like your makeup hasn't changed in years and has become a chore... this is the book for you (both manga artist Keito Yoshikawa and our editor felt the same way). If you'd like, try practicing the eyebrow chapter. One person after another has been surprised by their own face, saying, "I look so modern!"
[Hashtag #YoshikawaPandaMakeupBook]

"The Moment Study Becomes Interesting: The Ultimate Study Method That Makes You Want to Study Immediately After Reading" by Park Sung-hyuk (Author), Minami Yoshikawa (Translator)
A book for those who regret not studying more. Despite having almost no study know-how, it is a unique study book that makes you want to study the moment you finish reading it. In fact, 98.4% of middle and high school students who read this book answered that they "wanted to study." A 500,000-copy bestseller in South Korea that captivated everyone from teenagers to adults in their 70s. Please experience for yourself that "it's never too late to study." Also, we recommend having a handkerchief ready when you read it!
[Hashtag #TheMomentStudyBecomesInteresting]

"Looking at World History from a Bird's-Eye View to Free Yourself from Assumptions: Historical Thinking" by Ryunosuke Fukai
Jesus Christ, who was executed as a former carpenter and political prisoner, and Colonel Sanders, who experienced two bankruptcies and found success with Kentucky Fried Chicken after the age of 60... If you learn these surprising historical episodes about great figures, your current worries will surely blow away. Just by being alive, you are a great success. You will be moved, burst into laughter, and finally receive a little bit of courage from the breadth of history. The first book adaptation of the popular podcast "COTEN RADIO: Learning History in an Interesting Way"!
[Hashtag #HistoricalThinking]

▼ Click here for details on prizes and more

■ Nikkei BP

"The Habit of Resetting" by Hiroyuki Kobayashi
Are you currently caught in a "bad flow"? If you feel like you're not quite yourself or are feeling irritable, there is a high possibility that your autonomic nervous system has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a persistent negative cycle in your mind and body. That is why this renowned doctor recommends "starting something new" and "taking the plunge to reset." These are simple yet highly effective behavioral techniques, such as adding one morning habit, changing your bedroom environment, or walking with a focus on rhythm. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone who wants to feel refreshed right now.
[Hashtag #TheHabitOfResetting]

"Schumpeter: The Greatest Economist in History Who Predicted Life Beyond Capitalism" by Takashi Nawa
Unable to do anything new, no generational change, incompetent people getting promoted... The way to break through this deadlock lies in Schumpeter! Schumpeter is particularly popular among business leaders and remains vibrant today because his theories are "usable." In this book, I explain innovation by drawing on easy-to-understand examples such as Tadashi Yanai and Konosuke Matsushita. It truly is a case of "Start your economics with Schumpeter!"
[Hashtag #Schumpeter]

▼ Click here for details on prizes and more

■ Hayakawa Publishing

“A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking” by T. Kingfisher, translated by Fumiyo Harashima
Don’t be fooled by the cute look (the cover)! From the very first line, the writing is the exact opposite of cute... 14-year-old Mona is just an ordinary girl who can perform a little bit of magic limited to bread and pastries, but she finds a dead body, gets caught up in a conspiracy, and protects her town... For those who love translated novels, fantasy, or bread—and of course, those who prefer rice! This is a story of love, courage, and baking magic that I want everyone to read!
[Hashtag #AWizardsGuideToDefensiveBaking]

“The Shepherd’s Life: Modern Dispatches from an Ancient Landscape” by James Rebanks, translated by Daido Hamano
“Shepherding” is the oldest profession mentioned in the Bible, and it is a livelihood that continues unbroken to this day. The beauty of nature and animals, and the cruelty that is two sides of the same coin, depicted through the work and life across the four seasons, are beyond imagination. Why did the author, who disliked this harsh and insular world and left his hometown to attend Oxford University, decide to live as a modern-day “shepherd”? Written in rational yet poetic prose, this is a delightful book that will make you want to talk about your own life after finishing it, filled with joy and pride.
[Hashtag #TheShepherdsLife]

“Conversations with Friends” by Sally Rooney, translated by Madoka Yamazaki
A love story for those of us living in the present. Once you fall in love, there is no turning back, and while the desire to be happy only grows stronger, reality is more complex and not so simple. You might suddenly burst into tears because your heart is full of emotions that cannot be expressed in words, or be driven by sudden, intense feelings... But perhaps that is what it means to love someone and to live. A book recommended for those struggling with love.
[Hashtag #ConversationsWithFriends]

▼ Click here for details on prizes and more

■ Bungeishunju

“Traveling Tree” by Michio Hoshino
I interviewed Mr. Hoshino only once, 28 years ago. “I look forward to coming to Japan, but I always want to return to Alaska soon.” “Lately, I’ve started to look at the depth of Alaska rather than just its vastness.” Mr. Hoshino’s eyes were incredibly clear as he spoke quietly, looking at something far away. “Traveling Tree” makes you feel the wind, the scents, and the breath of the people, animals, and plants of Alaska that captivated him. There is something in this book that never ceases to draw us in.
[Hashtag #TravelingTree]

“Climber's High” by Hideo Yokoyama
When I read the first installment of the serial, I was struck by the thought, “An incredible novel has begun! This is exactly what I wanted to read!” It was interesting. It was too interesting. Watching the protagonist, Yuuki, stand at crossroads in various situations, my heart was moved to want to face my own work, face people and connect with them, and find the light I believe in. This is a full-length novel by Hideo Yokoyama, a sharp-witted short story writer. It is a masterpiece that is always right, no matter when or how many times you read it. It is a book I want to recommend with all my heart.
[Hashtag #ClimbersHigh]

▼ Click here for details on prizes and more

■ Rights-sha

"How to Walk Through the World of Dementia" by Yusuke Kakei (Author), Dementia Future Co-Creation Hub (Supervisor). While there have been books on dementia by experts, there has never been a book on dementia written from the perspective of the person living with it. This book allows you to learn about the experiences of people with dementia through travel sketches and travelogues, giving you the feeling of "peering into the mind of the person themselves." This is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand what people with dementia find challenging.
[Hashtag
#HowToWalkThroughTheWorldOfDementia]

"Dear Human Resources Manager" by Kazufumi Takagi. This is a book that explores the theme of "How can we make a company easier to work in?" from the perspective of HR, a topic that was difficult to understand from an individual's point of view. It is a powerful 524-page work in which a young HR professional who quit Toyota after three years poses the question, "How can we eliminate the sense of stagnation in large Japanese corporations?" and compiles the answers in the form of letters.[Hashtag

#DearHumanResourcesManager]
"
Minority Design: Let's Create a Society That Can Utilize Weakness" by Tomohiro Sawada. We are often told that "diversity" is necessary, but what is true diversity? Weaknesses, things we can't do, disabilities, complexes—everyone is a vulnerable person or a minority in some way. This book is written by an innovator who continues to create ideas that turn the "weakness" held by such individuals into a "strength" that improves the world. It is a book I recommend to everyone who has a weakness.[Hashtag
#MinorityDesign
]▼ Click here for details on prizes and more

That concludes the recommended books. Did you find any that caught your interest? Please take this opportunity to enjoy meeting new books!

"#AutumnReading2022" Contest Overview

■ Submission Period: October 12, 2022 (Wed) – November 30, 2022 (Wed)

■ How to Participate: Log in to your note account and post an article during the period with the hashtags "#AutumnReading2022" and "#(Book Title)"

■ About the Prizes:
Publisher Awards
・Each publisher will read and select reviews of the recommended books they have presented. ・Please check the announcement articles of each publisher for details on prizes and the number of winners.

note Award・The note management office will read and select reviews of books recommended by creators as well as other books. ・The prize will be a 3,000 yen Amazon gift card, awarded to 5 winners.

▼ Please see this article for details such as application requirements.

▼ We will also be holding fairs for the recommended books at 136 bookstores nationwide.