SEASONS OF STORIES

BOOK CLUB AT SHINZEN GARDEN

Join Shinzen Garden's New Book Club - Seasons of Stories

Seasons of Stories is a new book club at Shinzen Garden that invites readers to gather in the natural setting of the garden to explore literature inspired by Japanese culture and explore books from Japanese American authors. We will be diving into a thoughtfully selected book each month and enjoy meaningful conversations surrounded by the beauty of the garden. All are welcome—bring your curiosity and love for stories!

November 2025 Book Selection

 

The Traveling Cat Chronicles

By Hiro Arikawa

 

We take journeys to explore exotic new places and to return to the comforts of home, to visit old acquaintances and to make new friends. But the most important journey is the one that shows us how to follow our hearts…

An instant international bestseller and indie bestseller, The Travelling Cat Chronicles has charmed readers around the world. With simple yet descriptive prose, this novel gives voice to Nana the cat and his owner, Satoru, as they take to the road on a journey with no other purpose than to visit three of Satoru’s longtime friends. Or so Nana is led to believe… 

With his crooked tail—a sign of good fortune—and adventurous spirit, Nana is the perfect companion for the man who took him in as a stray. And as they travel in a silver van across Japan, with its ever-changing scenery and seasons, they will learn the true meaning of courage and gratitude, of loyalty and love.

Hiro Arikawa is a renowned author from Tokyo. Her novel The Travelling Cat Chronicles is a bestseller in Japan and is due to be published around the world.

Philip Gabriel is a highly experienced translator of Japanese and is best known for his translation work with Haruki Murakami.

 

SEASONS OF STORIES BOOK CLUB MEETING DATES

Saturday, June 21, 2025

1:00 PM

Shinzen Garden

Saturday, July 19, 2025

1:00 PM

Virtual

Saturday, August 23, 2025

1:00 PM

Kuppa Joy at Cedar & Shepard

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025

1:00 PM

Shinzen Garden

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025

1:00 PM

Shinzen Garden

Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025

1:00 PM

Shinzen Garden

SEASONS OF STORIES BOOK CLUB READING LIST

JUNE 2025

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

by: Satoshi Yagisawa

facing the mountain

JULY 2025

Facing the Mountain

by: Daniel James Brown

facing the mountain

AUGUST 2025

Before the Coffee Gets Cold

by: Toshikazu Kawaguchi

before the coffee gets cold by toshikazu kawaguchi

September 2025

The Miracles of the Namiya General Store

by: Keigo Higashino

the miracles of the namiya general store by keigo higashino<br />

OCTOBER 2025

Epitaph for a Peach

by: David Mas Masumoto

epitaph for a peach by david mas masumoto<br />

NOVEMBER 2025

The Traveling Cat Chronicals

by: Hiro Arikawa

traveling cat chronicals by hiro arikawa