Welcome to the 耳をすませば Book Club Home Thread!
(This thread’s up way early because I wanted to ensure I put down all the info on releases and page numbers.)
We read this in the Beginner Book Club.
If you’d like to take part, just buy the book and join in the discussion! Be sure to set this thread to “watching” so that you get notified when the club begins and when discussion threads are posted.
Not sure if this is for you? Check out the Nomination Post and view the first 18 pages for free on Book ☆Walker.
Availability
Physical: AmazonJP | AmazonJP | CDJapan
Digital: Amazon | Book☆Walker | Kobo | Rakuten
This manga has had a few releases over the years. Any of these releases can be used to read along!
| Year | Format | Cover | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Paperback |  |
Original release. A second volume subtitled 「幸せな時間」 came out six years later which contains a short sequel, as well as the unrelated short story, 「桔梗の咲く頃」. |
| 2005 | Paperback | Re-release. This volume includes the short sequel story「幸せな時間」. If you’re buying physical, this will be easier to find. |
|
| 2014 | Digital | Digital release. This does not include the short sequel story「幸せな時間」, which is instead included in the digital release of the second volume of 「バロン 猫の男爵」. |
Warning: There are other releases that are not this manga!
Novelization of the story:
Physical release of the animated adaptation as manga:
Digital release of the animated adaptation as manga:
Book about the animated adaptation:
Book about the animated adaptation:
Reading Schedule
| Week | Start Date | Pages | No. of Pages | Chapter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Sep 10 | 5–30 | 26 pages | Chapter 1 part 1 |
| Week 2 | Sep 17 | 31–54 | 24 pages | Chapter 1 part 2 |
| Week 3 | Sep 24 | 55–77 | 23 pages | Chapter 2 part 1 |
| Week 4 | Oct 01 | 78–97 | 20 pages | Chapter 2 part 2 |
| Week 5 | Oct 08 | 98–118 | 21 pages | Chapter 3 part 1 |
| Week 6 | Oct 15 | 119–138 | 20 pages | Chapter 3 part 2 |
| Week 7 | Oct 22 | 139–158 | 20 pages | Chapter 4 part 1 |
| Week 8 | Oct 29 | 159–180 | 22 pages | Chapter 4 part 2 |
Note: Page numbers are based on the physical re-release. The digital release only has page numbers on a few pages, so it’s best to use your reader’s built-in page tracker.
If you’re using a digital reader not listed below, let me know what page number is assigned to the first page (Shizuku lying back with a sky background) and I’ll add the schedule here.
Kobo Reading Schedule
| Week | Start Date | Pages | No. of Pages | Chapter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Sep 10 | 2–27 | 26 pages | Chapter 1 part 1 |
| Week 2 | Sep 17 | 28–51 | 24 pages | Chapter 1 part 2 |
| Week 3 | Sep 24 | 52–74 | 23 pages | Chapter 2 part 1 |
| Week 4 | Oct 01 | 75–97 | 23 pages | Chapter 2 part 2 |
| Week 5 | Oct 08 | 98–115 | 18 pages | Chapter 3 part 1 |
| Week 6 | Oct 15 | 116–135 | 20 pages | Chapter 3 part 2 |
| Week 7 | Oct 22 | 136–155 | 20 pages | Chapter 4 part 1 |
| Week 8 | Oct 29 | 156–177 | 22 pages | Chapter 4 part 2 |
Vocabulary List
Discussion Rules
- Please use spoiler tags for major events in the current chapter(s) and any content in future chapters.
- When asking for help, please mention the chapter and page number. Also mention what version of the book you are reading.
- Don’t be afraid of asking questions, even if they seem embarrassing at first. All of us are here to learn.
- To you lurkers out there: Join the conversation, it’s fun!
Member List
Are you planning to read 耳をすませば with the book club?
- Yes
- Yes, but I might start late
- Not sure
- No
0 voters
If so, which version will you be reading?
- Paperback (original release)
- Paperback (re-release)
- Digital e-book
0 voters
Have you seen Studio Ghibli’s animated film adaptation of this story?
- Yes
- No
0 voters
I have some other physical books I need to get imported, anyhow, so that’s why I would consider doing the physical this time. Thank you for letting me know!
