For the July 2025 Book Club meeting, we covered the theme of “working together for the greater good”. It is important to reflect on positive stories and keep faith that the various societies in the world can achieve the impossible by collaborating.
The books that were discussed are:
- Orbital: A Novel (Samantha Harvey)
Contemplative, poetic novel set aboard the International Space Station over the course of a single day. It follows six astronauts from different countries as they orbit Earth, reflecting on their lives, relationships, science, war, and the fragility of the planet below. The narrative shifts fluidly between each astronaut’s inner world, blending the vastness of space with deeply personal introspection. It’s a meditation on humanity, perspective, and the awe of existence.
- Demon slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Koyoharu Gotouge)
Dark fantasy manga series that follows Tanjiro Kamado, a kind-hearted boy who becomes a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered by demons and his sister, Nezuko, is turned into one. Determined to avenge his family and find a cure for Nezuko, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps and battles powerful demons while uncovering the truth behind their origin, led by the main antagonist, Muzan Kibutsuji.
Tamayo is a key supporting character. She is a demon, but unlike most others, she opposes Muzan and no longer consumes human blood to survive. Tamayo is a highly skilled doctor and uses her medical knowledge to aid Tanjiro. She works on developing a cure for demon transformation and plays a crucial role in researching and weakening Muzan, making her vital to the protagonists' efforts to defeat him and restore Nezuko’s humanity.
The story blends action, emotion, and themes of perseverance, family, and redemption.
- To Pixar and Beyond: My Unlikely Journey with Steve Jobs to Make Entertainment History (Lawrence Levy)
Lawrence Levy—a former Harvard‑trained attorney—was recruited by Steve Jobs to become Chief Financial Officer at Pixar, a company then teetering on the brink of collapse.
This memoir is both an insider’s business case study and a compelling personal narrative about transforming a corporate underdog into a global powerhouse.
Levy reveals how a courageous business plan, clear strategic choices, and a respectful creative culture allowed Pixar to thrive under pressure—and ultimately reshape modern animation and business leadership alike.
- Legionary: The Roman Soldier’s Unofficial Manual (Philip Matyszak)
From keeping one's armor in top form to training for new techniques, this informative "manual" provides insight on the day-to-day rules, regulations, and operations that kept this powerful force constantly prepared for battle and always ready to fight.
It exemplifies how the Roman Soldiers worked together for the success of the Roman Empire in conquering the world.
- PRIZEープライズー (Yuka Murayama)
The protagonist is a celebrated author named Cain Amo, celebrated for early success but still craving literary validation. She has won earlier awards but has never secured the Naoki Prize itself.
It holds a mirror to both creators and editors, revealing the emotional stakes behind every novel and every award nomination. It’s telling of how professional devotion, personal desire, and public recognition intersect—and often collide.
The author and editor work together to try to win the prize.
※読書会とは？
月1回、1時間程度のペースで開催しています。一人ずつ何かしらの話題を持ち寄り、自由に会話します。みんなに勧めたい本や、読書方法（電子書籍か紙かなど）、普段の読書習慣など、話題は多岐にのぼります。しばらくは、テーマを設ける回と設けない回を交互にして開催したいと思います。
Kushal