In Japan, we have this expression, “dokusho no aki,” which means “autumn, the season for reading.” Because autumn night is long and at comfortable temperatures, it is a perfect time to concentrate on reading books.

What kind of books do the Japanese read during this autumn? Let’s look at a weekly book sales chart!

 

ORICON Weekly Overall Book Sales Chart (October 4)

 

#1: MARY QUANT (e-Mook)

Published by TAKARAJIMASHA,Inc.

This is the British fashion brand, Mary Quant’s Japan landing 40th anniversary book. It covers the brand’s history and interviews with charismatic makeup artists. It comes with a cosmetic-items-printed tote bag (H31.5×W43×D12cm) and a daisy charm.

 

 

#2: JILLSTUART Sekaiju ga WE LOVE JILL! (e-Mook)

Published by TAKARAJIMASHA,Inc.

It comes with a big cosmetic bag (H15×W22.5×D6cm) and a charm. The book has some interviews with fashion models.

 

 

#3: Sukkiri Bigan Roller (e-Mook)

In English “Refreshing Beauty Face Roller”

Published by TAKARAJIMASHA,Inc.

It comes with a foldable germanium roller to massage face and body.

 

 

#4: Moshi Kokoyakyu no Joshi Manager ga Drucker no “Management” wo Yondara

In English “If a Manager Girl of a High School Baseball Team Read Drucker’s ‘Management’”

Author: Natsumi Iwasaki

Published by DIAMOND,Inc.

It is a novel centered a high school girl Minami who is a baseball team manager. She mistakenly bought “Management” written by Peter Drucker. Although she regrets buying it, she realizes that she can utilize what it says in the book for managing the team.

 

 

#5: Kujikenaide

In English “Don’t Be Discouraged”

Author: Toyo Shibata

Published by Asukashinsha

It is 98 years old poet, Toyo san’s very first poetry book. Toyo san started writing poetry when she was 90. Then, she became a frequent contributor to a daily newspaper, Sankei.

 

 

#6: Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do? (Japanese Translation)

Author: Michael Sandel / Translator: Shinobu Onizawa

Published by Hayakawa Publishing Corporation

“Michael J. Sandel’s “Justice” course is one of the most popular and influential at Harvard. Up to a thousand students pack the campus theater to hear Sandel relate the big questions of political philosophy to the most vexing issues of the day, and this fall, public television will air a series based on the course. (Amazon.com)”

 

#7: Orange Page Vol. 3

Published by The Orange Page Inc.

Recipe book of “cooking in advance” for busy people.

 

 

#8: Maria Beetle

Author: Kotaro Isaka

Published by Kadokawa Shoten Publishing Co., Ltd

It is a suspense novel centered on a former professional killer, Kimura, who boards a bullet train to revenge on an enemy for injuring his son seriously.

 

#9: Tsutaeru Chikara

In English “The Power of Conveyance”

Author: Akira Ikegami

Published by PHP Research Institute，Inc.

It is a business how-to-book concentrated on how to improve the skills of “talking,” “writing,” and “listening.”

 

#10: AKB48 So-senkyo! Mizugi Surprise Happyo 2010

In English “AKB28 General Election! Bathing Suits Surprise Announcement 2010”

Published by Shueisha Inc. / Revised by Weekly Playboy

AKB48 is a girls idol group consists of 48 members. To select the 21 members to sing their 17th single, there was a general election before this summer. This photo book has pictures of the selected members in bathing suits.

 

 

All kinds of genres are in the chart. Interestingly, the top 3 books are gift attached books!! I guess it is a good deal to buy those books with fashion brand items than buying something at the brand stores.

The fifth-ranking poetry book written by a 98 years old lady, “Kujikenaide” has been sold over 650,000 copies so far, and will be released in Korea at the end of this month.

There are some good reading books but many books in the chart are to look at or use instead of reading during long autumn night.

 

Source: ORICON

 

This is JAPAN Style!

 

You should follow me on Twitter.