Is Reading Really Such a Noble Act? Yuki Namba's 'What is a Book' Reveals Cover Design by Maki Sasaki & Preview! [Release on June 17, Wed]

What does it actually mean to read a book?

What are we feeling or thinking when we read a book?

Yuki Namba, a rising philosopher and aesthetician who made a striking debut with 'Philosophy of Narrative Criticism' (Kodansha Shinsho) and has since penned popular works such as 'Why Can't People Meet Deadlines?' (Horinouchi Publishing) and 'On Critical Everyday Aesthetics' (Keisosha), is now tackling the 'philosophy of reading.'

'What is a Book' by Yuki Namba (published by Shincho Shinsho)

'Is reading books really such a noble act?' Triggered by this question from multiple bookstore staff, Namba's inquiry began.

While many people discuss the benefits of reading, everyone overlooks the fundamental question: 'What is reading?' What does it mean to read, and what are we doing when we are reading?

Furthermore, whether reading is a good thing or not remains baseless unless we understand what reading itself is. Therefore, when one wants to say that reading is good (or bad), it is necessary to return to the root and ask, 'But wait, what is reading in the first place?'

In this book, we will consider what it means to read. (From the 'Introduction')

Using the concept proposed by Namba that 'reading is a performance' as a clue, the book examines every type of book in existence, traversing various academic fields from novels, humanistic studies, and manga to how-to books, musical scores, and recipes.

In an age where reading is unconditionally considered good, this is an unprecedented attempt to re-examine the meaning of reading.

Once you read this book, your perception of 'reading' will surely change completely.

Cover design and a preview are now available.

The cover illustration was created by Maki Sasaki, a popular author of the 'Pig's Seeds' and 'Sleepy Sleepy Mouse' series, and an illustrator known for work including book covers for Haruki Murakami. A special conversation between Yuki Namba and Maki Sasaki is scheduled to be published in the July issue of the magazine 'Nami'. Stay tuned.

Ahead of publication, the 'Introduction' to 'What is a Book' is available for preview. Please take a look below.

Talk and Signing Event: Rethinking 'What is a Book' with Yuki Namba!

'I sell books, but I doubt if reading is actually such a noble act.'

'I'm tired of books that only talk about the wonder of reading.'

Born from questions posed by bookstore staff, Yuki Namba's new book 'What is a Book' will be celebrated with a talk and signing event.

In a modern age filled with positive campaigns about reading, author Namba, who says, 'We can only truly love books once we recognize their bad aspects along with the good,' invites you to join him in thinking about what it actually means to read.

[Overview]

Date: June 28, 2026 (Sun), Doors open 14:10, Start 14:30

Venue: Kinokuniya Shinjuku Main Store, 9th Floor Event Space

Subject Book: 'What is a Book' by Yuki Namba, 1,034 JPY (tax included). *The book will also be sold at the venue.

Participation Fee (Ticket system): 1,500 JPY (Entrance fee)

Author's Comments

After my debut, when I visited several bookstores to greet them, I asked, 'What kind of book would you like to read next? I'll write anything!' Several bookstore staff replied, 'A book that explores whether reading is really such a noble act!' At that moment, I knew I would write it someday.

I love books. However, I don't think 'love' implies 'blind endorsement.' Because I love books, I wanted to create words to think about 'What is a book' from a comfortable distance—not too attached, but not too detached. I hope this book will serve as a trigger for a future where discussions about books become even more diverse.

This book's birthplace is the bookstore. I am excited to see how it returns to its birthplace and how it will be read by the readers.