Summer Reading Program: July 2015

(pictured: The Isolator)
(pictured: The Isolator)

The LN reading program is still going on for June, but I will post the July schedule now so that there is enough time for people to pick up the official release. Anyone who wishes to join in can read either (or both) of these books to discuss from week to week.

Yen Press just released The Isolator in hardcover on June 23rd, so you can either order the book online (Amazon -- Barnes and Noble -- Book Depository) or try getting a copy at your local bookstore (e.g. Barnes and Noble) if that is a possibility.

The Isolator — by Reki Kawahara (art by Shimeji)

Synopsis: Minoru Utsugi, a teenager who lives a peaceful (if boring) life with his sister-in-law, finds his life changed when extraterrestrial contact grants his dearest wish, leaving him with the power of The Solitude. But the ability to realize absolute isolation only plunges Minoru into a battle he never wanted to fight. As his old life comes to an end, he steps into a new role…as the Isolator!

As for volume 1 of Twilight-Colored Song User (AKA Tasogare-iro no Uta Tsukai), you can find an English translation for it here on Baka-Tsuki. If you’d like a Japanese copy of the book, you can order it online (Amazon.jpBooks Kinokuniya).

Tasogare-iro no Uta Tsukai — by Sazane Kei (art by Takeoka Miho)

Synopsis: This story depicts a fantasy world where objects and living creatures can be summoned through Recitations and the use of special catalysts, along with the aid of Songs of Praise. There are five basic colors of Recitations: Keinez(red) – Ruguz(blue) – Surisuz(yellow) – Beorc(green) – Arzus(white), and each can summon things of its respective color. Evhemary Yehlemihas announces that she wants to create a new color – Night Color Recitations, and Xins Airwincle aims to be the first person to master all five colors. The two make a promise to meet again in the future and show each other their accomplishments. In the present day, Neight Yehlemihas is the adopted son of the deceased Evhemary, and the inheritor of the Night Color. At a specialized Recitation school, he meets Kluele, a normal girl studying Red. Their encounter marks the beginning of a series of events involving the mystery of Recitations…

Here is a general idea of the schedule for our discussions:

  • July 12th – discuss the first act
  • July 19th – discuss the second act
  • July 26th – discuss the third act

I will have a reminder in the sidebar of how far to read each week, along with further details in the monthly news post.

The discussions will take place in the comments section of the weekly posts. There will be two books up for discussion, but you're free to choose to read just one (i.e. if you only have time for one novel, or you're only interested in one of them). And if you don't care for either The Isolator or Twilight-Colored Song User, there's always the next month!

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment here.

7 thoughts on “Summer Reading Program: July 2015

    1. I will likely order a copy this week. I’m curious to see what type of story it is, as the synopsis is quite unusual-sounding.

  1. Just picked up The Isolator so I’m looking forward to reading it. One question on the discussion break down. When you say that Act 1 will be discussed, is that for both novels or is it one and then the other?

    1. I’ll be writing up a post of discussion points for both novels together. For a reference, here’s the first post for last month’s reading program.

      For The Isolator on Sunday the 12th, we’ll be discussing the prologue and the first four chapters (i.e. up to page 50). And for those who are reading Twilight-Colored Song User, we’ll be discussing the prologue and first two chapters (“First Play” and “Second Play”). Both books will be up for discussion at the same time, but you can comment on just one of the books if you wish.

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