Encounters with books are the same as encounters with people. I sometimes find that I already have come across a book before I notice it.

Mana Ashida

The reading history of the 15-year-old actor is remarkable. I grew up in a family that had only sutra and “Family Medicine” in terms of literature, so it was 16 when I first read through a book. I borrowed the book that my friend was crazy about and had the same experience as Mana, though I was far less mature than Mana. I feel as if the book was written for me. From an essay on reading "Mana's Bookshelf."

"October 27  2019

from “Oriori no Kotoba” by Kiyokazu Washida, The Asahi Shimbun"