The Next Chapter: "Japanese Gothic" by Kylie Lee Baker

"Maybe the bridge between life and death isn't a bridge at all. Maybe it's more like an ocean. You're under the water, reaching for the surface, and I'm on the shore, dipping my hand into the sea." — Kylie Lee Baker As the leaves get more and more colour, the temperature gradually falls, and the days embrace the darkness much sooner, something in us collectively decides to light the candles, carve the pumpkins, pull the blankets a little closer, and welcome the things that go bump in the night. We say: “It’s the time to get scared” Ghosts, monsters, vampires are crawling out of closets and shadows, waiting for us to scream. And while we all like to give ourselves a little thrill from time to time, there’s something much more horrifying than any ghost story you’ve ever heard. It hides in the darkest corners of your mind. And it will eat you alive. ★ In our next gathering of The Next Chapter Book Club, we're stepping into Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker — a lush, eerie horror novel threaded through with Japanese mythology, where a house hidden behind the sword ferns becomes a door between two lives: a samurai in 1877, and a young man fleeing to Japan in the present day. Two timelines, one haunted house, and something in it that has been waiting a very long time. Together, we'll wander its halls, untangle its two threads, and look beyond the ghosts themselves: at grief, family, obsession, violence, and the truths we spend our lives trying to uncover or escape. Because perhaps the most frightening question isn't what is haunting us? It's why do we keep going back to it? 💀 📍Anne&Max | Domstraat 4, 3512 JB, Utrecht October 25th, 2026 13:00-15:00 (2 hours) Price: €14.99  (access to the meet up, drink + pastry of your choice**) **vegan and gluten-free options included What to bring: a curious mind and an open heart (physical/electronic copy of a book is a plus ;)) Cancellation Policy: To ensure the smoothest experience for everybody, the meet ups have limited capacity. If you are unable to attend, you are entitled to a 70% refund if cancellation happens no later than 48 hours before the event. If cancellation happens after the set time, the ticket becomes non-refundable. About the club: The Next Chapter is not your typical book club. We are an intimate Utrecht-based literary circle for curious and ambitious women who enjoy great books - but crave the conversations that keep going long after the final page. Through carefully selected reads, thoughtful discussions, and immersive themed gatherings, we create an inspiring space for women to exchange ideas, challenge perspectives, and connect through stories that leave you seeing your own life slightly differently. Think books worth staying up for. Conversations with real depth. And a room full of brilliant women who light each other up. Because at the heart of it all lies the belief: ordinary life holds more magic than it lets on. And the right book, in the right room, is how you find it. Does it resonate with you? If so, let’s start with your own Next Chapter.