Curating kazakh literature: Asem’s journey with Lazy readers book club

In Astana, Kazakh-language book clubs are quietly flourishing. While English and Russian literary circles tend to attract more attention, more and more readers are seeking spaces where they can read and discuss books in their native language. One of these spaces is curated by Asem Kulmanova – a journalist by training and a passionate advocate for Kazakh literature. Since 2022, she has been leading the Kazakh-language section of the Lazy Readers book club. We spoke with her about how the club came to be, what it means to read in Kazakh today, and what she has learned along the way.

Thank you for agreeing to speak with us, Asem. Let’s start from the beginning – how did you become a book club moderator?

I’ve always liked the idea of book clubs. I used to wish I could be part of one, but I never imagined I’d actually be leading one. One day, I came across a post shared by someone I knew – a woman who had created a long-running club called Lazy Readers. They had English and Russian-language groups, and they were looking to start a Kazakh-language group. I saw they needed a curator and decided to message them. I told them I enjoy reading and discussing literature and would love to give it a try.

They invited me to attend one of their meetings. It happened to be a Halloween-themed session. There I met the other curators, organizers, and book lovers. That was nearly three years ago in the fall, and I’ve been running the Kazakh group ever since. Within Lazy Readers, we’re still the only group that meets and discusses books in Kazakh. We decided to call ourselves "Túski Shaı" (Afternoon Tea) because our meetings usually happen around lunchtime.

The book club was founded by a passionate reader named Madina. She’s an agronomist by profession, but she’s deeply engaged in literature. Her love for books led her to create the original Lazy Readers club. When the Kazakh-language group was added, I became the curator.

One thing we focus on is making the club accessible. Compared to the English and Russian groups, which have a membership fee of around 9,000 tenge, our Kazakh group charges just 5,000 tenge per month. That covers two meetings per month, access to the selected book (often shared in digital format), and a structured discussion format.

We also vote anonymously after each meeting to choose the best analysis or commentary. The winner receives a book as a gift. Besides that, we sometimes organize additional activities – book swaps, movie nights, even charity drives or events like coffee tastings and thematic gatherings.

How do you prepare for the sessions, and how do you help quieter participants feel included?

As the curator, I always try to read the book beforehand. If I don’t manage to finish it, I make sure to research the author and the work so I can still contribute meaningfully and provide a different perspective. I often share background information that can help readers look at the book in a new light.

Not everyone finds it easy to speak up. Some participants are shy by nature, while others are still working on their Kazakh-language skills. In fact, many people join our group specifically to improve their Kazakh. When I see someone struggling, I try to encourage them. I remind them that just showing up is a huge first step, and that practice – speaking regularly – is the best way to improve. We make sure the space is supportive and welcoming.

When someone gives a short response like “I liked it” or “this part didn’t speak to me,” I gently ask follow-up questions to help them go deeper: What emotions did this part evoke? Which character stood out to you? Was there a scene that reminded you of something in your own life? These questions often help participants open up more.

What have you learned from being a book club curator?

I wouldn’t say I found the role difficult – I’ve done similar organizing work in the past, bringing teams together, creating a warm environment, that sort of thing. But the club has definitely helped me grow. I’ve learned to be a more attentive listener. Each member brings a different viewpoint, and I’ve come to appreciate the value of holding space for multiple perspectives.

Sometimes people share deeply personal memories during discussions – stories tied to emotions or past experiences. That kind of openness creates a strong bond, but it also requires care. I’ve learned to moderate with emotional awareness, to avoid pushing too far or letting things become too heavy.

I’ve also been surprised by how long I’ve stayed with this role. I tend to lose interest in jobs or routines easily, but I’ve been doing this for nearly three years, and it still inspires me. This club has taught me consistency.

The curator role requires you to wear many hats. Sometimes I’m a moderator, sometimes an organizer, sometimes a timekeeper, photographer, or even an amateur social media manager. My background in journalism has helped a lot – I’ve represented the club on media programs like "Oyan, Qazaqstan," given interviews, and spoken publicly about our work.

We’ve even organized book-themed events in unusual formats – for example, a coffee tasting session at Starbucks, where we paired literary discussion with sensory experience. I’ve had ideas for future sessions too – like pairing books with national cuisines or wine tastings. We’ve also held outdoor sessions, seasonal celebrations with watermelon and cantaloupe, and even meetings where we wore traditional Kazakh clothing for Nowruz. All of these experiences have helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Why is reading in Kazakh – and discussing literature in Kazakh – so important to you?

In the early days of our club, for a year or two, I used to select the books myself. Then participants would vote on which one they wanted to read. More recently, I’ve started asking the members directly what they’d like to read. They make suggestions, and we hold a vote to decide. When I was choosing the books, I mostly focused on Kazakh authors –both classic and contemporary –who write in Kazakh. I rarely included translations, because many of our members are already familiar with foreign literature through Russian or English. I wanted to avoid repetition and instead highlight local voices.

Some people come in with the belief that Kazakh literature is boring or outdated, or that there are no strong contemporary Kazakh writers. To break those stereotypes, I tried to introduce powerful and talented authors, especially women, whose names often go unrecognized in literary discussions. Whether it’s a short story, a novella, or a novel, I wanted to show that we have brilliant women writers too. And I was happy to see members discovering authors they’d never heard of before. Sometimes they would say, “I didn’t even know this writer existed,” and later they’d look up their biography or become genuinely interested in their work. Those moments brought me so much joy. If even one person discovers a new Kazakh author through our club, I think that’s a meaningful contribution to our literary culture.

Our members come from all kinds of fields –science, engineering, medicine –and for me, it’s very important to expose them to the richness of Kazakh literature and language. Reading in Kazakh is crucial for language development. We all know that to keep a language alive, we must not only speak it, but read it too. Reading expands your vocabulary, strengthens your ability to structure thoughts clearly, and deepens your cultural understanding.

In daily life, we often don’t use poetic or archaic words –sometimes not even basic ones. But in our discussions, we reintroduce forgotten words, rare nouns, and beautiful expressions back into use. Seeing members use these during our sessions fills me with pride. That, to me, is one of the greatest values of reading literature in Kazakh.

I’ve also observed how members evolve over time. At their first session, someone might speak very simply, but with each meeting, their vocabulary and confidence grow. I can see their language skills flourish right in front of me, and that’s incredibly rewarding.

Of course, reading in foreign languages is also important. The more languages you know, the more cultures and perspectives you gain access to. Reading in other languages builds new neural pathways and broadens the mind. But I believe reading in your native language is equally essential. Even fluent speakers risk losing their depth of expression if they don’t read in Kazakh.

That’s why I also try to read as much Kazakh literature as I can –including translated world literature. These days, many publishers are producing excellent translations, not from Russian, but directly from the original language. I really admire that. Steppe & World, Folіant, and other publishers have released high-quality works in Kazakh, and I believe both original and translated texts in Kazakh are worth reading and promoting.

In your view, what is the value of a book club like yours? What do participants gain, and how does it benefit society at large?

I’m genuinely glad to see more Kazakh-language reading communities emerging –not just paid ones, but free book clubs too. Even here in Astana, you hear about such initiatives, and it’s heartening. These spaces bring together like-minded individuals –people who share similar values and worldviews. Naturally, topics like language, cultural identity, and social issues often arise in these groups. And the fact that more people are gathering to discuss these matters is incredibly important.

Speaking about our own club, the core value is the language itself –speaking Kazakh, expressing oneself beautifully in Kazakh. Since we use our mother tongue, we naturally end up discussing the future of the Kazakh language, its challenges, and its place in society. And once you talk about language, you inevitably move into questions of national identity and the fate of the nation. Many of our participants are deeply invested in these conversations. These themes bring us together.

Beyond that, we often dive into broader social and political issues –ecology, economy, justice. When I hear our members talking, debating, and sharing their personal perspectives on such topics, it makes me happy. Because it means we’re not just discussing books in isolation –we’re also thinking critically about what’s happening around us. And if even one person walks away from our club with a shifted mindset or a new understanding, that’s a success in my eyes.

We also talk about not turning a blind eye to injustice or remaining indifferent to what’s happening in the world. I believe that when more people read books, especially thoughtfully and in community, society starts to change –and always for the better.

Books foster empathy. Through reading, we step into the shoes of countless characters –we feel their pain, joy, heartbreak, and triumphs. We live their stories with our whole selves. Some people even find reflections of themselves or their loved ones in these fictional lives. That experience expands your capacity for understanding and compassion.

And while reading alone is powerful, discussing a book with others adds a whole new layer. You share your thoughts and emotions, but also hear perspectives that may completely shift your interpretation. Someone might notice a detail you missed, or offer an insight that changes how you see a character or a scene. These conversations plant seeds that grow into deeper thinking and more nuanced views of life.

We also move beyond the simplistic division of characters into "heroes" and "villains". Life isn’t black and white –it’s made up of many shades. Through these conversations, people begin to understand the richness and complexity of human nature, and that not everything –or everyone –can be neatly categorized.

Our members often find friends in the group –people they resonate with, emotionally and intellectually. They celebrate each other’s wins, offer comfort during difficult times, and build bonds that go beyond literature.

So yes, book clubs like ours are incredibly valuable –not just for the individuals who attend, but for society as a whole. When more people learn to express themselves openly, care about others, and approach the world with critical thinking and empathy, I truly believe we become a better society. That’s why I wholeheartedly support the rise of Kazakh-language book clubs and reading communities.

Thank you so much, Asem. Your passion and dedication truly shine through.

Thank you. It’s been a pleasure to share my experience. I hope more people start reading – especially in Kazakh – and find spaces like this that nurture both language and community.