As a guide to books, engaging with readers.
The goal is not to summarise or explain the book. Your role is to help readers read it, enjoy it, and think more deeply — through lectures and questions.
Live lectures via Zoom, on-demand lectures via recording. You choose the schedule and can teach from anywhere.
Readers from all backgrounds join — not just academics. Your knowledge and perspective can reach people outside the university world.
We guarantee a minimum fee for every lecture, regardless of how many participants join. Your preparation deserves to be properly rewarded.
Application Requirements
Currently enrolled in or have completed a doctoral programme. Postdoctoral researchers and those working outside academia after completing a PhD are also welcome.
At least one peer-reviewed publication in your area of expertise.
Live lectures are held via Zoom with your camera on. We ask that you are comfortable appearing on screen.
Experience teaching students or the general public — university seminars, adjunct faculty positions, or public lectures — is a plus, but not required.
Lecture books are not strictly limited to your area of specialisation. Many of our lecturers range across adjacent fields: a Kant scholar teaching utilitarianism, for example. What matters is that you bring genuine depth and a researcher's eye to the text.
Since launching in August 2020, we've worked with over 30 researchers and run more than 100 live lectures.
Centered on philosophy and literature, but growing slowly to cover books across many fields.
Many who have taught with The Five Books tell us it offered value beyond just a side income.
Reading a book from beginning to end is unusual even in university settings. Some lecturers find it a chance to revisit a book they hadn't returned to in years; others discover ways of reading they hadn't considered, through the questions and perspectives of readers. It becomes a learning experience for the lecturer too.
Some use it as a way to bring their current research to general readers. Whether as an outreach opportunity, a space to build teaching experience, or something else entirely — we'd love for you to participate in whatever form fits you.
Numbers that have grown steadily since we launched in 2020.
We guarantee a minimum fee for every lecture, regardless of enrollment. This allows researchers to teach any book — well-known or highly specialist — without financial risk.
Example: 4-week course priced at ¥8,000 per participant
With 25 participants you earn ¥148,000. Your earnings increase in proportion to the number of participants.
Your earnings = 74% × (participants × course price), or the minimum fee — whichever is higher.Whether you'd like to discuss a book you want to teach, or simply have questions about The Five Books, we're happy to talk. Pre-application enquiries are very welcome.