Reviews with content warning for Miscarriage - Mis días en la librería Morisaki

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop was the last book I read in 2023. It also happens to be the first book I read after defending my thesis proposal and wrapping up my second to the last semester of university. And perhaps, because of the academic burnout and the uncertainty of my future after graduation, this book deeply resonated with me.

“I had too many ideals and ambitions for one person, and because of that, I ended up without a single one I could hold on to. I was an empty person. That’s what I was. It seemed like there was absolutely nowhere I belonged in this world.”

In the beginning, Takako goes through the motions of everyday, secure about herself, her career, and her relationship. However, the rug gets pulled under her, and one day she wakes up with the startling realization that she’s gone adrift, unmoored, no anchor tethering her to the world. Left with no other choice, she resigns from her job and moves out of her upscale Tokyo apartment to live with her estranged uncle in his bookshop. Here, she discovers a newfound passion for reading and encounters people who not only share her love for books but also help her heal.

“... maybe it takes a long time to figure out what you're truly searching for. Maybe you spend your whole life just to figure out a small part of it."

"I don't know. I think maybe I've been wasting my time, just doing nothing."

"I don't think so. It's important to stand still sometimes. Think of it as a little rest in the long journey of your life. This is your harbor. And your boat is just dropping anchor here for a little while. And after you're well rested, you can set sail again.”

In the end, the Morisaki Bookshop becomes Takako’s harbor, a place of refuge where she could rest and find herself again. For me, it’s books like this.

Content Warnings

augie_'s review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Content Warnings

kallsypage's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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aecherry's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A cozy, heartwarming read. Captures personal growth, finding your people and the love of books.

Content Warnings

liv_easton's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a lovely novel to start off the year with! I just recently found out that cozy is becoming a genre descriptor (which honestly I don't know how I feel about but nonetheless) and this book definitely fits into this category for me. I really enjoyed the relationship between Takano and Saturo, particularly because I thought it was such a beautiful example of an adult loving a child (or like, someone who was a child to them at one point) simply for their existing. Of course, there's more development as to why Takano reciprocates her uncle's love, but grounding their relationship in such an uncomplicated, inherent expression of love was just so so lovely. It also made the structure work, because although the second part is about Takano's relationship with Momoko, the entire premise of their relationship is based on a clear reciprocation of how Saturo helped give Takano's life back to her.

Where this novel loses points for me (and becomes one of my first-ever reviews to have a range) is in the writing style. Although the slow pacing is quite relaxing, the writing definitely over-explains moments I think could've been a bit more subtle, or shown in different ways. However, I'm giving it a range because this is the first Japanese novel I read, so this could fully be a typical convention of Japanese writing that I'm just unaccustomed to. Regardless, this was more of a "something I noticed and didn't love" critique than a "this is actively discouraging me to keep reading" critique. On the whole, the book is a delightfully peaceful and steady read that I think is particularly enjoyable for anyone feeling a bit transitory.

Content Warnings

lexi_air's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

emmagreenwood's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

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