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funny
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is a fascinating reflection on societal expectations placed on people, the way those social expectations are gendered, and growing up neurodivergent while those strict restrictions are placed on you at every stage of life.
I think my favorite parts of the book were the intricate descriptions of everyday life at the convenience store, like at the beginning of the book. It felt oddly calming, and made me see so much beauty in a part of life that I usually rush through.
Some of the parts towards the middle and end of the book I didn't enjoy as much, although the social commentary stayed excellent throughout. Regardless, this book is a quick and easy read for anyone looking for some reflective fiction about everyday life, but also about bigger themes like society and misogyny and individuality.
I think my favorite parts of the book were the intricate descriptions of everyday life at the convenience store, like at the beginning of the book. It felt oddly calming, and made me see so much beauty in a part of life that I usually rush through.
Some of the parts towards the middle and end of the book I didn't enjoy as much, although the social commentary stayed excellent throughout. Regardless, this book is a quick and easy read for anyone looking for some reflective fiction about everyday life, but also about bigger themes like society and misogyny and individuality.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Acephobia/Arophobia, Toxic friendship, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Stalking, Sexual harassment
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism, Stalking
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Rape, Slavery
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
we love a neurodivergent queen
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny
Moderate: Stalking, Sexual harassment
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment
Minor: Violence, Pregnancy
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual harassment
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism
Minor: Sexual harassment
One of the characters is an incel.
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
I originally came across this book when I was looking for new books during "Women in Translation" Month in August. It had a really cute cover that attracted me and being that I came across it on TikTok and had it recommended to me by a close friend, I had to buy it.
The book, to briefly summarize, is about 36-year-old Keiko Furukawa, a woman who has worked at the Hiiromachi Station Smile Mart as a part-timer for 18 years. Always an outcast since she was young, she finally found a place to fit in. Through the store manual, she finally finds a way to conform to her peers. However, it seems like everyone else arounds her doesn't approve of this job where she's finally fitting in and where she's happy that she has some sense of purpose. She's never been in a relationship or had sex before and it doesn't faze her at all. People think she should have grown out of the job she has. There's some part about Keiko that needs "fixing", since she isn't married by now and has never had a job beyond this convenience store. But it shouldn't matter if she's content with it, right?
Now, to my opinions - I made a specific annotation about my book about the times I suspected Keiko is neurodivergent. As a neurodivergent person, there were behaviors that some of my neurodivergent friends have also described them having when they were younger.
Then again, this isn't confirmed. Call it a "headcanon" of mine.
However, it does seem canon, and a recurring topic with the author, that Keiko is asexual and has no desire for sex.
It's also, to my surprise, loosely based on the author's 18-year tenure through several convenience stores. Murata said in an interview with the New York Times, “For me, when I was working as a college student, I was a very shy girl. But at the stores, I was instructed to raise my voice and talk in a loud friendly voice, so I became that kind of active and lively person in that circumstance.”
One of the most strange, funny, endearing, and yet profound books I've ever read, "Convenience Store Woman" made its way into my heart, making a bold statement about society's expectations about single people, society's aversion from asexuality, and the embrace of the odd.
The book, to briefly summarize, is about 36-year-old Keiko Furukawa, a woman who has worked at the Hiiromachi Station Smile Mart as a part-timer for 18 years. Always an outcast since she was young, she finally found a place to fit in. Through the store manual, she finally finds a way to conform to her peers. However, it seems like everyone else arounds her doesn't approve of this job where she's finally fitting in and where she's happy that she has some sense of purpose. She's never been in a relationship or had sex before and it doesn't faze her at all. People think she should have grown out of the job she has. There's some part about Keiko that needs "fixing", since she isn't married by now and has never had a job beyond this convenience store. But it shouldn't matter if she's content with it, right?
Now, to my opinions - I made a specific annotation about my book about the times I suspected Keiko is neurodivergent. As a neurodivergent person, there were behaviors that some of my neurodivergent friends have also described them having when they were younger.
Then again, this isn't confirmed. Call it a "headcanon" of mine.
However, it does seem canon, and a recurring topic with the author, that Keiko is asexual and has no desire for sex.
It's also, to my surprise, loosely based on the author's 18-year tenure through several convenience stores. Murata said in an interview with the New York Times, “For me, when I was working as a college student, I was a very shy girl. But at the stores, I was instructed to raise my voice and talk in a loud friendly voice, so I became that kind of active and lively person in that circumstance.”
One of the most strange, funny, endearing, and yet profound books I've ever read, "Convenience Store Woman" made its way into my heart, making a bold statement about society's expectations about single people, society's aversion from asexuality, and the embrace of the odd.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: Stalking, Sexual harassment
Minor: Violence
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did really enjoy this book and would definitely recommend it - great for something quick, weird and easy to get through. I read this after a very mind-aching book that took what seemed like forever to get through so I greatly appreciated it’s swiftness.
The plot was okay I think, there were some things I didn’t really like or found that logical but it did follow and was both realistic and intriguing. We are basically following Keiko who is a self proclaimed ‘convenience store worker’ and struggles to fit into society’s idea of ‘normal’ - she discusses this questioning of what is normal, why isn’t she, how can she be fixed and other very relatable questions. She was definitely quite weird and odd in a sense but on the whole likeable and you do want what’s best for her and I really just wanted her to be free of judgment. Most of the other characters were pretty meh, Shiraha being especially unlikable with a victim/pick-me aurora, I did understand his reasoning slightly but overall didn’t like him. The book also gives a good insight into a way of thinking we don’t also consider about society how ‘un-normal’ people are othered and pushed away and how we are all striving to be ‘normal’ whatever that is.
Great little book. Weird and witty, definitely intoxicated making you want - dare I say need - to read on and Yhh… I very much enjoyed it. Not my favourite but a solid 4-4.25 ⭐️ read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Toxic relationship
Minor: Stalking, Sexual harassment
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Oh wow, this was so enjoyable!! Honestly, she gave me so many autistic vibes (or neurodivergent, but I find them to be more specific to autistic fellas, as one myself) and that's why I felt relating so much to her :D
On the other hand, I would have dropped Shihara's (is that his name? I was listening to the audiobook) sorry ass much sooner, oof.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment