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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great premise but didn’t really like the execution. Although I think it’s a good story, I couldn’t bother to finish it, that’s why I took two months to do it!!!
I really wanted to love this book, and on paper the concept is really fun. The idea of it being almost an anthology of different people’s experiences at the cafe is great, and it had all the trappings of a feel good cosy fiction.
However, as with a lot of the ‘cosy’ genre of books lately, a lot of it fell flat for me. I’m not sure if it’s a translation issue or a cultural difference in how Japanese authors write, but I found the over explanation of every emotion, inner thought and action a bit jarring, and the random veers off into textbook descriptions offset the introspective vibe. I also found it hard to understand why characters acted in certain ways, yes they had distinct personalities on paper but again it felt over-described at time, I would have loved to be able to infer something at times rather than have it shoved in my face. I also didn’t understand the constant references to the characters being confused about the time travel rules and them never being explained, when to me it seemed perfectly obvious that if someone were to be able to change the present with their actions back in time it would cause a host paradoxical problems.
Anyway, all that to say that while the stories told were definitely charming and heartfelt, it unfortunately just didn’t do it for me for narrative style - and I’m learning that I’m a lot more picky than I used to be.
However, as with a lot of the ‘cosy’ genre of books lately, a lot of it fell flat for me. I’m not sure if it’s a translation issue or a cultural difference in how Japanese authors write, but I found the over explanation of every emotion, inner thought and action a bit jarring, and the random veers off into textbook descriptions offset the introspective vibe. I also found it hard to understand why characters acted in certain ways, yes they had distinct personalities on paper but again it felt over-described at time, I would have loved to be able to infer something at times rather than have it shoved in my face. I also didn’t understand the constant references to the characters being confused about the time travel rules and them never being explained, when to me it seemed perfectly obvious that if someone were to be able to change the present with their actions back in time it would cause a host paradoxical problems.
Anyway, all that to say that while the stories told were definitely charming and heartfelt, it unfortunately just didn’t do it for me for narrative style - and I’m learning that I’m a lot more picky than I used to be.
[AUDIOBOOK]
This book caught my attention from the very beginning. I'm not sure if it was because of the time travel or because it takes place in a café. Maybe it was both. I thought it was such a clever idea! Although, I have to admit, when I first heard the rules to time travel, I was a little disappointed. They seemed so restrictive, so pointless, so stupid.
1. You can only time travel and talk to people who have visited the café.
2. You cannot leave your seat (and thus, you can't go outside).
3. You have to go back before the coffee gets cold, and
4. No matter what you do or say, the present won't change.
With those rules, why even bother to time travel?
For a moment it seemed like this book was going to be boring. How interesting can it get with those limitations?
But that's the thing, the book is fascinating not despite, but because of all those limitations. The focus of the story is not the ability to time travel in itself, it's the story of those who, knowing the rules, still decide to go back in time or to go to the future.
My absolute favorites were the stories of Hirai and Kei. I cried while listening to Hirai's story, it was devastating.
Overall. It was good, it was interesting. Not my favorite, but still, it leaves a nice message.
This book caught my attention from the very beginning. I'm not sure if it was because of the time travel or because it takes place in a café. Maybe it was both. I thought it was such a clever idea! Although, I have to admit, when I first heard the rules to time travel, I was a little disappointed. They seemed so restrictive, so pointless, so stupid.
1. You can only time travel and talk to people who have visited the café.
2. You cannot leave your seat (and thus, you can't go outside).
3. You have to go back before the coffee gets cold, and
4. No matter what you do or say, the present won't change.
With those rules, why even bother to time travel?
For a moment it seemed like this book was going to be boring. How interesting can it get with those limitations?
But that's the thing, the book is fascinating not despite, but because of all those limitations. The focus of the story is not the ability to time travel in itself, it's the story of those who, knowing the rules, still decide to go back in time or to go to the future.
My absolute favorites were the stories of Hirai and Kei. I cried while listening to Hirai's story, it was devastating.
Overall. It was good, it was interesting. Not my favorite, but still, it leaves a nice message.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated