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hyraeth's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
3.5
An enjoyable quick read!
After ending a reltionship and a job, Tanako finds herself in her uncle's bookshop until she figured out what her next steps are going to be.
There is is very clear growth and development in Tanako - she begins the story depressed and not liking her uncle for seemingly childish and petty reasons, but she is then able to understand why she reacted in such way and is able to get out of the slump.
This was possible in big part due to her finding a passion for books, and finding inspiration in the stories she was reading.
Multiple characters explain how books helped them and also shaped them, so this book also feel like a love story to books.
I did have the urge to tell some characters to please, see a therapist, but overall it's a nice read for a lazy weekend afternoon
After ending a reltionship and a job, Tanako finds herself in her uncle's bookshop until she figured out what her next steps are going to be.
There is is very clear growth and development in Tanako - she begins the story depressed and not liking her uncle for seemingly childish and petty reasons, but she is then able to understand why she reacted in such way and is able to get out of the slump.
This was possible in big part due to her finding a passion for books, and finding inspiration in the stories she was reading.
Multiple characters explain how books helped them and also shaped them, so this book also feel like a love story to books.
I did have the urge to tell some characters to please, see a therapist, but overall it's a nice read for a lazy weekend afternoon
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion
annaoallen's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While this book is not visually descriptive, I found my imagination taking off with the scenery. This, combined with the wholesome and somewhat relaxed storytelling, made me think, "this would be a nice Miyazaki movie" on more than one occasion. I liked the characters and their development but something about the writing or translation brought the word "mundane" to mind. I would still recommend it. I know if this were a movie, I'd adore it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage, Abortion, and Cancer
peasandpancakes's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
First of all: Why has every version of the cover art a cat on it when there are a grand total of 0 cats in the book?
I read this book in Dutch and I am sure most of my opinions on it are because the translation felt very bad. The sentences just did not flow well at all, which made it jarring to read. Besides that, I wonder if there is just too much of a culture gap here for me to understand this book and its characters.
I disliked the main character, Takako. Sure, she got out of a bad relationship and was feeling depressed, but she was behaving like such a whiny child that I often forgot she was supposed to be 25.
The whole storyline with the aunt that came back after rudely disappearing for 5 years, was so weird. Were we supposed to feel for her? Because I kinda didn’t. Sure, she was still processing the loss of their child, but it still felt flat.
I’m also going to say it, there are some… questionable things in the story and language used. First, the bath scene felt weird. Second, why was Takako asked if she was into girls when she was (in a strange way I agree) trying to hug her aunt? She was asked the same when she looked at a waitress for 3 seconds earlier in the book. To me that is just not something to joke about
So yeah. Me and this book did not vibe, but if I ever get the chance to read it in English, I am willing to try it.
I read this book in Dutch and I am sure most of my opinions on it are because the translation felt very bad. The sentences just did not flow well at all, which made it jarring to read. Besides that, I wonder if there is just too much of a culture gap here for me to understand this book and its characters.
I disliked the main character, Takako. Sure, she got out of a bad relationship and was feeling depressed, but she was behaving like such a whiny child that I often forgot she was supposed to be 25.
I’m also going to say it, there are some… questionable things in the story and language used. First, the bath scene felt weird. Second, why was Takako asked if she was into girls when she was (in a strange way I agree) trying to hug her aunt? She was asked the same when she looked at a waitress for 3 seconds earlier in the book. To me that is just not something to joke about
So yeah. Me and this book did not vibe, but if I ever get the chance to read it in English, I am willing to try it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child death, Grief, Infidelity, and Miscarriage
Minor: Abortion, Homophobia, and Infertility
carlyg123's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
A bookshop setting does not, a good book, make.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion and Miscarriage
bluesky5283's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion and Miscarriage
aseel_reads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a very sweet and quick read. I think it ended at a pretty good point of the story, just a short slice of life - because it was short, i can't rate it higher, since the several heavy plot points were not deeply discussed (like a good thing and a bad thing at the same time)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Mental illness, Abandonment, Miscarriage, Cancer, and Abortion
aliyachaudhry's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Moderate: Abortion, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness
teetasse's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion and Cancer
chantplant's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
4.25
This is the first lighthearted fiction novel i’ve read in a very long time so it took a bit for me to get used to the simplistic writing style. but that being said i still very much enjoyed reading this short book.
My biggest criticism is that there is way too much repetition in the writing - i swear the phrase “burst out laughing” is said over 15 times.
but again, it’s a cute brisk read that got me in a relaxed and sometimes nostalgic mood. it made me miss the onsens and train rides in japan so bad.
Haru & Momoko are by far my favorite characters and the ‘hiking arc’ of the book was my favorite as well. their lifestyles were just so different compared to mine i found myself being jealous. very mysterious & cool girl-esque.
so yeah! short & sweet <3
My biggest criticism is that there is way too much repetition in the writing - i swear the phrase “burst out laughing” is said over 15 times.
but again, it’s a cute brisk read that got me in a relaxed and sometimes nostalgic mood. it made me miss the onsens and train rides in japan so bad.
Haru & Momoko are by far my favorite characters and the ‘hiking arc’ of the book was my favorite as well. their lifestyles were just so different compared to mine i found myself being jealous. very mysterious & cool girl-esque.
so yeah! short & sweet <3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion and Miscarriage
james_burridge's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a book about learning to take a break and I loved it the writing was EXCEPTIONAL and it was translated from Japanese which is jaw dropping.
It’s incredibly cosy and heart warming (I also loved the little romance sub plot) and I feel a great book to start with when it comes to translated novels. I literally felt like this was a studio Ghibli film in a book.(I also binge read the absolute HECK out of it).The story was like reading the life of a nice person and I liked that.
However, I feel like the characters were a bit 1-sided and never really had any development apart from their relationships.(apart from Takako and Momoko)Also, the 2-part story Just felt like two separate story’s not one and they didn’t really link in any way.
Overall,I like the book(btw this is 3.5 stars rounded up)
It’s incredibly cosy and heart warming (I also loved the little romance sub plot) and I feel a great book to start with when it comes to translated novels. I literally felt like this was a studio Ghibli film in a book.(I also binge read the absolute HECK out of it).The story was like reading the life of a nice person and I liked that.
However, I feel like the characters were a bit 1-sided and never really had any development apart from their relationships.(apart from Takako and Momoko)Also, the 2-part story Just felt like two separate story’s not one and they didn’t really link in any way.
Overall,I like the book(btw this is 3.5 stars rounded up)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage
Minor: Child death, Alcoholism, and Abortion