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emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a pretty enjoyable read! I picked this up from a bookstore on vacation in Chicago because it was something I didn’t think I could find easily in my small Michigan town, and I thought reading some translated fiction would be a fun challenge. It also sounded like a nice, relaxing, slice of life type story, which it ended up being.
At the beginning of the book, the main character, Takako, loses her boyfriend and job and goes to work at and live at her uncle’s book shop. She is (understandably) somewhat unpleasant at the beginning, but grows a lot as a character throughout the book. I liked her relationship with her uncle and the ways she grew to love reading.
There were a few elements I wish had been developed more, like her relationship with some friends she makes at the coffee shop she frequents. (There is a sequel, so I might read that and hope the author expands on some of these parts of the story.)
There were also some parts where the dialogue was a bit repetitive, although I’m wondering if this may be due to the translation.
This is a good book if you’re looking for something to read curled up on the couch on a rainy day with your favorite coffee or tea. It’s a pretty quick read that I think most people could finish in a few hours.
I picked it up and put it down over the course of a month or so, because I read on my lunch break at work and in other fleeting moments sometimes. All in all, it was something fun to help me get back into reading again.
At the beginning of the book, the main character, Takako, loses her boyfriend and job and goes to work at and live at her uncle’s book shop. She is (understandably) somewhat unpleasant at the beginning, but grows a lot as a character throughout the book. I liked her relationship with her uncle and the ways she grew to love reading.
There were a few elements I wish had been developed more, like her relationship with some friends she makes at the coffee shop she frequents. (There is a sequel, so I might read that and hope the author expands on some of these parts of the story.)
There were also some parts where the dialogue was a bit repetitive, although I’m wondering if this may be due to the translation.
This is a good book if you’re looking for something to read curled up on the couch on a rainy day with your favorite coffee or tea. It’s a pretty quick read that I think most people could finish in a few hours.
I picked it up and put it down over the course of a month or so, because I read on my lunch break at work and in other fleeting moments sometimes. All in all, it was something fun to help me get back into reading again.
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Abortion
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Yes
“It’s only in secondhand books that you can savour encounters like this, connections that transcend time. And that’s how I learned to love the secondhand bookstore that handled these books, our Morisaki Bookshop. I realized how precious a chance I’d been given, to be a part of that little place, where you can feel the quiet flow of time.”
- Satoshi Yagisawa
This book made me smile so many times. I am an avid reader and I love supporting our local indie new and used bookstore. Wandering the aisles and perusing the shelves for treasures brings me great joy. This book made me feel like I was transported right into the Morisaki Bookshop.
I loved how Takako’s view of her uncle changed as she got to know him better, and I really enjoyed how Takako and her aunt bonded over cooking and eating.
I will definitely be reading the second book.
- Satoshi Yagisawa
This book made me smile so many times. I am an avid reader and I love supporting our local indie new and used bookstore. Wandering the aisles and perusing the shelves for treasures brings me great joy. This book made me feel like I was transported right into the Morisaki Bookshop.
I loved how Takako’s view of her uncle changed as she got to know him better, and I really enjoyed how Takako and her aunt bonded over cooking and eating.
I will definitely be reading the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Abortion, Pregnancy
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Miscarriage
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
This book is very sweet - bordering on saccharine, though it manages to never quite cross that line. It's a very quick, enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Infidelity, Grief
Minor: Cancer, Infertility, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Complicated
I listened to this in a day because I loved it so much. The characters are so well fleshed out. The plot in the first half was stronger than the second half for me but both still were incredible.
The depiction of depression and loneliness hit in such a real way that I cried multiple times throughout this book. The way the characters treat each other with such care and understanding felt healing. It’s just like a giant hug.
My favorite part was by far the depiction of falling in love with reading. That part also made me cry. There is nothing quite like picking up a book and falling into it wholeheartedly. This book perfectly encapsulated that feeling. Plus you get to see so many different people’s relationship with books. Almost all the characters get a moment to share why they love reading which I adored.
The depiction of depression and loneliness hit in such a real way that I cried multiple times throughout this book. The way the characters treat each other with such care and understanding felt healing. It’s just like a giant hug.
My favorite part was by far the depiction of falling in love with reading. That part also made me cry. There is nothing quite like picking up a book and falling into it wholeheartedly. This book perfectly encapsulated that feeling. Plus you get to see so many different people’s relationship with books. Almost all the characters get a moment to share why they love reading which I adored.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship
Minor: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Calm, quiet book to relax with in a cosy corner. Getting to know Takako and her Uncle and the Jimhocho area of Tokyo was delightful. My batteries are recharged, i enjoyed the re-connections practical healing and care between the characters.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Abortion
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This story had me experiencing so many warm feelings. I was invested in these characters lives and now I’m craving to find my own book shop. This is a great book for anyone who sometimes feels lost. Lessons are that it’s okay to slow down, take time to smell the roses, and love fully.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Abandonment
Minor: Infertility, Pregnancy
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
A quick, cozy and enjoyable read. This definitely isn’t the romance it was marketed to me as, but I really loved it. I think that what it does focus on (new beginnings, family, and love in the broadest sense) should be celebrated. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a low stakes read. I just wish some of the sections were longer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Infidelity
Moderate: Chronic illness, Medical content, Grief
lighthearted
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Miscarriage