Reviews with content warning for Fatphobia - La Bibliothèque des rêves secrets

Needed this. Sometimes I wish I could be gently guided to learning little life lessons in the way the characters did. Oftentimes I logically know, but a little lesson is needed for it to feel real. This world makes it hard to remain hopeful that your actions can make a difference and it can be borderline impossible in the depths of depression to see that mistakes and misfortune are part of creating a beautiful future. Characters felt so real and relatable. I love books about books and it was an incredible touch to show how the lives of all the disparate characters are softly connected. Where is the sequel detailing all of the wisdom of Yakita's life??? /s. If you need a pick me up, if you need a little inspiration, if life has been feeling hopeless, these little stories are perfect. Can be read individually or all together. I'm recommending it to my friends.

If you are wondering about the content warnings:

-A woman is moved to a worse position after her maternity leave as they believe she will be an inefficient worker. -A man is questioned by the police (and presumably arrested?) on suspicion of harm to children due to him looking into a schoolyard in a "suspicious outfit". -The wonderful librarian lady is physically described in every chapter in an unkind way when the character first sees her. The only part of this book that made me unhappy, but entirely unsurprising to see a fat woman portrayed this way in Japanese media.

Content Warnings

mazlloree's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful 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

3.0

Content Warnings

noelia28's review against another edition

Go to review page

inspiring lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

rhi_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Content Warnings

edoherty's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

A quiet, lovely book about the power of reading the right book at the right time, the nature and importance of human connection and community, and the potential to change your life.

Content Warnings

strrygo's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

3.75

sweetheart book, just so kind

another addition to the lovely parallel lines(but they meet) story collection

Content Warnings

rawsfaze's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

More...