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rawsfaze's review against another edition
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
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Fatphobia, Pregnancy, and Sexism
nini23's review against another edition
relaxing
3.0
The gist of the message: one is not defined by one's job and to follow one's passion. There is an age range and varying life circumstances featured with the librarian's off-beat book recommendation and felt soft toy sparking a change. I was taken aback by the fatshaming descriptions of the librarian.
I like the interconnection between the stories as well as the illustrations preceeding each story. There was, however, a simplicity and reductionism that underplayed the depth of difficulty with some of the circumstances.
Translated from Japanese by Alison Watts. The writing style of the English translation seems quite straightforward.
I like the interconnection between the stories as well as the illustrations preceeding each story. There was, however, a simplicity and reductionism that underplayed the depth of difficulty with some of the circumstances.
Translated from Japanese by Alison Watts. The writing style of the English translation seems quite straightforward.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
jessicas_library_card's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
booksemmahasread's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Pregnancy
lizreadsbooks's review against another edition
DNF at 60%. I really wanted to love this one, but it felt like a slog. There are five short stories within this novel that all follow the same basic structure, which started to feel redundant after the third story. Although there were some good lines about following your dreams and having courage to make changes, the writing overall felt a bit plodding to me. Also, every single character describes the librarian (the essential character in the novel) as being huge or fat or “like Baymax” from Big Hero 6, and the fatphobia was glaring. Sadly, not the bookish magic I was hoping for.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
DNF at 60%. I really wanted to love this one, but it felt like a slog. There are five short stories within this novel that all follow the same basic structure, which started to feel redundant after the third story. Although there were some good lines about following your dreams and having courage to make changes, the writing overall felt a bit plodding to me. Also, every single character describes the librarian (the essential character in the novel) as being huge or fat or “like Baymax” from Big Hero 6, and the fatphobia was glaring. Sadly, not the bookish magic I was hoping for.sektaufeis's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I can just agree with the review of someone else:
" i just was expecting something more emotionally profound."
I expected to learn more about the librarian with the myterious gift, but she was more of a side character the reader learnt only bits and snippets about. The description of the librarian was kinda fatphobic and unnecessary.
Since the structure of the book is quite repetitive (every chapter/ character story has the same structure) one had to read the awkward encounter between the people borrowing books and the librarian over and over again.
The character development was okayish in my opinion.
I liked the topic of the book! Many people are struggling to find their path or passion. To try something new and use a change of perspective by getting inspired by tiny things, is a really helpful perspective and message of the book. However, the target group of this book is rather mainstream, I guess. If you are used to reading complex, deeply reflective fiction - this is story is rather shallow, or that was at least my experience. (:
I think it is the perfect gift for someone who feels stuck and unhappy with their life, some who does not spent their time thinking about society - I was instantly thinking about the mother of a friend.
I usually ready feminist speculative fiction and for me it was a flop. :(
" i just was expecting something more emotionally profound."
I expected to learn more about the librarian with the myterious gift, but she was more of a side character the reader learnt only bits and snippets about. The description of the librarian was kinda fatphobic and unnecessary.
Since the structure of the book is quite repetitive (every chapter/ character story has the same structure) one had to read the awkward encounter between the people borrowing books and the librarian over and over again.
The character development was okayish in my opinion.
I liked the topic of the book! Many people are struggling to find their path or passion. To try something new and use a change of perspective by getting inspired by tiny things, is a really helpful perspective and message of the book. However, the target group of this book is rather mainstream, I guess. If you are used to reading complex, deeply reflective fiction - this is story is rather shallow, or that was at least my experience. (:
I think it is the perfect gift for someone who feels stuck and unhappy with their life, some who does not spent their time thinking about society - I was instantly thinking about the mother of a friend.
I usually ready feminist speculative fiction and for me it was a flop. :(
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Death
katiemack's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
4.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This collection feels cozy and charming and does, in fact, remind me of Before the Coffee Gets Cold. (Nice work, marketing department.) As a librarian, I obviously felt compelled to read this, but I wasn't expecting how poignant the stories would be; I loved the focus on community and the exploration of human nature Michiko Aoyama facilitates through them. I wanted to read more about Sayuri Komachi--the librarian--but maybe Aoyama will explore that in a sequel.
This collection feels cozy and charming and does, in fact, remind me of Before the Coffee Gets Cold. (Nice work, marketing department.) As a librarian, I obviously felt compelled to read this, but I wasn't expecting how poignant the stories would be; I loved the focus on community and the exploration of human nature Michiko Aoyama facilitates through them. I wanted to read more about Sayuri Komachi--the librarian--but maybe Aoyama will explore that in a sequel.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia and Death
haofrog's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
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