A review by amrita_yadav
Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing sad medium-paced

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

3.75

[So turns out I started reading this series from the 2nd book, which I do understand is frowned upon, so basically I reviewed this book as the first book and now I am just going to review the second book here. One thing I do want to say is that when I started reading #2nd book of the series, considering it the first, I was really impressed by how well the writer had figured out the plot and all the tiny minuscule details about the rules of the cafe and the characters of the people, etc. Now that I have read the actual #1st book in the series I did get the hints someone trying to figure out things. For example, some of the rules that exist in this book are well established but not mentioned in the first.] There is a definite theme in the stories that are compiled in each book. I keep on recommending people that are having a hard time reading, or are in a book slump, to pick up this book. It is simple, heart touching and does not take you 200 pages of world building to get tot the story. There is something that is said in the last pages of this book that I  want to quote here, "But Kazu still goes on believing that, no matter what difficulties people face, they will always have the strength to overcome them. It just takes heart. And if the chair can change someone's heart, it clearly has a purpose." This book gives you very emotional moments and realistic representation of people's feelings with all their flaws included. I recently saw that clip of Celine Murphy saying that books and movies develop empathy in people as they are putting themselves n other shoes. I think that really explains how people that to me people that read are much more empathetic and mindful of other peoples' feelings. I also understand why books and library's are placed in prisons, I hope it can change peoples' hearts and give them a better outlook on the world. A good read to put in between a busy life to not have to worry about keeping up with the twists and turns and mounds of world building.