A review by brenticus
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

3.0

This story has amazing vibes. The feeling of the bookshop, the way people talk about books and reading, the nuggets of people's lives in the area, it all just hits right.

The actual plot didn't feel particularly inspired, or even particularly sensible. Momoko is just bizarre, and Satoru is almost overly wholesome, and Takako has so little agency it's a bit hard to attach her name to her character at times. 

But the settings of Morisaki Bookshop and the Saveur cafe are just lovely, and all the side characters we meet in those places add such character to the novel that it's still an enjoyable read.