A beautiful, poignant story of books, bonds and bravery, of making changes and embarking on new adventures. A love letter to the power of books and bookstores.

Ohh I really enjoyed this. First thing I did when I finished was google Jimbocho, and wow it's amazing!!
Go and google it, google map it, look at pictures, you will want to move there lol. What a wonderful little book village, filled with second hand book stores, sounds ideal.
How lucky is Takako, living rent free above her uncles Bookshop?! Meeting so many people everyday, l'd love to do that. I loved reading about her, and finding her way around a new place, meeting new people, and potential new love. The trip she takes later in the book was really interesting too, making a trip like that would be really cool.
A lovely book.

Short and sweet. A cute story filled with love, loss and, of course, books. Interested to see what happens next in this series.

Really not the normal type of book I would read, but I do love books and the title caught my eye. It is different, not violent or shocking, maybe cosy is the best word I can use to describe it. Engaging and relatable and enjoyable.

When I read this I thought there could not be such a place in real life on earth. A book village and a bookshop like this one? Surely only in my imagination. Well no this is areal place and oh how I want to go there! Books, bookshops and the meaning of books. Why books can heal and change a person reveals what wonders a bookshop really is. Booklovers anywhere - read this book!

I love stories about the power of the written word, and had read a couple of other Japanese novels which I’ve enjoyed. This was a nice story about a young, quite naive woman rebuilding her life after the end of a relationship. She is invited to work-and live in her uncle’s bookshop.
It was however spoiled a bit for me by the ‘flatness’ of some of the writing. Perhaps the translation did not do it justice, and obviously there would be cultural misunderstandings but I often felt confused as to what the characters actually meant, and often their reactions to events and conversations left me a little perplexed.

This book is perfect for anyone who loves to take a deep breath whenever they step into a used book store.-- they really ought sell that smell as a scented candle. This drops you into a barely profitable but over-stuffed used book store in Japan, and introduces you to the people who work and shop there. Loved it.

This is translated fiction set in Tokyo where Takako is sent to live with her uncle Satoru who owns the Morisaki bookshop. Her boyfriend tells her he is marrying someone else that he has been seeing all along so she goes to the bookshop hoping to feel less depressed and have a sense of purpose.

This was a short novel, full of warmth and humour, cute and silly but full of pithy comments about life and books. As always I love a relationship that spans generations and the focus wasn't on her love life. It is mentioned a few times though Takako is quite a silly character and we, the reader, know she is worrying about nothing. The writing is a little simplistic but I wonder if that is a translation issue or perhaps is there to highlight the naivety and innocence of Takako.

This is a beautiful book - the writing/translation from Japanese into English is wonderful and the narrative reads easily like one long recollection. It's hard to put down because everything flows seamlessly from one thing to another.

This is also one of the best explorations of what it means to live with and slowly come out of depressive periods. The book showcases how important it is to get back to some semblance of balance in your life, how meaningful it is to step away from the 9-5 hustle culture and let yourself be for a moment or two.

I didn't like the second half quite as much as the first half, but it did inspire me to get out and about a bit more again for which I am very grateful!

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when heading into this book - a quiet self assured book with some touching moments? And yes I think it fit that!
It’s a sweet easy read which touches on family, friendship, and new beginnings in life!
- not related to the book but the ARC itself was formatted in a way which made it very difficult to read.

Such a sweet little book about love and loss. A lovely, easy read that was a great pallette cleanser.

Thanks to NetGalley for my copy but I have been waiting for it to come into the library, I'm an old fashioned girl who likes to have it in my hands as I read...

I'm sorry but this wasn't my cup of tea

The novel evolves around Takako, who moves into her uncle's second-hand bookshop in Tokyo, after a painful breakup. As she spends her days surrounded by the second-hand books, she gradually rediscovers the joy of reading and what books bring into our lives. As this happens, she also develops a close relationship with her uncle, who she is only starting to get to know truly. Together, they learn to cope with their losses and find hope for the future.

It is a mixture of cozy and nostalgic, whilst dealing with difficult topics such as grief and human connection. I will definitely read the sequel!

So I have read a fair few Japanese books recently and as with many this was a very short book. It maintained its pace throughout however I must admit I was a little disappointed by the ending.
A good book but certainly not a favourite of the genre.

3.5 stars (rounded up)

This book was...nice. I can't really think of a better way to describe it. Just sort of nondescriptly nice. Everything is generally fine. I didn't dislike it, I just didn't really feel strongly about it at all. None of its plot points particularly stand out, it all seemed to proceed at a pretty even pace with the exception of a few abrupt, brief shifts in tone. The kind of book to read if you want to spend an afternoon reading something with low stakes while curled up on the sofa with a blanket and a hot drink.

A slight but charming tale about the power of books, friendship and community. Written in the first person, Takako is able to come to terms with her broken heart through the love of her uncle and his second hand book shop.
As in other Japanese books I have read there are enticing descriptions of food and the countryside. While I quite enjoyed reading this over the course of one day, I did find myself expecting a little more substance, I'm not sure if this is partly due to the translation.
Several 'real' books and authors are mentioned throughout the story that act as a catalysts for Takako and it sounds that some might be worth seeking out.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this e-arc.

Takako and her boyfriend have been going out for a year when he suddenly announces that he is to marry someone else. She is totally shaken and gives up her job, she doesn't leave her apartment for a month. But one night she receives a voicemail from her Uncle in Tokyo who runs a second-hand book shop asking her to come stay with him. He offers her a room in exchange for looking after the shop, there she finds her love of reading and makes new friends among his customers.
This book is a voyage of discovery for all the characters.

Aw, this is just a nice feel good read - perfect for people who want something a bit different but to leave a bit of fuzz in their heart - enjoyed this!

This is a sweet and thoughtful story about a girl who goes to work at her uncle’s bookshop, following a devastating break up with her boyfriend whom, she learns, prefers another woman to her. Depressed and alone at the outset, through spending time at the bookshop she meets new people and begins to heal and rebuild her life. It also tells the story of her uncle and his wife - their unusual history, which is quite interesting.

The book is short and easy to read, although I felt the translation made it feel a little simplistic and disjointed. 3.5 stars.

A delightful narrative reminiscent of works such as "There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job," "The Nankano Thrift Shop," and "Convenience Store Woman."

When Takako learns that her boyfriend is getting married, but not to her, she seeks solace in her uncle's used bookstore. Initially not an avid reader, she gradually develops an appreciation for both the books and the neighborhood. Her heart undergoes a slow healing process, influenced by the books and her uncle's care.

I have a deep affinity for contemporary Japanese literature that explores the nuances of everyday life and ordinary people. The author beautifully captures the intricate details of daily existence, encompassing its joys, struggles, pains, and triumphs. Despite never having visited Japan, I felt immersed in Takako's journey, connecting with the people she encounters. Additionally, the novel provided me with a list of recommended classic Japanese novels.

For enthusiasts of Japanese literature who enjoyed the novels mentioned earlier, I highly recommend this book. I look forward to exploring more works by this author in the future. A rating of 4.5 stars.

Special thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for generously providing me with an advance copy. All expressed opinions are my own.