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ixris's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
Relaxing and spare language. Beautifully concise.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, and Infertility
toastyghosty13's review
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-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
4.0
I really liked the characters in this book, they all have their own unique personalities and whimsy. Takako goes through a rough patch with her boyfriend, who has been seeing someone else at the same time and is planning on marrying the other woman. He breaks up with Takako and she falls into a pit of despair. Her uncle Satoru calls her up and offers to have her work at his bookshop with him. What starts as a partially begrudging family reunion blossoms into a journey of Takako finding herself and the inner courage to stand up for herself.
While her love for her uncle and his book shop grow, Takako meets others that are living and working in the neighborhood. She makes friendships that last a lifetime and has a therapeutic experience, while also helping her uncle through his own similar experience.
I really liked this book as a light read. It is short, but does not lack in content or passion by any means. If anything, it made me want to open up my own used book store. This book was a joy to read, and I will be reading the 2nd book sometime in the future.
While her love for her uncle and his book shop grow, Takako meets others that are living and working in the neighborhood. She makes friendships that last a lifetime and has a therapeutic experience, while also helping her uncle through his own similar experience.
I really liked this book as a light read. It is short, but does not lack in content or passion by any means. If anything, it made me want to open up my own used book store. This book was a joy to read, and I will be reading the 2nd book sometime in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Gaslighting
Moderate: Abortion, Infertility, Child death, and Cancer
aileron's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
Graphic: Abandonment and Infidelity
Moderate: Grief, Miscarriage, and Mental illness
Minor: Infertility and Abortion
thursdd4y's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Infidelity, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Abortion, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness
airehcuh's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion, Terminal illness, and Miscarriage
ekarcha's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Grief
Minor: Abortion and Child death
akevaa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.75
What a wonderful, cozy read. Would recommend to anyone that liked Before the Coffee Gets Cold as it has a similar slice-of-life vibe. Would like to own this one for sure - the journeys the characters go on are reflective enough and broad enough that you could get vastly different messages from this book depending on where you're at in your own life. Love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abortion and Miscarriage
beeanka_reads's review
funny
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion and Miscarriage
hyraeth's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
An enjoyable quick read!
After ending a reltionship and a job, Tanako finds herself in her uncle's bookshop until she figured out what her next steps are going to be.
There is is very clear growth and development in Tanako - she begins the story depressed and not liking her uncle for seemingly childish and petty reasons, but she is then able to understand why she reacted in such way and is able to get out of the slump.
This was possible in big part due to her finding a passion for books, and finding inspiration in the stories she was reading.
Multiple characters explain how books helped them and also shaped them, so this book also feel like a love story to books.
I did have the urge to tell some characters to please, see a therapist, but overall it's a nice read for a lazy weekend afternoon
After ending a reltionship and a job, Tanako finds herself in her uncle's bookshop until she figured out what her next steps are going to be.
There is is very clear growth and development in Tanako - she begins the story depressed and not liking her uncle for seemingly childish and petty reasons, but she is then able to understand why she reacted in such way and is able to get out of the slump.
This was possible in big part due to her finding a passion for books, and finding inspiration in the stories she was reading.
Multiple characters explain how books helped them and also shaped them, so this book also feel like a love story to books.
I did have the urge to tell some characters to please, see a therapist, but overall it's a nice read for a lazy weekend afternoon
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion