Days at the Morisaki Bookshop: A Novel Paperback – 17 Aug. 2023

A really enjoyable, easy read with e hanging characters. Good storyline but felt the book ended a little abruptly.

I've really enjoyed this book. The ideas behind it are quite simple. First, anyone who loves reading will instantly relate to four of the characters' relationship with books. Second, anyone who has ever been in love will relate to the experiences of the two main characters.Despite this simplicity there is also an underlying complexity to the story. The book examines the interrelatedness of people through their often unexceptional acts. Life has not been kind to several characters, but through the actions of those around them life turns in directions that the characters did not expect, but desperately wanted.It is a very good translation. Sometimes translated works lose something of the atmosphere of place. This, on the other hand, is still very much a Japanese book about very ordinary Japanese activities.The main characters are all well rounded. I'm sure that it would be possible to walk the streets of Tokyo and recognise real people like those in the book. The characters are more complex than they first appear.This is not a lengthy book. I read it over two short sessions. There is, I suppose, nothing special about it, but when I reached the final page, I had the same feelings as when I read a longer book, perhaps over many days. There was a sense of loss, the loss of friends, the loss of places, and even the loss of customs that no longer feel alien.This is a book to read, as I have, on a miserable day. Something nice to drink. A snack. This book. Together, the perfect antidote to the bad weather. A gentle book. A book for when you need cheering up.I heartily recommend this, not as great literature, but as a feel good, heart warming panacea to cheer you up.

Like everyone else, I'm a sucker for a book featuring a bookshop. I also enjoy Japanese translated fiction on occasion. So, this title offered the perfect combination for my personal reading tastes :)Throughout the tale, the Morisaki Bookshop provided a stable mooring in which the residents could anchor through the ups and downs of life, shepherding heads filled with worrisome thoughts and allowing hearts the privacy to heal.It's clean, concise, uncomplicated, and charming. While I did enjoy my brief time in Takako and Satoru's world, now I've finished the book I don't feel an immediate 'pull' to join them for the 'next chapter' of their story, so I'll bid them fond farewell.

Days at Morisaki Bookshop was a joy to read. Yagisawa masterfully intertwines themes of love, loss, and the transformative power of refuge and unexpected connections. Yagisawa is an award-winning Japanese author known for his heartwarming narratives and Ozawa's gifted us with an incredible translation.The story follows Takako, a young woman who quits her job after a breakup and falls into a deep depression, spending most of her days sleeping. Faced with financial uncertainty, she moves in with her estranged uncle, who owns a second-hand bookshop in the Jimbocho district, a hidden gem in Tokyo. The bookshop, with its musky smell and quirky customers, provides the perfect backdrop for Takako’s journey of healing and self-discovery.While the plot might be predictable, the novel’s strength lies in its character development and relatability, complemented by vivid descriptions and well-paced narrative. Days at Morisaki Bookshop is an uplifting and perfect summer read, celebrating the quiet power of books and the unexpected paths they lead us down.

“Days at the Morisaki Bookshop" by Satoshi Yagisawa is a gem of a novel that will resonate with anyone who has ever found solace in the pages of a book. From the moment I picked it up, I was drawn into the cozy, inviting world of Morisaki Bookshop and its endearing characters.The story follows Takako, a young woman grappling with personal heartbreak, who finds herself reluctantly helping out at her uncle’s quaint bookshop in Tokyo’s Jimbocho neighborhood. What starts as a temporary refuge from her troubles turns into a transformative experience, as she discovers the healing power of literature and the warmth of human connection.Yagisawa's writing is beautifully evocative, bringing the bookshop and its surroundings to life in vivid detail. The narrative is gentle yet compelling, filled with quiet moments that resonate deeply. I particularly loved the nuanced portrayal of Takako's journey from despair to hope, and the way the bookshop becomes a sanctuary not just for her, but for the community around it.One of the standout aspects of the novel is its celebration of books and reading. As an avid reader, I found myself enchanted by the numerous literary references and the heartfelt discussions about favorite books. It reminded me of the magic of discovering a book that speaks to your soul and the joy of sharing that experience with others.The supporting characters, from the quirky uncle Satoru to the loyal customers, add depth and charm to the story. Their interactions with Takako provide moments of humor, wisdom, and poignancy, making the narrative all the more rich and relatable.In a world that often feels overwhelming, "Days at the Morisaki Bookshop" is a comforting reminder of the simple joys that can be found in a quiet corner with a good book. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves stories about personal growth, community, and the enduring power of books. Highly recommended!

A pleasant way of passing the time reading about characters connected to a second-hand bookshop in Tokyo coping with a couple of the vicissitudes of life.