Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

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.

There are a lot of Japanese novels that have been translated into English around at a moment and a recent trip to Japan had made me curious. This one promised to be about the "comfort that can be found in books" so shouldn't fail on any level. It was a debut novel and won a literature prize so I had high expectations. There are 147 pages - 20 chapters split into 2 parts. First published in Japan during 2020 then 2023 in England. There is a wonderful sense of social awkwardness that often seems to be present in Japanese novels. Generally, their society is polite on the surface but often without too much depth. That seems to sum up Takako's life until she lets some people get close to her - then the image slips and her life becomes more genuine. Everything seems to have thoughtful detail in their descriptions which encourages the reader to slow down and hopefully emulate the sensation of spending time in a bookshop. Time invested in reading gives the reader the opportunity to stand back from their lives and maybe make some decisions - certainly always to give some healing time. This is Takako's experience and the author encourages the reader to share this. I was never completely convinced about how the plot played out as unlikely events happen but I was curious to see what would end the story. It's a strange little book which gives a peep into Japanese culture. There are a lot of dark issues within the story and all of them could be plausible - they also give a readable story when put together. I would be very careful before recommending the book to anyone but I am pleased that I found it.

Easy to read shorter story, some moving pages about the love of reading but for a story about a bookshop there weren’t many pages about the FMC living there. Felt like this was a little underdeveloped but still a wholesome worthwhile read.

“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!

I really enjoyed this book. I more or less read it in two sittings and found I didn’t want to put it down and loved being in the world and in the company of the characters. I liked the slow development of the story and emotional developments of the characters. I think it is very well written; the prose is lovely to follow. I did find myself wondering if it wasn’t set in Japan if I would’ve had the same positive approach to the overall book as if you swapped out the cultural references and behaviours the story line would not really be so gripping in an English setting. I felt that it could be seen as simplistic so I found myself in two minds as to the overall quality of the book. I noticed lots of people talk about comfort blanket and easy read and cosy. All of which suggest a certain genre in England of very easy comfortable books, but I don’t really feel this fits into that genre , although it could do, I am not sure. I really enjoyed being inside Japanese people’s ways of thinking and their customs which as an outsider you don’t get to do. I liked the easy flow of the writing and story and would recommend.

I'm afraid to say that this novel didn't really work for me - or maybe it's more that I wasn't the right reader for the book. I didn't feel I knew anything about the characters, including the main one (who wasn't proactive enough to call the protagonist) even by the end of the book. As someone who dearly loves depth of character and character development, this wasn't a very satisfactory situation for me and left me unable to connect with the characters even in misfortune. In addition, the fact that one of the main premises of the plot - that main character Takako changes her attitude to books and reading overnight - didn't seem credible. Would she really suddenly wish that she had a book to hand, when she had previously seemed quite dismissive of the habit of reading? And, after her efforts to rearrange the books in her accommodation above the bookshop itself, would she genuinely have that moment of epiphany - there were numerous books available to her without even going down to the shop? And as for pulling a book out at random from a pile of books - well, wouldn't that lead to a major 'bookalanche'? Maybe I'm being too pedantic, but these are issues which pulled me out of the narrative. The story itself is delivered in a simplistic manner, but does touch upon issues such as loneliness and the hazards for relationships of not communicating effectively. I'm so sorry not to have loved a novel in which books play such an important part, but, sadly, overall it's 2.5 stars from me.

Book arrived quickly, well packaged as just as described 😃. Really pleased with purchase would use this seller again.

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.

Beautiful

La couverture du livre et l’impression sont de très bonne qualité L’histoire est originale et captivante Je conseille fortement pour une première lecture en anglais pour les débutants

This was such a relaxing and comforting read. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop has a very calm, reflective atmosphere that makes it perfect for quiet evenings or weekends when you just want to slow down and enjoy a thoughtful story. The writing feels gentle and natural, and the setting of the small Tokyo bookshop is incredibly cozy and immersive. Even though the story is simple on the surface, it explores loneliness, healing, relationships, and personal growth in a very genuine way. The characters feel human and easy to connect with, especially through the small everyday moments that make the novel feel authentic. What I especially enjoyed was how the book captures the feeling of finding comfort through literature and routine. Fans of Japanese translated fiction will probably appreciate the subtle emotional style and slower pacing.

No está mal, si te gustan las historias románticas

Great book! Hard to put down and made me love reading again :)