In a Nutshell Reviews - Outside the US Edition

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The Cat That Saved Books by Sōsuke Natsukawa
Published by HarperVia on December 7, 2021
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction, Enchanted Realism

Goodreads

The Cat Who Saved Books is a heart-warming story about finding courage, caring for others – and the tremendous power of books.

Grandpa used to say it all the time: 'books have tremendous power'. But what is that power really?

Natsuki Books was a tiny second-hand bookshop on the edge of town. Inside, towering shelves reached the ceiling, every one crammed full of wonderful books. Rintaro Natsuki loved this space that his grandfather had created. He spent many happy hours there, reading whatever he liked. It was the perfect refuge for a boy who tended to be something of a recluse.

After the death of his grandfather, Rintaro is devastated and alone. It seems he will have to close the shop. Then, a talking tabby cat called Tiger appears and asks Rintaro for help. The cat needs a book lover to join him on a mission. This odd couple will go on three magical adventures to save books from people who have imprisoned, mistreated and betrayed them. Finally, there is one last rescue that Rintaro must attempt alone . . .

Sosuke Natsukawa's international bestseller, translated from Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai, is a story for those for whom books are so much more than words on paper.

How could I resist a novel about a cat who saved books! The quest to save books in these different scenarios was an interesting way to offer commentary on certain aspects of publishing and the reading world. I didn't necessarily agree with every part (I don't feel all books have to be "serious"), but compelling arguments were made in a way that caught my attention.

The book stuff was interesting, but I especially delighted in Rintaro's journey. He was grieving the loss of his grandfather while finally realizing that there were people out there who cared about him and his well being. I loved the community/connection aspects of this story, and those were that parts that really touched my heart.

Overall, I enjoyed this quest to save books which also helped a young man deal with his grief. 

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Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
Published by Harper Perennial on December 7, 2010
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction

Goodreads

The moving international sensation about new beginnings, human connection, and the joy of reading.

Hidden in Jimbocho, Tokyo, is a booklover's paradise. On a quiet corner in an old wooden building lies a shop filled with hundreds of second-hand books.

Twenty-five-year-old Takako has never liked reading, although the Morisaki bookshop has been in her family for three generations. It is the pride and joy of her uncle Satoru, who has devoted his life to the bookshop since his wife Momoko left him five years earlier.

When Takako's boyfriend reveals he's marrying someone else, she reluctantly accepts her eccentric uncle's offer to live rent-free in the tiny room above the shop. Hoping to nurse her broken heart in peace, Takako is surprised to encounter new worlds within the stacks of books lining the Morisaki bookshop.

As summer fades to autumn, Satoru and Takako discover they have more in common than they first thought. The Morisaki bookshop has something to teach them both about life, love, and the healing power of books.

After a romantic betrayal that left her in a deep depression, Takako seeks refuge at the Morisaki Bookshop. At first, she wallows in her sadness, but eventually she begins to connect with books and other readers in the community. As a reader, I love that Takako was able to find comfort in books. 

I have a soft spot for books which focus on human connection, and I loved the exploration of how wonderful and powerful it could be. In the second part of the book, Takako finally gets answers as to what happened to her uncle's wife. It was eye-opening for Takako, and I believe this connection and revelation helped her continue to move forward. 

I will say that I found myself more drawn to the first part of the story, but the second part did eventually grow on me, and it was a good reading experience overall. Another great quiet, cozy story that hit the spot. 

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