Days at the Morisaki Bookshop: The perfect book to curl up with - for lovers of Japanese translated fiction everywhere

The writing is simple yet deeply touching. There’s no dramatic plot, but that’s exactly the beauty of this book. It celebrates solitude, healing, and the quiet magic of bookstores. Each page feels calm and reflective, making it perfect for anyone going through emotional exhaustion or just craving a peaceful escape.

With simple writing that's easy to follow, ‘Days at the Morisaki Bookshop’ is a story about the connection we form with stories. Be it the written word or the spoken one, we have an intrinsic human tendency to relate to certain stories and cherish them. It is a coming-of-age story. It is a relatively thin book; it does not feel daunting when held. The cover of the book is like an amalgamation of a warm cup of coffee along with a cosy blanket. It beckons to you with a lilting aura. The story is equally warm. The narrative is simple; it follows our lead, Takako, on a realistic journey that begins with heartbreak but ends with a deeper understanding of human nature thanks to her newfound appreciation of books. She has not grown up with an affection for books as most book lovers have. She doesn't even develop the connection immediately when she is thrust into a situation that surrounds her with books. It is only by chance that she discovers the escapist worlds hidden between pages and once she does, she devours books with a fascination & hunger that only book lovers would relate to. Reading the book will bring back fond memories of how you first fell in love with reading. Although having a name that implies that it’s all about books, ‘Days at the Morisaki Bookshop’ has more to offer. It paints a wonderfully accurate picture of the nuances of Japanese culture that make that way of life so affable to everyone. We can only hope that we emulate the values that Takako learns as she comes out of her shell and experiences life around her. The descriptive passages of the neighbourhood of Jimbocho in which the bookshop is located can make you feel like you’re walking amid the Cherry blossoms, savouring the clean, fresh air around you. The story retains only a few well-written main characters. As we read along, it can sometimes be frustrating to understand their actions and reactions to situations. At these junctions, we need to remember that the Japanese are polite, gentle people who are not often vocal about their emotions. In anger, they would normally internalise emotions rather than throw a tantrum. This tends to slow down the narrative & can at times stunt the story. There is no A-HA moment or a defining climax for readers who are looking for excitement. It is a slow burn that engages your thoughts; which is often how reality works. There are some name drops of famous Japanese literature that I was grateful to add to my reading list. It is a welcome diving board into Japanese fiction. The book has won the Chiyoda Literature Prize in 2023. The English translation by Eric Ozawa is crisp and emotive. Yagisawa’s book is comfort food that reminds us to be grounded in reality while at the same time encouraging us to discover ourselves by getting lost in the abundant words (and worlds) found between pages.

This book envelops you like a warm hug on a chilly winter day. It thoughtfully explores themes of relationships, grief, self-discovery, and the beauty of the countryside in Japan, along with its landscapes and people. While the narrative moves quickly, it offers a delightful reading experience, perfect for those days when you crave warmth and comfort.

A beautiful, soothing , calm read that reminds us how books and people around us can change our life little by little...to help us grow a little more....to find our own way of living....it's a slice of life story about healing, learning to appreciate the small joys & discovering once own strength.....💙✨ Just loved it.....

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, is a pleasant and heartwarming read that captures the quiet beauty of everyday life, yet it remains rather simple in its storytelling. The narrative unfolds gently, focusing more on emotions and atmosphere than on dramatic twists or complexity. While I appreciated its comforting tone and the cozy world it creates around the bookshop, I didn’t find it to be an extraordinary or deeply memorable read. It’s one of those stories that you enjoy for the warmth it brings in the moment, like spending an afternoon in a quaint café - but it doesn’t linger long after you finish. Overall, it’s a light, one-time read that offers comfort more than impact.

'Days at the Morisaki Bookshop' is a quiet, tender celebration of second chances, the healing power of books, and the gentle magic that exists in ordinary life. Satoshi Yagisawa takes a simple premise - a young woman, Takako, whose life is shattered after a failed relationship, moves into her eccentric uncle’s tiny second-hand bookshop in Tokyo’s famed Jimbocho area - and turns it into a warm, soothing meditation on rediscovery. The charm of this novel lies not in dramatic twists or grand epiphanies, but in its softness. Yagisawa writes with the light touch of someone who understands that personal transformation often happens slowly, through small kindnesses, everyday rituals, and ofcourse, in the company of books. Takako begins the story numb and directionless, but through her uncle’s quirky presence, the rhythm of the bookshop, and her tentative steps back into social connection, she learns to breathe again. The setting is one of the novel’s greatest pleasures. Jimbocho - a neighborhood full of used-book shops and literary cafes - feels like a character in itself. Author's love for books and bookstores seems to permeate the pages, reminding the reader why these spaces feel sacred to many of us: they hold stories, yet they also hold lives, memories, and possibilities. This is a modest novel - short, uncomplicated, and I think, intentionally low on drama. Some of us may find it too gentle or look for deeper psychological excavation, but to approach it with that expectation is to miss its intent. Like a quiet afternoon spent browsing dusty shelves with sunlight pooling by the window, it asks us to slow down, breathe, and notice the small joys we often rush past. A sweet and hopeful read that leaves you believing in new beginnings -sometimes found in the most unexpected corners, between old paper and the 'hum' of a quiet shop.

Absolutely loved this book, if you are feeling lost and tired, then you can find comfort and motivation in this story, it's cozy and well written

Japanese smaltz but well written and enjoyable. The usual aren't bookshops wonderful and there's a cute coffee shop and a heroine on the spectrum and a person dieing of cancer.

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

Came in good conditions, it’s a short book but very entertaining, all good

O livro é simplesmente maravilhoso, super fluido e reflexivo, muito bom e completamente perfeito

Som förväntad, luktade boklim mycket nice