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

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.

Really lovely book. Nothing much happens, and it’s pretty slow—but there’s something about it that keeps you reading. It has this quiet, comforting feel to it.I loved all the characters. Each one felt important in their own way, and they all had a place in the story. By the end, they kind of stayed with me.It’s not a dramatic book, but if you’re in the mood for something gentle and warm, with a bit of heart, this is perfect.

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.

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.

“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!

The prose, observations and characterisations are at mediocre YA level. The subject is indeed cosy. It was OK. I wouldn’t read more from the author though.