Rowland Rowlands

Yes, we all wish we could wash our bad experiences away and watch them float off to burn up in the sun.
At first, I thought this was a fantasy story about lost loves, but I was a story about how even one who seems perfect have their dramas and pains.
Okay, I was having some trouble getting into this book, but after setting it aside and coming back to it, I renewed my interest in the complex story, though at times I did have a little trouble keeping track of who was who.

This had a telegraphed character development that I worked out pretty quickly but I have to say it made the whole story arc complete and I can't wait for book 2 to see where the author decided to take us.
My favourite character ended up being one of the minor ones, but I hope Chitose becomes a major character further along.

Try a little tenderness.
Once again, a fantastically constructed story with all the characters interconnected with the Convenience Store and each other. It is based on some of Japan's community spirit, and unfortunately, is missing from the West.

I hope that we will be returning to the store soon.

It was great being back at DallerGut's and I can't wait for another return visit. I think there is more to Penny that is yet to be revealed.

It is an end-of-life series of stories with a slight difference.
The second story was my favourite told with a little bit of humour.

This is an interconnected story about relationships and their many ups and downs. It involves pages from a diary left at a laundromat, but it could also be stories from one of the protagonists (screenwriter).

I hope that we can return to the Bookshop again.
Though the sad loss of Momoko was telegraphed in the last book I still have my worries about Mr Morisaki. Maybe Takoko and Wada#2 can take it over once his book is released and a success because I get the impression that it means as much to Takoko as it does to Satoru.

So the reporter thought they were getting a story but the interviewee was trying to break the reporter. One person's need to be the centre of attention and they feel the world is always against them.
An enjoyable read and the ending was a little unexpected as I thought that there were several diffeent outcomes possible.

I admit this book was not something IOI expected both in the topic and some of the characters.
There were all the things I have come to expect from a Japanese fantasy novel with the angst of characters and their situations and experiences. Still, I was not expecting a full explanation about astrology and its effect on people's lives.
The use of cats was brilliantly done and effectively as the guides through the protagonist's experiences.

As we have known for years gats can be multi-dimensional/ethereal beings that can inhabit many places/times but the way this is all told is completely unusual and well done.

I found this to be refreshingly different and entertaining when compared to my typical translated Japanese reads

As you would expect from Harlan Ellison, all the stories in this anthology are topically current, as well as being thoughtful.

This was another that didn't go how I expected it to, adults stumbling with their interactions with each other, a bit like teenagers fumbling with their first relationship. I think it may be the formality of Japanese society though that at times seems less formal than other country's formalities

It tells the tale of a couple who are visited by a stray kitten that manages to work its way into their everyday life and emotions. It is not a happy ending but there is an occurrence that is pivotal to the story later on.

Gives some insight into the stuff airlines get up to and why they think and can get away with some of the stuff they do.

I have read this twice and love the first couple of chapters completely plus it was great to return to Hachi and Satoru again.
It helped to have a little more of Satoru's backstory.
There was also a supernatural event in one story that was completely perfect in helping progress that story.
Once again it was about human interactions, tragedy, and resolution with the cats being observers.

I want to read more of this author and books in a similar vein.
Modern life with a twist of folklorish protagonists.
What is real, fantasy, or just wishful thinking and hope?

This was only my second Korean novel.
It is not so much a story about a bookshop but more about the lives of employees, visitors, and associates of the owner, one thing I noted throughout the whole book was the formality of the relationships and the societal expectations placed on an individual to conform to their version of the norm. My favourite character was the school student who liked nothing better than watching someone knit at the bookstore, this was a good illustration of the pressures placed on everyone.
It was also an example of coffee culture and education of brewing good coffee.

This was probably my favourite book so far.
It was wonderful to have Kei back in the cafe again dealing with the customers and offering sage advice. The last story of an unrequited love was a great way to end this visit to the cafe but leaving me longing for another visit soon.