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コーヒーが冷めないうちに #3
思い出が消えないうちに
シリーズ100万部突破!
映画化もされたベストセラー、待望の最新刊!
伝えなきゃいけない想いと、
どうしても闻きたい言叶がある。
心に闭じ込めた思い出を
もう一度辉かせるために、
不思议な喫茶店で过去に戻る4人の物语――。
???
とある街の、とある喫茶店の
とある座席には不思议な都市伝説があった
その席に座ると、望んだとおりの时间に戻れるという
ただし、そこにはめんどくさい……
非常にめんどくさいルールがあった
1.过去に戻っても、この喫茶店を访れた事のない者には会う事はできない
2.过去に戻って、どんな努力をしても、现実は変わらない
3.过去に戻れる席には先客がいる
その席に座れるのは、その先客が席を立った时だけ
4.过去に戻っても、席を立って移动する事はできない
5.过去に戻れるのは、コーヒーをカップに注いでから、
そのコーヒーが冷めてしまうまでの间だけ
めんどくさいルールはこれだけではない
それにもかかわらず、今日も都市伝説の噂を闻いた客がこの喫茶店を访れる
あなたなら、これだけのルールを闻かされて
それでも过去に戻りたいと思いますか?
この物语は、そんな不思议な喫茶店で起こった、心温まる四つの奇跡
第1话「ばかやろう」が言えなかった娘の话
第2话「幸せか?」と闻けなかった芸人の话
第3话「ごめん」が言えなかった妹の话
第4话「好きだ」と言えなかった青年の话
あの日に戻れたら、あなたは谁に会いに行きますか?
映画化もされたベストセラー、待望の最新刊!
伝えなきゃいけない想いと、
どうしても闻きたい言叶がある。
心に闭じ込めた思い出を
もう一度辉かせるために、
不思议な喫茶店で过去に戻る4人の物语――。
???
とある街の、とある喫茶店の
とある座席には不思议な都市伝説があった
その席に座ると、望んだとおりの时间に戻れるという
ただし、そこにはめんどくさい……
非常にめんどくさいルールがあった
1.过去に戻っても、この喫茶店を访れた事のない者には会う事はできない
2.过去に戻って、どんな努力をしても、现実は変わらない
3.过去に戻れる席には先客がいる
その席に座れるのは、その先客が席を立った时だけ
4.过去に戻っても、席を立って移动する事はできない
5.过去に戻れるのは、コーヒーをカップに注いでから、
そのコーヒーが冷めてしまうまでの间だけ
めんどくさいルールはこれだけではない
それにもかかわらず、今日も都市伝説の噂を闻いた客がこの喫茶店を访れる
あなたなら、これだけのルールを闻かされて
それでも过去に戻りたいと思いますか?
この物语は、そんな不思议な喫茶店で起こった、心温まる四つの奇跡
第1话「ばかやろう」が言えなかった娘の话
第2话「幸せか?」と闻けなかった芸人の话
第3话「ごめん」が言えなかった妹の话
第4话「好きだ」と言えなかった青年の话
あの日に戻れたら、あなたは谁に会いに行きますか?
382 pages, Tankōbon
First published September 1, 2018
4207 people are currently reading
100171 people want to read
About the author
Toshikazu Kawaguchi
15?books6,060?followersToshikazu Kawaguchi (in Japanese: 川口 俊 和) was born in Osaka, Japan, in 1971. He formerly produced, directed and wrote for the theatrical group Sonic Snail. As a playwright, his works include COUPLE, Sunset Song, and Family Time. The novel Before the Coffee Gets Cold is adapted from a 1110 Productions play by Kawaguchi, which won the 10th Suginami Drama Festival grand prize.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,049 reviews
November 16, 2022
at least I have something new to talk about in therapy this week ?
October 15, 2022
if I hear the rules to travel back in time in this bloody cafe once more I?ll lose my shit
February 15, 2023
I have read Toshikazu Kawaguchi's Before the Coffee Gets Cold #1 and Tales from the Café #2.
This time, the stories happened in Café Donna Donna on the hillside of Mount Hakodate, Japan instead of Café Funiculi Funicula in books #1 and #2.
Customers have chances to travel back in time to whenever they wanted in these cafes according to the specified rules and attached to a particular seat. They can travel from the past or from the future too.
The customers must finish their meeting with someone before the coffee gets cold.
I enjoyed reading every story of the customers who came to visit the Café for time travel.
Most of the stories inside the book are very heartwarming and touching.
This time, the stories happened in Café Donna Donna on the hillside of Mount Hakodate, Japan instead of Café Funiculi Funicula in books #1 and #2.
Customers have chances to travel back in time to whenever they wanted in these cafes according to the specified rules and attached to a particular seat. They can travel from the past or from the future too.
The customers must finish their meeting with someone before the coffee gets cold.
I enjoyed reading every story of the customers who came to visit the Café for time travel.
Most of the stories inside the book are very heartwarming and touching.
January 11, 2023
My Rating : 3.5? (Audio Narration 4/5; Book: 3/5)
“People’s true feelings are not in plain sight. The other person might not be thinking anything, but there is a tendency to just assume what the other is feeling without reaching out and asking.”
DA-DING-DONG
Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (translated by Geoffrey Trousselot), Book #3 in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold Series takes us back to a special café where customers can embark on a journey to a different time. However, unlike the first two books of the series which were set in Café Funiculi Funicula in Tokyo, we meet Nagare and Kazu along with her seven-year-old daughter Sachi at Café Donna Donna in Hakodate. Nagare’s mother, Yukari who owns and runs the café is currently traveling, leaving Nagare and Kazu to fill in. The rules of time travel are the same (among which are the fact that nothing can change the present and the time traveler needs to return to the present before the specially brewed coffee served to him/her gets cold) and the time-traveling chair is only available when its occupant (the ghostly figure of an elderly gentleman) temporarily leaves his seat.
“Things that you put off saying until tomorrow are sometimes never said.”
As the narrative progresses, we meet the café staff, regular customers and those who come into the café for an opportunity to travel back/forth in time among whom is a young woman who desires to meet her deceased parents who she lost when she was just an infant, a renowned comedian who wants to share the news of an accomplishment with his deceased wife, a woman who is unable to cope with the loss of her sister and a young man who wants to share his feelings with the woman he loves. We also get to meet, Sachi, Kazu’s seven-year-old daughter whose fascination with the book,“What If the World Were Ending Tomorrow? One Hundred Questions” leads to quite a few interesting conversations.
In simple yet elegant prose, with elements of fantasy and magical realism and an interesting cast of characters, the author touches upon themes of love, loss, grief and moving on. While I did enjoy the characters and their stories and some beautifully penned passages, I felt the narrative to be repetitive (at this point there was no need to repeat the rules of time travel so many times throughout the book) and lacking in depth as compared to the previous installments. The characters, their emotions and their motivations could have been explored further. I also wanted to know more about the occupant of the time travel chair. I’m guessing I’ll have to wait for any future installments to satisfy my curiosity.
Overall, while I did enjoy this book, I didn't find it as emotionally hard-hitting or satisfying as the previous installment, Before the Coffee Gets Cold: Tales from the Café, which remains my favorite among the three books in the series.
I paired my reading with the wonderful audio narration by Kevin Shen which I thoroughly enjoyed. To fully appreciate the stories and the characters, I strongly recommend reading/listening to the books in series order.
“Inside every person is an inherent capability to make it through any kind of difficulty. Everyone has that energy. But sometimes when that energy flows via our anxiety valve, the flow can be restricted. The greater that anxiety, the greater the strength needed to open the valve and release the energy. That strength is empowered by hope. You could say that hope is the power to believe in the future.”
“People’s true feelings are not in plain sight. The other person might not be thinking anything, but there is a tendency to just assume what the other is feeling without reaching out and asking.”
DA-DING-DONG
Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (translated by Geoffrey Trousselot), Book #3 in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold Series takes us back to a special café where customers can embark on a journey to a different time. However, unlike the first two books of the series which were set in Café Funiculi Funicula in Tokyo, we meet Nagare and Kazu along with her seven-year-old daughter Sachi at Café Donna Donna in Hakodate. Nagare’s mother, Yukari who owns and runs the café is currently traveling, leaving Nagare and Kazu to fill in. The rules of time travel are the same (among which are the fact that nothing can change the present and the time traveler needs to return to the present before the specially brewed coffee served to him/her gets cold) and the time-traveling chair is only available when its occupant (the ghostly figure of an elderly gentleman) temporarily leaves his seat.
“Things that you put off saying until tomorrow are sometimes never said.”
As the narrative progresses, we meet the café staff, regular customers and those who come into the café for an opportunity to travel back/forth in time among whom is a young woman who desires to meet her deceased parents who she lost when she was just an infant, a renowned comedian who wants to share the news of an accomplishment with his deceased wife, a woman who is unable to cope with the loss of her sister and a young man who wants to share his feelings with the woman he loves. We also get to meet, Sachi, Kazu’s seven-year-old daughter whose fascination with the book,“What If the World Were Ending Tomorrow? One Hundred Questions” leads to quite a few interesting conversations.
In simple yet elegant prose, with elements of fantasy and magical realism and an interesting cast of characters, the author touches upon themes of love, loss, grief and moving on. While I did enjoy the characters and their stories and some beautifully penned passages, I felt the narrative to be repetitive (at this point there was no need to repeat the rules of time travel so many times throughout the book) and lacking in depth as compared to the previous installments. The characters, their emotions and their motivations could have been explored further. I also wanted to know more about the occupant of the time travel chair. I’m guessing I’ll have to wait for any future installments to satisfy my curiosity.
Overall, while I did enjoy this book, I didn't find it as emotionally hard-hitting or satisfying as the previous installment, Before the Coffee Gets Cold: Tales from the Café, which remains my favorite among the three books in the series.
I paired my reading with the wonderful audio narration by Kevin Shen which I thoroughly enjoyed. To fully appreciate the stories and the characters, I strongly recommend reading/listening to the books in series order.
“Inside every person is an inherent capability to make it through any kind of difficulty. Everyone has that energy. But sometimes when that energy flows via our anxiety valve, the flow can be restricted. The greater that anxiety, the greater the strength needed to open the valve and release the energy. That strength is empowered by hope. You could say that hope is the power to believe in the future.”
August 20, 2022
The weakest in the series. Many of the people that we meet share a very similar story as to why they wish to go into the past, to the point where they didn’t feel very distinct. I would’ve liked to have learnt more about the ghost’s story, which was a missed opportunity.
The theme of death is very clear and present, but rather one dimensional. I enjoyed being back in the cafe though (albeit a new one) and Kawaguchi’s philosophical musings.
The theme of death is very clear and present, but rather one dimensional. I enjoyed being back in the cafe though (albeit a new one) and Kawaguchi’s philosophical musings.
November 17, 2022
Another sweet addition to the series featuring two cafes in Japan where a person can visit the past or the future to talk to someone for just the time it takes until their cup of coffee gets cold, then they must return to the present. They cannot change the present with this trip, but the various people who choose to undertake the journey are themselves changed.
There are parts of the book that are a bit repetitive (the repetition of the rules multiple times) but overall I always come out of my reading of these novels feeling uplifted and satisfied. These aren't deep books, they are short and to the point, so they don't reach me as fully as they could as a more in-depth character study would.
I do enjoy my visits and I like listening to the audiobook versions of these stories because I can absorb the story better without tripping over names and locations.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
There are parts of the book that are a bit repetitive (the repetition of the rules multiple times) but overall I always come out of my reading of these novels feeling uplifted and satisfied. These aren't deep books, they are short and to the point, so they don't reach me as fully as they could as a more in-depth character study would.
I do enjoy my visits and I like listening to the audiobook versions of these stories because I can absorb the story better without tripping over names and locations.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
October 10, 2020
It’s not common that the third in a series could still be this good. This time, the four time traveling stories involve major characters in the coffee shop branched in Hokkaido. The stories are heart warming and inspiring; they also make you think more about how to treasure your lovers, parents, siblings, the present you live in, and hope for future.
October 9, 2022
I didn’t even know there was a third book in this until I chanced on it at my favorite bookstore. Sadly, the series is getting a bit repetitive. There were too many characters, and the stories weren’t as poignant as in the earlier books. The writing appeared a bit hasty, maybe the translation. And overall, it didn’t really hit the right notes.
Can be an easy, breezy read on a nice day.
Can be an easy, breezy read on a nice day.
December 6, 2022
Idk why I still read it knowing by the end of it I'll be crying, here I am bawling my eyes over chicken soup
December 6, 2022
Ok why did this book feel like an episode of House? All these rare diseases and people only having a month to live.
May 5, 2024
"?? ?? ??? ???????? ??? ???? ?? ? ????? ??? ???????????, ???? ????? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ???????. ??? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ?? ????. ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ???? ?? ?????????."
this is by far my favourite in this series, the ending broke my heart?
???-???? ? ? ?? ?
moi is going to try coffee with this book (with extra milk and a questionable amount of sugar)
I'm still so confused about the cat tho, every book in this series has a cat on every edition of it but so far there was no cat in the books, i need explanations!!
this is by far my favourite in this series, the ending broke my heart?
???-???? ? ? ?? ?
moi is going to try coffee with this book (with extra milk and a questionable amount of sugar)
I'm still so confused about the cat tho, every book in this series has a cat on every edition of it but so far there was no cat in the books, i need explanations!!
December 8, 2022
I thought this was the last one it the series but it looks like there is a forth. I really liked this book, similar to the rest and not much set part each book. But while its emotional its cozy like sitting in your favorite cafe place and having coffee and having a time to your thoughts
January 12, 2022
? un'antologia di storie gradevoli, ma tutto sommato non era necessario dopo aver letto i primi due libri della trilogia.
Ho avuto inoltre un senso di fatica, troppi dettagli, troppe descrizioni, troppo saltare di palo in frasca in storie tutto sommato troppo simili e fra di loro e con le precedenti.
Last, quei nomi troppo simili o troppo strani: Sachi e Saki, Kazu, Nagare, Yukari, Reiji... mi perdevo i pezzi di trama, senza perdere il filo, tanto di fatto il libro è sintetizzabile così: chi torna dal futuro è morto e vuole incoraggiare chi resta, chi viaggia nel passato rivede un morto per risolvere qualche questione sospesa e magicamente ritrova lo slancio e il senso della vita.
Eh no, mi sono stancata!
Ho avuto inoltre un senso di fatica, troppi dettagli, troppe descrizioni, troppo saltare di palo in frasca in storie tutto sommato troppo simili e fra di loro e con le precedenti.
Last, quei nomi troppo simili o troppo strani: Sachi e Saki, Kazu, Nagare, Yukari, Reiji... mi perdevo i pezzi di trama, senza perdere il filo, tanto di fatto il libro è sintetizzabile così: chi torna dal futuro è morto e vuole incoraggiare chi resta, chi viaggia nel passato rivede un morto per risolvere qualche questione sospesa e magicamente ritrova lo slancio e il senso della vita.
Eh no, mi sono stancata!
September 22, 2022
I like the premise and some of the messages around grief in this, but:
1) How fucking high is the death rate in this small circle of people?!
2) I dont really understand why the book repeats itself so much - it’s like bingeing a TV series that’s forcing you to watch the ‘last time on…’ every episode.
3) the writing was a bit clunky but I’m not sure if that’s a translation issue?
I heard good things about this series but maybe the hype made me more disappointed… the hardback cover is gorgeous tho
1) How fucking high is the death rate in this small circle of people?!
2) I dont really understand why the book repeats itself so much - it’s like bingeing a TV series that’s forcing you to watch the ‘last time on…’ every episode.
3) the writing was a bit clunky but I’m not sure if that’s a translation issue?
I heard good things about this series but maybe the hype made me more disappointed… the hardback cover is gorgeous tho
November 6, 2023
reading vlog:
December 8, 2023
To jest jednak totalny comfort read.
Zastanawia mnie tylko dzia?anie tego ?przenoszenia w czasie” — czy tylko ja zauwa?y?am, ?e niby ?nie mo?na wp?ywa? na przesz?o?? i przysz?o??”, a jednocze?nie pojawiaj?ce si? postaci wp?ywaj? na przysz?o?? ludzi, z którymi si? spotykaj?? Np. Chora siostra przybywa z przesz?o?ci i pociesza swoj? siostr?, a ta zmienia swoje ?ycie. No co? mi tu nie gra ? a mo?e ja nie rozumiem? Prosz?, niech mi kto? wyja?ni.
Zastanawia mnie tylko dzia?anie tego ?przenoszenia w czasie” — czy tylko ja zauwa?y?am, ?e niby ?nie mo?na wp?ywa? na przesz?o?? i przysz?o??”, a jednocze?nie pojawiaj?ce si? postaci wp?ywaj? na przysz?o?? ludzi, z którymi si? spotykaj?? Np. Chora siostra przybywa z przesz?o?ci i pociesza swoj? siostr?, a ta zmienia swoje ?ycie. No co? mi tu nie gra ? a mo?e ja nie rozumiem? Prosz?, niech mi kto? wyja?ni.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2023
I find this series to be so endearing and heartwarming. Even though the time travel premise is the same in every “chapter”, each story feels fresh and unique while still moving the overall storyline of the main characters forward.
Before Your Memory Fades caught me by surprise as it takes place in a different city and cafe, but when explained it absolutely made sense. Absolutely loved the new characters and location.
I found the story about a daughter traveling back to confront her parents both heartbreaking and moving.
The story of Todoroki and Hayashida of the comedy duo PORON DORON was one of my favorites and I especially liked how it connected to one of the cafe workers.
The story about two sisters impacted me the most. Having lost my aunt, I saw the grief of losing a sister through my mother’s and her surviving sister’s eyes. The author does a beautiful job capturing the bond of sisters and the grief of losing one.
There is a lighter, but somewhat serious, note woven throughout all of the stories which was young Sachi posing questions to costumers from her book “What If the World Were Ending Tomorrow? One Hundred Questions.” It was entertaining throughout the novel, but most moving in the last story.
There is SO much I love about this installment. If you don’t want to go back to the start of the series, Before Your Memory Fades would be a good place to start.
Before Your Memory Fades caught me by surprise as it takes place in a different city and cafe, but when explained it absolutely made sense. Absolutely loved the new characters and location.
I found the story about a daughter traveling back to confront her parents both heartbreaking and moving.
The story of Todoroki and Hayashida of the comedy duo PORON DORON was one of my favorites and I especially liked how it connected to one of the cafe workers.
The story about two sisters impacted me the most. Having lost my aunt, I saw the grief of losing a sister through my mother’s and her surviving sister’s eyes. The author does a beautiful job capturing the bond of sisters and the grief of losing one.
There is a lighter, but somewhat serious, note woven throughout all of the stories which was young Sachi posing questions to costumers from her book “What If the World Were Ending Tomorrow? One Hundred Questions.” It was entertaining throughout the novel, but most moving in the last story.
There is SO much I love about this installment. If you don’t want to go back to the start of the series, Before Your Memory Fades would be a good place to start.
November 22, 2022
Having loved the first two I am incredibly disappointed in this one. Maybe it has become a bit too repetitive, maybe all the stories were a little too similar this time - or maybe it was just translated differently. I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't like this one at all. I appear to be in a small number of people who didn't like this one so try it yourself if you have read the others and see how you get on.
December 1, 2023
A? si? wzruszy?am na zakończeniu. Ta seria daje mi du?o komfortu.
April 16, 2025
The series continues to be cute and to charm me with the subtlety of Japanese culture. Not sure anyone who hasn’t lived there would recognize the little things that make up the heart of the culture. I miss Japan. This series helps bridge that gap. Only one left!
September 29, 2022
Another visit to this coffee shop series! In this 3rd instalment, both Nagare and Kazu went to Café Donna Donna (originally owned by Nagare’s mom, Yukari) located in Hakodate to replace Yukari for a while as she had gone to America. Having the same set of rules, this café too has a seat for customers to travel back in time just like in Café Funiculi Funicula.
The plot was fragmented into 4 episodic tales with each reflected the same slice-of-life theme like the previous instalments; an affecting journey on resentment, loneliness, loss love, grief and late confession. Bit glimpse at the beginning on Kei transporting to the future to meet Miki in Café Funiculi Funicula; a narrative that was brought forward from the last story in Book 1 before Kei passed away. All 4 stories appeared to share a very similar heartrending nuance to me yet I love how each was so pleasantly written. Perhaps because one of the regulars in this café was Saki the psychiatrist, the plot highlighted bits on psychological concerns as well; of depression and trauma, suicidal ideation, hallucinations, anxiety issues and mental breakdown.
Still in love with Kazu’s personality and what a twist to know that she has a daughter now who inherited her magical touch of serving the cup of coffee. I don’t fancy Reiji’s character that much but the last story of him and Nanako really gets my heart broken a bit. Light and delightful ways of writing despite how the author still having that same writing habit like before; to repetitively info dumping stuff he already mentioned in each story. Bit hopeful too for the old gentleman ghost as I thought one of the story would be about him but none yet; was wondering as well whether he was the same ghost from Café Funiculi Funicula or a different one(?) but I guess I need to wait the translated Book 4 to read his closure, maybe?
Still enjoyed the read nevertheless. A great pick if you want an easy to grasp, and relatable plot; one that will be giving you a reality check on life. Would highly suggest to go for the previous books from the series first before you delve into this— you surely need to know how it was all started aighttt! 4 stars to this!
ps: still wondering about the cat on the cover(s)
Thank you Pansing Distribution for sending me a copy to review! ?
The plot was fragmented into 4 episodic tales with each reflected the same slice-of-life theme like the previous instalments; an affecting journey on resentment, loneliness, loss love, grief and late confession. Bit glimpse at the beginning on Kei transporting to the future to meet Miki in Café Funiculi Funicula; a narrative that was brought forward from the last story in Book 1 before Kei passed away. All 4 stories appeared to share a very similar heartrending nuance to me yet I love how each was so pleasantly written. Perhaps because one of the regulars in this café was Saki the psychiatrist, the plot highlighted bits on psychological concerns as well; of depression and trauma, suicidal ideation, hallucinations, anxiety issues and mental breakdown.
Still in love with Kazu’s personality and what a twist to know that she has a daughter now who inherited her magical touch of serving the cup of coffee. I don’t fancy Reiji’s character that much but the last story of him and Nanako really gets my heart broken a bit. Light and delightful ways of writing despite how the author still having that same writing habit like before; to repetitively info dumping stuff he already mentioned in each story. Bit hopeful too for the old gentleman ghost as I thought one of the story would be about him but none yet; was wondering as well whether he was the same ghost from Café Funiculi Funicula or a different one(?) but I guess I need to wait the translated Book 4 to read his closure, maybe?
Still enjoyed the read nevertheless. A great pick if you want an easy to grasp, and relatable plot; one that will be giving you a reality check on life. Would highly suggest to go for the previous books from the series first before you delve into this— you surely need to know how it was all started aighttt! 4 stars to this!
ps: still wondering about the cat on the cover(s)
Thank you Pansing Distribution for sending me a copy to review! ?
July 26, 2023
"The entire café interior was tinted orange by the sun setting in the sky, which created the mood of a faraway land, making it look like taking you back in time is possible."
It was great to learn more about travelling in time , and what it means to live an everyday life that is wisdom and magic!
"The Daughter", the first story was my favourite (5 stars), an interesting twist to how
The wonderful experience of a heartwarming book, in my case it was one story at a time, I didn't want to mix them up.
Even though I liked this book the least out of the three I have read so far, it made me feel emotional and I enjoyed it :)
"People's true feelings are not in plain sight."
These two quotes reaffirmed my thinking that our heart is the eyes of the soul, and if we truly want to know the person, we should never disregard this ability of another way to see.
A special big thanks to Irina for recommending the first book in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, that has become a new favourite, extending the frontiers of time-travel and making us more human!
I'm glad I met new people in here and hope to learn more about them in the next book, can't wait for yet another installment coming up! :)
Dreamworlds by Lily (Sugarmints Artwork)
It was great to learn more about travelling in time , and what it means to live an everyday life that is wisdom and magic!
"The Daughter", the first story was my favourite (5 stars), an interesting twist to how
The wonderful experience of a heartwarming book, in my case it was one story at a time, I didn't want to mix them up.
Even though I liked this book the least out of the three I have read so far, it made me feel emotional and I enjoyed it :)
"People's true feelings are not in plain sight."
These two quotes reaffirmed my thinking that our heart is the eyes of the soul, and if we truly want to know the person, we should never disregard this ability of another way to see.
A special big thanks to Irina for recommending the first book in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, that has become a new favourite, extending the frontiers of time-travel and making us more human!
I'm glad I met new people in here and hope to learn more about them in the next book, can't wait for yet another installment coming up! :)
Dreamworlds by Lily (Sugarmints Artwork)
December 9, 2023
More interesting than the second book of the series, but still very much the same story with identical themes and storylines.
The writing is also a little awkward, so maybe a lot got lost in translation.
The writing is also a little awkward, so maybe a lot got lost in translation.
January 23, 2022
Toshikazu Kawaguchi credo che tu abbia finito le idee per questa saga, ti consiglio di lasciare perdere
April 28, 2025
I really loved the stories in this one.
February 11, 2023
"Indecisiveness is self-destructive."
This was actually better than I expected considering that many people were saying that this was the weaker book out of this series. The characters are still really loveable, each part is paced really well, creating an attachment to each person going back through time, whilst still not feeling slow at all. Each give a moral, and talk about life in such a beautiful, it made me tear up a little.
"Surviving alone is much the same as dying alone."
The author has a way of talking about the human condition that I just found so enthralling. His beautiful yet simple prose offer a moral on life at each part of the book, in a poetic and breathtaking way. I absolutely love this man's writing and I am so excited for the 4th book !
"Things that you put off saying until tomorrow are sometimes never said."
I would say that this series is a great starting point if you want to start reading Japanese literature. It is both beautiful and easy to read, has amazing prose and sentence structure whilst still being simple to comprehend. It is a beautiful book, and an even more beautiful series, which I thoroughly enjoyed and I am sad I have to let it go, at least for now.
"When you give a gift to someone who is striving to achieve their dreams, you have to give them the most cherished thing you have. Some days that person who is chasing their dreams will not be able to find the strength to keep going. When that happens the person gifted with the most precious thing will be able to fight on a little more. I want you to fight for your dreams."
Whilst this book is quite a quick read, only being 200~ pages long, I found the vibes immaculate. The way the author describes the cafe is simply mesmerising and it almost feels like you are there, sitting at a table, witnessing the story unravel. I also absolutely loved every single character, unlike Tales from the Cafe, which was a little bit more difficult in terms of my liking towards a specific character. I loved how he built his characters, so that each were distinctive, even just by how they spoke or how they were described.
"People's true feelings are not in plain sight. The other person might not be thinking anything, but there is a tendancy to just assume what the other is feeling without reaching out and asking."
This was actually better than I expected considering that many people were saying that this was the weaker book out of this series. The characters are still really loveable, each part is paced really well, creating an attachment to each person going back through time, whilst still not feeling slow at all. Each give a moral, and talk about life in such a beautiful, it made me tear up a little.
"Surviving alone is much the same as dying alone."
The author has a way of talking about the human condition that I just found so enthralling. His beautiful yet simple prose offer a moral on life at each part of the book, in a poetic and breathtaking way. I absolutely love this man's writing and I am so excited for the 4th book !
"Things that you put off saying until tomorrow are sometimes never said."
I would say that this series is a great starting point if you want to start reading Japanese literature. It is both beautiful and easy to read, has amazing prose and sentence structure whilst still being simple to comprehend. It is a beautiful book, and an even more beautiful series, which I thoroughly enjoyed and I am sad I have to let it go, at least for now.
"When you give a gift to someone who is striving to achieve their dreams, you have to give them the most cherished thing you have. Some days that person who is chasing their dreams will not be able to find the strength to keep going. When that happens the person gifted with the most precious thing will be able to fight on a little more. I want you to fight for your dreams."
Whilst this book is quite a quick read, only being 200~ pages long, I found the vibes immaculate. The way the author describes the cafe is simply mesmerising and it almost feels like you are there, sitting at a table, witnessing the story unravel. I also absolutely loved every single character, unlike Tales from the Cafe, which was a little bit more difficult in terms of my liking towards a specific character. I loved how he built his characters, so that each were distinctive, even just by how they spoke or how they were described.
"People's true feelings are not in plain sight. The other person might not be thinking anything, but there is a tendancy to just assume what the other is feeling without reaching out and asking."
February 27, 2023
Niestety ten ?wiat zupe?nie nie jest dla mnie. Pomys? genialny, ale prostacka wr?cz bezpo?rednio?? opisów emocji sprawia, ?e czytaj?c te ksi??ki, czuj? si? jak nastolatka na lekcji wychowawczej ?
October 30, 2023
“Even if I am dead, I want you to live with a smile on your face”
The first two books takes place in Café Funiculi Funicula in Tokyo, whereas in this book, the stories are in Café Donna Donna on the hillside of mount Hakodate. We meet some characters we already know, Nagare and Kazu, along with Kazu's seven year old daughter Sachi. Nagare's mother, Yukari, who owns the café is travelling, so the the café is run by Nagare and Kazu in her absence. The rules of the café are the same, 1) nothing can change the past or the present, 2) customers need to drink the coffee before it gets cold, and it's only possible to use the time-travelling chair when it's occupant - here an elderly ghost gentleman - leaves his seat.
Customers have once again the oppurtunity to time-travel, both from the past two the future, and from the future to the past. As with the other two books, there are short stories where we meet characters who want to time-travel for various reasons. The writing is simple with it's magical realism element.
Kawaguchi once again touches upon themes as love, loss, grief, and finding joy again after loss. The stories will definitely touch your heart. I liked the interactions between the characters, and their stories.
There were some repititivness in the story, and I would've liked to dive a bit deeper into some of the characters' emotions. And I really wanted to hear more about the ghost's story - I hope it comes in the fourth installment, which I've just found out has been released but not translated to english.
“Things that you put off saying until tomorrow are sometimes never said”
I love the themes in these books. It shows value of family, friendship and life. And I find it beautiful to explore those themes. Most of the stories were quite heartwarming and touching.
Overall it was a sweet little book, filled with emotions and life lessons. Although the style is the same of all three books, I enjoy them, and especially like listening to the audiobooks.
The first two books takes place in Café Funiculi Funicula in Tokyo, whereas in this book, the stories are in Café Donna Donna on the hillside of mount Hakodate. We meet some characters we already know, Nagare and Kazu, along with Kazu's seven year old daughter Sachi. Nagare's mother, Yukari, who owns the café is travelling, so the the café is run by Nagare and Kazu in her absence. The rules of the café are the same, 1) nothing can change the past or the present, 2) customers need to drink the coffee before it gets cold, and it's only possible to use the time-travelling chair when it's occupant - here an elderly ghost gentleman - leaves his seat.
Customers have once again the oppurtunity to time-travel, both from the past two the future, and from the future to the past. As with the other two books, there are short stories where we meet characters who want to time-travel for various reasons. The writing is simple with it's magical realism element.
Kawaguchi once again touches upon themes as love, loss, grief, and finding joy again after loss. The stories will definitely touch your heart. I liked the interactions between the characters, and their stories.
There were some repititivness in the story, and I would've liked to dive a bit deeper into some of the characters' emotions. And I really wanted to hear more about the ghost's story - I hope it comes in the fourth installment, which I've just found out has been released but not translated to english.
“Things that you put off saying until tomorrow are sometimes never said”
I love the themes in these books. It shows value of family, friendship and life. And I find it beautiful to explore those themes. Most of the stories were quite heartwarming and touching.
Overall it was a sweet little book, filled with emotions and life lessons. Although the style is the same of all three books, I enjoy them, and especially like listening to the audiobooks.
February 8, 2024
5/5 ?
5/5 ????
3/5 ?
0/5 ??
0/5 ?
1/5 ?A
4/5 ?T
????TRIGGERS:????
Terminal Illness
Death
???BOOK BLURB:???
The third novel in the international bestselling Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, following four new customers in a cafe where customers can travel back in time.
On the hillside of Mount Hakodate in northern Japan, Cafe Donna Donna is fabled for its dazzling views of Hakodate port. But that’s not all. Like the charming Tokyo cafe Funiculi Funicula, Cafe Donna Donna offers its customers the extraordinary experience of travelling through time.
From the author of Before the Coffee Gets Cold and Tales from the Cafe comes another story of four new customers, each of whom is hoping to take advantage of the cafe's time-travelling offer. Among some familiar faces from Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s previous novels, readers will also be introduced to:
A daughter who begrudges her deceased parents for leaving her orphaned
A comedian who aches for his beloved and their shared dreams
A younger sister whose grief has become all-consuming
A young man who realizes his love for his childhood friend too late
Translated from Japanese by Geoffrey Trousselot and featuring signature heart-warming characters and wistful storytelling, in Before Your Memory Fades, Kawaguchi once again invites the reader to ask themselves: what would you change if you could travel back in time?
Meet more wonderful characters in the next captivating novel in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, Before We Say Goodbye!
Read the rest of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series:
Before the Coffee Gets Cold
Tales from the Cafe
???MY THOUGHTS:???
Not gonna lie, this one hit hard and had me sobbing! This book like the previous 2 is beautifully written and very poignant.
These books are emotionally hard read’s especially if you’ve ever lost a loved one.
RATING KEY:
? Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
???? Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
? Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
?? Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
? Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
? Scared/Anxious - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
? Comedy/Tragedy based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
5/5 ????
3/5 ?
0/5 ??
0/5 ?
1/5 ?A
4/5 ?T
????TRIGGERS:????
Terminal Illness
Death
???BOOK BLURB:???
The third novel in the international bestselling Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, following four new customers in a cafe where customers can travel back in time.
On the hillside of Mount Hakodate in northern Japan, Cafe Donna Donna is fabled for its dazzling views of Hakodate port. But that’s not all. Like the charming Tokyo cafe Funiculi Funicula, Cafe Donna Donna offers its customers the extraordinary experience of travelling through time.
From the author of Before the Coffee Gets Cold and Tales from the Cafe comes another story of four new customers, each of whom is hoping to take advantage of the cafe's time-travelling offer. Among some familiar faces from Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s previous novels, readers will also be introduced to:
A daughter who begrudges her deceased parents for leaving her orphaned
A comedian who aches for his beloved and their shared dreams
A younger sister whose grief has become all-consuming
A young man who realizes his love for his childhood friend too late
Translated from Japanese by Geoffrey Trousselot and featuring signature heart-warming characters and wistful storytelling, in Before Your Memory Fades, Kawaguchi once again invites the reader to ask themselves: what would you change if you could travel back in time?
Meet more wonderful characters in the next captivating novel in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, Before We Say Goodbye!
Read the rest of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series:
Before the Coffee Gets Cold
Tales from the Cafe
???MY THOUGHTS:???
Not gonna lie, this one hit hard and had me sobbing! This book like the previous 2 is beautifully written and very poignant.
These books are emotionally hard read’s especially if you’ve ever lost a loved one.
RATING KEY:
? Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
???? Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
? Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
?? Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
? Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
? Scared/Anxious - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
? Comedy/Tragedy based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
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