**spoiler alert** This is a very strange book. A lot of the time I felt like there might be something I was missing or a deeper meaning I couldn't see**spoiler alert** This is a very strange book. A lot of the time I felt like there might be something I was missing or a deeper meaning I couldn't see. It seemed a fairly straightforward story to me, without all the explanations when people would speak. Maybe too much "telling" vs "showing".
I didn't really understand how occasionally throwing things for the dog "ruined it's training" or why it ran away. Sad dog :(
Putting stuff you don't want out on the ice so when it Mrs in spring it sinks into the sea is wild.
Mostly I felt sorry for Anna, who seemed like a sweet old lady at the start. I felt bad for her that she realised people she thought were her friends (Sylvia) were not. I felt sorry for her when Katri started forcing things to change and forcing herself into her life, like writing letters for her. I understand that for rich people, money has always been there and has never been something to worry about. So I could see Katri's point of view and why she found this attitude so frustrating. But it was still her choice.
Overall this was a sad story of an older lady being manipulated by a younger woman (who seems almost psychopathic, she doesn't seem to care about anything). I found it hard to get through even though it's not very long....more
This was a lovely, wholesome read about community and importance of books. I loved the friendship between Carl and Schascha, which feels very genuine.This was a lovely, wholesome read about community and importance of books. I loved the friendship between Carl and Schascha, which feels very genuine. Schascha is a very colourful character and is very well written (harder to do with children, I think). There are some beautiful passages here too. The whole cast of characters are fleshed out, with whole personalities and feel lifelike. The cat is also brilliant!
The ending feels a little rushed and a bit too convenient. But loved the rest of the book - read in one sitting....more
This book is a set of five short stories that are interconnected, with each character going to the local library at the Hatori Community House and askThis book is a set of five short stories that are interconnected, with each character going to the local library at the Hatori Community House and asking for a book recommendation. The librarian Sayuri Komachi always seems to know exactly what's on their mind, and suggests a list of books for them - always with one unexpected choice.
I really enjoyed this book. It's utterly charming, incredibly heart-warming and full of hope - I highlighted lots of passages as I was reading! Each story follows a different character, and is a little snapshot into their lives. They all link to each other with little hints and references to other characters we've met.
The main theme in each story is the relationship between work and identity, from a woman who has recently returned from maternity leave and found her position at work has been changed, to a man who has recently retired. Each character is well-rounded and relatable, and there were lots of little reminders throughout that I felt I need to remember myself!
The librarian is an interesting character, and the little felt gifts she makes are super cute! The only downside for me were the ways that she is described in this by each character - this knocked it down one star.
The blurb compares this to Before the Coffee Gets Cold and The Midnight Library and I'd say that they are both fair comparisons. If you are in need of a lite 'self-help' book or a cozy read, this is the book for you....more
This was such a haunting and beautiful book, I adored it. It was brilliantly written, with mounting horror and dread as the story progresses. I loved This was such a haunting and beautiful book, I adored it. It was brilliantly written, with mounting horror and dread as the story progresses. I loved the main character, and her unusual view of the world - she knows nothing else, and so women talking about memories of their past lives mean nothing to her. I just couldn't put it down despite the horror of what these women go through. A beautifully written, heart-breaking story (and only 200 or so pages, so not a very long book). Absolutely a five star read....more
This was a fast read, only because of the horror and seeing what was going to be vanished next. But mostly I would have liked more explanation about tThis was a fast read, only because of the horror and seeing what was going to be vanished next. But mostly I would have liked more explanation about the Memory Police themselves and the rebellion to give the story a little more meaning....more
This book is mostly about death, and grief, and how we deal with that. It's very heart warming and sweet, and definitely made me want to drink lots ofThis book is mostly about death, and grief, and how we deal with that. It's very heart warming and sweet, and definitely made me want to drink lots of coffee. I liked that we had some explanations about the time travel aspect, and that these were a little more linked together than the first book of stories. The relationship map at the start was also a welcome addition....more
This had been on my list for a while as I love the premise. This was a great read with four interesting stories, all intertwined and connected by theiThis had been on my list for a while as I love the premise. This was a great read with four interesting stories, all intertwined and connected by their time in the café and its magical time travel seat. But it felt too short, I wanted more! And perhaps more of an explanation about it, who set the rules, who the girl is. But a good read, which did make me cry a couple of times....more
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