Posted on by Pinkii Bakshi

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa (Translated by Eric Ozawa)

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop intrigued me the moment I saw its cover. a beautiful design that any bibliophile would instantly fall in love with. The thought of a cosy bookshop nestled in Jimbocho, Tokyo’s famous book district, felt like a dream. But for Takako, the protagonist, it was far from heaven, at least in the beginning.

The story starts with Takako’s world falling apart. After being betrayed by her boyfriend, she finds herself at a standstill, drowning in heartbreak and apathy. Soon she quits her job where her ex-boyfriend was working. She was lonely and spent her days locked in her room. That’s when her uncle Satoru steps in with an offer to help her work at his second-hand bookstore. Takako was reluctant and disinterested but she accepts it, simply because she has nowhere else to turn.

As she settles into life at the Morisaki Bookshop, something magical begins to happen. The musty scent of old books that she initially hated started luring her, the quiet charm of her uncle whom she discovers little by little, and the quirks of the bookshop’s customers, Takako starts to rediscover herself. Jimbocho, with its quaint cafes and second-hand bookshops, feels like a little slice of heaven.

For me the beauty of this novel lies in its themes of second chances. Second chance not just for Takako, but also for the other characters. The second part of the book explores Satoru and his estranged wife Momoko’s story which I found deeply touching. Their journey is a poignant reminder of love’s endurance and the importance of forgiveness and support.

After her breakup, Takako did not have a proper closure to her relation. Everything was sudden and unexpected. Takako was ruminating on her emotions and that prevented her from moving on. How her uncle helps her confront her feelings and emotions and how she was able to let go off her past is mature and relatable.

What makes Days at the Morisaki Bookshop special? The story is like a warm hug that effortlessly weaves the power of books into the lives of its characters. The shop isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a place of healing, transformation, and connection.

The characters are warm, funny, and teach us that it is never too late to begin again.

If you love stories that are quiet, heartwarming, and brimming with hope, this book is for you. It’s a gentle nudge to slow down, sip some coffee, and find joy in the pages of life, even the second-hand ones.

PS: This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.

PS: This post is part of #ReadingwithMuffy challenge hosted by @kohleyedreads

45 Replies to “Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa (Translated by Eric Ozawa)”

  2. I read this book a while ago and instantly fell in love with its quiet charm. I even recommended it to my followers on Unicorn account! There’s something so comforting about bookstore stories, and Days at the Morisaki Bookshop had that vibe I adore.

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  3. The beautiful cover sells the book instantly , add to it the premise of a book shop (a haven for bookworms) and then your endorsement, do I need any more convincing to order it?

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  4. This post really touched me. I’m drawn to the gentle magic of quiet moments like those at Morisaki Bookshop. This reminds me how books create cozy spaces for connection and calm in our busy lives.

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  5. This beautiful review is my sign to read this book that is one of the many awaiting it’s chance in my tbr list. I have read other reviews of the book but I must say that yours is the most tender and simple review that makes me want to reach out for this book immediately. Thank you for sharing.

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  7. Your review is simple and makes me want to read the book right now.Bookstores will soon become extinct and a few decades later, people reading Days at the Morisaki Bookshop will be wondering how antiquated it sounds.

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  9. This sounds like such a comforting and beautiful read. I love stories where books and bookshops play a healing role. Your review made me want to curl up with Days at the Morisaki Bookshop right away.

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  10. Your insights into the cozy setting and gentle characters really shine but what I really liked is the translation praise for Eric Ozawa, Pinki; something so many of us don’t appreciate in such books

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  11. Your note on the unhurried pacing and cozy atmosphere reminded me of those rare, slow-reading experiences that linger in the mind. It sounds like the kind of book that gently unfolds, leaving you with a sense of calm long after you close it. This book is in my reading list and I am going to get it soon.

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  12. It is always said dont judge a book by its cover but we need to agree that a good cover always attracts you instantly and this book cover holds this quality. I will atleast pick it up in hand for sure and check the content. Coming to your review it seems its a book of my type.

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  17. This book has been appearing on my feed for the last week, and now this book review. I think now it’s a sign that I must read it. Thanks for the review; the cover is indeed beautiful. Does the cat have a role to play in the story?

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  18. I have read a few books set in Japan for the past year and I want to admit that each one of them has a cozy setting and warmth that keeps reader with it forever. Though I am yet to pick this one.

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