More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop - Satoshi Yagisawa

 

Description

In Tokyo, there is a neighbourhood with the highest number of bookstores in the world. It is called Jimbocho where book lovers can browse to their heart's delight and where hunters of first editions or autographed copies prowl the bookcases.

The Morisaki bookshop, a small family-run shop, is so packed with books that barely five people can fit inside. Books crowd the shelves and invade every corner of the floor; when a customer arrives, the owner, Satoru, immediately pops out from behind the counter. Recently, his wife Momoko has joined him, and often, in her free time after work, their niece Takako also helps out.

For the first time, the girl does not feel lonely; she has new friends and new rituals to keep her company: the annual Jimbocho festival, the café around the corner, or an unexpected visitor. Because, as she has discovered, a bookstore is populated not by the characters contained in the books, but also by those who frequent it. And those stories create bonds.
As a sign of gratitude, Takako gives her aunt and uncle a trip, promising to look after the shop while they are away. Everything seems to be going swimmingly, but then why is Satoru behaving so strangely? And what does that woman with the red umbrella want who has appeared at the end of the street? How many other stories, emotions, and treasures does the Morisaki bookshop hold?

Loved by thousands of readers worldwide, More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is a story of hope, friendship and the healing power of books. Will we see you in the bookshop this summer?

Review

This is a sequel to Days at the Morisaki Bookshop. This book can be read as standalone, but you will really get to know the characters better if you read the first book. Also, you will be missing so much of the back story.

Takako is once again the central character in the book. This time she gifts a short break to her Uncle and Aunt and looks after the bookshop whilst they are away. She really relishes the time spent at the bookshop, even sleeping over in her old room. 

Once her Uncle and Aunt return from their trip things seem to be different, and Takako is unsure what is wrong. She also has some worries around her own relationship with Wada. Meanwhile two of her friends are also having a difficult time relating to one another.

The writing is as always magical and so eloquent, but the themes running through the book are a little melancholy at times. Sometimes to the Western mind it seems that it could all be resolved so easily but that is not the way in Japan. Without wishing to spoil the book I won't say anymore about that. 

I really enjoyed reconnecting with the characters, it was like meeting old friends.

I'm giving this book 4 out of 5 stars. My thanks to netgalley for the ARC to review. The book is published on 4 July 2024.