Author: Albert Camus
Pages:
Geemiz Rating: 4.5/5
This is my first book by Albert Camus. At first, I was hesitant to read it because I thought that, like the works of many literary laureates, it would be difficult to follow. I have started several books by Kafka and Dostoevsky, and I have yet to finish most of them. My determination comes from the desire to push myself by reading genres I am not used to, …
Author: Mai Mochizuki
Translated by: Jesse Kirkwood
Rating: 4/5
For those intrigued by astrology—or even just a bit curious—The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki, translated by Jesse Kirkwood, offers a charming and fresh perspective. The entire story is woven with astrological themes, which play a central role in guiding the characters through their personal challenges.
Although I wouldn’t consider myself an astrology enthusiast, I found the use of astrological insights throughout the …
Author: Michiko Aoyama
Translator: E. Madison Shimoda
Pages: 189 (Hardbound)
Genre: Healing Fiction
Geemiz Rating: 4/5
I have always told myself that this world is huge and small at the same time. I am fascinated by how people are interconnected, and I strongly believe that we are all connected in one way or another. A friend is someone else’s friend who happens to be a cousin of your officemate. A neighbor is the son of …
Author: Claire Heywood
Pages: 322 – Hardcover
Geemiz Rating: 3.7/5
Hi friends, it’s been a year since I last published here. Let me take a deep bow and apologize. I was still reading and even wrote two book review drafts (The Full Moon Cafe and The Lantern of Lost Memories), but I wasn’t able to edit and publish them. They will be scheduled for publication, I promise.
Long-time readers and friends of Geemiz, …
Author: Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Translated by: Geoffrey Trousselot
Pages: 202 – Paperback
Geemiz Rating: 4.5/5
This is the fifth installment of the most loved translated Japanese book series Before the Coffee Gets Cold that brings the warmth and depth that fans of Japanese literature like me love. I am excited to read and immerse myself in various heartwarming stories from the Café Funiculi Funicula customers.
“In life, you bundle up the good and the bad – …
Author: Hiromi Kawakami
Translated by: Ted Goossen
Pages: 121 – Paperback
Geemiz Rating: 2.8/5
I thought this would be another charming Japanese translation read, but it isn’t—though that doesn’t mean I don’t want to continue reading the book. Since I have two hours to spare on my boat ride from Bohol to Cebu, I might as well continue what I started.
This is my first time reading Hiromi Kawakami, so I didn’t know what to …
Author: Hiroko Oyamada
Translated by: David Boyd
Setting: Japan | Rural Japan
Pages: 71 – Paperback
Geemiz Rating: 2/5
The storytelling feels like I am watching a Japanese movie with a sepia tone, and when it ended, I just said, “ Oh! So that’s it?” But, don’t get me wrong, my emotions were stirred at the last part during the interaction between the old lady and the husband because I can relate to the couple.…
Author: Hisashi Kashiwai
Translated by: Jesse Kirkwood
Setting: Tokyo, Japan
Pages: 149 – Paperback
Geemiz Rating: 4/5
It took me a while to read the book because I initially thought it was another typical investigative story. While the investigative genre is my cup of tea, I’m currently trying to diversify my reading. You might ask why I didn’t read the plot summary first—well, I accept your criticism and agree with you on that, hahaha. By …
Is there a movie adaptation of the book Before The Coffee Gets Cold? The answer is YES. There is a movie adaptation of the book Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. The movie is called Café Funiculi Funicula which is the name of the café in the book and the movie is directed by Ayuko Tsukahara.
The movie Café Funiculi Funicula has the same mysterious yet warm café vibes as the book. …
Author: Satoshi Yagisawa
Translated by: Eric Ozawa
Setting: Jimbocho, Tokyo, Japan
Pages: 176 – Paperback
Geemiz Rating: 5/5
I’m at a loss for words because More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is such a great narrative. Maybe I should just tell anyone to read this to go get their copy of the book and read it. And a note to Satoshi Yagisawa: Thank you for writing this story, sir, and I look forward to more …