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 …
Author: Michiko Aoyama
Translated to English by Alison Watts
Geemiz Rating: 4/5
One of the many feel-good Japanese fictions that I have been diving into since I started reading Japanese novels way back in 2016 with the book The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama.
Frankly, I miss reading Japanese historical fiction. Even though they are not as comforting and easy to read as the latest Japanese novels that I am into right …
Book Title: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop
Author: Satoshi Yagisawa
Rating: 4.8/5
Reading this book feels like watching a feel-good movie, you keep on smiling most of the time.
“Young people today, they don’t read books anymore. They just play computer games. It’s hopeless. And even if they do read books, it’s just manga or these shallow little stories on their cell phones. Even my son, he’s almost thirty and he still just plays video …
Book: The Samurai’s Garden
Author: Gail Tsukiyama
Personal Rating: 4/5
This is the 2nd time I read The Samurai’s Garden. I read this book way back in February 2017.
…I’m a sucker for historical fiction and The Samurai’s Garden has a different take on what happen during the 1930s when the Japanese invaded China, especially the Nanking Massacre. The story takes place far away from war yet the consequences of war are still apparent.
“You
Book: Sweet Bean Paste
Author: Durian Sukegawa
Personal Rating: 4/5
A heartwarming story of an old lady, a young man, and a middle school girl who found an unfamiliar friendship at a struggling dorayaki (a type of pancake filled with sweet bean paste) store.
…“THAT’S WHY I MADE CONFECTIONERY. I MADE SWEET THINGS FOR ALL THOSE WHO LIVED WITH THE SADNESS OF LOSS. AND THAT’S HOW I WAS ABLE TO LIVE OUT MY LIFE.” –