Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

“I don’t think it really matters whether you know a lot about books or not. That said, I don’t know that much myself. But I think what matters far more with a book is how it affects you.” ― Satoshi Yagisawa, Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

This quote perfectly sums up my love for books! Books are like gateways to alternate realities, quietly waiting for us to step through. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop captures one such world, Jimbocho, a booklover’s paradise. The story is a gentle and heartwarming tale of twenty-five-year-old Takako who is feeling adrift after an abrupt end to her relationship with a boy who runs off to marry another girl. With her life in disarray, she reluctantly agrees to move into her eccentric uncle’s quaint little bookshop, Morisaki Bookshop. Her decision to stay at the bookshop is born out of necessity than a desire to reconnect, but it turns out that it might be the best decision she has ever made.

The shop has been run by the family for the last two to three generations in the charming Jimbocho neighbourhood. The story’s slow and reflective pace captures the comfort that can be found in books and solitude. Takako gradually begins to understand the transformative power of the books and their therapeutic effect. The Morisaki bookshop acts as a place of refuge for young Takako who reconnects with herself and rekindles her love for books as she discovers various Japanese literature (I did not get a lot of literary references mentioned). Her experience at the Morisaki bookshop is something that a lot of book lovers can relate to - books provide a transient escape from the harsh realities of the real world.

Up to this point, the story evokes a warm, cozy feeling as readers accompany Takako on her journey of self-discovery, appreciating Satoru’s simple life amidst books and coffee, and her experience of the close-knit community in Jimbocho. Satoru’s life elicits simplicity and contentment which is a stark contrast to Takako’s initially unstable and chaotic life. The serene setting of the neighbourhood lined with bookshops and a coffee shop also evokes peace as we witness the gradual transformation of Takako. However, as the story progresses in the second half, I was somewhat disconnected with the plot as it veered off towards Satoru (Takako's uncle) and the unexpected return of his wife, Momoko, after five long years. While this plot development was surprising, it distracted me from the compelling hook of the plot, Takako’s personal growth and evolving passion for the books and the bookshop.

This book deals with themes like heartbreak, loss, a sense of belonging, and family, although it doesn't go into any of them deeply. This book is likely to resonate with readers who find joy in the ebb and flow of the everyday experience without diving into intense character studies and dramatic plot twists. The slice-of-life novel moves at a laidback pace allowing readers to step into the balmy atmosphere of the Morisaki bookshop and observe the lives of its characters, without prying into their innermost feelings and emotions.

To be honest, I was actually in a bit of a reading slump when I stumbled upon this book. And guess what caught my eye? The sweet cover illustration! I am glad I picked it up because it turned out to be exactly the kind of cozy and effortless read I needed.