New Book Alert- Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagasawa (translated by Eric Ozawa) is a charming 150-page book that follows the life of the protagonist, Takako. Takako is a 20-something girl, working in Tokyo, who seems to have her life sorted with a well-paying job and a sweet boyfriend who works in the same office (talk about win-win situations). But of course, life doesn't hand you wins all the time. Soon enough, we find out her boyfriend found someone else to get engaged to and marry, leaving poor Takako heartbroken and miserable.

Unable to face her ex at the office, Takako quits her job and retreats to her lonely room in Tokyo. Days and weeks pass, until she receives an unexpected call from her uncle, Satoru, who runs a second-hand bookshop (Morisaki Bookshop, get it?) in Jimbocho, Japan's literary town. He asks her to come and help him at the bookshop, hoping to get her mind off things. 

As reluctant as Takako is, she soon finds herself at the bookshop. Surrounded by books in a new bookshop in a new city with her uncle, Takako soon gets consumed by the humdrum routine in this new phase in Jimbocho. 

Her life at the bookshop, her relationship with Uncle Satoru, Japanese literary histories, and cute life lessons along the way are what make 'Days at the Morisaki Bookshop' an enjoyable read. And if you just imagine a little, it transports you to Jimbocho, where you can almost smell the musty books and coffee. A mystery entrant in the book's second part is a fun addition. 

It's an easy and light read and may take an hour or so to finish. It renewed my love for reading and, I bet you'll love it too! :)

There's a sequel to this book- More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, if you want to read!