What a joy it would be to walk down the street where every single shop is a cozy bookstore! One of the bookshops on that street is the Morisaki Bookshop, and that's where the story begins...

The translation from Japanese was excellent! The translator in me loved the style and seamless flow of the narrative. Gentleness and courtesy present in the Japanese culture were apparent in the book and created that special atmosphere. Takako and her uncle Satoru Morisaki are the central characters in both books. I really enjoyed following their story, watching them reconnect after many years apart and and become each other's close family.

The story of course revolves around books, bookstores and booklovers. It's a perfect cozy read that any bookworm would appreciate. On a more serious note, the book touches on the topics of depression, females' place in a traditional Japanese society and standing up for what's right. Each of the two books has its own share of joy and sorrow, and the novels beautifully complement each other.

I would recommend reading this duology in order since book two picks up where the story left off in book one. These reads are perfect for book lovers and those who enjoy books about other cultures. Both are quick short reads and will warm your heart.

This book and series are so comforting... even though it's not my typical type of book (slow and character focused) I did enjoy it for what it is and that it forced me to slow down a little bit and enjoy the pace of life of these characters. I think if you connected with the emotional elements of the first book, you'll enjoy this one because it definitely continues on with the same tone and storyline. Now that I'm invested two books into this series, I do think I'd continue on with any future books that get published just to check in with where these characters all end up!

More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is the second episodic slice-of-life novel set in and around the titular bookstore and the people who love it, written by Satoshi Yagisawa and translated by Eric Ozawa. Released 2nd July 2024 by HarperCollins on their Harper Perennial imprint, it's 176 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is such a warm and whimsical story, entirely character driven. It meanders, often touchingly, through the daily lives, dreams and hopes of the characters and their interactions with one another. It's indelibly Japanese in its sensibilities, culture, and grammar. It does read as though it's literature in translation (in this case that's not a bad thing). The translation work is competent and seems true to the original text.

The book is full of references to other works of Japanese literature. This would be a treasure trove for lovers of literature in translation, although many (most?) are likely unavailable in English translation. It's still nice to look them up for more depth and background.

Four stars. It's a delightful very short read. Quite a lot of story, without a lot of conflict or action. A relaxing and delightful experience. This would make a great choice for public or school library acquisition, book club discussion, or home library.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

I was so surprised by the first book in this series - it was just so lovely [ and unexpected] and a book I didn't know I needed [it taught unexpected lessons that still resonate with me], so I was really happy to see another book by this author was available and was quick to request it.

Ahhhhh...such a calm, gentle, read. Even though there is more conflict [and some instances of what we would consider serious passive-aggresiveness, but is seemingly normal in Japan - I did have trouble with that at some points] in this one, along with some deep, deep, sadness, this was still a very calm, comforting read [sometimes there is comfort in sadness; learning how others deal with grief is always beneficial IMO]. I so enjoyed with Takako, Satoru and Momoko [her uncle and aunt], and all the interesting side characters that weave their way throughout the book and it left me both happy and wanting more. Much more. ;-)

Such a great way to spend a hot summer day!

Thank you to NetGalley, Satoshi Yagisawa, Eric Ozawa - Translator, and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"In this charming and emotionally resonant follow up to the internationally bestselling Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, Satoshi Yagisawa paints a poignant and thoughtful portrait of life, love, and how much books and bookstores mean to the people who love them.

Set again in the beloved Japanese bookshop and nearby coffee shop in the Jimbochi neighborhood of Toyko, More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop deepens the relationship between Takako, her uncle Satoru, and the people in their lives. A new cast of heartwarming regulars have appeared in the shop, including an old man who wears the same ragged mouse-colored sweater and another who collects books solely for the official stamps with the author's personal seal.

Satoshi Yagisawa illuminates the everyday relationships between people that are forged and grown through a shared love of books. Characters leave and return, fall in and out of love, and some eventually die. As time passes, Satoru, with Takako's help, must choose whether to keep the bookshop open or shutter its doors forever. Making the decision will take uncle and niece on an emotional journey back to their family's roots and remind them again what a bookstore can mean to an individual, a neighborhood, and a whole culture."

Damn, I love bookstores.

Lovely to catch up with Takako, Satoru and Momoko and the patrons of the Morisaki Bookshop. The shop
contains so many cherished memories that keep one going when times get tough.. Relationships change, life goes.
and the Morisaki Bookshop is open for business.
#MoreDaysattheMorisakiBookshop #HarperPerennial #Netgalley

This story was heartfelt, gentle, and so immersive. If you enjoyed the first book, be prepared for this to start a little slower, but definitely touch your heart!

✨ Happy Pub Week to More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa, Translated by Eric Ozawa! ✨

This series holds such a special place in my heart. Not only is it wonderfully written, it is a heartfelt love letter to books and bookstores. It explores how even when the world feels like it is falling apart, books and the stories they hold remain as an anchor. More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is a beautiful story of love, loss, family, grief, community and the comfort books hold to those who love them. This series is an absolute must read for all book lovers! 📚

Thank you so much Harper Perennial for sending me an advanced copy!

I certainly enjoyed the first book from this author so I was excited to dive into this one and revisit the Morisaki Bookshop. But I didn't enjoy this one as much at all. It seemed to be full of words that added nothing to the story line. The writing is all over the place and I'm not sure if that is the original Japanese or due to translation. And as translations go, this one seems much too literal, as if the translator didn't take the time to really translate the meaning instead of just the words. I found it to be a very awkward read, but where the fault lies, I am not sure. The story just does not resonate like the first volume did. Your mileage may differ... I hope so.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I wish I'd liked it better than I did.

I could not wait to get back to Tokyo’s Jimbocho neighborhood and the Morisaki Bookshop and all the quirky characters. At the start of the book Takako's uncle and aunt have gotten back together after many years of being apart. Takako is working in a design studio and has a boyfriend though it seems like she is more into him, than he is to her. The bookshop is still open and her uncle is still devoted to it. Takako still visits the shop and reminisces about her time living above it. Familiar customers come to visit the shop and the coziness of the first book is still evident. The story takes a turn and some challenges arise, but Takako works hard to help her uncle overcome them.
There is just something so sweet about these books and the characters are so endearing. I really enjoyed my time at the Morisaki Bookshop again.

More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is the sequel to Days at the Morisaki Bookshop.
 
“The way they shaped their feelings made them last. All artists are incredible.”
 
Takako remembers how her life has changed in these three years since coming to Jimbocho. She slowly started loving the place and now during her off days she visits Jimbocho. Everyone's life was going perfectly until Takako arranged a trip for Momoko and Satoru. I don’t want to give spoilers.
 
In the first book, you might have felt in the second half that the sudden appearance of Momoko felt unnecessary. But I thought there might be some reason to bring the person back. In the second book, it was perfect to give an answer for returning. I never thought that I would cry in the second book. It was a mix of love, happiness, sorrow, and family bonding.
 
The translation was so perfect that I could delve into the story easily. It was such a cozy book to read, yet it was heartwarming as well as heartbreaking. This is the perfect book for anyone who wants a breezy read. Definitely, I suggest reading both books together.

Completely adored this sequel. It was equally heartwarming and heartbreaking. The main themes of this book is the importance of family, emotional support, death and dying and coping.

A return to the quiet neighborhood of bookshops in the Jimbochi neighborhood of Toyko, More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop has us re-enter the lives of Takako, her uncle Satoru , and the people they hold dear or see regularly. Be they friends, lovers or frequent or first time customers.

It is a mostly calm and quiet story, centered on the bookshop. Much of the content is about those who love books and what might drive them to seek them out. Satoru has been running the bookshop for much of his life, and it has been in the family for generations. Takako has filled in running the store, especially on her off days from her regular job. We don't see everyday but we see many moments. Satoru is getting older and having more health problems and (SPOILER FROM BOOK 1) has reconnected with his wife. Takako insists they take a vacation together and what is revealed on that trip have a deep impact on the rest of the book.

Takako seeks for her boyfriend and close friend from book 1 to move forward in each of their relationships. But both of those require some time, reflection and personal growth. Takako herself must overcome some life challenges and understand the way her life has shaped her temperament and relationships with others.

It's a calm, reflective slice of life story about the ordinariness of every day life, with deeper discussion of our relationships with those we choose as friends, family and lovers.

Recommended for readers of literature, slice of life, or those who find comfort in reading or being surrounded by books.

It was wonderful to revisit Tokyo’s Jimbocho neighborhood and the Morisaki Bookshop once again, the story picks up with Takako, her uncle Satoru and Satoru’s wife Momoko who has returned to her husband after years apart. Takako is now gainfully employed in a design studio, having moved on from the events described in the previous book and is now in a new relationship. Satoru and Momoko are running the bookshop, but Takako often spends her free time at the ship and fondly remembers the time she spent living in the apartment above. The narrative follows the joys, sorrows and struggles of these characters, their friends and their customers as they go about leading their daily lives.

But when tragedy strikes, it is up to Takako to remind her uncle how important the bookstore is to everyone around them and how their love for books and reading can help them through the most difficult of times.

“When I’m sad, I read. I can go on reading for hours. Reading quiets the turmoil I feel inside and brings me peace. Because when I'm immersed in the world of a book, no one can get hurt,”

More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa ( translated by Eric Ozawa) is a short and simple yet emotionally moving story that revolves around themes of family, love, grief, healing and personal growth, and the of course, the magical power of books and bookstores. Whereas the previous novel focused on Takako’s journey as she dealt with heartbreak and disappointment, the second book in the series revolves around the interpersonal dynamics between people in Takako’s life and the role the Morisaki Bookstore plays in their lives. The pacing is on the slower side and despite the slightly stilted writing, I thought that the story flowed well. I loved the setting and thought that the characters were well thought out. I found the quirky characters amusing and enjoyed the literary references. There were a few subplots that were left unexplored and I certainly hope we get the opportunity to meet these characters again. I wish we had learned more about the neighborhood and the second-hand book business, but this does not detract from my overall experience.

Though this is the second in a series, this book can be read as a standalone.

Many thanks to Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you to Harper Perennial and Satoshi Yagisawa for an advanced copy of this book,

Continuing the story of Takako, we follow her as she navigates relationships, grief, and loss.

I found this book very hard to get through, The main character was immature, and although I appreciated her growth from the first book, I still had a difficult time connecting to her. The pacing for this short novel was incredibly slow. I’m not sure if the cozy vibes are there for me.

This was such a heartfelt story. It deeply touched me. The characters were warm. Love the setting and all the descriptions of bookshops. The author has a way to reach to the readers heart . I felt all the emotions while reading the book. Morisaki Bookshop holds a thousand memories. After the death of Momoko, Takako’s uncle gives up on bookshop but as soon as Takako finds the letter, it reminds her of the innumerable emotions and memories the shop holds. I could relate with so many things in book. The book deeply moved me and it felt like a warm hug.

Thanks to the Publisher and Author

Back to Jimbocho and Uncle Satoru's modern Japanese literature bookshop.
Three years have passed, and there is more about Takako, Wada, Momoko, and Mr. Morisaki.

Takako is no longer living at the bookshop, and there are more things going on in her life. The novels follow their routinary life, but also serious things are happening, and they are experiencing a lot of emotions.

I am so glad there was a second part of the Morisaki Bookshop because I enjoyed the previous one, but I didn't connect fully. I think the characters were more developed in the second part.

I love the setting and all the literary references bringing Japanese classic recommendations.
I think the novel has a friendly reminder to let things out by verbalizing it.

Once again we find Takako at the Morisaki Bookshop which holds so many special memories for her. It is a place that brings comfort to those who have a love of reading. I love that the books slowly take you through the story and you come across some beautiful passages as the story moves forward. In this second installment we get to know the characters on a deeper level and come to understand some or their quirks. I was a bit wary about Wada and Takako's relationship but as I read the book I came to understand just how compatible they are. Even though it doesn't look that way and there are some misunderstandings along the way. Once everyone was open about any concerns they had it seemed like they were able to communicate even better. The heartbreaking situation towards the end of the book while a very sad situation shows us just how important the bookshop is for the neighborhood and how much everyone appreciates Satoru and Momoko. It turns out that the bookshop is not just important for Takako and her family but it has also become an important part of the neighborhood that offers much needed comfort.

Thank you to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for the ARC!

4.25/5
“the time i spend this way is quiet, but also exciting -- waiting for the person i love to arrive. it somehow feels incredibly luxurious to sit in your favorite coffee shop, reading a book, waiting for your boyfriend.”

“there were places i wanted to go and people i wanted to see. and there was a place that was always ready to welcome me back. i can’t think of anything more wonderful than that.”

“rather than trying to force open the door that she had wanted closed behind her, it made more sense to start by getting her to open it from her side.”

“...i believed these gentle days would continue. and all the people i love would spend them laughing together. as we walked down the street at twilight, this is what i told myself, though i had no grounds to believe it.”
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somehow even better than the original that i also really loved.

life can be messy and overwhelming, and the growth and learning that comes hand in hand is a universal, never - ending human journey -- there’s no finish line or end goal. but in the morisaki bookshop, within the shelves of the quaint and cozy used bookstore, the complexities of life can be unraveled, and all the simplicities can be revealed.

in each of the characters, there’s an exploration on the hesitations and difficulties with human connection, and how easy it can be to allow our previous traumas and heartbreaks to limit our new experiences and connections. these stories are an encouragement of breaking down the walls we build around ourselves, and the courage it takes to be vulnerable and let other people in.

i loved this book! thank you netgalley and harper perennial for providing me with a digital advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

Thank you Netgalley and Harper Perennial for providing me with the eARC of this book. More Days at Morisaki Bookshop is the second book to Days at Morisaki Bookshop. Takako's story continues, no longer living in the bookshop but still around helping out her Uncle Satoru and Aunt Momoko (who has stayed this time), has a new job, and in a relationship with Wada. We see how the past can truly affect our future in ways we do not expect.. Also, what it truly means to care for someone and want what's best for them. Through the ups and the downs remaining by their side. As when Takako sends her Aunt and Uncle on a trip to get away from the shop for a few days, it starts off the twists and turns that life brings. It is on this trip that a hardship arises. Through this hardship though Takako learns what it means to truly love and care, to leave the past in the past, move forward and help others move forward when needed. Also that our loved ones are always with us even when they aren't. I sincerely hope that Satoshi Yagisawa continues to add to this series as I want to see what happens with Takako, her family and friends. I am truly invested in these characters and the Morisaki Bookshop which is a central point that brings them all together! As Momoko says in her letter to Satoru, there are many memories in this bookshop and I love it.