Ink & Parchment

Title: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop Author: Satoshi Yagisawa Rating: 6.5/10 Translated by: Eric Ozawa Having recently explored various books that delve into Japanese culture, I’ve become familiar with its nuances, names, and customs. "Days at the Morisaki Bookshop" was a spontaneous pick from a list of recent releases, chosen to reignite my reading habits. While it wasn’t groundbreaking, it offered a refreshing yet modest dive into the world of Japanese storytelling. The novel follows Takako, a young woman who, after a heartbreaking experience, moves in with her uncle Sataru who runs a quaint bookstore in Tokyo. For the twenty-five-year-old Takako, who has never been one to lose herself in books, this unassuming shop becomes an unexpected sanctuary after her life is turned upside down. Through Takako’s journey, the narrative explores the subtle intricacies of human emotion and the often unspoken struggles people face. The story’s pacing and writing style are straightforward ...