Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - Mis días en la librería Morisaki

Inspiring slice of life. A young woman turns her life around after hitting rock bottom by working in her uncle's secondhand bookshop.
Cute short novel. Only issue I had with it, is it reads too simply. I felt as though I was reading a series of diary entries. Some aspects progressed too quickly for the message of the story.
Overall, very wholesome, simple, straightforward slice of life.

Content Warnings

clovetra's review against another edition

Go to review page

inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

this was cute!!! i had a good time reading this.

takako was a good protagonist, she was relatable enough to be likeable, yet had her own ambitions. she did feel like she lacked depth and often at times felt flat, but she was nice enough that i didn’t mind too much

satoru was…. fine? he kind of felt like he lacked any depth. and that can almost go for all the other side characters. i mean this isn’t even 200 pages so im not surprised the side characters felt boring.

the setting was honestly the highlight of this book. i mean cmon what reader wouldn’t love to live in a bookshop. part 2’s setting was also quite pleasant, and added to the dream-like feeling of this book.

the plot itself was……. Meh! i mean i liked part 1, as it felt like it had a point, delivered it well, and was structured nicely. but part 2…… i didn’t like as much. like i said the setting was enjoyable, but the actual story felt like i was reading a completely different book. the tone felt like it did a random 180 and suddenly became incredibly depressing????? it wasn’t what was advertised at all. i was promised wholesome book loving not Depression.

i don’t really have much more to say. i mean this book is barely 150 pages. obviously a short book is going to have issues to do with pacing and fleshing out its cast, but everything felt like it was missing something. plus the ending felt like it was purposefully unresolved to set up a sequel, which just left me annoyed. the ending was not satisfying. i mean i know you can only do so much when your setting is just a bookshop and the plot only surrounds that, but i would’ve preferred that! or keep part 2 but actually…. include that in the blurb!!!!!!!

i defo think ill read the sequel, if only to satiate my need to be a completionist. this was a perfectly average book. i am neither in love nor do i hate this. it was Fine

Content Warnings

galacticvex's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Characters: 10/10
Relationships: 8.5/10
Atmosphere/Setting: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Plot/Intrigue: 8/10
Internal Logic: 9/10
Entertainment: 10/10
Overall: 65.5/70, 5*

"Somehow the whole story is suffused with this quiet tenderness. Little by little I felt something wash over me: a feeling of peace that words can't express. If I had to explain it I'd say it could only have come from the writer's fervent love for life." - Chapter 4, 1:12:14

"After all I was crying because I wanted to cry, and these were the happiest tears I'd ever known." - Chapter 8, 2:23:38

Content Warnings

erynlasbelin's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

I really enjoyed the first part of the book, which was set in the bookstore and focused on Takako's relationship with her uncle and her burgeoning love of reading. The second half had some bright spots, particularly her interactions with Wada; but it was much weaker overall. I really disliked the aunt. I have sympathy for her, and I realize there are probably some cultural differences at play here, but I found literally all of her behavior unacceptable.

Content Warnings

polypropylena's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

navayiota's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

"It's important to stand still sometimes. Think of it as a little rest in the long journey of your life. This is your harbour, and your boat is just dropping anchor here for a little while. And after you're well rested, you can set sail again"

Enjoyable and inspiring. It's good to read stories about finding the joy in slow, peaceful life. Now I'm in the mood to check out the authors mentioned in the book!

Content Warnings

imogenlj's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

A lovely little volume and an easy yet emotionally compelling read. Lessons are learned and personal growth achieved against the charming backdrop of a secondhand bookshop.

Content Warnings

parasihir's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

It's so short and heart-warming! I love the simplicity of this book. And I absolutely love books, too! AHA!

Content Warnings

More...