書棚の本と猫日和

by Satori Satori

流行に追われて自分を見失った美容師、訳あって本をお金に換えたい就活生、
人を知るために本を読み込むバーテンダー、作品を読まれることを恐れるアマチュア作家、
同居する孫と娘の不仲に心を悩ませる老婦人……。

新宿の片隅にある看板猫のいるシェア型書店『フレール』を舞台に巻き起こる
“棚主”たちの物語。

本との出会い、そしてそこから始まる人の縁が、
抱えていた悩みや苦労を知らず知らずのうちに浄化していく――。

読めば本への想いで満たされるシェア型書店エンターテインメント!

Genres: Light Novel, Fiction, Cats, Manga, Books About Books, Contemporary, Japan

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 19, 2024

Reviews

[Uththara Aseni Nandakumara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Loved the book shelf concept introduced. Had me thinking about a future dream of my own.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not so much a book as it is a love story written to book lovers everywhere.

[Lilkadykitty :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting read.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It's what I call a "soft" read, in that nothing major happens but it's just a nice read. I think the main "flaw" for me is just that I wanted to follow the characters for longer, which isn't really a bad thing. This is really like a love letter to/about books. It's comprised of six different character's perspectives and the way they connect to and through books in their lives. Each story connects to the one before in some way. And I really love how the author celebrates the many different ways that book lovers love books. Plus, I'd never heard of a shared bookstore before and I think it's an amazing concept. The main store in the story even reminded me of a place I used to frequent when I was university, which just added an extra layer for me personally. If you like books about books and don't mind short story collections that don't quite have a clear ending (I think of this collection of stories as about beginnings, rather than following through to the endings), then I'd recommend it.

[Emily Symank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy and fascinating

This is the perfect cozy read for booklovers. It’s a relaxed collection of short stories centering around people who have encountered a bookshop in Tokyo, Japan. The bookshop is a sort of co-op, where different people rent shelves to stock with their own second-hand books to sell. Evidently, this style of bookshop is gaining popularity in Japan. Each book seller customizes their shelf, adding decorations and sometimes including reviews of each book. I thought it sounded like such a neat idea. It gives a very personal touch to each book.

The other cool thing about the book is that it was written by someone who personally rents a shelf at a book shop like the one in the story. I imagine a lot of their ideas came from personal experiences. I’d recommend this book for when you’re feeling like a lighter read with a cozy ambiance and relaxed, introspective pace.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your typical novel. In fact, if you go into it as a novel, you'll be disappointed as it doesn't read like one. Each chapter is from a different character's point of view, focusing on how books affected their lives, relationships, and changed them. Also, in how it connected them to others as you meet the next chapter's POV in the previous chapter. This book is best approached with more calm, cozy, retrospective head space to be read and considered. I was going to rate it 3.5 stars but decided on 4 because of the last chapter, how it brought everything back together, tried up some of the other characters journeys, but also left it open for more growth and changes for them.

And, while the book does have cats, it needs more.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is amusing to review a book which is in part about reviewing books. The microcelebrity reviewer in the book approaches reviews by trying to understand the author's motivations while reading. I am absolutely inept at interpreting the minds of others, so I fear that does not work for me. He is also unfailingly positive whereas I tend to focus on critiques, even when I like a book. I will just write as I usually do, then.

My impression, in its vaguest form, is that this is very much like Japanese books that get translated: heartwarming short stories often involving cats in a straightforward, non-artsy tone. Many such cases are carbon copies of Before The Coffee Gets Cold, but this is at least an entirely different book, not revolving around mortality and loss but the connections and opportunities that books can offer. If I were to state it as a claim, it would be that books are more than the words on the pages. They are written for various reasons, promoted and sold, read by people who take away any number of messages, or none at all, and often go further than that, shared between readers, discussed, debated, agreed upon, building connections in unpredictable ways. This book is effectively the novelization of that idea, a few simple stories that demonstrate how that can happen.

I am a solitary person with few connections of my own and so I am a solitary reader. Some book some day might connect me with someone or make something happen, but I don't think it will be this one. I do not say that as some terrible insult; I rather mean that I simply do not find it remarkable enough to think much of one way or another. It is fine and there are some parts that I liked, but nothing stood out. There are no moments of amazing prose, shocking reveals, profoundly deep introspection, etc. I gave three stars because while there is nothing bad, neither does anything stand out, so the middle number seemed appropriate.

I would recommend this to someone looking for a quick feel-good read but not something that will blow your socks off. Maybe as a palate cleanser after just such a sock remover.

P.S.: I had no prior knowledge of share bookstores. Neat concept.

[Since 2021 · Rating 4 out of 5]

What caught my eye was its cute cover! Since this was a light novel, I thought there would be more illustrations inside, so I was a bit bummed to find there were none.

That aside, the book is a light, comfortable read. It switches POVs, so it can be a little hard when you find yourself more interested in one character than the others. I actually thought it would be centered on Satoko's (the hairstylist) POV, so I was a bit sad when it was only for the first chapter. I got attached, haha.

No big highs or lows, just cozy. But also a bit inspirational. It was uplifting to see the characters find joy.

[Hadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's better categorised as Japanese healing fiction because it utilises the same formulaic approach as titles like 'Before the Coffee gets Cold' and 'The Convenience Store by the Sea'. This sub-genre is normally a hit or miss for me depending on my mood. But this book surprised me. Not only was it a perfect blend of a cosy, heart-warming ode to books and bookshops, but the locations and characters felt real so I connected to a lot of it. The resident cats in the bookstore were adorable!

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and satisfying slice-of-life title that deals with the interactions of a number of characters all linked by time spent at the bookshop Frere. The interactions lead to changes in habits, changes in circumstances and changes in attitudes and emotions. It is nice to see how people meeting up can change folks. A nice, peaceful book.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure why publishers are filing regular novels under "light novels." Possibly they think the reading public won't pick them up without the label? In any event, the title says it all here, and if you like books and cats, you'll enjoy these interconnected short stories.

[Pasha Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟 another cozy Japanese book that makes me appreciate the little things in life and a) how much I love reading and all the things reading can do for you and b) how much I want to own a bookstore, or even create a collective space where people can have rent shelves. UGH I needed this!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the first part of this book really dry. I almost gave up on it a few times but I made it to the part with the handmade book and the girl with the orange hair when I started enjoying it. I also enjoyed the story of the Grandmother and her family so it ended off nice.

[Mayar Mahdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the kind of book you'd pick up at your lowest and think to yourself, "Maybe I don't need to off myself just now. Maybe life can be good, actually," once you finish it.

It's light and wholesome and I really enjoyed it.

[Kat Clyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very sweet and cozy. It took me a moment to get into because the last book I read was wild. But it was still a quick read. I appreciated the idea of people coming together in community around books.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cozy read! Like a nice hug or a soft blanket 🥰 I loved seeing the different characters and their relationship with books, how it impacted them and the world around them. The POV from grandma took me by surprise but it was sooo lovely.

[MyDoRyS · Rating 2 out of 5]

My reviews are my own. If you liked this book or not, I respect your opinion.  This is merely my opinion, so let's keep it courteous. My review is honest and voluntary.

Read the Japanese version. It is a slow slice of life; it is cute but boring.

On to my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!

[Angelica Mendoza · Rating 1 out of 5]

To be honest, I could barely make it past chapter 2. I had to put it down, take a break and read something else because while the start was interesting it just felt very flat and mundane.

[Misa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars.

[Merpy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Rounded down because there was not enough cats even though the title mentioned them.

[Daisy Moreno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy short read for book lovers and bookselles alike.

[J Hendriks]

Cute one

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the concept of a shared bookshelf for rent in a local bookshop, I’d be so down to do one if a store near me had this concept!