You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

One of the group reads for August is Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. Please discuss the book in this thread.

Heather will be leading the discussion.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book before or during August 2024.
2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread. Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

A note on discussion: Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc.

In addition to this, the group reads are meant to be a "read along" so it is preferable that you discuss the book as you read rather than wait until you've finished the book.

And finally, discussion is not about just listing your thoughts. Please interact with the other group members, comment on their thoughts, and if they comment on yours, respond to them. This is what makes a good book discussion!

You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread.

Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions. See our spoiler policy
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

I am planning on starting this one as soon as I finish my current book. :)

I am planning on reading this one too, once I've finished my current read.

I missed this was this month's pick. I own this one, so will try to join in!

I will also start this one as soon as I finish the book I'm listening to. That will probably be tomorrow.

Finished Chapter 1 The Lovers

I really like the premise of this story. (view spoiler)[ A small cafe in Tokyo that has a chair that allows visitors to travel in time. Visiting the past won’t change the present and time travelers must drink their coffee before it gets cold, or will suffer awful consequences - which really gives you very little time to say or do what you wanted to do in the first place.

I really feel for Fumiko. She goes back in time to tell Goro not to go, but can't seem to get the words out and her coffee is becoming lukewarm. It made me wonder if I ever got a do over would I stumble over my thoughts and words too? It was lovely to know that he did love her and wants her to wait for him to finish his three years in America. I hope we find out what happens to them in the future.
The lady in white seems to be the link to the time travel. She seems to vacate the seat when the person has decided to travel back in time. I do wonder what Fusagi's story is and if all the people in the cafe are trying to go back in time. (hide spoiler)]

Finished chapter 2 Husbands and Wives

This book is turning out to be a quick read. I will probably finish it sometime tomorrow night.
(view spoiler)[ Ok this chapter had me reduced to a blubbering mess. It reminded me a little about the Christmas story The Gift of the Magi about sacrifice and the value of love and how sometimes we really can rise up and help each other be our better selves. Trying to hold on to who you are and who you love knowing that you will forget takes profound courage and being the one left behind to keep those memories takes an abundance of grace. Kawaguchi really captured those feelings between a husband and wife dealing with the sorrow of saying goodbye to the relationship that they knew. (hide spoiler)]

I'm beginning to think that the phrase "before the coffee gets cold" has several underlying meanings. What will you do before the coffee gets cold?

Jayme wrote: "Finished Chapter 1 The Lovers

..."

I've also finished the chapter 1. I'm listening to audio which isn't ideal with all of the Japenese names. I'm going to do what I always do when I don't know how to spell a character name - use the initial.

I was pulled in by the premise too (view spoiler)[ All of the rules make it very interesting. You can't change the past but can reshape the future, but I think that's within our power already. The key is understanding the past.

I'm honestly not sure how much future the lovers have. If they couldn't, or wouldn't, communicate over something as huge as him leaving the country how are they going to handle everyday life? So he's a workaholic and she is a head turner: the solution isn't to leave the continent with no forwarding address! I think they get holiday leave in Japan/US, I certainly see plenty of tourists from each place here! For me this opening is hard to fathom, but it does illustrate the beauty of being able to go back to your last conversation and asking the questions you should you should have asked, like OK, and how long will you be away? Can I visit?

I'm not convinced about the writing style. There is a certain beauty but also elements of repetition and info dumping.

(hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote: "Jayme wrote: "Finished Chapter 1 The Lovers

..."

I've also finished the chapter 1. I'm listening to audio which isn't ideal with all of the Japenese names. I'm going to do what I always do when I..."

I'm with you on the writing style, but I think a large part of it has to do with translation. I've read a couple of books from Japan that have been translated and they all seem to have the same feel, but I also wonder if that is a cultural difference too. A bit more reserved.

Hi all, I'm so glad you all are finding this an interesting premise! I'm starting this one today as well! Looking forward to discussing with everyone!

Just finished chapter 3 The Sisters

And though I am enjoying the book it is still feeling rather clunky and disjointed. I did some internet searching about the book and discovered that it was first written as a play and that really explains why it reads the way that it does. I even thought while I was reading this chapter that it would make an interesting play or Netflix series.

(view spoiler)[ This chapter didn't captivate me as much as the previous two. Maybe because I really didn't like Hirai that much and couldn't get over how poorly she treated her sister. Hiding under a counter when the sister you haven't seen in 13 years comes to see you. Really? (hide spoiler)]

Finished the book

Hmmm... (view spoiler)[
Well I am really torn. I like the idea/message of the book that you can't change the past or the future, but you can change how you respond to it, if you need to. But this last chapter seemed very abrupt to me. Kei goes to the future meets her daughter that exists because she chose to die so her daughter could live (a trope I have a problem with) and well the end, but I have questions!!
Who is the ghost woman in the white dress reading the book? How did the cafe become magical? Why were Kazu and Nagare in Hokkaido? What happened with Goro and Fumiko? And where is the cat that is on the cover?
I have a feeling that to find the answers I would have to read the other books in the series and well I'm not going to.
If it becomes a Netflix series, I will watch it though. (hide spoiler)]

Jayme wrote: "Finished chapter 2 Husbands and Wives

This book is turning out to be a quick read. I will probably finish it sometime tomorrow night.
[spoilers removed]

I'm beginning to think that the phrase "be..."

I completely agree Jayme, keep the tissue box close for this section! (view spoiler)[ Thankfully I've never I've not known anyone with early onset but had two much loved gran aunts die of Alzheimers. What would their husbands, children, grankids, have given for a chance at a conversation with them where they were remembered?

I'm unsure on one point though. I thought that the wifes objective was to be to find out where her husband had left the letter. Instead he handed it to her. Does this mean you can take objects back with you? Also, will her husband remember this conversation and the upset it caused him? I thought that the "visits" had no effect on the party that is in the paste, if the wife was able to carry the physical letter back with her then the husband would have to be aware of the loss of it. Hmm, maybe I'm just overthinking again....
(hide spoiler)]

Jayme wrote: "Margo wrote: "Jayme wrote: "Finished Chapter 1 The Lovers

..."

I've also finished the chapter 1. I'm listening to audio which isn't ideal with all of the Japenese names. I'm going to do what I al..."

You're dead right Jayme. Their are huge cultural differences and of course something is lost in translation. Add to that the fact that I'm restricted to audio where most translated fiction sounds a little stilted.

I originally read this book in January 2024 and loved the concept, that one could go back (or forward) in time in certain circumstances. I'm working on recollection here so I'm interested to see your thoughts as more of you read the book but (view spoiler)[ all four characters that moved in time seemed to do so for "good" reasons but had disappointments. I think some were hoping that the rule that you couldn't change the past could be defeated and thought they may find a different outcome. Fumiko meeting her daughter in the future, however, was the most memorable to me. As a parent to young-ish children myself it would be harrowing to know I couldn't see and know my daughters as adults and given the opportunity to do so, I likely would take it. Even for a brief amount of time. (hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote: "Jayme wrote: "Margo wrote: "Jayme wrote: "Finished Chapter 1 The Lovers

..."

I've also finished the chapter 1. I'm listening to audio which isn't ideal with all of the Japenese names. I'm going t..."

I really thought overall, that it translated fairly well when considering Eastern culture and language to Western culture and language. I did not know that it was a play originally but that does explain some things. I think some characters are more likeable than others but I could really visualize them in this Japanese community and in their Eastern lives which I attributed to good work on translation.

I just finished chapter 1 The Lovers. I do agree with comments regarding the writing style

(view spoiler)[ I have to admit I struggled with this book. There are aspects that I find interesting and I do think it is an intriguing concept. I admit there were moments when I thought of giving up on this book. But I was curious to see what happened when Fumiko finally revisited the past and since the book was short I kept with it. The ghost aspect was quite interesting. I enjoyed that episode.

Now that I am finished with this chapter I am hoping the next story arc might be little more engaging. For me the book just reads really slow. It might pick up more that we got through with the set up of the cafe and how it works and explaining all the rules (hide spoiler)]

Jayme wrote: "Finished the book

Hmmm...
Well I am really torn. I like the idea/message of the book that you can't change the past or the future, but you can change how you respond to it, if you need to. But th..."

I agree completely with all Jayme says about the sisters chapter and the ending.

(view spoiler)[ So many questions left unanswered. I don't need everything to be wrapped up neatly in order to enjoy a story but in this case there isn't enough to intrigue me.

I thought the characters were underdeveloped and the plot (?) was very much tell, don't show. Even allowing for cultural differences, I found the characters behaviour and reactions to each other bizarre. This was not the story I was hoping for. (hide spoiler)]

I have to dash now, but later I'll read the other spoilers. Sorry my comments are a bit rushed.

I finished reading this book over the weekend. It was a quick read.

I agree with several comments above about (view spoiler)[ a great theme of not being able to change the past or future but every time stating the rules seemed repetitive. And the book was no longer holding my attention after few chapters.. My interest had waned. I had heard good things about the book but it was not upto my expectations.

Like you, Jayme, I was also hoping to find the answer to who was the ghost woman in the white dress but not interested enough to read the other books.

As some of you stated, the problem with language could be attributed to the translation. (hide spoiler)]

I have read up to chapter 1. This is a re-read.

Chapter 1: The Lovers
(view spoiler)[ This chapter set out the rules of using the chair to travel back in time to meet someone who came to the cafe before. It's an interesting concept and raises lots of 'what if' questions for the character and even for me 'what if I could go back, who would I meet and what would I say?'

This chapter is titled the lovers but there isn't a marriage or a wedding at the end of it. It's clear that they are compatible but something is up and they part ways at the end of the chapter. (hide spoiler)]

On the writing style:
I am somewhat familiar with Japanese culture and language. I study Korean language (which has some similarities with Japanese and Chinese) and there is a formal language and an informal language. Formal language is used with people who are older than you or who are in a higher position than you (like your boss). It's common in Korea to ask a person's age and job in the first 5 minutes of meeting them. At first, I thought this was unusual, but you get used to it.

If the person is younger than you, you can use informal language, if they are older you must show respect and use formal language. I see that in this book as the author gives the background info for each character at the beginning of each chapter as he introduces them to the reader. Each time he gives a description of the relationship, age, employment status etc. to identify the status of speaker.

Here is some reading on the difference between formal and informal language in Japan and when to use it.

https://www.argosmultilingual.com/blo...

Chapter 2: Husband and Wife
(view spoiler)[ This chapter opens with the a sister, Kumi, who wants to send a letter to her sister Hirai and then, a husband who wants to send a letter to his wife. Fusagi has lost his memory of past events but remembers recent events well and has a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. The letter is to tell his wife about his illness. The letter between the sisters is not opened so we don't know what it says. There has been a rift between the family and Hirai. Kumi sat there a long time and continued to order dish after dish so it seems like she wanted to meet her sister and was waiting for her to come in but she was hiding under the counter from her sister. (hide spoiler)]

Final Chapter
I finished the book and it definitely raises many philosophical questions around the characters and the decisions they make. It explores these questions without imposing a right or wrong answer as it's told from the perspective of the characters like (view spoiler)[ if a woman knows that she won't survive a pregnancy should she still give birth? or if death was imminent for a loved one would you have a different conversation with them that day. Maybe the questions are answered for the unique situation that the characters find themselves in. (hide spoiler)].

I enjoyed the back and forth dialogue between the characters (view spoiler)[ just like one would experience in a real coffee shop. (hide spoiler)]

I have two questions:
(view spoiler)[ Is health and hospital care really cheap in Japan because Kei is admitted to hospital at 6 weeks for a 40 week term??? That's a long hospital stay and in some countries, a lot of people would not be able to afford care for that length of time to bring the baby to full, healthy term.

Is cold coffee a symbol for the relationships where we don't kindle warmth? A few of these of these stories, but not all of them reflect on a time when distance, time, work etc. have formed a rift in the relationships between the characters. (hide spoiler)]

I love your interpretation of the cold coffee, Grainne.

Grainne wrote: "On the writing style:
I am somewhat familiar with Japanese culture and language. I study Korean language (which has some similarities with Japanese and Chinese) and there is a formal language and a..."

Thanks for that insight, Grainne. I found it interesting and helpful.

Heather wrote: "Hi all, I'm so glad you all are finding this an interesting premise! I'm starting this one today as well! Looking forward to discussing with everyone!"

hi Heather. Are you still reading and leading the discussion?

Jayme wrote: "Finished the book

Hmmm...
Well I am really torn. I like the idea/message of the book that you can't change the past or the future, but you can change how you respond to it, if you need to. But th..."

These are all great questions, Jayme! I want to know about the ghostly woman as well! The agree with you that the premise and message is interesting but the delivery a bit clunky and certainly not a super compelling page-turner. Which were your favorite set of characters?

Kristi wrote: "Margo wrote: "Jayme wrote: "Margo wrote: "Jayme wrote: "Finished Chapter 1 The Lovers

..."

I've also finished the chapter 1. I'm listening to audio which isn't ideal with all of the Japenese name..."

Kristi, I like how you are thinking about the Eastern/Western cultural differences here, a good reminder that this isn't your typical American Starbucks for sure!!

Jayme wrote: "Heather wrote: "Hi all, I'm so glad you all are finding this an interesting premise! I'm starting this one today as well! Looking forward to discussing with everyone!"

hi Heather. Are you still re..."
Hi Jayme, I was a little behind in my reading, I apologize for not participating more! Your discussion and insights have been so detailed that I wasn't sure what else to add! Would you recommend this book to others, or better to use to fulfill a reading challenge, do you think?

I am starting this book. This will actually be the third time I've read this one. For me it is one that grows on me. The second time I read it was because the 4th book just came out in English (on audio) so I decided to go back and listen to the whole series starting over with book 1. All the books are quick reads and I highly recommend the series as the individual stories intertwine.
The first time I read this was a few months after my best friend died and it prompted a whole thought experiment with me where I imagined what I would do if I could go back in time for a cup of coffee at our favorite coffee shop with my best friend. I have had dreams about it as well. I love how even though the rules are strict and you can't change things - changes do occur when people travel to meet people in the coffee shop.

I think the main thing about the writing that annoys me a bit (and continues throughout the series) is the repetition of the rules. I get that in real life the rules would have to be explained for every customer, but in a book we are already suspending our disbelief to allow for a time-travelling coffee shop, so we could certainly do without repeating the rules every chapter.

Katrisa wrote: "I am starting this book. This will actually be the third time I've read this one. For me it is one that grows on me. The second time I read it was because the 4th book just came out in English (on ..."

Katrisa, thanks for joining in! I'm so sorry that your best friend passed away, I've also lost my best friend a little over a year ago. Applying the premise of the book to a thought experiment of seeing your bestie again is really interesting. I have a life coach who asked my to write out all of the important dates that we experienced in life together, but I never thought of taking that next step of envisioning a revisit! Glad you are re-reading with us!

I finished this one and I am going to read the next one too since I can link it for my yearly challenge. Man that last chapter had me crying! Though again, that is probably because I associate this series with my best friend and she left behind a daughter when she died and I think about her being to see her daughter grown up.

Katrisa wrote: "I am starting this book. This will actually be the third time I've read this one. For me it is one that grows on me. The second time I read it was because the 4th book just came out in English (on ..."

That is a really good point, Katrisa. That changes do occur to the people even though they must follow the rules.

Don't forget to post that you read the book in the reporting thread, if you would like a badge.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

@Katrisa, wow, 4 times! Did you know that the number 4 is unlucky in Japan but the number 13 is perfectly fine? I am sorry to hear about your friend's passing. It's a very reflective book as each person is looking back on the past, hoping to find a way to the future that's more comfortable for them. I have some vivid dreams too, and I had one or two this month. I didn't link it to the book, though, maybe that's why.

I started this last night before a migraine (again!) got me today. So missed the month, but I am on leave this week so I hope to catch up over the next couple of days on the book and your discussion!

Rusalka wrote: "I started this last night before a migraine (again!) got me today. So missed the month, but I am on leave this week so I hope to catch up over the next couple of days on the book and your discussion!"

No worries, Rus. Glad to have you on board.

Grainne wrote: "On the writing style:
I am somewhat familiar with Japanese culture and language. I study Korean language (which has some similarities with Japanese and Chinese) and there is a formal language and a..."

This was really helpful, thanks Grainne. I knew a little of it but was a great explainer of why some details we would not care about are carefully explained.

I finished story 1, The Lovers, today.

I enjoyed the premise of the story and the cafe. I'm looking forward to discovering more as the book continues. This includes the cast of interesting characters.

I found the language a little hard to warm up to, which I so find with a lot of translated Japanese books. I found Grainne's comment a great reminder of why this may be, as there is a lot of life admin to get though in the couple of sentences you meet someone.

I also had to look up whether the author is a man (he is) as I found this first story at least fell into the badly written Japanese woman by Japanese men camp, where the character is only described by her looks and her overreactions (usually about men). It got better but will be interested how this goes.