Book of The Month discussion

A woman inherits a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets, and then embarks on a magical journey when a charming young physicist wanders into the shop, in this dreamlike and enchanting fantasy novel.

On a backstreet in Tokyo lies a pawnshop, but not everyone can find it. Most will see a cozy ramen restaurant. And only the chosen ones—those who are lost—will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets.

Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawnshop’s new owner to find it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike its other customers, for he offers help instead of seeking it.

Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice—by way of rain puddles, rides on paper cranes, the bridge between midnight and morning, and a night market in the clouds.

But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own—and risk making a choice that she will never be able to take back.

Part 1 / 95 pages

(view spoiler)[ wow, the shop of regrets is an amazing thing to think about
I love the description of the cages and the birds. I love the exchange for tea
but what could have happened? why would her mom have chance being "killed"? why would her dad go after her now and bring his daughter, knowing it would leave the shop empty?

and Hana and Kei are struggling to communicate. I hope she starts listening to him soon. I like these 2 together (hide spoiler)]

Part 2 / 180 pages

(view spoiler)[ this world is so fun. I love how magical it is. The idea that a song can help you travel, that you can fold time like paper and travel, the bridge you cross to morning

I love the stories she tells him and I love that Kei approaches it all as a scientist but also as a wonder that it happened.

but I don't have much idea about her father other than that I think maybe Kei is right and they don't just fizzle to dust when they step food outside. but I still don't know what memory everyone was setting loose of why her mom broke the promise (hide spoiler)]

Part 3 / 340 pages

(view spoiler)[ wow, the hunt for the children was so sad. the children were scary but it was sad how they'd come to be

and wow, a little bit of their soul. I agree, a regret not learned to live with - I can't imagine removing some of the turns that have created our life. It would be so sad to not know some of the lessons we learned to get where we are.

and wow, I never even imagined that Kei was the regret - the moment returned and that she would turn HIM in! (hide spoiler)]

and done

wow that was a beautiful read
(view spoiler)[ I was really worried that they wouldn't find each other again. it went so long and we had so few pages left.

I love that she started to pull down the system in order to free others

so many metaphors here. This one was so beautifully written and such a lovely read (hide spoiler)]

Looks like a pretty quick read! I'm glad you liked it. I'm reading a book for a challenge and then I'll start this one.

Trisha wrote: "Part 2 / 180 pages

this world is so fun. I love how magical it is. The idea that a song can help you travel, that you can fold time like paper and travel, the bridge you cross to morning

I love ..."

(view spoiler)[I either missed this promise somehow or totally forgot. What was her mother's promise? (hide spoiler)]

Part 2 / 180 pages

(view spoiler)[I agree. I just love the whole thing. I love both of their innocence about the other's life/world. I was cracking up when she told him they had to sleep in the same bed to get to her grandmother's place. lol And the scene about dating. She had no clue about what it was and that was just too cute. Innocent too. I loved it. Then their kiss. lol Oh my gosh. She gave that first kiss. I love the writing and the beauty of the writing itself as well as the way she describes her world to him as she shows him, but it's hard for her to visualize his world. (hide spoiler)]

Part 3 / 340 pages

(view spoiler)[I love this fun book! Sea shells tell jokes? I want to live in that world!

OMG! The soulless children...how horrible that would be. Burying then alive...Ugh! And Kei being pulled into the ground "by a flurry of hands." Jeez, the creep factor. Then she tries digging him out by clawing at the ground and SHE gets pulled in. FREAKY! Just awful!

A talking map...GPS? lol Traveling inside a rumor...imagine that? (hide spoiler)]

Finished

(view spoiler)[I loved this too! I love good metaphors, and there was also idioms and one thing I also love, personification. The rumor, for example, dropping them off on a dirt road. All so fun.

I was surprised that Hana had originally planned to turn Kei over to the Shiikuin. I'm glad they found each other in the end too. :) (hide spoiler)]