2025 & 2026 Reading Challenge discussion

Tell us what you thought of the book! You can leave your review here. Even if you read the book outside of the group, please feel free to let us know what you thought of it.

What was enjoyable or not-so-enjoyable about this book?
Did this book change your perception about anything, either within the book (character development) or in real life?

Please make sure to mark your spoilers by typing [spoiler] at the start and [/spoiler] at the end but replacing the [] with <>.

I have read this book before but it is almost 5 years ago and TBH I had forgotten much of the detail. I was able to get the book from my local library in order to join in this BOM read. I quite like reading a book I have previously enjoyed again and usually get a great deal more out of a second read. I think that is certainly the case with this one.

The Setting is Japan but I think the setting is largely irrelevant this is a character driven book with a strong narrative line. The characters are Saturo, his adopted cat Nana and some of his oldest friends.
There is much more depth to this book than the simple outline of Saturo trying to find a new home for his beloved pet. There is an examination of relationships and the importance of permanance within them. Emotional aspects are examined and I almost feel that the author is able to convey more depth of feeling by talking through the voice of the cat. As humans we often struggle to voice exactly what we feel, how frightened we are by our struggles, how needy we are for human warmth. Nana has none of these problems, he is able to up front and personal almost - to be able to say it how it is and perhaps this helps the reader become more able to examine their own emotions.

I was touched by this book. It was a powerful portrayal of need, nurture, love and belonging I thought the big moments in Saturo's life were so wel dealt with. (view spoiler)[The unexpected death of his parents and the capacity he had to come to terms with his own death. (hide spoiler)]

It is hard to slot the book into a particular genre perhaps it is most consistent with literary fiction

I haven't read anything else bu this author but will look to do so in the future

This is an incredible well written book. I laughed and imagined the colours as described and yes I cried at the end. This is an incredibly powerful telling of life from the cats point of view.

I love how the writer evokes emotions as you read and slowly come to have a deeper understanding of why cats do the things they do and how they have managed to capture the emotion of a lifelong bond that cats make with their chosen human/s.

I finished listening to the audiobook this week. I agree that it can fall under the 'Healing Fiction' category because it handled the emotions of meeting old friends and being a companion to a friend experiencing a loss. The characters were relatable and had depth to them even the pet companions. I have never been to Japan and I imagine it having beautiful and serene landscapes just like the author describes. We can all learn from Nana the cat how to be a true friend and just be with someone through their best and worse days.

I was on the fence about this book, but I ended up really enjoying the story. It was also fascinating reading from a cat's perspective. I'm not much of a cat person, but I often wonder what they think about. Nana ended up being a great friend.

I’ve always been a dog person—partly by choice and partly because my husband’s allergies make cats a “look but don’t touch” situation in our house. But this book? It completely pulled me into the feline world.

I laughed, I cried, and I fell in love with every quirky moment. The storytelling is sweet, heartfelt, and surprisingly emotional. Even as a lifelong dog owner, I connected so deeply with the characters and their adventures.

moving from mid-read to here for "posterity's" sake ;>)

I wasn't sure where to post - here or the completion - but I have finished the book. I could not put it down, including reading the ending in the middle of a hair salon this afternoon and trying not to sob. I also recognized that had I started to read this last year, if I had finished it, I would have felt very different about it. I'm a mood reader. And my mood needed this book right now! I loved this book, even when it got a bit "sappy".

I just finished reading these reviews, that I am sharing here. Neither gives anything away, but it does put some things into persepective.

* https://tonysreadinglist.wordpress.co...

* https://motherbookerblog.com/2024/06/...

I finally finished it last night, I had to struggle through the middle tbh. I felt like the first 3/4 of the book was slow and a little disjointed. I didn't dislike it though, and appreciated what the author was potryaing and it was very sweet. The later 1/4 was absolutely hard reaching, and I think I cried the entire time (not single tear down the cheek kinda crying, but ugly, gasping for air, sobbing)

This being said I have a hard time knowing how much I enjoyed the book, since the ending definitely made up for the rest of the book. It was pretty sappy, predictable and cliche but I don't think that is a bad thing in this kind of book. I ultimately didn't dislike the book and was incredibly moved by then end and would recommend it to most people.