Natsuki Books was a tiny second-hand bookshop on the edge of town. Inside, towering shelves reached the ceiling, every one crammed full of wonderful books. Rintaro Natsuki loved this space that his grandfather had created. He spent many happy hours there, reading whatever he liked. It was the perfect refuge for a boy who tended to be something of a recluse.
After the death of his grandfather, Rintaro is devastated and alone. It seems he will have to close the shop. Then, a talking tabby cat called Tiger appears and asks Rintaro for help. The cat needs a book lover to join him on a mission. This odd couple will go on three magical adventures to save books from people who have imprisoned, mistreated and betrayed them. Finally, there is one last rescue that Rintaro must attempt alone . . .
My Rating:
☆☆☆☆
Dates Read: January 29, 2022
Initial Publication Date: February 2017
Translation Published: December 2021
Author Origin: Japan (Osaka)
Tone (via NoveList): Hopeful, Heartwarming, Offbeat, Whimsical
Writing Style (via NoveList): Conversational, Engaging
Major Characters:
Rintaro Natsuki
Tiger
Sayo Yuzuki
One of my favorite reads of January 2022. Another quick, atmospheric novel, this one is about a high schooler in Japan who, after his grandfather’s death, faces the loss of the bookstore the two owned and called home for years - and the sudden appearance of a talking cat, who convinces him to follow along on journeys into mysterious worlds to save books in peril.
It’s a fun work of magical realism, and I feel like I read it at the perfect time, as I was currently playing through Persona5 again at the time I read it (a video game that shares some similarities with this book - talking cat and all!). In fact, I listened to this track off the Persona5 soundtrack the whole time I was reading, since it fit so well with the vibes of the story. Fun read for cat and book lovers alike!