by: Nabila Rhapsodios
PRODUCT INFO
Title: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop
Author(s): Satoshi Yagisawa
Publisher: Harper Perennial -An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers-
Language: English
Year Published: 2023
Page(s) Number: 150
PRODUCT INFO
Title: More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop
Author(s): Satoshi Yagisawa
Publisher: Manilla Press
Language: English
Year Published: 2024
Page(s) Number: 170
PROLOGUE
Satoshi Yagisawa
I’ve been looking forward to writing the Morisaki Bookshop series after hearing so many great reviews and knowing that Satoshi Yagisawa is known for heartfelt stories. It seems the series has wrapped up, since Yagisawa is now focusing on the English version of the Torunka Cafe series, which is currently a bestseller. So, I’m ready to share my thoughts on the Morisaki Bookshop books. On a personal note, I prefer to review a whole series at once rather than each book separately. It saves time and keeps me from repeating myself. Let’s get into the review.
MY IMPRESSION
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop (#1) and More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop (#2) make up the Morisaki Bookshop series. In the first book, we meet Takako, a young woman going through a tough time. She follows her mother’s advice and stays at her uncle’s bookstore, Morisaki Bookshop, a cozy secondhand shop in Jimbocho run by her uncle Satoru. This move helps Takako find a new sense of purpose and belonging. In the second book, Takako gets a good job but still helps out at the bookshop when she can. As she becomes more independent, she also meets someone who treats her with respect, which helps her heal and be open to new relationships. The main focus of the second book, though, is her relationship with Satoru’s wife, Momoko, who disappeared in the first book and then returns. Takako tries to understand why Momoko left, and this leads her on a journey of healing and self-discovery. Together, Takako and Momoko explore themes of reconciliation and personal growth central to Takako’s story.
Pros:
1. I really enjoyed the way the book described the bookstore and the books themselves. When Takako first walked into Morisaki Bookshop, the smell of old paper and the sight of shelves packed with books made the place feel timeless, almost like a sanctuary. Every corner seemed to hold a secret, making the shop feel both magical and welcoming. The setting wasn’t just a background—it was a key part of the story that drew me into Takako’s world.
2. The story itself was sweet.
Cons:
1. Jimbocho played a big role in the story, but I wanted to learn more about it. Jimbocho is known as Tokyo’s 'book town,' famous for its many secondhand bookstores and literary history. The series focused mostly on the relationships inside Morisaki Bookshop and didn’t really explore this interesting setting. I would have liked more details about the busy streets, the bookshops and cafés, and the unique atmosphere that makes Jimbocho special. It would have been nice to see how the setting affected the characters, perhaps through encounters with quirky shopkeepers or the discovery of hidden treasures among the books.
2. I’m not sure if this is due to the translation or the original writing, but I felt that most of the character development and dialogue were lacking. I wanted to get to know Takako and the other characters better, especially Takako—I wanted to feel more of her emotions. Maybe this was intentional, but the characters felt a bit empty to me. The story was sweet, but the conversations didn’t go very deep. The dialogue often felt too simple and rushed. For example, when a character got upset, they would only partly explain why and then quickly say it was their own fault, not the other person’s actions.
Closing Statement:
I’m glad to own Days at the Morisaki Bookshop (#1) and More Days at the Bookshop (#2) after being drawn in by the cute covers and short summaries during a bookstore visit. Unfortunately, the series felt a bit disjointed to me, and I didn’t find the charm I was hoping for. This is a story that many book lovers might enjoy, but it just wasn’t for me. The series has a charming idea, but the emotional depth wasn’t there for me. I saw lots of positive reviews online, but after reading both books, I’d give the Morisaki Bookshop series a 7.2 out of 10. If you like gentle stories about relationships in a cozy bookshop, and you enjoy light, heartwarming reads without a lot of emotional drama, you might still really like this series.
-END-
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