'Days at the Morisaki Bookshop" by Satoshi Yagisawa

My co-host at the Childless Collective Nomo Book Club and I were looking for something short and not too taxing (if not Christmas./holiday-related) for our group to read and discuss during the busy month of December -- and she suggested "Days at the Morisaki Bookshop" by Satoshi Yagisawa (translated from Japanese by Eric Ozawa).  (Bonus: a touch of diversity from our usual choices, as the book is set in Japan.)  

Takako is 25, working at an office job in the city, enjoying life and expecting a proposal from her boyfriend, Hideaki -- until he announces he's getting married -- to one of their coworkers. In despair, Takako quits her job, holes up in her apartment, and falls into depression.  

As her savings dwindle, she gets a call out of the blue (prompted by her mother, she suspects) from her uncle Satoru, who runs the second-hand bookstore originally owned by Takako's great-grandfather, in Jimbocho, a Tokyo suburb famous for its many used bookstores.  Takako was close to Satoshi in her childhood, but hasn't seen him in years. Nevertheless, when he throws her a lifeline -- a room above his bookstore, in exchange for helping out in the store -- she accepts. 

Satoru is in his mid-40s, slightly eccentric, and separated from his wife Momoko, who left him five years ago. He and Takako make an odd couple -- but they gradually begin to rebuild their once-close relationship. Satoru introduces her to his regular customers, as well as the coffee shop where she becomes a regular and makes new friends. Constantly surrounded by books, it's probably inevitable that Takako eventually becomes an avid reader. 

I enjoyed this book overall. It was a short, pleasant read, and it was nice to read something on the cozy/lighter side as autumn set in -- albeit it does touch on a few darker angles/triggers, including (content/ALI warnings/potential spoilers) depression, abortion, stillbirth, serious illness (possibly terminal) and suicidal ideation. I enjoyed that the book focused on the relationships between an uncle (and aunt) and niece, and how they helped to heal each other. And it's always fun reading a book that's about/touches on books and the love of reading. There's a note at the back about some of the books mentioned and which ones are available in English. 

3.5 stars on Goodreads and StoryGraph.   

This was Book #33 read to date in 2026 (and Book #4 finished in October), bringing me to 83% of  my 2026 Goodreads Reading Challenge goal of 40 books. I am currently on track to meet my goal! You can find reviews of all my books read to date in 2026 tagged as "2026 books."