Rowland Rowlands

It took me a while to work through this book, and though enjoyable, I couldn't find anything to bond with the main characters.
Hopefully book 2 onwards is a little bit better.

The story of Taiji and Fumika was a little sad, especially the subject matter, but it was handled exquisitely.
Now I am waiting on book 2.

As you would expect from Harlan Ellison, all the stories in this anthology are topically current, as well as being thoughtful.

Try a little tenderness.
Once again, a fantastically constructed story with all the characters interconnected with the Convenience Store and each other. It is based on some of Japan's community spirit, and unfortunately, is missing from the West.

I hope that we will be returning to the store soon.

Yes, we all wish we could wash our bad experiences away and watch them float off to burn up in the sun.
At first, I thought this was a fantasy story about lost loves, but I was a story about how even one who seems perfect have their dramas and pains.
Okay, I was having some trouble getting into this book, but after setting it aside and coming back to it, I renewed my interest in the complex story, though at times I did have a little trouble keeping track of who was who.

This is an interconnected story about relationships and their many ups and downs. It involves pages from a diary left at a laundromat, but it could also be stories from one of the protagonists (screenwriter).

As we have known for years gats can be multi-dimensional/ethereal beings that can inhabit many places/times but the way this is all told is completely unusual and well done.

I found this to be refreshingly different and entertaining when compared to my typical translated Japanese reads

It was great being back at DallerGut's and I can't wait for another return visit. I think there is more to Penny that is yet to be revealed.

It was great to revisit Kyoto again with the Epicurean Nagare describing immaculate dishes in great detail.
I was also glad of a fleeting visit with Tai again.
Can't wait for another visit sometime soon.

It is an end-of-life series of stories with a slight difference.
The second story was my favourite told with a little bit of humour.

This was probably my favourite book so far.
It was wonderful to have Kei back in the cafe again dealing with the customers and offering sage advice. The last story of an unrequited love was a great way to end this visit to the cafe but leaving me longing for another visit soon.

This had a telegraphed character development that I worked out pretty quickly but I have to say it made the whole story arc complete and I can't wait for book 2 to see where the author decided to take us.
My favourite character ended up being one of the minor ones, but I hope Chitose becomes a major character further along.

I admit this book was not something IOI expected both in the topic and some of the characters.
There were all the things I have come to expect from a Japanese fantasy novel with the angst of characters and their situations and experiences. Still, I was not expecting a full explanation about astrology and its effect on people's lives.
The use of cats was brilliantly done and effectively as the guides through the protagonist's experiences.

I enjoyed the flow of this novel and the speed of its progress.

I want to read more of this author and books in a similar vein.
Modern life with a twist of folklorish protagonists.
What is real, fantasy, or just wishful thinking and hope?

A commentary on AI and our throw-away society

This reminded me of The Quiet Earth though very different, parts of it took me back to that. Choices have repercussions.

Once again Thrawn thinks outside the box and one step ahead of his opponent.
I can understand how his personality can grate on people and grate enemies within. Still, he would always be a valuable asset to the Empire or the Chiss Ascendancy.

Not for me though I persevered it was a little too light and not to my taste.
Though the title intrigued me, I was disappointed with what lay inside.

I hope that we can return to the Bookshop again.
Though the sad loss of Momoko was telegraphed in the last book I still have my worries about Mr Morisaki. Maybe Takoko and Wada#2 can take it over once his book is released and a success because I get the impression that it means as much to Takoko as it does to Satoru.

A touching fable about the life of a Silver Salmon and and a philosophical discussion.

Once again Ms. Kawakami utilizes her broken characters to the full extent and it's not just the characters it is also in interpersonal relationships.
This is the third novel by Ms Kawakami I have read in the past six months, I admit that sometimes I get frustrated with it but I go back later persevering with it.
Next is The 10 Loves of Mr Nishino.

I hoped for more on the Mongol Empire as it headed west and encountered the Teutonic Knights, but this was glossed over. At about the time Tsinghis suddenly died, changed to the return journey of the main character. All in all not a bad novel but I feel that something was missing.

I loved this look at Japanese society, but I loved the stories most were The Rescurer and Sweetshop.

A good existential story about the protaganist being given several choices by the devil with each having ramifications but all in all the story was well constructed.