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Before the Coffee Gets Cold
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
What would you change if you could go back in time? In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a caf which has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time. In Before the Coffee Gets Cold, we meet four visitors, each of whom is hoping to make use of the cafs time-travelling offer, in order to: confront the man who left them, receive a letter from their husband whose memory has been taken by early onset Alzheimer's, to see their sister one last time, and to meet the daughter they never got the chance to know. But the journey into the past does not come without risks: customers must sit in a particular seat, they cannot leave the caf, and finally, they must return to the present before the coffee gets cold . . . Toshikazu Kawaguchis beautiful, moving story translated from Japanese by Geoffrey Trousselot explores the age-old question: what would you change if you could travel back in time? More importantly, who would you want to meet, maybe for one last time?
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review
aWiseWoz
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Mehso-so

What a cool idea. Books about time travel are usually fantasy / wish-fulfillment. But what if it cane with so many rules that it hardly made sense to even try it? While the idea carried the beginning of the book, and the slow reveal of the connections between the characters carried the middle, it had lost all steam by the end.

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Teresereading
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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‘Oh gosh, is that the time! Sorry, I have to go,‘ the man mumbled evasively, as he stood up and reached for his bag.
#firstlinefriday
@ShyBookOwl
#24countriesin2024

ShyBookOwl How are u liking this one? I bought it a looong time ago, but I've never read it 1mo
Teresereading @ShyBookOwl I enjoyed it,the style was unusual in places but that might have been in translation? 4w
ShyBookOwl @Teresereading Ah ok. Could be! 4w
14 likes3 comments
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IndianBookworm
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Bailedbailed

Imagine a coffee shop that lets you go back in time with a few (read many) rules to follow.

As interesting as the premise was, the book was pretty bland. I understand some essence being lost because of this being a translation. Expected a bit too much I guess, DNFing after the second story.

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Coleen_Nieto
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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1. Read or listen to an audiobook at least one hour each day this week, Oh and I have tickets to see TJ Klune Friday evening. So buy lots of his books....that's part of the plan.
2. Before the Coffee Gets Cold and The Book Thief.
3. Impulsive, Kind.

@cupcake12
#MotivationalMonday

Have a great week!

Cupcake12 I‘ve only read one book by TJ Klune. I loved it! Have a great time x 2mo
Coleen_Nieto @Cupcake12 Thanks! I'm looking forward to it. I haven't read his books yet, but I've heard good things! 2mo
21 likes2 comments
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Messiejessie
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Mehso-so

I liked the story but not the writing, which is understandable as it‘s a translation. However it felt clunky to read and a tad repetitive. The way the female character‘s perspectives were written also felt a little off base.
Nevertheless, it was a short read with an interesting plot line.

17 likes1 stack add
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LadyCait84
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Mehso-so

I was intrigued by the concept & the specific relationships each section explored.

But the writing style just felt so flat. I saw other reviewers suggest it might have been due to translation, but I don‘t think that was my issue. It was more about where the author offered detail (like describing everybody‘s outfits?!) vs where he kept it sparse or oversimplified (the action, character development)? I was left annoyed; so much missed potential.

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Coleen_Nieto
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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1, I think WWI or WWII are my favorites, although the WWII time period has so many books set in that time it gets a little saturated.
2. A Court of Thorns and Roses.
3. Gone With The Wind or The Mists of Avalon are the longest books I've read.
#wondrouswednesday @eggs

Eggs Thanks for playing 🩵🩵 2mo
Coleen_Nieto @Eggs it's a pleasure! Thank you! 2mo
Coleen_Nieto @Eggs it's a pleasure! Thank you! 2mo
Eggs @Coleen_Nieto 🩷🥰❤️ 2mo
20 likes4 comments
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kaysworld1
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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I've done it again I've started a new audio book and it turns out to be a series of 4 book's.
Why do I do this to myself...
oh well here we go with the first book Before the coffee gets cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

#audiobook
#readingontheroad
#solotravel
#traveltheworld

36 likes1 stack add
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vivastory
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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At a hidden café in Tokyo with only a few tables, there is one with a special chair that allows the occupant to travel in time. Like other time travel stories, there are numerous rules that must be followed & it is the inventiveness of a few of these rules that helps make this work so well. Also, it is the perfect blend between the bitter & the hopeful that keeps what would otherwise be an overly sentimental story. Great story w/ great cast.

Leftcoastzen I liked it too +☕️ 3mo
73 likes4 stack adds1 comment
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vivastory
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Didn't expect to tear up while reading this one
(Image taken from google images)

BarbaraBB I can imagine 🤍 3mo
CatLass007 It‘s a wonderful book. There are four books in the series and I‘ve read the first three. I recommend them all. (edited) 3mo
Gissy @CatLass007 Good to know because I just read the first one and it was amazing. So good for a play. 3mo
See All 6 Comments
CatLass007 It would be a good play. 3mo
AvidReader25 I‘ve only read the first in the series, but I loved it! 3mo
Reggie lol love the image. 3mo
59 likes6 comments
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Eva_B
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Pickpick

Merry Christmas! 🎄I‘m up early and waiting for the rest of the household to wake up and open their presents so I‘ve used the time wisely and finished my book! This is between a ‘pick‘ and a ‘so-so‘. I‘m feeling generous as it‘s Christmas! This is an interesting concept and story, just the execution wasn‘t great. The writing didn‘t really flow. But maybe this is just the translation. Anyway, Merry Christmas and happy reading!

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BookBelle84
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Book Advent Day 8!

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Cortg
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

I wasn‘t expecting this book to touch so deeply on emotions and humanity. The four stories were heartfelt and thoughtful. Though each was short, the stories were big and didn‘t leave me feeling a hole in the story. The flow of the writing took me a bit to get into maybe due to its translation or that it was written as a play, but I did like the style. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and I‘m looking forward to my bookclub discussion!

39 likes1 stack add
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monkeygirlsmama
Tales from the Cafe (Original) | Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Sunmark Publishing Inc

I have been depressed & painfully sad since I lost my better half recently. And the rare moment I feel the least bit happy about something I immediately feel guilty. So this hit home, “If I had led a sad life as a result of my sister's death, then it would have been as if her death has caused it. So, I thought I mustn't allow that to happen.I swore to myself that I would make sure that I was happy.My joy would be the legacy of my sister's life.“💙

Shemac77 ❤️❤️ 4mo
Bookwomble 💖 4mo
Suet624 💕 4mo
See All 13 Comments
Bookzombie 💕 4mo
Deblovestoread 💜💜💜 4mo
JessClark78 💙💙 4mo
batsy I'm so sorry for your loss. 4mo
DaveGreen7777 I‘m so sorry for your loss! 😔 4mo
Teresereading ❤️ 3mo
MicheleinPhilly Hi there, I wanted to express my condolences . My wife passed away 6 months ago so I 100% get what you are feeling. If you ever want to chat, give me a shout. ❤️ 2mo
monkeygirlsmama @MicheleinPhilly I am so truly for your loss! I wouldn't wish it on anybody. 7 months ago to the day yesterday for me. 😭 2mo
MicheleinPhilly 😕 It is truly awful. But day by day, breath by breath, we‘ll keep moving. I often don‘t know how but I somehow make it happen. ❤️ 2mo
24 likes13 comments
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monkeygirlsmama
Tales from the Cafe (Original) | Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Sunmark Publishing Inc
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Pickpick

This book was great! The 3rd and 4th stories in particular made me bawl like a baby. Can't recommend this enough. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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monkeygirlsmama
Tales from the Cafe (Original) | Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Sunmark Publishing Inc
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Seems like this one's got lots of mixed reviews, but I quite enjoyed the original so am hoping for the same this go round.

31 likes1 stack add
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ManyWordsLater
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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I am very turned off by how kawaguchi describes his female characters.

TBD on bailing because of that.

Jolynne Shucks! I have it on hold. (edited) 5mo
monkeygirlsmama Sorry hear you didn't enjoy this one. I loved it and just got my hands on a copy of the next two books. 4mo
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Jeg
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Bailedbailed

I think this little book lost out with the translation. Also it was originally a stage play and I could see that working well. The appeal of this book might be the lessons/ moral or what ever each story portrayed. I‘m afraid I couldn‘t finish it as there was something about the writing that didn‘t get me in in. I‘m guessing it was the way it was translated. I did love the life lessons of the first two that I read.

LeeRHarry I thought this was pretty so-so and not very memorable. 5mo
Anna40 It might be just be the way it‘s written in the original that doesn‘t work in another language but please don‘t say it‘s the translation. I started doing a bit of literary translation myself and I can assure you that all the established lit translators I‘ve met so far are passionate about their job, underpaid and committed to making books from all over the world accessible to English speaking readers staying as true to the original as possible 5mo
22 likes2 comments
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MrsMalaprop
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Mehso-so

Yeah, nah.

This was a speed-read before book club tomorrow, where I suspect I‘ll be in the minority.

Not my cup of tea (🤭)

LapReader Me either. Struggling to get through it. Definitely not reading the next one. 5mo
Jeg I think you will have some company. 🙃😏 5mo
CarolynM I quite liked it, but I haven‘t felt any desire to read the others. 5mo
31 likes3 comments
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Liz_M
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Weekly Report

Almost done with Clarissa! So, of course, I've started another 18th century epistolary novel 😂 This one is overwrought. Also reading the quite meta Age of Goodbyes. And because my hold from several months ago came through, I read Before the Coffee Gets Cold.

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TheEllieMo
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Pickpick

A rare re-read for me, ahead of seeing the author at #CheltLitFest next weekend. I still love this quirky, emotional book.

Book 1 #20in4 #Readathon @Andrew65
Book 10 #SummerEndReadathon @TheSpineView
Book 15 #Rushathon @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 6mo
TheSpineView Great job! 6mo
Andrew65 Excellent 👏👏👏 6mo
41 likes3 comments
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Night_Reader
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

I decided to re-read this book and I'm very glad I did because I enjoyed it much better the 2nd time around. ☕📚

16 likes1 stack add
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AileenRR
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

It‘s a relatively gentle and quiet book and so it took me a while to get into it. Ultimately got sucked in and enjoyed it ☕️

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emmaturi
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Pickpick

The second in this series, and four more people visit the cafe to go back to the past. It was moving and sad. It's a simple idea, but it works.

monkeygirlsmama Getting ready to start this one today. 4mo
40 likes1 comment
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ManyWordsLater
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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En Français!

wanderinglynn 😍😍😍 7mo
57 likes1 comment
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TheBookHippie
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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@CBee OMG ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

I‘ve been wanting to read this and the sticker!!!!
I‘m seeing him September 5 & 7 !!!! 😘

Mail came early and what fun this was there! 🥰

CBee Awwwww yayyyyy!!! I saw that sticker and I was like, I HAVE to get this for Christine 😍😍😍 And I really loved that book! (edited) 7mo
TheBookHippie @CBee 🥰🥰🥰🥰 7mo
marleed I love this series. And I agree, life doesn‘t get eddie vetter than tickets to see Eddie Vedder live! 7mo
58 likes3 comments
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Veebee
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

Poignant stories of how people have regrets and would go to great lengths to go back in time for one chance to make amends. So, in this unique cafe in Tokyo, you can go back once in the past but have to come back before the coffee gets cold ; but nothing that you do can change the present.

14 likes2 stack adds
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cjvander
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Mehso-so

4/5 This book was engaging & emotional. You walk through the tales of people who would give anything for one last conversation, and are left to think of your own life and the moments that slip by. Although this book was well written and compelling, it was also a bit predictable. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a quick, cozy read.

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CollapsingLibrary
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Pickpick

What a charming, thought provoking yet simple story. Four separate stories that are loosely tied together all centering around a small cafe that can let customers travel in time within a set of strict rules. At first I was found the narration style irksome but quickly grew to enjoy it. A great reminder to live your life in the present and to its fullest. Would recommend for a nice light read.

suvata One of my favorites 10mo
77 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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keepingupwiththepenguins
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Mehso-so

It's a bit trite and earnest, more like a fable or a fairytale than a novel with a plot. It‘s written in a surprisingly simple style, given the complexity of the subject matter. Some people really respond to that though and I don‘t begrudge them that. I'm not sure it lives up to the hype, but you could pick up worse from a Little Free Library. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/before-the-coffee-gets-cold-toshikazu-kawag...

LapReader Same 10mo
CatMS Read and liked. 10mo
46 likes1 stack add2 comments
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LatrelWhite
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🎧💛🧡🩵 ☕️ In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a cafe which has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time.

18 likes1 stack add
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Bklover
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Pickpick

I have no idea whether I liked this or not. I think I liked it, but there were parts that were choppy and seemed oddly inserted into the story. I just don‘t know. Maybe in a few days I‘ll figure it out. 🤷‍♀️

DogMomIrene Oh, interesting. Someone just recommended this book to me. She mentioned is was unusual. 10mo
CatMS I really liked this wonderful little book. 10mo
82 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Walaka
Tales from the Cafe (Original) | Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Sunmark Publishing Inc
Mehso-so

The first book in the series was charming and insightful in its examination of human emotions through the conceit of time travel; the sequel attempts the same lyricism but hits some false notes. Part of the joy of the original stories was how much was left unexplained; this volume tries too hard to fill in the blanks. And it seems to be shifting focus to an annoying child. A bit of a sophomore slump here but I will still check out the next volume.

booklover3258 I'm reading the third book now and the child is not as annoying as in the second book. :) 10mo
Walaka @booklover3258 Good to hear! 😁 10mo
9 likes2 comments
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CozyCatLady
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Pickpick

These books truly have all of my heart. I have laughed and cried and felt everything in between. The stories are so wholesome and well written. I don‘t have any words for it, but I do have all the feelings 🥹🙏❤️

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CozyCatLady
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Really looking forward to reading this book. I adored the first volume and am curious what this one will bring!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♡~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

#books #bookaddict #booklover #bookly #booknerd #bookstagram #casualreader #cozyreader #goodreads #happyreading #reading

marleed Great pic. I love this series! 10mo
CozyCatLady @marleed me too! It is such a wholesome book yet again ❤️ 10mo
13 likes2 comments
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nikekay
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Pickpick

Finished reading on 16 May 2023.

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MariettaSG
Mehso-so

I need a rating between so so and pick and if there was one I‘d use it for this. The book was a bit so so to begin with but grew closer and closer to a pick as I read it. Not amazing but a gentle tale of human needs, particularly regrets within relationships. Very much about the power of hindsight.

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Walaka
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi

A small coffee shop has an unusual feature: it lets you travel through time. But you can only stay in the shop, anything you do in the past won't change anything, and you had better finish your coffee before it gets cold or there will be consequences. The book is less about people trying to change fate and more about how revisiting events can change one's emotional responses Full of understanding human complexity and generosity for our failings.

MariettaSG Generosity of our failings- nice line 11mo
Walaka @MariettaSG Thanks! 3mo
10 likes2 comments
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Leniverse
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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#readathon snacks at the ready (sharing with my reading buddies) and about to start the tagged book. (Yes, I have a cup of coffee too.)

Mollyanna Happy readathon! Have a great day. 11mo
Jenken1998 I have to hit the market.....then I will have the snacks. lol. the cupboards are pretty bare here b/c I really really detest food shopping. happy reading and snacking! 11mo
46 likes2 comments
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CozyCatLady
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Pickpick

This was such a wholesome read and I am already saving up the buy the second and third book in this serie 🙏🥰

marleed I live this series too - there is something magically quiet about them. 11mo
11 likes1 comment
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CozyCatLady
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Time for a new book after finishing the last one. I try to switch between genres to keep it fresh 🤪🙏

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broughtyoubooks
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

Really cool adventure, loved how it blends short story with an ongoing narrative.

MariettaSG I agree that the blending was a nice touch (edited) 11mo
50 likes1 comment
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IselaKay
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

There were some parts I didn‘t like about this book. Like how Fumiko couldn‘t find a way to get in contact with her boyfriend in this day and age was unrealistic to me. But overall, I did like the story. It was warm, sweet, creative, and well written. Recommend.

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melzen
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Similar to one book that I‘ve read before ☺️ enjoying it so far. Heartwarming, delicate writing, good characters so far.
#beforethecoffegetscold #toshikazukawaguchi #tuesdayread

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catness
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Mehso-so

A cute concept of time travel in a coffee shop. Poor presentation, repetitive, mundane, and all tell-don't-show. But some powerfully emotional messages still come through. Makes me think on how to change my attitude even though I can't change the past...

11 likes1 stack add
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sword-lesbian
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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It's the perfect rainy day and I cannot wait to get stuck in this

14 likes1 stack add
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wisherwishinguponastar
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@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for the really lovely card! It made me smile. I really loved this quote: “Keep focused on who and what are most important in your life. Making a life is more important than making a living.” -Larree Renda
If you are one of the wonderful people I have been communicating with through #litsylove please know I appreciate your patience. I am slowly getting things back on track and I should be sending out replies soon!

dabbe Dat puppy face! ❣️🐾❣️ 13mo
wisherwishinguponastar @dabbe it is a powerful weapon! She knows how to use it very well! 13mo
dabbe @wisherwishinguponastar 🤣❣️🐾 13mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 13mo
slategreyskies I know what you mean about being delayed writing people back. I‘m the same way. 💕 13mo
28 likes5 comments
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megnews
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
This post contains spoilers
show me
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Panpan

I read this book for a library discussion. It was going to be months before I got it at the library so I paid for it and regret it. I cannot believe how wildly popular this book was and still is. I checked out goodreads 1 star ratings and the above sum up my feelings. But I disliked this book so much I felt I‘d share in my own words. I was about 10 pages in when I thought this seems more like a play than a novel. Then I saw the author is a 👇🏻

megnews Playwright and it was a play before it was a book. I had concerns it was the translation to English and also tried to consider the culture difference but I don‘t think that accounts for all of it. Spoiler examples of things that bugged me. Long explanation of what Alzheimer‘s is on p98. Who doesn‘t know this? It was explained as if to a child. P 142 someone crying would make them dehydrated? Possible translation issue but where was the editor? (edited) 13mo
megnews P156 the strange explanation of the steps that could have been different but wouldn‘t have changed the outcome. It was just weird. The third story switches suddenly the character is from the future as opposed to the first two where they were from the present visiting the past. With no explanation. The long uninteresting coffee explanation on p 160 that did nothing to move the narrative forward. The part about the coffee picking it‘s customers 13mo
megnews Was the only part I liked and had it been written like that it would have been lovely. P 162 random men constantly offering apartments and cars but she won‘t take them? If we‘re going to get this strange I‘ll take a Mercedes thanks. The top of page 171 is just weird according to my notes. And page 200. Of course your sisters has hopes & dreams like you. Who the heck doesn‘t? I didn‘t finish the last story. I usually won‘t do a negative review (edited) 13mo
See All 8 Comments
megnews If I don‘t finish a book but I feel justified. Based on the blurb I expected something moving like For One More Day by Mitch Albom. Based on the setting (a cafe) I should have loved this. Based on the reviews I expected something profound. This is the worst book I‘ve ever read and far surpasses whatever the next worst was. I can‘t imagine anything ever knocking it out of this place. I‘m so sorry for this review to all those who loved this book. (edited) 13mo
AnnR A fair review with some good insights, Meg. That's even more disappointing, after purchasing the book. The negative reviews for this book have scared me off from reading it. I'm fairly certain I won't like it, as is the case with some other popular, overly hyped books that I have tried reading in the past. 13mo
BethM I did t love this either. I was glad that my copy came from here when someone passed theirs on 13mo
megnews @Ann_Reads I generally skip over hyped books and only finally picked this up since my mom and I recently started attending library book discussions and this was the book. I don‘t think my mom will make it far. Btw you‘re doing a great job on Little House and it came at an amazing time as I have some things I‘ll have to help my mom take care of now. Thank you!! 13mo
AnnR That's so kind of you to say, Meg. I'm so glad I could be helpful to you in some small way during this stressful time. 13mo
12 likes8 comments
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Arvena
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Pickpick

Enjoyable sequel! Simple, but fluid and beautiful writing, bittersweet endings, interesting characters. There is a certain amount of repetitiveness, but it's suitable for these interconnected stories. 😊

IuliaC Great review! It's exactly how I felt about the sequel too. I'm still eager to read sequels 3 and 4 :) 13mo
AvidReader25 I loved the first one, but I haven‘t read the sequel yet. 13mo
BiblioLitten Eager to read this series. 13mo
77 likes2 stack adds3 comments