I had been really excited for this one as I love this genre of Japanese fiction but this one fell a little short for me unfortunately!

Some of the stories were really endearing but others just felt like they were missing something for me personally.

A beautiful and heartwarming book that I really enjoyed! Both emotive and sweet, this book shows the power of talking and communication, as well as the joy of friendship and love. Each chapter being someone else’s story was a gorgeous experience and the linking to the stationary was amazing and very poetic. Overall an easy 5 star read from me.

Lovely story, heartfelt. Full of good intentions. It's not got anything magical in this book which i liked, it's more to do with real life issues and I think it was executed beautifully. The cover is just gorgeous and who doesn't like stationary.

So cosy, so heartwartming, so typical of Japanese literature. Love these types of books. They are the gift that keeps on giving.

I see a real trend of these books these days - usually from Japan or Asia, set in a cute shop or business, with an owner who is wise and patient, and with customers who keep coming back and magically find peace and wisdom in (pick one) a coffee shop, a bookshop, or, as with this book, a stationery shop.

It's a funny genre, and I can see the appeal, but I think at times they all blend together and become similar. This one follows the customers of the Shihodo Stationery Shop, in Ginza, Tokyo, and their stories and reasons for visiting this shop that has belonged to Ken's family for several generations. Ken is discreet and listens, gets involved occasionally and has the right advice for everyone. The customers are all different - a businessman trying to write a eulogy for his first wife, a high-school archer in love with the team captain, a young employee missing his grandmother... My favourite was probably the young woman who works in a hostess club and takes compulsive notes to learn everything she can about the business, and wants to start her own club, I liked the characters.

Overall it was a cute, cozy read, but I am not sure I will remember too many details in the next few months. I found it enjoyable and very quick to read though.

After several slightly disappointing reads in this genre of Japanese cosy literature this book was like a breath of fresh air. The connected stories felt very real and I loved the emphasis on old school letter writing manners.
As someone who could spend almost as long in a stationery shop as she can in a bookshop this book really spoke to me.

A curious set of mini stories that centre upon people visiting the stationery shop for supplies, be it to write a letter to their grandmother, an invitation to a mentor or to write an obituary for a former wife. The manager of the shop knows their needs and provides the perfect stationery for the situation.

I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.

I love Japanese translated fiction and this is a new love of mine .... yep give me it all. This was such an endearing story about this little stationary shop which becomes the center of this book. The way that the author has framed this story that when you visit the store then you will find the stationary of your dreams. The book give me the feeling of a hug in a book which helps you to connect with memories which have been long forgotten. Obviously none of this could happen without the loveable shop owner. I would love to hear more from this little shop.

First of all, a moment for that beautiful cover. I would want to read this book on the strength of that alone. There seems to be something of a fashion for Japanese books of late, a lot of them based around coffee, and having read this one, I can see why. There is something very peaceful about this book. It feels measured and intentional. It's a TikTok cliche to say it is very cutesy, very demure, very mindful, but it actually is. The story is heartfelt and told gently, beautifully. I was gripped, in the best way possible. This story is warm and soft and l adored it.

Thank goodness that translators exist! Beautifully rendered into English by Emily Balistrieri, this work of Japanese fiction is an uplifting and cosy collection of stories that seamlessly flow into each other.

Ken Takarada is the owner of a respected stationery shop hidden away in a corner of the Ginza neighbourhood in Tokyo. His shop has something magical about it, with its tidy displays of fine articles and the brightly lit first floor, where customers are invited to gather their thoughts before putting pen to paper.

What is truly magical, however, is Ken-chan himself. Finely attuned to people’s feelings and needs, he always seems to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right advice. With a friendly smile, a warm cup of tea and a seasonal sweet treat, he delivers way more than his impeccable knowledge of pens and notebooks.

Infused with that warm glow that only seems to come from Japanese literature, this is a little gem to read (and re-read) in any season.

Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book hit the shelves last week. It was an absolutely delightful read, there is just something for me about translated texts from Japanese that gives them an air of wonder and warmth. The shop owner Takarada-san is almost a fairytale character in the way that he uses his knowledge to let the various characters go on their journeys of discovery. You almost forget that the book is set in modern times as the book invites the reader to pause from the frenetic world of emails and reminds them that there is great pleasure and self care in going analog.

This is definitely a perfect book for the current colder months as it is all about the characters introspecting, writing their letters with a lovely hot comforting drink. It's just a lovely unpretentious book showing a slice of life for the various characters who find themselves visiting the stationery shop. A book needs to really impress me to mark that "would you gift this to a friend" checkbox, but I will do it for this book and while reading I was already thinking of various people I could recommend it to. It will make a perfect Christmas gift.

With beautiful descriptions of stationery, a sales assistant who goes above and beyond and the potential of Japanese tea and snacks, this book makes the reader really want to go to the Shihodo Stationery Store. I could just picture settling myself at the writing desk with a nice new notebook and a cup of steaming sencha beside me to write this review. It would be an experience to treasure.

This book follows a similar format as the Kamogawa Food Detective books in that it has short stories that show the customer coming to Shihodo and then reflecting back or recounting whatever is going on in the lives that’s brought them to this moment in time. It made for a good range of different characters and stories and made for a format that could go on and on without getting stale.

I loved how cosy this book was. There were repeating elements in each story that really brought all the stories together and it just really made me feel warm inside. The stories themselves also had narratives of all different kinds of love and relationships, including familial, romantic and mentor/mentee, which just made the whole thing so warming to read.

I hope they do another book because I enjoyed this one so much.

I really struggled to get into this book. I am a big fan of Japanese fiction and the feeling it evokes in me, but I found this book lacking in substance.

It is quite well written but just didn't suck me in.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

A beautifully cosy collection of short stories, set in a stationery shop, what more could you want?
The novel captures the magic of kindness whilst keeping the mood lighthearted, and with a wonderful exploration of japanese culture, letter writing and the value of sharing feelings with those who have helped us along the way.

I particularly enjoyed the realness - I feel like a lot of novels I have recently read set in Japan are speculative fiction, and this book felt particularly grounded whilst also maintaining a sense of whimsy

After falling in love with When the Coffee Gets Cold, I knew that this new release would be a great one for me, and I wasn't wrong! Such a calming and beautiful book with the most gorgeous descriptions.

So beautifully written. Makes you think in a very calming and gentle way. The author has a knack for description. Recommend! 4stars

My Bookish Thoughts 💬
A heartwarming, gentle collection of interconnected stories. The thoughtful stationery shop owner, Ken, helps his customers compose heartfelt letters, encouraging them to open up, share their stories, and find closure or purpose in their lives.

Each story is unique, packing so much depth and emotion into a short space. The shop itself is beautifully described, engaging all the senses through the characters’ perspectives. The book offers fascinating insights into Japanese stationery and letter-writing traditions, which I found enchanting.

Every chapter is named after a piece of stationery; my favourites were Fountain Pen and Memo Pad.

In the spirit of honesty, I did find myself wishing for a glossary of Japanese terms. Reading a proof copy, I often had to stop and look up words, especially during the Kyudo story, as unfamiliar terms made it hard to keep the flow.

Emily Balistrieri’s translation brings Kenji Ueda's world to life, capturing the delicate nuances of Japanese culture and language with sensitivity and warmth, making it a joy to read.

Overall, this book feels like a warm hug, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing, heartwarming read—especially if, like me, you love Japanese translated fiction.

Huge thank you to Net Gallery, Manilla Press, Bonnier Books UK, Love Books Tours and Kenji Ueda gifting me a proof copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first Japanese translated book I've read ( I know there is a lot of them about currently) it had a completely different feeling to my usual thriller, crime and fantasy books I read.

The book was split into shorter stories but all included the Ginza Shihodo Stationery Shop and it's owner Ken.

Each story, although different, all centred around a life issue that needed the advice of a wise man - plus some writing paper!

I would definitely recommend if you are after a heart warming collection of stories to cosy up with and maybe even take some of the advice for your own life.

A gentle read that draws you into the lives of the characters within.
I loved how Ken-Chan the stationery shop owner interacts with each customer, a book of short stories with each chapter dedicated to a new customer.
I loved it, the writing, the characters and also the Japanese culture which came alive within the pages.
If you liked the before the coffee gets cold, you’ll love this too.
Thank you @lovebookstours @manilla_press and @bonnierbooks_uk for having me on the tour and for a copy of this ebook via @netgalley

Thank you to @lovebookstours for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I recently read The Full Moon Coffee Shop and this reminded me of that, but with notebooks and stationery. It was just a warm hug of a book, allowing 5 people going through tough times to tell their story and have a stranger help them see the correct path.

Each section of this book is different, but the same, if that makes sense. The 5 different individuals have something in their background that is playing on their mind, and they all feel that a letter to that person will help them clear their conscience and make things feel right in their hearts. They all have overcome difficult times with the help of the person the letter is destined for, and this is their thank you.

Such a gorgeous book, heartwarming and full of life lessons. Another that you will something different out of every time you read it.