I was drawn to the cover of this book and the fact it was non-fiction (though it read like fiction and would appeal to someone who thinks they don’t like reading non-fiction). I thought it was published in May so read it then, but it’s actually out in early June.
Nanako Hanada (trans. Cat Anderson) – “The Bookshop Woman”
(7 May 2024, NetGalley)
I didn’t need ordinary happiness. I didn’t need romance, or marriage. I didn’t need money or stability. I didn’t need anything. All I needeed was to live my life, and keep believing in the hope I’d seen today. I could see it clearly now: the happiness I’d been searching for. That was the kind of night it was.
Nanako is breaking up with her husband and living in a tiny flat; she works in a weird shop which is part-novelties and part-books, staffed by life’s slightly odder people; she’s always fitted in there but recently wanted a bit more. She joins a website called PerfectStrangers where you can meet a stranger for half an hour in public, and documents the people she meets, quickly deciding her schtick will be recommending a book to them. There’s a sweet little line drawing of each main person she meets.
Soon she’s expanding her friendship group, hanging out playing games and taking part in a recommending marathon with booksellers. We get her rules for matching books to people and enjoy meeting in the main nice people, some of whom she befriends properly.
There’s a chapter-by-chapter bibliography (with a note of which books are available in English translation), a recommended reading list by Nanako and a list of books recommended by the publisher, Brazen (I’ve read none of the former and two of the latter) which makes it a lovely and friendly resource as well as an interesting read in itself.
Thank you to Octopus Publishing for selecting me to read this novel in return for an honest review. “The Bookshop Woman” is published on 6 June 2024.
griffandsarahthomas
May 25, 2024 @ 10:45:13
I would be drawn to the cover if I spotted this book too. And, after reading your review, I am drawn to it even more. It is on the list to look out for as soon as it’s published. Thank you for drawing it to my attention; I do find it very appealing! (and I am so desperate to add books to my wish list……!!)
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Liz Dexter
May 25, 2024 @ 18:31:38
It’s really a lovely read and all the better for being nonfiction!
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Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
May 25, 2024 @ 11:05:19
It sounds like a perfect book for me. I will add it to my list.
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Liz Dexter
May 25, 2024 @ 18:31:59
I think you would enjoy it!
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Life of a Female Bibliophile
May 26, 2024 @ 14:07:25
Thanks for putting this book on my radar. It sounds like a great book about books. I’ll have to add this to my TBR.
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Liz Dexter
May 26, 2024 @ 16:46:10
Excellent, glad I’m helping it to find some more readers as it’s lovely!
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JacquiWine
May 26, 2024 @ 14:11:21
How interesting…it does sound like the premise for a novel, very much in tune with the tend for quirky, uplifting Japanese fiction. Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
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Liz Dexter
May 26, 2024 @ 16:46:50
Yes, it felt very novelly but then the end section made it clear it was memoir / nonfiction. It’s a lovely addition to Japanese literature available here anyway.
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kaggsysbookishramblings
May 27, 2024 @ 11:48:16
Oh, this sounds lovely Liz – thanks for the heads up!!
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Liz Dexter
May 27, 2024 @ 19:50:37
It’s quite a special book, I hope a copy comes your way as I think you’d like it!
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thecontentreader
May 27, 2024 @ 16:39:29
A different take on books, it sounds interesting.
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Liz Dexter
May 27, 2024 @ 19:51:03
It was so interesting. I mean, we all like recommending books, but to strangers …?
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WordsAndPeace
May 29, 2024 @ 02:13:34
Ooh, Japanese nonfiction on books? Nice! Thanks for your review
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Liz Dexter
May 31, 2024 @ 16:25:57
It’s enticed a few of my book blog friends!!
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heavenali
Jun 02, 2024 @ 11:23:24
Ha, I am definitely the person who thinks they don’t like non fiction. Or rather, I know I only like very specific kinds of non fiction. I do think I would enjoy this. I do like books about books after all.
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Liz Dexter
Jun 02, 2024 @ 18:57:03
You would love this one, especially with your interest in Japanese writers.
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