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Before the Coffee Gets Cold (Original)
Before the Coffee Gets Cold (Original) | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
If you could go back, who would you want to meet? In a small back alley of Tokyo, there is a caf that has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. Local legend says that this shop offers something else besides coffee--the chance to travel back in time. Over the course of one summer, four customers visit the caf in the hopes of making that journey. But time travel isn't so simple, and there are rules that must be followed. Most important, the trip can last only as long as it takes for the coffee to get cold. Heartwarming, wistful, mysterious and delightfully quirky, Toshikazu Kawaguchi's internationally bestselling novel explores the age-old question: What would you change if you could travel back in time?
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Bookworm_Bobbie
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Mehso-so

This wasn‘t for me. I know lots of people loved it, but I was put off from the first short story. The other three were better. I didn‘t like the writing style and noticed a translation error, which I struggled to get past.

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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.

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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...

9 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

12 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! ❣️🐾❣️ 3w
wisherwishinguponastar @dabbe it is a powerful weapon! She knows how to use it very well! 3w
dabbe @wisherwishinguponastar 🤣❣️🐾 3w
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 3w
slategreyskies I know what you mean about being delayed writing people back. I‘m the same way. 💕 3w
26 likes5 comments
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megnews
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
This post contains spoilers
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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) 3w
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 3w
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) 3w
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) 3w
Ann_Reads 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. 3w
BethM I did t love this either. I was glad that my copy came from here when someone passed theirs on 3w
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!! 3w
Ann_Reads 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. 3w
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 :) 4w
AvidReader25 I loved the first one, but I haven‘t read the sequel yet. 4w
BiblioLitten Eager to read this series. 3w
71 likes1 stack add3 comments
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SohiniD
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Feb Reads:
Before the coffee gets cold
Tales from the cafe
Rock paper scissors
Heart on the edge

Absolutely in love with my choices in the month of February. Happy Reading to all!!

8 likes1 stack add
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megnews
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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This is the next library book discussion mom and I are doing in March. This book was published in 2020! I‘m shocked that I can‘t get a digital copy in major Ohio libraries for months. Paper copies at Clevnet also very limited.

BarbaraJean My book group was wanting to read this in February, and we decided to postpone the pick till later in the year because there was such a long wait at our various libraries (Los Angeles and Orange County)! I‘m taking that as a good sign for once we do finally read it! (edited) 1mo
marleed I love this series - I‘m 3 books into the translated stories and hear a 4th is coming! I think they‘d make for a great IRL discussion. 1mo
megnews @marleed glad to hear it‘s so good! 1mo
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megnews @BarbaraJean wow! I decided to just go ahead and purchase a copy for us to share. 1mo
Chelsea.Poole @BarbaraJean this book and audiobook is available on hoopla, if your library has that. 4w
BarbaraJean @Chelsea.Poole Aha! It was not available on Hoopla a month ago, but I see it now! I got a copy for Christmas but lots of others were having library difficulty—I will spread the word and maybe we won‘t have to wait until the summer to read it 😆 4w
39 likes6 comments
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Shievad
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Pickpick

Sweet book. Pacing is on the slower side. Chapters are loosely connected to each other.

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

I don‘t get the buzz. [See what I did there?] Read my mini review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#before-the-coffee-gets-cold

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ICantImReading
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quirky, poignant, transporting. A unique gem of interconnected stories that left me pondering the human experience and craving coffee.

I haven‘t read a ton of translated fiction, but I appreciate the way it helps us expand our understanding and appreciation of the world. Does anyone have any other favorites to recommend?

IuliaC Great review! The sequels are wonderful too 2mo
SamAnne I absolutely loved the tagged. And this one is on my list. 2mo
ICantImReading @SamAnne ooh thank you, I‘ve never heard of this one before! Stacked! 2mo
ICantImReading @IuliaC thank you so much! And that‘s good to know that the whole series is worth it - I‘ll have to see if my library has the other ones! 2mo
61 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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emmaturi
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

Such an interesting book about time travel, relationships, family, about changing the past if we could. The firstbin three books, will definitely get the next two books.

Lunakay There is a fourth one coming in November 🥳 2mo
46 likes1 stack add1 comment
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SheReadsAndWrites
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Sabrina wanted to be a part of Book Club today. 🤓 #bookclub #dogsoflitsy

sarahbellum Ooo that face! 😍 2mo
CBee Hi Sabrina! You‘re the most beautiful pup pup 😍😍😍 2mo
JenReadsAlot Adorable 2mo
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IndoorDame ❤️🐶 2mo
BkClubCare What a sweetheart 💖 2mo
Hooked_on_books I think she‘d have great contributions! 🐶💙 2mo
SheReadsAndWrites She really is the most precious dog. Her insight into the book was greatly appreciated. 💖😉 @sarahbellum @CBee @JenReadsAlot @IndoorDame @BkClubCare @Hooked_on_books 2mo
Leftcoastzen So beautiful ! 2mo
batsy Aww she's a beauty! ❤️ 2mo
65 likes9 comments
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KristiAhlers
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

This was such a good book! I work at a bookstore and we can‘t keep this title on the shelf. It intrigued me enough after ring copy after copy up to see what the big deal was. I must say it is not only a fast read by the various characters will pull you in and hold you captive until the last page.

TheBookHippie I may have to break my book ban and buy it 😵‍💫😝🤣 2mo
KristiAhlers @TheBookHippie 🤣 well if you don‘t want to purchase it I‘m happy to send it to you. I bought all three books today that are out. 2mo
62 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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SheReadsAndWrites
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

I read this for my book club and I really liked it. Its very emotional. Beautiful stories leaving the reader with questions about whether it's beneficial or not to go to the past or see into the future. Lovely read. #bookspin #bookclub

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Sarahannereadsbooks
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Pickpick

It's an emotional read which will warm your heart, break it and also make you laugh. It's definitely more focused on the characters and their stories rather than the time travelling, which I enjoyed.

Like my previous read, I would have enjoyed this book more if it had been more in depth, but this is always a risk you take with shorter books. As it was I think the author did a really good job and I think many readers would appreciate this book.

suvata I loved that book 2mo
Sarahannereadsbooks I really enjoyed it, but there were just little minor things. For example, I would have enjoyed getting the background story of the ghost. 2mo
rwmg @Sarahannereadsbooks If I remember rightly, you find out more about the ghost in the 2nd book 2mo
Sarahannereadsbooks @rwmg I'll have to make sure I pick it up. 2mo
17 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Littlewolf1
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Pickpick

4.5⭐️ The book is about a coffee shop with a chair, yes “that chair“ that allows you to travel back in time. A lot of feelings were brought to the surface during this read, and while at some points the book felt a little cold, the more that I read, the more connected with the characters. By the end of the book I was crying into a box of Kleenex. It‘s a super cute story that is a little unconventional but heartwarming. #bookspinbingo space #5

IuliaC Great review! The sequels are nice too 2mo
wanderinglynn This is on my TBR. I‘ll have to bump it up on the list! 👍🏻 2mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2mo
Littlewolf1 @IuliaC Thank you… I already have book two, so it will probably be on my list for next month 2mo
Littlewolf1 @wanderinglynn I definitely recommend it, it was so good. 2mo
27 likes5 comments
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Littlewolf1
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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If you know, you know! 😢

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Caterina
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Photo taken in a naive moment, not long before this book had me sobbing 😭

Caterina "Husband and Wife" really got me. ? My Grammy with Alzheimer's and dementia died last summer, with my Granddaddy (retired doctor) as her caregiver - so many parallels there. Also last summer, I got married to my love. Felt all the feels with that story. ?? 2mo
48 likes1 comment
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MaleficentBookDragon
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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On the 1st Day of Christmas I pick Before the Coffee Gets Cold as my favorite book of #January.
This was such a sweet book, but beware. Tissues may be needed.
#12booksof2022

Andrew65 Looks a good read. 3mo
tpixie When I was in Paris I bought - so I need to read this also! 3mo
TheBookHippie Oh this looks good! 3mo
75 likes1 stack add3 comments
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TEArificbooks
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Pickpick

Read this one with a box of tissues. Deserves the hype.

46 likes3 stack adds
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NikkiCureton
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

Finished this while on a mini-break in Asheville, NC. Beautiful book, recommend if you‘re looking for a feel-good story that puts a rather interesting spin on time travel.

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Anya91

“It takes courage to say what needs to be said.”

11 likes1 stack add
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Anya91
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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First book of December 🤍

13 likes1 stack add
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jen_the_scribe
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

I really loved this listen. It‘s full of beautiful connections between the characters, and the idea that love transcends time. The story revolves around the employees and customers of a seemingly simple little basement café, but taking a closer look you‘ll find how unique the café really is. Listening to this one was always a bright part of my day.

IuliaC Lovely review! The sequels are great as well 4mo
30 likes1 stack add1 comment
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jen_the_scribe
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi

“If this was the past, then it held no use.”

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starlight97
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

An interesting take on time travel: there's a hidden little café in Tokyo that has one single seat that allows you to travel through time. There are many rules, but one of the most important is that you must return to the present before the coffee before you gets cold. ☕ Oh, and another rule is that no matter what you do in the past, the present won't change.
#magicalrealism #timetravel
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

TheNeverendingTBR Loved it! 5mo
TheNeverendingTBR I've still to read the sequel. Also recently I found out that there's a third book that's just came out. 5mo
starlight97 @TheNeverendingTBR I just started the second book and yes, there's a 3rd one too! 5mo
See All 8 Comments
IuliaC I enjoyed both this one and the sequel very much 5mo
RebelReader I listened to both on my daily walks this summer. I didn‘t know there was a third. Thanks! 5mo
37 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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jen_the_scribe
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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My next listen… 😊

24 likes1 stack add
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SanjanaGhosh
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Mehso-so

I found this book very average...not sure what the hype is about!

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RaeLovesToRead
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Pickpick

#pop22 A different book by an author you read in 2021

Ropy time travel mechanics?

Twee, didactic life lessons?

More of the same?

I don't care. These stories are life affirming, gorgeous and make me cry in public.

I can practically smell the coffee; it's like I'm sitting there in the sepia-toned room sipping bitter-tasting syphon coffee and thinking about life, the universe and death.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Plus a pic of some caramel apple pie 😉

squirrelbrain Great review! And I‘d like some of that pie please…. 5mo
Cinfhen Yesssss to everything in this post 😍 5mo
See All 11 Comments
RaeLovesToRead @squirrelbrain If you ever fancy a day trip down to Southwell, I will take you for caramel apple pie! 😁😊 5mo
RaeLovesToRead @Cinfhen I've just bought the 3rd one as well.. 🙃 5mo
Megabooks Fantastic review!! 5mo
Cortg Awesome! 5mo
Sparklemn That pie looks beyond good! 😋 5mo
IuliaC Great review! I loved these tales too 5mo
RaeLovesToRead @Megabooks @Cortg @IuliaC Aww, thanks everyone! 😊💕 5mo
RaeLovesToRead @Sparklemn Sooooo good 😉💕 5mo
75 likes11 comments
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Magpiegem
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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When I let my coffee get cold it makes me want to…#scream ☕️🙀😂 #scarathlondailyprompts #teammonstermash

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Nebklvr
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Mehso-so

The concept was interesting but the characters and writing keep the reader at a remove.

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Robotswithpersonality
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
This post contains spoilers
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Panpan

Oof. Never a good sign when I have to push myself to continue. I guess this must do something for other people that it didn't do for me. Much like Kazuo Ishigiro's 'Klara and the Sun', I didn't feel invested and moved so much as emotionally manipulated, unsuccessfully.
Guilting someone via opinion of dead family members (which shows up TWICE) to modify behaviour during greiving process is reprehensible. Lack of communication: my least fave trope.

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Graciouswarriorprincess
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Book 106 of the year.

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coffees
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

Decided to reread this one because I'm going to dive into the next two books and yup, still enjoyed it as much as the first time. Even though it has magical elements (#timetravel), it still does such an amazing job at keeping the focus on the characters, their struggles, and their relationships with each other. I'm curious to see what the sequel is about #fiction #Japanesefiction #japan

16 likes1 stack add
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DMC_run8
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

In a coffee shop in Japan there is a seat that can take you to the past. There are several rules including : 1. Nothing you say or do will change the present and 2. You must return to the present before your coffee gets cold. I loved the characters and the lesson! 5⭐️

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Readswithcoffee
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

I really like the premise of this book. I even like the “rules.” At times it was somewhat repetitive. I wish I had known this was a novelization of a play before I listened to it. I can easily imagine this occurring onstage. I agree with other reviewers who mentioned that there was no cat in the story even though there is a cat on the cover. The narrator has a very pleasant voice and is a good match for this novel.

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

Premise? Wonderful. Sense of place? Lovely. Everything else? A total mess. This book is frustratingly repetitive. Characters are not fleshed out and are often problematic—the woman with the body of a model who doesn‘t know she‘s beautiful and whose “work is her lover,” the disabled kind-hearted martyr, etc. After I found out this is actually a novelization of a play, it made more sense.

underground_bks Omg forgot my TOP complaint—there‘s nary a single cat in this book despite the cover art 😂 9mo
rwmg Yes, the cover is misleading. I loved the book but was supposed to be reading it for a challenge to read a book with a cat in it. No feline content at all 🙄 9mo
underground_bks @rwmg false advertising!! Show us the kitties! 9mo
42 likes3 comments
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Weisubei
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

4.2 ⭐

My 1st reread since forever. I don't know why I always put aside the idea of reread maybe because of my mounting TBR, or I'm afraid I'll lose the feeling I got when I first read it. But I'm glad it's not true. I still feel it, I cried as hard.
Lesson learnt, not every story end happily, but how the story changed us as a person is what matters most.

It takes a special kind of book to make a person reflects on life, and this is it.

Weisubei Got my 2nd bingo, this is my best record so far for #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks 9mo
SW-T I think rereads are like comfort food; sometimes you just need them. 9mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! I'm with @SW-T when I am feeling a little down or not like reading, a reread of an old favorite is usually just what I need!! 9mo
Weisubei @SW-T @TheAromaofBooks yes, I think so too after rereading this, I know I can pick up my old favorites and will still love them. 9mo
24 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Weisubei
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Finishing the 2nd story in the book, I cried so hard.
The 1st story gives me hopeful love.
The 2nd story is a whole new world, a roller coaster of emotion. An unconditional love 😭😭😭

It's a reread for me, and yet I still feel the emotion so strongly.

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Weisubei
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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It's raining tonight 🌩️🌧️🌩️

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Eggbeater
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Pickpick

I liked the time travel rules and the atmosphere of the cafe. I was attached to the characters and their outcomes; I just really wanted different outcomes for some of them. I had trouble relating to the familial guilt and pressure and I had trouble with a sick person being cast as such a cheerful martyr. These may be my own issues. I did enjoy the book.

Eggbeater The ghost who does nothing but read, drink coffee, and get up to pee once a day and curses people when they touch her: #lifegoals 9mo
53 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Weisubei
Before the Coffee Gets Cold | Toshikazu Kawaguchi
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Rereading this 💚💚

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mackelie
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Pickpick

Heartwarming stories of people at the Funiculi Funicular cafe where you can go back in time (or future) as long as you drink your coffee before it gets cold.

I liked it that as we follow 4 individual stories, at the same time, they are all linked together by Kazu and the owners of the cafe. We also find out more about the ghost who occupies the special seat.

A good follow up for the first book! Looking forward to the next stories to come!

34 likes1 stack add
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mackelie
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Looking forward to reading ‘Before the coffee gets cold: Tales from the Cafe‘. Really loved the first book! Time to immerse into this magical story again! 💗

IuliaC Both are lovely! 11mo
30 likes1 comment