Written by: Toshikazu Kawaguchi
First line: Oh, gosh, is that the time?
Why you should read this book: This novel (or 4 linked novellas depending on how you want to count) about a magical basement cafe where, if you follow the rules and respect the ghost and don't expect too much from the trip, you can travel to the past or the future for the exact space of time it takes for a cup of coffee to get cold was a bestseller in Japan. Even though the characters who take these journeys are aware that they cannot change the present by traveling to the past (they can't even leave their seat, or communicate with anyone who wasn't physically in the cafe on the day they arrive) they still feel strong compulsions to go back and say the thing they didn't say the first time around. And even though they can't change events, they can still change emotions and expectations and use this magical gift to improve their lives.
Why you shouldn't read this book: It may lose something in translation; it's a very "quiet" kind of story with very little action, but an awful lot of exposition.
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