The Cat Who Saved Books

>English below.< Da ich leider kein Japanisch spreche und zu spät entdeckt habe, dass das Buch im November 2022 auf Deutsch erschienen ist ("Die Katze, die von Büchern träumte"), habe ich mein Englisch ein wenig damit aufgebessert. Eine absolut wundervolle Geschichte, die auch mir selbst und meinen Lesegewohnheiten ein wenig den Spiegel vorgehalten hat. Ich habe mich gefragt: Mag ich wirklich Bücher? Oder mag ich es nur, als bücherliebende Person gesehen zu werden? Lese ich Bücher WIRKLICH? Oder verschlinge ich sie nur, um sie auf meiner Gelesen-Liste abhaken zu können? Fragen an sich selbst mal beiseite: Natürlich spricht die japanisch Kultur aus diesem Buch. Trotz allem ist die Geschichte erfrischend einfach in ihrem Aufbau und ihrer Schreibweise gehalten, sodass sie sich einfach angenehm wegknuspern lässt. A wonderful story that made me question my own reading habits. I asked myself: do I really like books? Or do I just like being seen as a book-loving person? Do I TRULY read books? Or do I just gobble them up so I can check them off my read list? Questions to self aside: Of course, the Japanese culture speaks from this book. Yet, the story is refreshingly simple in its structure and writing, making it an easy, enjoyable read.

Natsuki Books is a small second-hand bookshop and Rintarou's favourite place, being an introvert and not handling interacting with others well. After his grandfather, owner of this small store, passes away, Rintarou has to deal with the grief of losing someone close to him, with the bookshops impending fate weighing extra on his shoulders. He hides behind the bookshelves and countless rare books that his grandfather loved, when a talking tabby cat appears in his shop, needing specifically his help in a magical quest to save books from certain doom. This is the most tender, heartwarming story I have read in a while. I love the characters, especially Tiger the cat of course, but also Rintarou and Sayo, his classmate, were a joy to read about. The premise of the labyrinths, the tests that Tiger puts Rintarou in, are simple enough to understand, but each of them help Rintarou overcome his grief about his grandfather. If you want a short. adorable book dealing with serious themes in a great way, you'll love this!

Loved the story. Japanese stories have such cool vibes that make the books so fun to read. The book had some valuabke lessons and it took me not much time to finish it. That is why I recommend it :)

It is a well-written, rather calm story. The main characters are very well portrayed and the cat's sarcastic personality makes you chuckle at times. Rintaro's personal development from the beginning to the end of the story is presented very well. A good story to read on holiday – it will make you love books even more!

Particularly for those who appreciate the value of books and how they affect people in different ways. Interesting character development and setting in Japan. Maybe a different type of cat to the one expected. Recommend it .