More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

By Kate    August 2025

More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

Published: Manilla Press 4 July 2024

Rating : ★★★★ 

Genres:  Literary Fiction, Cultural Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

Age Rating: Adult

This year, I’ve been making an effort to expand the types of books I read. I’ve been exploring more translated fiction and stepping outside of my comfort zone, and I’m so glad I did. Earlier this year, I read ‘Days at the Morisaki Bookshop’ and absolutely loved it, which made me eager to pick up the sequel. I finally got my hands on it and was not prepared for the depth it contained. Like the first book, I appreciated its insightful commentary on life and reading, as well as its rich characters. Without further ado, here’s my review.

About the Book

I wonder if the love of books is hereditary.

I sometimes think that might be why I’m still coming so often to the shop on my days off from work.

“This is a bookshop,” my uncle says. “How are we not going to look at books? Right, Takako?”

“Right,” I agree with a laugh.

This is my beloved Morisaki Bookshop. It’s been an inseparable part of my life since the days I lived here. In its own modest way, it’s a place that holds so many little stories within its walls. Maybe that’s the reason I keep coming back.

My Review

General thoughts

I’m going to be completely honest that I’m writing this review the same day as finishing the book, which means that some of my thoughts are still a bit jumbled, but I’ll do my best to be as articulate as possible.

I’ll start by talking about the overall feel of this book, which is what draws me to this series. It’s so warm and cosy, offering a reflection on life and reading that immediately makes me feel safe within its pages, and I find that invaluable. I’ve read a few books translated from Japanese this year, and I’ve really enjoyed each one. I may be wrong, but they seem to have a feeling that books written in English lack. Something slower, but in a different way. Personally, I’ve noticed this because I know the book wasn’t originally written in English, and language greatly influences how people perceive things. I love studying languages and exploring how they impact us in so many ways; obviously, this, along with a country’s culture, shapes how people think about things. I see this clearly in translated fiction, and I absolutely love it. There’s a quality to these books that I can’t quite explain, but I just adore it. While reading, I found myself captivated by descriptions of the weather, how it sets the mood of the story, and influences the characters. The use of pathetic fallacy significantly enhanced my reading experience, as everything was cohesive and worked together to create a magical atmosphere that made me feel immersed in the streets of this small town. I’m not sure if my English GCSE has influenced me or if I’m just being odd, but it’s something I’ve consistently noticed and really wanted to point out because I think it’s done so well.

Next, I appreciate that there isn’t a particularly action-packed plot, and the book has a much slower pace, but it never once lost my interest. I’ve become deeply invested in these characters, the Morisaki Bookshop, and the small town they all live in. Additionally, I think the book was very well written overall, and everything felt very intentional on the part of the author, which I really value when reading. A big part of what I’m referring to is the books and characters that the characters discuss in the story. By that, I mean that nothing seems shoehorned in and it always relates to the lives of the characters or the larger plot. I also enjoy that there isn’t just one thing happening at a time, but rather several issues Takako has on her mind at any given moment. Wada, Tomo, Sabu, Takano, Satoru, and Momoko. All these characters have their own storylines that weave into Takako’s and others’, creating a very rich read and a compelling story. I loved all the different elements each character brought and became very engaged in all of their stories.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a book review written by me without mentioning the emotional impact I experienced while reading this book, and I mean that in the best possible way. Usually, I feel very happy and content when reading these books, but the mark of a great writer is their ability to make the audience feel the entire emotional rollercoaster. What I’m referring to are two particular moments in the book where I was sobbing.

The first story revolves around Tomo and Takano. Tomo is a friend of Takako’s and currently works at a university library. However, she used to work at the same little coffee shop as Takano. Takano has feelings for Tomo, but after she quit her job, she never reached out again. Takano decides to talk to Takako about his feelings for Tomo. When Takako brings it up with Tomo, she responds in an unexpected way that deeply impacts Takano. Tomo explains that there’s nothing wrong with Takano, but something is wrong with her. She reveals that her sister introduced her to reading, and she enjoyed spending time with both her sister and her sister’s boyfriend. However, she also had a bit of a crush on her sister’s boyfriend. Tragically, her sister passed away in an accident, and Tomo struggles with the guilt of feeling hope in her despair—hope that he would finally notice her now that her sister was gone. As a result, she has chosen not to let herself get close to any man. As a sister myself, this storyline deeply affected me, and I found myself in tears. What makes it even more painful is that Takano is determined to find a book that Tomo mentioned, which turns out not to exist. It’s a text integral to a book she and her sister read together, and there is a whole community of people searching for it, but they are unable to find it. Despite this, with Takako’s help, Takano embarks on an extensive quest to find the book in order to show Tomo that he loves her. Eventually, all of this culminates in a deeper connection between them.

The moment I truly lost it was when it was revealed that Momoko’s cancer had returned and was advanced. For those who have read the first book, you know that Momoko returns to the Bookshop, and it is disclosed that she has cancer; however, the book ends without revealing her fate. Early on in the sequel, we learn that Momoko seems to be doing well and that her cancer isn’t too severe. But then the story takes a shocking turn, catching us completely off guard. After a trip away with Saturo, it is revealed that her cancer has returned and has progressed to an advanced stage. Momoko refuses surgery because the cancer has spread, forcing both the characters and the readers to prepare for her eventual death. The writing in this section was incredibly beautiful, and the deepening relationships between Momoko and the other characters tugged at my heartstrings. I won’t go into too much detail because it might bring me to tears again, but the entire experience is beautifully heartbreaking, drawing me to read on. What I wasn’t prepared for was the impact this revelation had on Saturo. While the death of his wife would obviously be devastating, I never expected him to close the Bookshop for an extended period (don’t worry, he does eventually reopen it).  What I loved even more was how we could track his grief through Morisaki Bookshop. The shop evolves from a beloved place while Momoko is healthy and alive to a more sombre environment as her illness progresses, culminating in its closure after her death. Honestly, the writing in this book was so beautiful, and it told a story in a way I’ve never encountered before, which is why I love this series so much.

Characters

There is a wide variety of characters in this book, bringing a wealth of depth to the story. I love each of them, but here I will just talk about my favourites.

The story is narrated by Takako, a 28-year-old designer. Once heartbroken and directionless, she found healing through books and community in her uncle’s bookshop. In this sequel, she has gained confidence and is balancing her work with supporting the shop. Her emotional journey continues as she navigates her relationship with her boyfriend, Wada, while deepening her bonds with her aunt, Momoko, and others. I really enjoyed reading the book from her perspective, getting insight into her thoughts and understanding how much the bookshop and the people around her mean to her. My favourite moments were when I discovered just how much her uncle, Satoru, means to her—he’s my favourite character. It’s heartwarming to see how she has built a fulfilling life with her friends and boyfriend, Wada.

Satoru is Takako’s uncle and the proprietor of the Morisaki Bookshop. Now in his early fifties, he is eccentric, kind-hearted, and obsessed with books, serving as a grounding mentor for Takako. He faces the challenge of deciding whether to continue operating the shop after experiencing new emotional revelations related to his late wife, Momoko. Satoru is my favourite character in the entire series, and I genuinely love him. He is incredibly kind to everyone around him, and people know they can count on him. It was heartbreaking to see how deeply Momoko’s death affected him. He had never willingly taken a day off from running the bookshop in his life, but after she passed away, he closed it, which shattered my heart. He loves deeply, and he taught Takako that love and relationships are what truly matter in life. Tragically, he loses the person he loves most after she returns to him following a five-year absence. I know life can be cruel, but I was not emotionally prepared for that moment. However, seeing how he decides to move forward—recognising that this is what Momoko would have wanted for him—shows what an amazing person he is and provides some hope. He may never be 100% again, but he can keep going, and he and the bookshop can move forward together.

Momoko Morisaki is Satoru’s wife, who returns after a long, unexplained absence. She is warm, resilient, and wise, gradually revealing the reasons for her departure, including a past cancer diagnosis. Her presence introduces both tension and healing, especially in the evolving dynamic with Takako. While reading the first book, I really didn’t like Momoko because I loved Satoru so much, but by the end of this book, I had come to love her and found myself weeping for her. What I enjoyed about her character is how she balances out Satoru and Takako, knowing exactly what everyone needs. Although she says she’s not great at reading people, she is emotionally intelligent, and I absolutely love that aspect of her. One repeated character trait that always made me smile was her habit of pinching someone’s cheek; it was a clear indication of her presence, which I, as a reader and aspiring author, appreciated. Unfortunately, she dies before the end of the book. Throughout her situation, she displays immense love for others and reconciles with the reality of her impending death, deepening her relationships with those around her. She is a cheerful person who doesn’t want others to halt their lives after her death. Aware that it would be particularly hard for Satoru, she leaves a ledger in the shop for him and Takako. The letter within the ledger that she writes to her husband is possibly the most heart-wrenching yet uplifting part of a book I’ve read in a long time. Her character transformation is remarkable, and while I’m incredibly sad that she dies, I know I won’t forget her character anytime soon.

Wada (#1 – ifykyk) is Takako’s boyfriend, met through the café near the bookshop. Creative and introspective, he shares Takako’s love of literature. Their relationship is tender but marked by uncertainty and self-doubt, illustrating the real‑life challenges of opening up to someone new. I really enjoyed their relationship and was very happy that they’d both found love for themselves after not the easiest past. However, what I really enjoyed about his character is that he has aspirations of writing a book about the Morisaki Bookshop and as a wannabe author, I appreciate it and enjoyed reading about that aspect of his character. However, in the book, Saturo doesn’t trust Wada due to the fact that he doesn’t want to see Takako hurt, and Momoko calls him out on it and knows that Wada is a good guy. There was one point in the novel where it seemed like Saturo was right in that all guys do is break hearts, but once Takako talks to Wada, it is clear that Momoko is correct. Honestly, I love Saturo to pieces, but I am so glad he was wrong.

Lastly, there is Tomo. A fellow book lover, she becomes one of Takako’s close friends. Tomo grapples with emotional wounds from her past, which make intimacy—and romantic prospects—difficult. To be honest, I really enjoyed her character, but I’ve said what I really need to say about her character earlier in the review (sorry).

Favourite Quotes

“Looking back, I realised all of my memories of my uncle from that time made me feel like I was in some warm, sun-dappled spot. Was it nostalgia? Did I wish I could go back in time?”

“His writing was so powerful, I felt like he was right beside me, speaking to me. The book had such an irresistible pull that before I knew it, I was completely sucked in.”

“In that moment the Morisaki Bookshop, which used to resound with the sound of my uncle’s cheerful voice, now seemed a terribly desolate place.”

“Momoko had kept smiling her reassuring smile, as radiant as a flower in bloom.”

“There are too many memories in the bookshop. I remembered what my uncle looked like as he said that to me. Memories that stretched across twenty years, of happiness and sorrow, had accumulated in that site, layer by layer.”

““This is a bookshop. We sell books.” The look on his face was cheerful, a little proud.”

“People forget all kinds of things. You live by forgetting. Yet our thoughts endure, the way waves leave traces in the sand.”

In conclusion, I absolutely loved this book; it made me feel both profoundly happy and completely devastated. It stands out from anything else I’ve read, reminding you to slow down and truly appreciate the simple things in life—those that matter most. Overall, I’m giving this book 4 stars. If you haven’t yet read the series, I highly recommend it, and I hope you enjoyed it if you have read it. 

Have you read More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop ?

If not, don’t forget to add it to your TBR list.

Happy reading!

Kate x