The Bookshop Woman Paperback – 6 June 2024

I love books about books, but The Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada left me cold. This should’ve been a dream read for anyone who loves books, but instead, it feels like page after page of aimless musings about the protagonist meeting random people, each with a cookie-cutter life dilemma. We’re supposed to believe that her brief “book dates” are profound, life-altering moments, but they mostly drag on with repetitive "oh, okay" realizations that feel like empty fillers rather than genuine insights. It was not even a feel good read for me.It's a memoir. I really liked the concept of this book, The premise involves Nanako recommending books to strangers on a dating site as a way to find herself. It sounds unique at first, but the “book therapy” angle quickly wears thin. Halfway through, I felt like I was slogging through her encounters, trapped in a loop of forced profundity. It could have been interesting, but the writing felt dull, and if there had been stronger connections between her meetings and her reflections, I might have enjoyed it more. Also, there was a lot going on in her life, should have brought that aspect in between the chapters. I really didn't like how it is written. One of those books that had a great potential but missed the chance.If I have to mention a few positives, here’s the list: a unique premise, plenty of book recommendations (there’s even a list at the end, yay!), and some nice passages about the beauty of recommending books. There are a few quirky characters, though none were memorable enough to stick with me.Overall, the book felt like pseudo-insightful rambling. Oddly, I couldn’t even find solace in the Japanese bookstore scenes or the bookish nostalgia, they’re both painted so shallowly. I feel sad to write this because I really wanted to love this book.If you’re looking for genuine self-discovery or soul-searching through literature, there are far better books out there. It's not bad, but also not for everyone.

It was an easy and lovely read, can be spread across a few days, no nail biting moments so it worked well for me, as I have been reading it on the kindle app while feeding my baby

Its was ok. The story line of going to meet strangers to recommend book was weird.

“The Bookshop Woman” by Nanako Hanada is a captivating tale that weaves together themes of resilience, community, and the love of literature. This engaging memoir explores the life of the author and her journey stepping out of her comfort zone towards self-love and personal growth.Though there were times when I felt the narrative a little stretched out but it’s overall a cozy read. And it does a beautiful job at exploring how books can help us connect with others.

This is an engaging memoir that explores the life of Nanako an introvert, quiet Bookshop owner and her journey towards self-discovery and Love.The themes of loneliness, connection, and the transformative power of stories are beautifully explored, making this a must-read for book lovers and anyone who has ever found solace in the pages of a good book.✨✨The setting of the small Japanese town adds a unique and fascinating cultural context, immersing the reader in a world of tranquil gardens, bustling markets, and cozy bookshops.🤌🤌✨✨This book is perfect for all my book lovers because many interesting book recommendations are given in the book but the sad thing is that many of them are not translated in English 🥲🥲😭😭The author's writing is delicate and evocative, weaving a narrative that is both a love letter to books and a nuanced exploration of the human heart.This book is such a cozy read that you will swiftly flow through the pages.Overall a phenomenal and engaging memoir. Recommending to everyone who hasn't read it yet.💟