Reading Now: Before the Coffee Gets Cold

My second post… I thought about what to write for awhile and I decided to not make a big deal about it. I’ll have plenty more posts coming in the future.

Let’s talk about what I’ve been reading for the past couple of days.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

I typically read non-fiction books – management/leadership, technical, historical, etc. – so when I asked coworkers for fiction recommendations, I got lists and lists of books! The first one I chose was ‘Before the coffee gets cold.’

I finished the second chapter last night. Not only am I impressed with the charm of the book so, but it has also had an emotional impact on me (I had something in my eyes, I wasn’t tearing up!).

The story takes place entirely inside an old Japanese café. Not until the second chapter did I realize that the café is the main character. A small, windowless space with three stools at the counter and three tables with two chairs each. Three large antique wall clocks sit in the café but they all show different times. The author does such an amazing job of creating a mysterious, yet cozy, atmosphere within the tiny café.

The open secret, and the central aspect of the story, is that time travel is possible and very real in this café. There are many rules for time travelling, one being the fact that you are only in the past until your coffee gets cold.

Though the café is the soul of the book, it’s the people who are the heart of the stories. The first chapter revolves around a young woman whose lover has left the country for a new job. The second chapter is about regulars of the café, Kohtake and her husband, Fusagi.

I don’t want to spoil too much but this is where I was completely drawn into the story. Kohtake, a nurse, has been taking care of her husband, Fusagi, who has Alzheimer and has been slowly declining in mental health. Kohtake decides to go back in time and talk to Fusagi before his illness takes over and before he forgets who Kohtake is.

My thoughts So Far

This is such a charming and heartwarming book. I look forward to continuing it and definitely will recommend it to others!