Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a heart-tugging, time-travel tale that’s like a cozy blanket wrapped around a bittersweet memory. Set in a tiny, timeless Tokyo café rumored to let patrons travel through time, this Japanese novel (translated by Geoffrey Trousselot) follows four strangers who dare to revisit their past—but there’s a catch: they must return before their coffee gets cold, and the present won’t change. The 272-page book, originally a play, unfolds in vignettes: a woman confronts her ex who left her for a dream job; a wife visits her husband before Alzheimer’s steals his memories; a sister seeks closure with a sibling taken too soon; and a daughter meets her mother one last time. Each story, told in simple yet evocative prose, explores regret, love, and letting go, with the café’s quirky rules (you stay seated, can’t leave, and only meet those who’ve visited) adding a magical-realism glow. The staff—enigmatic barista Kazu and her family—tie the tales with quiet wisdom. Fans adore the “life’s too short” feels and lines like, “We can’t change the past, but we can carry it differently,” but some find the repetitive structure (those rules get explained a lot!) or stagey dialogue clunky, and the emotional payoff varies by story. BookTok and X rave about its cozy yet profound vibe, making this 2015 hit (English release 2019) a global tearjerker, spawning sequels like Tales from the Café. It’s a delicate, haunting read that’ll make you cherish the moment.
Who Should Read It? This is for literary fiction fans who love emotional, character-driven stories with a touch of magic, readers craving The Midnight Library or A Man Called Ove vibes, or anyone into Japanese storytelling with cozy café aesthetics. If you’re hooked on Happy Place for heart or To Kill a Mockingbird for humanity, this fits—perfect for ages 15+ for a reflective, moving read. No prior reading needed, and it’s a standalone (sequels optional). Be aware of triggers like grief, Alzheimer’s, and loss, so check warnings if sensitive. If you dislike slow pacing, repetitive prose, or subtle emotions, it might feel flat—check reviews first.
| PDF Name | before the coffee gets cold PDF |
| File Type: | PDF | ePUB |
| Genres | Fiction, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Contemporary, Japan, Time Travel, Book Club, Japanese Literature, Science Fiction |
| Total Pages: | 157 |
| Author | Toshikazu Kawaguchi |
| Language | English |
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