Japanese Fiction Archives

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

The Japanese bestseller: a tale of love, new beginnings, and the comfort that can be found between the pages of a good book. When twenty-five-year-old Takako's boyfriend reveals he's marrying someone else, she reluctantly accepts her eccentric uncle Satoru's offer to live rent-free in the tiny room above his shop. Hidden in Jimbocho, Tokyo, the Morisaki Bookshop is a booklover's paradise. On a quiet corner in an old wooden building, the shop is filled with hundreds of second-hand books. It is Satoru's pride and joy, and he has devoted his life to the bookshop since his wife left him five years earlier. Hoping to nurse her broken heart in peace, Takako is surprised to encounter new worlds within the stacks of books lining the shop.

Lilia2025-02-11T15:05:02+01:00Tags: Book review, Book Reviews, General Fiction, Japanese Fiction, Lília, Satoshi Yagisawa, Translated Fiction|

ABC Bestsellers – October 2024

Here at ABC our experts always strive to bring the best to our customers and let you know what we love. We also get an inkling at what books you love through our monthly(ish) Bestseller lists, compiled from the lists of our three stores. We love to share this with you, [...]

ABC Bestsellers – September 2024

Here at ABC our experts always strive to bring the best to our customers and let you know what we love. We also get an inkling at what books you love through our monthly(ish) Bestseller lists, compiled from the lists of our three stores. We love to share this with you, [...]

ABC Bestsellers – August 2024

Here at ABC our experts always strive to bring the best to our customers and let you know what we love. We also get an inkling at what books you love through our monthly(ish) Bestseller lists, compiled from the lists of our three stores. We love to share this with you, [...]

Farewell ABC Staff Picks

By Lília All good things must come to an end. And so, we say goodbye to our ABC Staff Picks on YouTube. Thanks to everyone who watched us over the years. A big thanks to hosts Luke and Iris and all our expert booksellers who have given [...]

Lilia2024-06-24T15:30:14+02:00Tags: Alexis Hall, Business, David Van Reybrouck, Else, EmmaV, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, History, Iris, Japanese Fiction, Jeroen, Lília, Luke, Matty, Nghi Vo, Pierce Brown, Poetry, R. B. Lemberg, Rohinton Mistry, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction, Simon Sinek, Sophie, Toon Hezemans, Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Travel|

ABC Staff Picks: The birthday edition

By Lília Continuing with the celebration of our 52 years of existence, ABC’s Iris and Luke asked colleagues their book choices for the occasion. Most of them revolved around the lives of normal people in somewhat exceptional settings (reminiscent of ABC!), with overcoming adversity a prominent theme. No one chose it, [...]

Lilia2024-05-16T15:03:16+02:00Tags: Amor Towles, Best of Lists, Bob, Crime Fiction, David Nichols, EmmaV, Fantasy, Fiction, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Hein de Haas, Iris, Japanese Fiction, Jeroen, Juno, K. O'Neill, Lília, Luke, Maria, Martijn, Michael R. Miller, Naomi, Political Science, Romantic Fiction, Rosie Talbot, Sarah Hogle, Seicho Matsumoto, Simone, Travis Baldree, Young Adult|

ABC Staff Picks – Spring 2024

After a little time off to smell the spring flowers, we’re back with our staff picks! Luke and Iris love doing them. They get to ask our colleagues what they’re reading and loving and what our customers are enjoying. And of course, they get to talk about [...]

Lilia2024-04-24T21:08:15+02:00Tags: Alan Moore, Bob, Daniel Quinn, EmmaV, Fantasy, Fiction, Floris, General Fiction, Graphic Novel, Greek Mythology, Hiroko Oyamada, Horror, Iris, Japanese Fiction, Jeroen, Kristin Hannah, Laura Wood, Literary Collection, Lynn, Madeline Miller, Naomi, Natalia, Rachel Harrison, Samantha Shannon, Simone, T. Kingfisher, Translated Works, YA fiction|

The Housekeeper and the Professor

Each morning, the Professor and the Housekeeper are introduced to one another. The Professor may not remember what he had for breakfast, but his mind is still alive with elegant mathematical equations from the past. He devises clever maths riddles ? based on her shoe size or her birthday ? and the numbers reveal a sheltering and poetic world to both the Housekeeper and her ten-year-old son. With each new equation, the three lost souls forge an affection more mysterious than imaginary numbers, and a bond that runs deeper than memory.

Lilia2025-02-12T17:41:34+01:00Tags: Bella, Book review, Book Reviews, Chiara, General Fiction, Japanese Fiction, Simone, Sophie, Staff Choices, Yoki Ogawa|

Staff Picks Spring 2023 Edition

Written by Lília Luke and Iris are back with our latest Staff Picks—those books we’ve been reading and enjoying or books that might be coming out one of these days. From escapism to information to music, there’s something for everyone. Starting on a happy note, Lília, our romance [...]

Lilia2023-05-22T12:18:57+02:00Tags: Biography, Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Games, Health, History, Home Improvement, Iris W., Japanese Fiction, Jeroen, Jilles, Júlia, Lília, Luke, Max M., Max W., Middle Grade, Music, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction, Sigrid, Staff Picks|

ABC Top 5: 2022 Edition

Here we go again with our 5(ish) favorite reads of 2022. We try very hard to keep to 5, but it’s not always possible. So, there may be 5 or 6, an A and a B list, memorable reads or just plain marvelous books. We hope you enjoy it and [...]

Sophie2024-11-29T15:14:53+01:00Tags: Bella, Best of Lists, Board Games, Bob, Crime Fiction, EmmaS, EmmaV, Fantasy, Fiction, Japanese Fiction, Jelle, Jitse, Jonna, Jouke, Klaartje, Lauren, Lília, Lynn, Maarten, MariaS, Martijn, Natalia, Nature, Non-Fiction, Our Top 5, Philosophy, Romantic Fiction, Science Fiction, Sigrid, Simone, Sol, Sophie, Steven, Sywert, Tiemen, Young Adult|

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