Review: The Full Moon Coffee Shop

Title: The Full Moon Coffee Shop

Author: Mai Mochizuki

Publisher: 27th August 2024 by Hachette Australia

Pages: 240 pages

Genre: Japan, Magical Realism, fantasy, cats

My Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

Translated from the Japanese bestseller, this charming and magical novel, inspired by the myth of cats returning favors to those who care for them, reminds us that it’s never too late to follow our stars.

In Japan cats are a symbol of good luck. As the myth goes, if you are kind to them, they’ll one day return the favor. And if you are kind to the right cat, you might just find yourself invited to a mysterious coffee shop under a glittering Kyoto moon. This particular coffee shop is like no other. It has no fixed location, no fixed hours, and seemingly appears at random to adrift young people at crucial junctions in their lives.

It’s also run by talking cats.

While customers at the Full Moon Coffee Shop partake in cakes, coffees, and teas, the cats also consult them on their star charts, offer cryptic wisdom, and let them know where their lives have veered off course—because every person who visits the shop has been feeling more than a little lost. And for a down-on-her-luck screenwriter, a romantically stuck movie director, a hopeful hairstylist, and a technologically challenged website designer, the feline guides will set them back on their fated paths. After all, there is a reason the shop appeared to each of them…

My Thoughts

The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki is a magical novel about a Kyoto pop-up café that will suddenly appear (no set location or hours) to people needing advice and guidance in their life. Out of this cafe come talking cats, consulting astrological charts. 

‘In the middle of the temple grounds was what looked like a mobile coffee shop … Just then, a large tortoiseshell cat wearing an apron emerged from the truck and set out a sign. The sign read: The Full Moon Coffee Shop.’

The cafe suddenly appears to select people who have lost their way in life and the cats not only serve food and drink but also a reading from the character’s astrological chart. This will assist them to overcome their current obstacle and guide them once more in the right direction. It’s a cute and very quick read about understanding what motivates us and channeling that to lead a fulfilling life. 

‘And that is the story of the strange moonlit night on which I learned to know myself - and finally move forward with my life.’

If you like cats and you like astrology and you are a fan of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, Days at the Morisake Bookshop and Butter, then you are in for a treat. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: A Girls' Guide to Winning the War

Title: A Girls' Guide to Winning the War

Author: Annie Lyons

Publisher: 30th June 2024 by Hachette Australia/Headline Review

Pages: 344 pages

Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction

My Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

Can two young women, and one book, change the course of war . . .?

1940. Whip-smart librarian Peggy Sparks is determined to make sure that her brother Joe returns from the frontline to their London home, which they share with their beloved mother and grandmother. So when she is offered a once-in-a-lifetime job at the heart of the war effort, Peggy jumps at the prospect of making a real contribution to her country. 

But when she finds herself working under the fanciful socialite Lady Marigold Cecily, Peggy discovers that those around her are more keen on dancing at the Café de Paris than on ending the war. Writing accounts of her daily life is the only thing keeping Peggy's hopes alive. But when she finds her inner-most thoughts accidentally published by the Ministry of Information, Peggy realises she needs Marigold's help to save her job, and to bring her brother home . . .

From the author of The Air Raid Book Club comes a powerful tale of unexpected friendship, community and two remarkable women who change the course of the war. Full of heart, emotion and drama, it is the perfect uplifting story for fans of Kate Thompson and Natasha Lester.

My Thoughts

A Girls' Guide to Winning the War is a story of the love of family, female friendships and the power of the written word. Set during World War II readers will follow Peggy as she contributes to the war effort through the publication and writing of pamphlets and books to keep up morale on the homefront.

‘The war has offered a great opportunity to us and we would have been fools not to take it.’

Overall this is a lovely, heartwarming read about women on the home front in London and how families coped with bombings, rationing, taking on new roles and the importance of letters from loved ones at the front. The friendship between Peggy and Marigold highlights class differences and how friendship knows no bounds. 

‘Words have power, and yours have more power than most.’

This is a nice, charming story about the power of love from family and friends during challenging times. Lovers of historical fiction, particularly the changing roles of women during WWII will be most interested in this book. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

Review: All the Words We Know

Title: All the Words We Know

Author: Bruce Nash

Publisher: 27th February 2024 by Allen & Unwin

Pages: 336 pages

Genre: General Fiction

Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

In the beginning is the whatsitsname. The woman in the car park. She wears a nightgown and lies on her back, looking up at the sky. The nightgown is white and embroidered at the neck with blue . . . what do you call them? Forget-me-nots. A small crowd is gathered around her. All in their unicorns. Uniforms. All younger than the woman, much younger. They look at each other. They look up at the sky. They look down at the woman. They whisper. 

Rose is in her eighties and has dementia, but she's not done with life just yet. Alternately sharp as a tack and spectacularly forgetful, she spends her days roaming the corridors of her aged-care facility, ruminating on the staff and residents and enduring visits from her emotionally distant children and grand-daughters. But when her friend is found dead after an apparent fall from a window, Rose embarks on an eccentric and deeply personal investigation to discover the truth and exposes all manner of secrets - even some from her own past.

All the Words We Know is a wickedly funny and genuinely moving story about loneliness, language and how we make sense of the world.

My Thoughts

All the Words We Know is a unique and enlightening book. This is a story narrated by Rose, an elderly woman who is in Aged Care and suffering from dementia. What is incredible is that the author writes this book - confusion and mixups inclusive - as it would be for Rose. Hidden within all this dementia prose is a mystery that is taking place with the residence. 

‘It’s important to us that you understand, Rose,’ he says, as if I am a lovely, brainless old thing instead of just an impossible one.’

Undoubtedly the author demonstrates clever use of language by taking the reader into the world of Rose as she not only wanders around the Aged Care facility but attempts to solve a mystery. At one level the language is playful and filled with humour, as frustrations surface in communication and unraveling past and present events. 

‘I hate it when she tells me to remember. What does she think I’m trying to do, for God’s sake? But she’s the one who gets angry.’

The reader will most likely also find it frustrating as at times it becomes repetitive and unclear but of course, that is surely the experience of dementia. Personally, it would have been a hard balance to attempt but I found it detracted from not only solving the mystery but also in reaching an understanding with her children and grandchildren. 

‘There are too many names, too many words, too many passwords, too many bits of silk attached to things. Too many. You have to be . . . seductive. Selective.’

All the Words We Know is really a very clever book and many readers are sure to relate to the situation both in terms of muddled words and observations with the more serious issue of communication with loved ones. I admire Bruce’s efforts in presenting an authentic book that is not only a wonderful play on words but illustrates rather poignantly the plight of many older people. 

‘What I am really afraid of is the forgetting.’ 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

 

Review: The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything

Title: The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything

Author: Fiona Gibson

Publisher: 14th March 2024 by Avon Books UK

Pages: 360 pages

Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Romance | Women's Fiction

Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

Kate is sick of being taken for granted by her husband Vince. It’s bad enough that she allowed herself to be dragged away from the London life she loved, but now she’s constantly compelled to keep up with the (very smug) Joneses in this small home counties town. She hates it here. What happened to the fun-loving woman she used to be? At almost 50 Kate feels lost, overlooked and like nothing is ever going to change. That is, until she comes home to an unexpected party – one that she has to cater.

And that’s it. The final straw. Breaking point.

Scrambling out the bathroom window, Kate leaves. She has no plan, but a chance encounter at Euston station sees her following her own heart for once – to beautiful Scotland where a crumbling mansion and a handsome bookseller could be just what she needs . . .

As Kate discovers, sometimes you have to feel utterly lost to find out who you truly are.

My Thoughts

The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything is exactly as you would imagine with that little bit more. On the surface it appears as a light and funny read with chaotic scenes like the one on the front cover - Kate climbing out the bathroom window! It does not take long, however, for readers to understand that this book dives emotionally deeper as Kate’s people pleasing attitude has run aground with her selfish husband Vince resulting in their marriage coming under the spotlight. 

‘Nah, don’t worry,’ Vince says dismissively. ‘Kate’ll sort that.’ And that’s it. That’s when I know I can’t do it anymore - be ‘obliging Kate’, that is.’

The book is told through both Kate and Vince’s viewpoint as they deal with separation and what their marriage was and will be. Obviously it’s about Kate finding herself and regaining her autonomy, however, the equally interesting journey is Vince discovering his independence without the assistance of a wife/partner. There are many enjoyable and laugh out loud moments. Equally there are many sad and heart wrenching moments that many readers are sure to either understand or relate to. 

‘Just let go of the responsibilities,’ she adds, ‘and think about yourself for a change.’

The Woman Who Ran Away from Everything is a fun and heartwarming tale about marriage, separation, family, friends and learning that it is never too late to make your life everything you want it to be. 

‘I’m beginning to remember who I am.’

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

 

Review: The House That Joy Built

Title: The House That Joy Built

Author: Holly Ringland

Publisher: 29th November 2023 by 4th Estate AU

Pages: 288 pages

Genre: nonfiction, self help, creativity

Rating: 3.5 cups

Synopsis:

An uplifting, powerful and inspiring book about breaking through fear and finding joy through creativity, from bestselling author, Holly Ringland.

The House that Joy Built is about how to give ourselves permission to be creative. It explores two big the fear that can block our creativity, and the permission we can meet that fear with - to not just create, but to revel in the life-changing wonder and joy of doing so. It offers a jump-start for the nervous heart of anyone whose desire to create is overruled by fear.It is a book for those people who yearn to write, as well as people who find their creativity gardeners, carpenters, sculptors, jewellery-makers, florists, songwriters, dancers, cooks, painters ... anyone who wants to make something but doesn't because they're afraid. Afraid of feeling vulnerable, of criticism and judgement from others, of not being good enough, of not having enough, of having 'bad' ideas, of being too much.It is for everyone who has ever felt stuck creatively, for those who don't know how to begin, for those who feel they have so much welling up inside and are just trying to find a way into themselves. This book is an openhearted clarion call to experience the joy and freedom of creating.

My Thoughts

Holly Ringland, author of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart and The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding has penned her first nonfiction book, The House That Joy Built. Here Holly details a very personal recount of both the power and pleasure that comes from giving ourselves permission to create.  

This is a personal account in some respects, as Holly details her own steps through trauma, grief and even the seemingly simple self doubts surrounding daily living. She balances this with detailed ways of our innate need to create in whatever form that may take for each person. Holly speaks of the inner country of creativity and returning to the things you often loved to do as a child.

At times raw but also inspiring, Holly encourages readers to take back control of one’s creativity and carve both the time and space for it in this busy world. It is essential to a truly fulfilling life. 

Truth: at any age, at any time we can decide anew to return to the home of creativity inside ourselves.

Truth: it can be frightening to return.

Truth: the choice to create because we love to do it is ours.

Truth: it’s always fearful. Always joyful.

Welcome. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.