Blog Archives

Timely Correspondence

28/6/2026

The Miracles of the Namiya General Store
by Keigo Higashino
Translated by Sam Bett

Three thieves need to lie low for the night and find an abandoned general store in which to do so. But things soon get a little weird. Letters asking for advice keep arriving from the past. Somehow, time has slowed down in the store and given them the chance to reach these people. The thieves could ignore them...but they feel compelled to try and help them. What miracles will occur?

An absolutely fantastic book that is akin to a tapestry, expertly woven together across different characters and different decades, moving backwards and forwards with both ends of the narrative finding the perfect conclusion. I'm really impressed with this one. The author seems to write a lot of crime fiction... which may explain why he handled the time travel aspects so well. It's a similar type of puzzle.

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Tokyo to Sydney

8/6/2026

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Hot Chocolate on Thursday (Marble Cafe #1)
by Michiko Aoyama
Translated by E. Madison Shimoda

Hot Chocolate on Thursday is about the interconnectedness of everything and everyone and how small interactions can have great meaning. It's certainly not the cosy cafe novel that the cover suggests it is. That's not a bad thing, mind. I just wasn't expecting most of the book to be in set in my own city! It's actually really nice to read a Japanese perspective of Sydney. Most healing fiction novels contain longer stories; here, you get bite-sized moments that will stay with you long after you close the book.

I will note that while the translation seems to be well done, there are a few very minor Australian-specific niggles (e.g. Circular Quay is referred to as "the Circular Quay", an Australian wouldn't say "gym class" and so on). But I understand that most translations are made palatable for US readers.

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Healing Fiction: Island Edition

5/6/2026

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Hakuda Photo Studio by Her Tea Yeon
Translated by Shanna Tan

Jebi impulsively quit her job for a holiday on Jeju Island and is just about to return to her life in Seoul when her phone, along with her digital ticket, drops into the sea. But not all is lost. She stumbles upon Hakuda Photo Studio where she quickly accepts a job, not expecting to stay long. Jeju Island isn't known for accepting outsiders...but perhaps Jebi needs to find another type of acceptance.

At first glance, this might seem like your typical healing fiction novel, but it's a slightly different flavour - the issues it covers are quite serious and affecting, and Jeju Island stuns as a setting (and acts as a character in its own right). The author's love of the island is clear. I do think some parts could have been developed a bit better, but on the whole it's an emotional, thought-provoking read.

Content warning: mentions of child death, relinquishing a child for adoption, contemplation of suicide

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Have Camera, Will Travel

2/6/2026

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Island in the Sun by Katie Fforde

Katie barely arrives at her father's isolated Scottish home when he sends her off to hurricane-stricken Dominica, accompanied by Ranulph, her father's dishy neighbour. Katie and Ranulph need to locate a petroglyph of great cultural importance. But it won't be an easy journey. The island is in upheaval, a rival is trying to sabotage them and Ranulph doesn't return Katie's feelings. Or does he?

Katie Fforde's novels are always a pleasant dose of escapism and this one is no different. The Dominican setting is the real star here... admittedly at the detriment of the characters and the plot. Katie and Ranulph's relationship really didn't get the chance to develop properly and various other elements also felt unfinished. Still, it managed to be an enjoyable read at times.

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Book Reviews

Timely Correspondence

The Miracles of the Namiya General Store
by Keigo Higashino
Translated by Sam Bett

Tokyo to Sydney

Hot Chocolate on Thursday (Marble Cafe #1)
by Michiko Aoyama
Translated by E. Madison Shimoda

Healing Fiction: Island Edition

Hakuda Photo Studio by Her Tea Yeon
Translated by Shanna Tan

Have Camera, Will Travel

Island in the Sun by Katie Fforde

About

Archives

Categories

Book Reviews

Timely Correspondence

The Miracles of the Namiya General Storeby Keigo Higashino​Translated by Sam Bett

Tokyo to Sydney

Hot Chocolate on Thursday (Marble Cafe #1)by Michiko AoyamaTranslated by E. Madison Shimoda

Healing Fiction: Island Edition

Hakuda Photo Studio by Her Tea YeonTranslated by Shanna Tan

Have Camera, Will Travel

Island in the Sun by Katie Fforde

About

Archives

Categories

The Miracles of the Namiya General Store
by Keigo Higashino
Translated by Sam Bett

Hot Chocolate on Thursday (Marble Cafe #1)
by Michiko Aoyama
Translated by E. Madison Shimoda

Hakuda Photo Studio by Her Tea Yeon
Translated by Shanna Tan