Category: Japan - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

Out With the Old

8/2/2026

Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata

Amane's origin as a child born of copulation marks her as abnormal in a world increasingly devoid of sex and love. Her mother's beliefs hark back to an older way of doing things. Amane knows it would be disgusting to have sex with her husband, since they are family, but she seems unable to let go of her sexual needs as others have. Will she become a reminder of a time long past?

One cannot read this book without immediately comparing it to Brave New World. There are similar themes, though Vanishing World is a more modern - and more disturbingly relevant - take on them. Murata's short story "A Clean Marriage" definitely laid the foundation here, though I think the book is more successful because the length allows her cover more ground. I will have to agree with others that the ending is... ick. And yet it works. But frankly, I would be more impressed by this book if Murata hadn't written the same type of story over and over again.

Nanami in Bookland

3/2/2026

The Cat Who Saved the Library (The Cat Who... #2)
by Sōsuke Natsukawa
Translated by Louise Heal Kawai

Nanami Kosaki lives a very limited life due to her asthma and the library has become her sanctuary. When books begin to go missing, she notices while others don't. Something terrible is going on in the world, with her beloved books at risk, and with the help of a grumpy cat she might just be able to put a stop to it. But she must keep hold of hope and courage lest all be lost.

I feel that the term "Ghibli-esque" is overused, but it definitely applies in this case. A girl and her love of books can save the day - which is a nice thought. I also related more to Nanami than I did Rintaro (though it was nice to see him again!). Unfortunately, just like in the previous book in this series, Natsukawa became bogged down in pontification, much to the detriment of plot and pacing.

They Mostly Come at Night

2/2/2026

Dinner at the Night Library by Hika Harada
Translated by Philip Gabriel

The Night Library is only open at night and has a very specific purpose: displaying and protecting the book collections once owned by deceased authors. The staff all have their own stories about how they came to be at the Night Library and all of them have secrets - but the greatest secret is the identity of the library's mysterious owner.

I think I was about fifty pages in when I realised that I absolutely adored this book. Dinner at the Night Library may not feature any magic or dream-like sequences, but it is still utterly magical and dreamy. Character development may seem non-existent at first, but then it creeps up on you at unexpected moments. The mystery surrounding the owner was handled in a similar way...teased for a while and then suddenly resolved in the most perfect way. I'm so fascinated by the Night Library and dearly wish I could visit it in real life!

Comfort Food

17/1/2026

The Menu of Happiness (The Kamogawa Food Detectives #3)
by Hisashi Kashiwai
Translated by Jesse Kirkwood

Don't expect anything different in this book than in the two that precede it. I'm not saying this is entirely a bad thing, since Kashiwai's writing is a lot like comfort food (especially on a rainy day like today)... but it never quite reaches the same heights as other books in the healing fiction genre. I think his stories need a more tangible connection between them and Koishi especially needs more development beyond "could possibly have a thing with that guy but for some reason won't".

Books are Where the Heart is

10/1/2026

The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop by Yakura Asakura
Translated by Yuka Maeno

In a place that isn't quite here, and the right conditions are met, you will find a bookshop staffed by a young woman and a calico cat. Perhaps you will also find the answers you seek, or the ones you need the most.

I always enjoy these types of novels, where a bit of nonsensical magic helps an array of characters come to terms with something in their lives. Healing fiction is a true balm for the soul. The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop is a great example of the genre and Asakura's clear and deep love of literature elevates the reading experience.

Hungry Hungry Happiness

17/9/2025

The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park by Michiko Aoyama
Translated by Takami Nieda

I adore healing fiction and I adored What You Are Looking For is in the Library, so of course I had to locate this book at my local library. It was the delightful palate cleanser I needed. Aoyama's characters always feel so real and have struggles that feel so similar to my own. As they heal, so do I. Or it feels like it, anyway... I will say that this one didn't captivate me quite as much, though it's still a great read.

Letters from the Heart

30/5/2025

Letters from the Ginza Shihodo Stationery Shop by Kenji Ueda
Translated by Emily Balistrieri

Healing fiction is probably my favourite genre at the moment. Letters from the Ginza Shihodo Stationery Shop is yet another entry in an increasingly crowded market, but its gentle rhythm and exploration of the most momentous moments in the character's lives will still win you over. By the time you reach the last page, you will not view writing as merely an art - you will realise it's also one of the greatest gifts we can give others.

Convenience & Healing

2/3/2025

The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida
Translated by Bruno Navasky

"Talent is being able to keep going."

The Golden Villa Tenderness branch in Mojiko is a place where people can shop, gather, and meet an array of peculiar people. There's Shiba, the store manager, whose beauty stirs up a frenzy among his fans. There's Tsugi, the Whatever Guy, who fixes any kind of problem. There's Mitsuri, who moonlights as a manga artist. Whoever you are, Tenderness will offer you surprising comfort.

If you love healing fiction, then The Convenience Store by the Sea will completely absorb you into its gentle rhythm, until you feel like you are inhabiting its laidback seaside setting - and you'll have no intention of leaving voluntarily. Not only that, this book touches on themes that are relevant to so many. Occasionally, you will need to pause to take in a profound moment or message. I'll be waiting impatiently for the next translated instalment.

Ghibli Moon

12/2/2025

Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

Hana Ishikawa is now the owner of an unusual pawnshop with a door that opens into Tokyo. Her first day begins with the discovery that the shop has been ransacked and her father, newly retired, is missing. There will be consequences if Hana tries to find him. But she is not alone in her quest - enter Minatozaki Keishin, who doesn't understand Hana's strange world. And yet nothing will dissuade him from following her.

Whenever someone describes a book as having lush prose, I immediately assume that it's overwritten to the point of boredom. This is the first time I've encountered a book that really is lush (from its poetic descriptions to its delightfully winding plot) and it was far from boring. It's gorgeous and heartbreaking and wonderful - and just like Keishin, I don't believe I am the same person I was before I went on this adventure. This is one library book that I'll regret returning.

Nostalgia is on the Menu

29/10/2024

The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai
Translated by Jesse Kirkwood

The Kamogawa Diner in Kyoto offers not only good food, but also the opportunity to relive a dish from your past. Give as many details as you can remember and the food detectives will hunt down the ingredients - which includes just the right amount of nostalgia.

This was a nice change from other books that use a similar approach. It's more grounded, the repetition in each story was not so obvious, and the reader is allowed to make their own observations without the answer being presented to them in an obvious manner. Also I'm now very hungry...for some reason...!