Tales from the Cafe

Tales from the Café is the second book in Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. It was first published in Japan in 2017, and English translations appeared in 2020 (UK) and 2021 (US). Kawaguchi began his career as a playwright, and Before the Coffee Gets Cold was adapted from a play that won the grand prize at the Suginami Drama Festival. Tales from the Café is a contemporary Japanese magical realist novel. It is set in Funiculi Funicula, a Tokyo café where it is possible to travel to the past. The novel blends the everyday and the supernatural and subverts many time-travel tropes. For example, one of the rules is that no matter what one does in the past, the present does not change. Some of the novel’s key themes are Changing the Future Versus Changing the Self, Happiness as a Choice, and The Importance of Ritual. **** Tales from the Café is the second novel in Kawaguchi’s Before the Coffee Gets Cold series. Like the first novel in the series, Tales from the Café contains four sections, each of which centers on the story of one individual who travels through time from the café. Set in Tokyo’s Funiculi Funicula café, the novel focuses on those who are willing to follow a very specific set of rules to travel in time. These rules are: it is not possible to change the present, no matter what one does in the past; one can only meet people who have visited the café; time travel is only possible from one chair, which is usually occupied by a ghost who goes to the toilet once per day; and one must return before their coffee gets cold or they die. The novel includes both self-contained narratives and novel-long character arcs. The primary characters who appear across all chapters are the members of the same extended family: the Tokitas, who own and work in the café. Kazu is the daughter of Kaname, the ghostly woman in white who usually occupies the time travel chair. While Kazu appears in the first novel in the series, her relationship with the woman in white is only revealed gradually throughout Tales from the Cafe as several characters see her and her mother in the past. ****** Have you ever considered how fascinating the world can be when you open a book? Reading is not merely a routine activity, but also an unlimited adventure into imagination and knowledge. Reading sharpens the mind, broadens one's perspective, and enriches vocabulary. It is a gateway to an infinite world beyond our own. Dedicate specific time for reading every day. Whether it's reading before bed or setting aside time in the morning, the habit of reading can be formed with consistency. Choose books that suit your interests and reading level. Start with books that align with your desires and reading abilities. Find a quiet and comfortable place to read. Sufficient lighting, a comfortable chair, and some background music can create a better reading experience. Join a reading group or literacy forum. Discuss the books you've read and get recommendations from fellow readers. Make notes or keep a journal about the books you've read. Write down your thoughts, impressions, and lessons learned. Involve your family in reading activities. Read stories to your children or encourage them to read together. This creates strong family bonds through positive activities. Don't hesitate to explore new genres. Sometimes, the best surprises come from books you never thought you would enjoy. Utilize technology by reading digital books or joining online literacy communities. This opens up opportunities to connect with readers from all over the world.