Grandfather’s gone. And nothing can make the sorrow go away. Or so Rintaro thought. Until Tiger suddenly appeared in his grandfather’s beloved second-hand bookshop and demanded his help to save the books. Save books? But there is no time for questions. Escaping labyrinths, persuading evil-doers, and fighting decay will be the priorities for now. Will Rintaro find what he’s lost? Like many Japanese authors, Sosuke Natsukawa gives us the typical cultural flavor and hidden poetic meaning that Japan enthusiasts will immediately immerse themselves in. With Tiger, the bold, no non-sense talking cat, he then breaks up a lot of the stereotypes. It doesn’t seem forced, but rather gives a slight comedic relief to the heavy topics of death and grief. The fantastical picture that is painted with fairytale-like elements makes for the perfect rainy day reading. A perfect gift for your favorite book worm. And cat lover.

Books have a tremendous power. Imagine you come into a room with shelves, filled with books from the floor to the ceiling. If you see someone who intends to destroy those precious books, wouldn’t your book-loving heart bleed? This book begins so simply, with this timid boy who griefs the loss of his grandfather. At that point, the story doesn’t look like much and you don’t expect any improvements in that case. Until that furry visitor appears and a completely new world opens up, not only for the reader but also for the boy himself. So impressive that little inconspicuous bookstore, and the boy who discovers so much more, more than just his loving books. A book that may change your way of thinking about life, reassess what matters the most. I definitely recommend it to every book and cat lover as well.