Days at the Morisaki Bookshop

 

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa  149 pp.

This is a sweet, small book translated from Japanese by Eric Ozawa. It's about two of my favorite things to read, Asian culture and bookstores. The protagonist, Takako has an unfortunate romance and while she is recovering from it and the loss of her job, she goes to work in her uncle's used bookshop (formerly her grandfather's shop). Her uncle has been running it alone since his wife left him. Soon Takako moves on to a new job when things take an interesting twist. Actually two twists. The characters are gentle people going about their quiet lives without much turmoil. In spite of the tranquility of the tale, there is just enough movement to carry the story along. 

The Guncle

The Guncle by Steven Rowley, 326 pages

Former TV star Patrick O'Hara disappeared from Hollywood after his hit sitcom ended, moving to a home out in Palm Springs and rarely leaving. But when his longtime best friend and sister-in-law Sara dies after a long illness, Patrick reluctantly takes in his young niece and nephew for the summer (their father handled their mother's illness somewhat worse than they did, becoming addicted to pills, and spends the summer in rehab). While Patrick's not sure that he's up to the challenge of caring for his niblings (he's grieving himself, not just for Sara, but also for Joe, a serious boyfriend who died years earlier), he agrees to give it a shot. Imagine his surprise when too-smart Maisie and lisping Grant turn out to be just the delightful distraction he needs.

This is a fantastically funny, heartwarming, emotional, and accepting novel. I absolutely loved everything about it, from Patrick's "Guncle Rules" to Grant's obsession with the fancy toilet at Patrick's house to the wonderfully written family tension with Patrick's siblings. Highly recommended for all readers.

The Guncle

 

The Guncle / Steven Rowley, read by the author, 326 pgs.

Patrick is semi-retired and mourning his partner. Now his sister-in-law dies...but she is so much more than that.  Sara was his best friend from college.  They were true compatriots, perhaps the perfect team but Patrick is gay.  Sara ended up marrying Patrick's brother Greg so they formally became family.  Now Sara has succumbed to cancer and Greg has some issues of his own.  Everyone's favorite gay uncle ends up taking Maisie and Grant (his niece and nephew) for the summer.  Visits have always been fun but being a true caregiver for an entire summer?  This seems like more than he can manage. And yet, if he doesn't take the kids, they end up with his pushy sister.  There is enough competition there that he agrees to this plan.  The result is an interesting summer with fun and grieving.  I know this doesn't sound all that great, but it is a sweet ride that will leave you with a desire to mix up a cocktail.  Rowley narrates this perfectly.