I really enjoyed Tales from the Cafe. The writing is lyrical, and the stories are all lovely. I enjoyed the way the vignettes are separate from each other, but still connected. I haven't read the first book, but I had no trouble following the story and understanding who everyone was. A nice read for anyone who enjoys magical realism.

To be honest, I am not finishing this books. I didn't read the first book, but was very excited about the premise, as I love time travel fiction. However, I found the writing clunky. I don't know if that's because of the translation or just the writer's style. Some things that might have been more to do with the translation were phrases that stuck out as too whimsical? funny? for the rest of the writing. The descriptions of the little girl saying "Moi" as camp were also awkward. Although I'm curious to know how successful the visits to the past were, it's not enough to keep going.

In this follow up, we have four new stories about people who come to our quaint for the coffee, and stay for the company. Again, a moving series of vignettes looking at how people grapple with loss, disappointment and expectation, I really enjoyed this book... and of course the continuing journey of Nagare, Kazu and now Miki, too!

This picks up where Before the Coffee Gets Cold. It moves along the same vein as the first: whimsical stories about time travel and magic realism. It expands on the previous book's stories, so if you want to fully appreciate this collection, it's advisable to read the first. Readers learn a little more about the ghost that haunts the cafe, and welcoming back old characters will be like seeing old friends again.