I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Actual Rating = 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5

This book was a lot like a Studio Ghibli movie in written form - quiet, charming, magical, and filled with an unexpected depth.

Our MC, Rintaro, is a high school boy whose book-shop-owning grandfather has just passed. Feeling alone and unnoticed, Rintaro is shocked when a talking tabby cat shows up and demands his help saving books. He's even more shocked when a pretty girl from school is concerned about how he's doing, but that seems like a more typical teenage boy response.

This book is short and sweet but it certainly isn't simple. Natsukawa does an excellent job exploring thoughtful issues - none of which have an easy answer. In fact, I don't think any questions except two are answered in this book and I mean that in the best possible way. (Comment below if you think you know what the two are I'm referencing.)

At the end of the day, this is a thoughtful, heartwarming exploration of what books represent to the people who love them, and how that relationship can impact their lives.

A talking cat, a young man who loses his beloved Grandfather, and their love of books is about much more than it seems. It is a timeless story about becoming your own person. Reaching out to things that make you uncomfortable. Natsuki takes a chance and finds his bookstore is just a starting point for living. "Books have a soul". "I really do love books, you know"

An imaginative and unique novel that explores the power of books, I did enjoy reading this. I wonder however, if something is lost in translation because I found some language a bit unnatural and the story hard to follow. I feel like the book could offer a little bit more to the reader and I didn't enjoy this as much as Before the Coffee Gets Cold which is by a different author but is also very Japanese in context. I think this book would appeal to library and cat lovers but may not appeal to all.

Not quite as charming as I had hoped, and there's not much explanation of anything in terms of who the cat is and the alternate world he leads Rintaro to, But it provides food for thought about books and reading, as well as the muddled consequences of one's actions. The cat doesn't really have much personality, but it's nice to see Rintaro overcome his shyness and hesitancy to face the various labyrinths with courage.

Quirky tale of a reclusive Japanese high school student who becomes even further withdrawn after the death of the grandfather who raised him. Two fellow students visit the secondhand bookshop Rintaro inherited to try to draw him out, with no success. Then a talking cat appears and leads Rintaro and his classmate Sayo into a series of labyrinths, where he is called upon to defend the importance of books - reinforcing his chosen vocation - and makes a new friend at the same time.

This is an unusual and enjoyable story for book lovers with a simple message. Rintaro was a relatable kid, but I didn't find the cat particularly appealing even as cats go.

There were no illustrations apart from the cover art in the advance reader copy so I can't comment on those.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.

This was a strange book, in the sense that I enjoyed it but not as much as I thought I would. On the one hand it’s a cute story about a kid who’s helped by a talking cat to sort of come out of his shell after his grandad’s death. It is about loving books and the power of books to help. The story with Rintaro and how he loved his grandad and slowly finds his way back after his death is touching. The part about travelling through labyrinths and talking about books was very interesting.

It’s also a critique of ways modern people treat books, that sometimes hit home and sometimes I’m not sure I agree with it. There are definitely valid points about focusing too much on volume of books read/owned, consumerism and only chasing easy reads. It’s just that, maybe it’s the timing and the global parallelogram, but I’m not in the mood to criticise anyone for choosing to focus on easy comfort reads if that brings joy and peace right now. The book did a good job of showing nuance and questioning whether the saving was saving after all, but I still felt like it framed things as a right and a wrong way to read and I’m not a fan of that idea. So overall it didn’t feel as warm and fuzzy to me as maybe it was meant to. I suspect a good chunk of this is on my current mood, a lot of people love the book and say it’s feel good and everything.

We rate cats: I always love a good talking cat and this was no exception. He is a bit of an ass, but all the cats I know are a lot of an ass so I kinda dig that aspect, and I think it was maybe his most cat-like aspect.

Rintaro is saddened by the death of his Grandfather, who owned a wonderful second hand book store and was Rintaro's guardian. Now Rintaro must face closing the bookstore and moving away to live with and aunt he barely knows. He stops going to school and sits in the bookstore reading and helping the few customers. One morning as he is opening the bookstore a strange cat appears and starts talking to him. The cat wants him to come on an adventure to save books. They proceed through a maze together to find a man who has all his books locked up on Shelves where no else can read them - they convince him to share his books with others. The adventures continue and the reader begins to realize how important books are. This is a magical journey that not only solves the cat's problems but helps Rintaro know who he is becoming. This is a delightful read and I highly recommend it to all booklovers.

This was ok. I’m not sure it should be titled the cat who saved books when the cat was a very minor character. The story itself is heartwarming for any reader. But a bit preachy at times.

I so wanted to love this book. The cover is charming. The idea of a talking cat and a boy working together to rescue books is charming.

Well, I liked it, but I didn't love it. It does have charm, and I think a large body of readers will enjoy it. However, it reminded me too much of The Little Prince or Jonathan Livingston Seagull—one of those books that's supposed to reveal cosmic truths, but just doesn't seem all that cosmic.

I would gladly pay for a book offering a collection of the illustrator's charming work, but the story, not so much.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

A fascinating story, perhaps for a younger audience, for anyone who loves bookstores, books and cats! In particular, talking cats! I enjoyed the story but felt that there was something missing in some of the minor characters because I couldn’t quite figure out some of their motivations.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks for the ARC of this book. I really enjoyed this tale. The main characters were wonderful. The storyline kept me wanting to read in one setting. Great for YA or adults. Will look forward to more by this author.

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Nataukawa is a celebration of books and the people who love them. Rintaro Natsuki is a high school student who has inherited his book loving grandfather’s secondhand bookstore. Along with the bookstore comes Tiger, a talking cat who guides Rintaro on a series of missions to save books. Together they enter a surreal world where books are going unread, unloved and abused in the name of brevity, and along the way Rintaro learns about friendship, love and the value of the lessons imparted to him by his grandfather. ⠀
⠀
This translation from the original Japanese is a thought provoking novel with a flair for the whimsical. It is a testament to the value and love of books in juxtaposition with the attitudes of the publishing world. Rintaro is an interesting protagonist and through the course of the book we see his spiritual and intellectual growth. The wisecracking cat, on the other hand, did not have the prominent role that I had expected. Overall, it is an enjoyable tale for any booklover but lacks impactful substance that would make it memorable to the reader. ⠀

Wonderful sweet book.I enjoyed from beginning to end would love to read more books in translation like this.Will be recommending #netgalley#harpervia

I loved this book. I think you could read it with a child who would enjoy the talking cat getting the quiet book reading child to go on an adventure, and then you could also discuss the topics in the book such as empathy, loyalty and bravely trying to do the right thing in the face of possible danger. As an adult, I enjoy fairytales with philosophy and ethics thrown in to ponder. It gives you something to think about beyond just the interesting, amusing story. I will buy a hard copy to reread and I think this will also be a good gift for friends. This will be one of the few books I will read again.

Read if you: Are a fan of books about the magic of books.

Librarians/booksellers: Purchase if books about the magic of books and/or translated literature are popular.

Many thanks to HarperVia and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Great little fable for book lovers, though it reads a tad bit like a middle grade novel. I am a fan of Japanese translations lately, and this didn't disappoint.

Not bad. This has been out for several years. and has over a thousand ratings, so I'll just recommend this for those that like Japanese tales or cats or books.

Thanks very much for the free review copy!!

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed this book, the plot was intriguing though the book was a bit short for me.

This book is such a lovely story with a charming young hero and a talking cat. A reclusive high-school student is left with a second-hand bookstore after his grandfather dies. The cat enlists him to help save books in three different mazes.

It is a lovely lyrical combination of fantasy and reality, reminding me of many classic fairy stories by authors such as George MacDonald.

It's a book to own, to give, and to treasure,

This was an entertaining story, but did not stand out in the genre of fantasy books in my opinion.

The main character was well portrayed, but the minor characters were never developed, nor were their motivations for helping really explained.

I will admit that I was expecting a more mature theme, and that may be coloring my view of the book. I think that it would be excellent for a tween audience.