Nanami is a 13-year old girl who has found a whole world in books. She has serious asthma and can’t partake in school sports or other activities a normal teenager might. Her father is incredibly protective–it is only the two of them these days. But she is allowed to go to the library after school and it is a wonderful sanctuary for her. There, she discovers adventures like The Three Musketeers and heroes like Arsene Lupin.

One snowy afternoon, Nanami spots a grey figure in the library stacks. He is behaving suspiciously and she determines to follow him to protect her precious library. She notices he is stealing volumes off the shelves but before she can confront him, she has an asthma attack and he disappears into a shimmering portal. But she’s not the only one tracking the thief–Tiger the talking tabby cat appears and the two team up to rescue the stolen books.

As far as she was concerned, there was nothing wrong with a library and cat combination. It was just that when it came to talking cats, it was a whole other story. ~Loc. 274

Tiger leads Nanami to the strange grey land where the stolen books are being destroyed so they can plan an rescue operation. Tiger also brings Nanami to meet Rintaro in his bookshop, familiar to readers of The Cat Who Saved Books. Rintaro hosts them as a base of operations, but as Nanami learns, this battle is only for her to fight.

Tiger shows Nanami how to find confidence in herself, even in the face of immense odds. She finds the strength to defend that which she loves–the books–not just for herself but for civilization. She fights to make sure the books she loves will be there for future readers that might find comfort and enjoyment in them, like she did. Most importantly, she learns that anyone can be a hero, even a lonely, asthmatic kid.

I don’t know how to explain. I guess the best way is to say it is that if I ignore everything that’s happening, I’m going to regret it later. I’ve given up on so many things in my life so far, but I’m not going to give up on this, the thing that matters most. ~Loc. 968

The Cat Who Saved The Library is a worthy volume in this delightful series. The language is simple yet magical. The author creates vibrant, cozy tableaus and adventurous stages for the action to play out in. And though the stakes are high, there is no violence or fatal peril, meaning these stories are great for avid readers of any age. I eagerly await the next installment, and until then, I will be watching for a tabby cat to ask for my help in saving some books.

My thanks to HarperCollins for the review copy. Read via NetGalley.

Sosuke Natsukawa’s The Cat Who Saved Books is a charming and philosophical tale that blends whimsy with introspection, appealing to bibliophiles and lovers of quiet, magical stories alike. At its heart, this short novel is a meditation on the value of books, the power of stories, and the courage it takes to truly live.

The story follows Rintaro Natsuki, a reclusive high school student mourning the loss of his grandfather, who was the owner of a secondhand bookstore. Rintaro is preparing to shut the store down when a talking tabby cat named Tiger appears, asking for his help. Together, they embark on a series of surreal missions to “save books” from various threats — a task that is more metaphorical than it first seems.

Each of these adventures serves as an allegorical critique of how books are treated in the modern world — whether they're hoarded for prestige, skimmed for speed, or stripped of meaning. Through these trials, Rintaro not only defends literature but also confronts his own grief, fear, and sense of identity.

While at times I felt the pacing slow or the lessons overt, I was moved by its gentle wisdom and magical realism. It’s less about plot and more about ideas — what books mean to us, and how they shape who we are.
This book reminded me that books are not just objects, but living companions that connect people across time, space, and even grief. If you enjoy reflective, heartwarming stories with a touch of the fantastical, this I think you'll enjoy this.

I love the first book. Absolutely loved it. At that point, it was one of the most gorgeous books I had read and I told everyone about it and that they should read it. I honestly didn't think it needed a sequel, but I WAS excited that there was going to be one and that we could be immersed in this magical world once again.

Unfortunately, this book [with it's gorgeous cover] just didn't work for me. I found that most of the magic that really made the first book was missing in this one and that was disappointing. Also, there were sections that really slogged [I kept finding reasons to do ANYTHING but listen to this book], and the overall writing/feeling of this book was very, very, young. It just didn't have the snap, the engagement, [again] the MAGIC and unfortunately, I was both really relieved when it was finished and so disappointed [this was a book I was truly looking forward to and actually cheered when the audiobook finally became available].

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and translator, and HarperVia for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An outstanding second foray into our favorite hero tabby's adventures! Just as whimsical and imaginative as book one, this felt like a warm hug in book form. I definitely recommend this for fans of similar Japanese literature, or for people who are looking for books with similar vibes to Howl's Moving Castle!

Thank you Harpervia and Netgalley for the ARC.

This book is one of the first times I have seen a story in which the author seems to have the same thoughts that I have when it comes to reading. The commentary on the death of literature and the selfish isolating behavior within society is exactly thoughts I have been having. The idea that we should only look out for us, why should we look out for others, and that the only person that matters is us. When a person reads well-written books, it is hard not to have empathy for others. I also appreciated the previous characters making an appearance and knowing they're doing okay.

This was a very sweet and thoughtful sequel to "The Cat Who Saved the Bookstore"! I loved the between Nanami, the young new heroine, and the older characters of Tiger and Rintaro. I think that this book developed the ongoing conversation about books quite well while also keeping a light, fantastical tone.

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a wonderful story! A great continuous to the previous book that I wholeheartedly enjoyed! Tiger was still a fun character along with Nanami being very relatable. She sells herself short many times wondering why she was chosen to help save books and the library but it made the point that even having some appreciation for stories and books in general is a lot more valuable than having none at all. I also like how it touched on “book banning” and how prevalent it is to today. We should never silence books and certain writings just because of our own opinions on them!
Nonetheless it was very profound but also an easy read and gave really good cozy vibes!

I gave the first in this series and as a lover of the author and anything with cat or library in the title this was a sure thing for me. I also loved the theme of book banning, being so very poignant, what with how the world is heading, and certain world leaders dictating, it’s a vital and important story, one I highly recommend (as well as the cat who saved books)

Nanami spends much of her free time in the library. Her asthma keeps her from many activities. One day she notices books are disappearing from the library. The librarian is not concerned and tells her that is part of circulation, but Nanami continues her watch. One afternoon, she sees a suspicious man take a book and hide it at the same time the back wall of the library glows blue. This begins Nanami's quest to save the library. With the returning characters of Tiger the tabby cat and Rintaro Natsuki, Nanami must defeat different, difficult levels of gray men to return the books to their rightful location.

Nanami is a beautifully written character dealing with loneliness, physical health issues, and grief. Her father works constantly, leaving her alone for most of her daily routine. Many treat her as fragile due to her asthma. Nanami's quest allows her to discover her own inner strength and determine to put herself first.

A great cozy read.


Thank you to NetGalley and HarperVia for providing me with this E-ARC to read and review.

I think the message is great--books are important and need to be protected-- but the execution of the story was a bit dry and boring at times. I did like our main character but not much also stands out to me.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

3 out of 5 Stars

The Cat Who Saved The Library was good but definitely has case of sequel syndrome as the first book was in fact better. Also while I don't know much about have asthma it did seem like an accurate representation based on people in my life with asthma. It kinda felt like people were treating Nanami like she would die of she stood up to quickly.

I had been meaning to read The Cat Who Saved Books for a while, so when The Cat Who Saved the Library popped up on NetGalley I re-Jenga'd my TBR to successively read the series!

The Cat Who Saved the Library picks up about ten years after The Cat Who Saved Books and here we have thirteen year old Nanami, a girl held back from so much of life by severe asthma, meeting a certain cat in her beloved library. And when this cat opens a path to another world, and the dangers within...? Maybe this girl who loves books so much and really understands their power can do something about those that try to steal and obfuscate and hide the stories that have informed global culture as a whole.

It differs from The Cat Who Saved Books in a way that's a lot more timely to be written/set ~10 years past, and the stakes are higher. Unlike the first book's hero Rintaro, Nanami is resolute and sure even when she openly admits she doesn't know something.

It's a quick read being ~200 pages (even reading them back to back amidst work obligations it didn't take all that long!), and for those of you who like magical realism/books about books/books about people who LOVE books, boos about protecting books... this is definitely for you.

Thank you to HarperVia and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for review!

The Cat Who Saved the Library is a charming and whimsical sequel to The Cat Who Saved Books, this novel continues the adventure with heart and depth. It blends cozy fantasy with thought-provoking themes, making it a read that is both comforting and surprisingly layered.

One of the highlights for me was the female main character—her struggles with health issues felt incredibly relatable, yet she remained strong-willed and determined, never allowing her circumstances to define her. Her resilience added a grounding element to the otherwise whimsical journey. Of course, Tiger the Cat remains a standout—grumpy yet wise, serving as both a mentor and a steadfast companion. Seeing returning characters from the previous book was a delight, adding to the warmth and familiarity of the story.

Beyond its cozy and adventurous surface, the novel delves into significant themes, including book banning, censorship, the restriction of knowledge, and the intersection of capitalism and societal decline. I was surprised by the depth of its political commentary—while some points resonated strongly, others felt a bit heavy-handed. However, even when I didn’t fully agree with certain perspectives, I appreciated how they tied into the overarching narrative.

Ultimately, The Cat Who Saved the Library is a wonderful continuation of its predecessor, offering an enjoyable, thought-provoking read suitable for a broad audience, from children to adults. Whether you’re looking for a light adventure or a story that sparks deeper reflection on literature and society, this book delivers both. I’d recommend it as a short but meaningful read.

Rating: 3.5/5⭐️

The Cat Who Saved the Library is the sequel to The Cat Who Saved Books. Like its predecessor, the story is a love letter to literature and the power of written words. Though familiar faces from book one appear, you do not need to read the first installment to enjoy this story. It can easily be read as a standalone.

The book follows the high schooler Nanami. Unable to participate in sports like her classmates due to her asthma, Nanami spends most of her free time at the library. One day she realizes that the stories she loves are vanishing mysteriously from the shelves. That is when Tiger the Tabby returns and takes Nanami on an adventure to track down the books, stop the thief, and return the texts to their home at the library.

While the original book addresses the idea that books are powerful to the individual, The Cat Who Saved the Library takes it a step further. In the same vein as Fahrenheit 451 (book burning and all), we see that books are influential to the thoughts of the general public, and, therefore, there will be those who will try to censor and destroy that knowledge from spreading. Like Tiger and Nanami, we can’t allow this to happen. In today’s political climate where we see more and more the push to ban certain books from circulation, I think this tale becomes even more poignant.

Though maybe not as far fetched as I’d like to believe, it does head in the more extreme direction as some dystopian literature and less into the realm of magical realism. Definitely not as cozy a read as book one, but it’s just as compelling a story. I think it addresses a lot of issues we see in today’s society and gives a powerful message about the impact of the written word. However, it’s short and can easily be read in one sitting.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperVia for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this thoughtful and touching story. As someone with asthma, I felt especially connected to the main character—her quiet strength and emotional journey really tugged at my heart. The book explores themes that feel incredibly relevant today, particularly with how literature and access to ideas are being challenged in many parts of the world, including America.

Through a gentle yet meaningful narrative, The Cat Who Saved the Library reminded me of the power of stories and why preserving them matters. Despite the challenges the characters face, the book ultimately left me with a sense of hope—for libraries, for readers, and for a future where books continue to inspire.

Such a delightful read. I really enjoyed this book, and will be recommending it to others. My library will be purchasing this title.

The cat who saved the library is such a meaningful book especially in the times we are currently living (note: review written in 2025).
It goes beyond the meeting between a magical orange tabby cat and Nanami, a girl suffering from asthma, who loves books. It’s a metaphor that materializes on how people are too much emerged in their daily tasks and don’t look at the bigger picture, at what is actually happening around them politically, culturally, ideologically. It reminds us on how much people are willing to sacrifice to achieve their goals, loosing themselves in the process.
Nanami symbolizes a beacon of hope, the belief that the true strength resides in the heart and in what we cherish. On the other hand, the cat symbolizes the awakening of one’s consciousness providing guidance (even if that guidance manifests as questioning our beliefs).
There’s so much more that can be said about this book, that it’s actually quite hard to find the words to describe it.
I’ll wrap up my review with one final idea and a quote from Nanami: the importance of a community. If we are not alone, we can overcome challenges and hardships:

"You've always told me that. That we're not alone in this world. That we don't always realize it, but we live with the support of all sorts of different people. You said that I, especially with my delicate health, have relied on many people. And therefore, you told me that if I ever saw someone in need, I should be the kind of person who offers them support.”

The Cat Who Saved the Library is an engaging bookish fantasy featuring literature and the love of reading, along with a return of the anthropomorphic cat from book 1, by Sosuke Natsukawa. Due out 8th April 2025 from HarperVia, it's 224 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a multi-layered book. On the surface, it's a fairly simple story with another young person who suddenly notices that many of her beloved books are going missing mysteriously. She's shocked when a talking tabby cat visits and asks for her help saving books. On a deeper level, the author has a lot to say about reading, and books, and the love of literature.

There is a lot of literature name-dropping here and especially for young adult readers, there are numerous great works of western and eastern literature mentioned which will give hours of further reading prompts.

The characterizations are very lightly rendered and most of them are not detailed at all. They're not all likeable, I found the titular cat, Tiger, to be supercilious and quite abrasive, for example. On the other hand, the author makes some valuable universal observations on the nature of friendship, interconnectedness, humanity, and what drives creativity. It makes an oddly endearing whole.

The translation from the original Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai was relatively seamless. It was easily understandable and relatable to readers whilst still maintaining a distinctly Japanese aesthetic.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 5 hours and 56 minutes and is capably narrated by series narrator Kevin Shen. He delineates the characters (of all ages, both sexes, plus cat) well and distinctly. There were only a couple places where the dialogue was so fast moving that it's difficult to figure out out who was who in the scene. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.

Four stars. It's an undeniably odd but engaging story. Especially recommended for book lovers.