I read the first translated book by this author and I gave it five stars, just like I'm giving this one. It's almost uncanny how Natsukawa has given English readers--and especially American readers the exact book we need right now, considering the state of our nation. Or even all humanity. There is so much to think about with this book and it is rich with opportunities for discussion. It's going to be a great read for book groups and also a great read for the solo reader who can stop every so often and consider what the meaning might be of a fire, a gray man, a librarian etc. So much to unpack!
Or, you could even simply enjoy it for the story. But... you'd be missing a great message.

Thank you to NetGalley and the translator for bring us such a wonderful book. More, please!

I really enjoyed this adventure story. The heart and soul of this book and our world is books. The protagonist travels between worlds to save what is rightfully hers. Her love and compassion for books saves her. Also, having a cat lead the way is super original and fun.

The Cat Who Saved the Library is a Timely Adventure for Book Lovers Everywhere

The long-awaited sequel to The Cat Who Saved Books takes us back to Natsuki Books via a different route. In The Cat Who Saved the Library, our heroine is Nanami, a thirteen-year-old girl with a chronic asthma condition that often prevents her from leaving her bubble of books. One day, she notices books have started disappearing from her local library—but nobody else notices or cares.

That leads her on an adventure through the library stacks and into another world where war is on the horizon and books are being burned. Nanami is drawn into the fight to save those books by a familiar talking cat named Tiger, with an appearance from a now-grown-up Rintaro, the beloved stars of the previous novel.

Much like its predecessor, The Cat Who Saved the Library is incredibly timely; books are being destroyed and free thinking is being squashed. Sound familiar? The novel turns the fight for free speech and art into a perilous battle with grey soldiers fighting heroes straight out of children’s stories. And the descriptions of those who want to stop learning and reading really do make you feel like a life without books is a life without color—what a simple but powerful metaphor for anyone at any age to be reminded of.

Nanami is an endearing lead, at just 13 years old she has all the precociousness and bravery of a sheltered young girl who’s only just discovering the world, which colors her thought process and decision-making. While sometimes it can be mildly frustrating to read, her innocence is what makes this story work: Nanami still believes in adventures and fantasy worlds, making her the best candidate to embark on an adventure of her own through this often dream-like narrative.

The switches between the real world and the magical one Nanami and Tiger slip into feel immediately surreal and fantastical, blurring the lines between danger and daring. The jumps in time and place can be a little jarring and make the flow of the novel uneven, but it’s a quick read that’s easy to pick back up where you left off. The language is simple and gentle, while the dialogue impresses upon you the importance of good storytelling, with plenty of references to much-loved examples of that.

Tiger remains grumpy and rather maddening at times but only in a lovable way; he speaks with the wisdom of someone who’s seen many battles but something within him needs Nanami’s youthful spirit. Rintaro is gentle with a touch of mystery about him, and shows up when the narrative needs him most; it’s sometimes too convenient but still nice to have him along for the ride. And Nanami’s interactions with her dad ground the book back in reality and show you why she has such a big heart and willingness to fight for good. The way they interact and learn from one another is bittersweet but ultimately healing.

The themes of heart and bravery over physical strength are also great to read about; Nanami’s dad’s overprotectiveness about her health may hold her back in the real world, but the magical realm allows her to show how strong she really is. As someone who was often sick as a child and spent a lot of time off adventuring in the books I read, this brings back all kinds of nostalgic whimsy. It will remind you of how big and thrilling those worlds in your favorite kids’ stories are and how wonderful it is to get lost in them.

The Cat Who Saved the Library is a winsome read, full of compassion and children’s classics and strong moral messages that are more important than ever. If you’re a fan of books and especially of saving them from being banned, this fantasy take is a good reminder as to why we need to keep stories alive.

I wish I could say I loved this book, but it just didn’t draw me in! The cover is delightful, but the writing wasn’t engaging enough to make me keep reading.

This heartwarming tale blends magical realism with a love for books. It follows Rintaro Natsuki, a shy teenager who inherits his grandfather's struggling library. Just as he considers closing it, a talking tabby cat named Tiger appears, urging him to save the library from various threats. Together, they embark on enchanting adventures, confronting those who misunderstand the value of books. The novel features rich prose and a gentle message about preserving stories and connections, making it a cozy read for anyone with a love of books.

This is a cozy, short book about a 13 year old girl and orange Tabby cat who need to save books in a library from being destroyed by a group of evil men known as The Grey Men. I thought this was a cute book, it read a little YA to me, but I thought the message was sweet. I think this would be a good book for young girls because our Protagonist is young and brave and stands up for what she believes in...books!

If you're a book lover and a cat lover you should give this a try!

Thank you to Harper Via for an copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

"The long-awaited sequel to the #1 international bestseller The Cat Who Saved Books - an uplifting tale from Japan about a talking cat, a book-loving girl and the power of books to make a difference in the world.

A chronic asthma condition prevents thirteen-year-old Nanami from playing sports or spending time with her friends after school. But nothing can stop her from one of her favorite activities. Nanami loves to read and happily spends much of her free time in the library, cocooned among the stacks.

Then one day, Nanami notices that, despite the library being as deserted as ever, some of her favorite books, including literary classics like Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Thief and Anne of Green Gables are disappearing from the shelves. When she alerts the library staff, they dismiss her concerns. But just as Nanami is about to return to her reading, she spots a suspicious man in a gray suit. Eager to discover what he's up to, she follows him. The chase is cut short when Nanami suffers an asthma attack. By the time she catches her breath, the man has disappeared and all that is left behind is a mysterious light filtering through the library's familiar passageways.

That's when Tiger, the talking tabby cat who saves books, comes to the rescue. Are Nanami and Tiger prepared to face the dangerous challenges that lie ahead? Why are faceless gray soldiers burning books in a stone castle? And what happened to Rintaro, the socially withdrawn hero who helped Tiger save books in a second-hand bookshop? At a time of increased book bannings worldwide, Sosuke Natsukawa urges us not to underestimate the power of great literature - and to be prepared to defend our freedom to choose."

Thursday Next with a cat and a more dystopian world... That is sadly too close to reality.

ugh. this series too cute and the wisdom pertaining to the importance of novels is always nice to hear. i can't say it's the wildest book out there per my rating, but it's definitely a very sweet, short, and low-stakes read if that's something you're in the mood for! (3.25 ★)

Thank you NetGalley for the arc! This sequel brought us back into the cozy world that still conquers important conversations about books, the literary industry, and humanity overall. I found this one to make these points a little more on the nose and less poetically than the first. It could also be the repetition of structure of the first book. However, it was still a great, short read. I would recommend for more of a middle-grade or YA audience.

I've been in a cozy book type of mood, and translated works have been a new genre I've really been hitting hard. The Cat Who Saved the Library by Sōsuke Natsukawa was a book I think I would have loved as a kid, and adored as an adult. Overcoming adversity, the importance of books, relationships, and several really memborable quotes? I'm in.

I did not read the first book yet, but that did not seem to impact my overall understanding throughout the book. Nanami, a very isolated asthmatic girl spends most of her time in the library as her mother has passed away and her dad has been spending more time at work and less time with her. While at the library, Nanami notices that books are missing, more so than just being checked out and as her concern is dismissed when bringing it to an adult, she takes it on herself to solve the mystery of the missing books.

The book is a reminder of that even in the worst of times, there is hope. Many people may stray from the path and allow a darkness to enter their lives but at the same time there is goodness in the world to keep us grounded and reminded of all those who help make us whole. This was such a sweet book, and I really enjoyed it. I really do love all the translated works that are becoming much more accessible in the US. Kudos and recognition should be given to Louise Heal Kawai who translated the book, as her translation helps build the world the author intended.

Please be advised I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Just like the first novel, I fell in love with the cozy slice of life feeling and the sequel did not disappoint.

From the first page, I was instantly absorbed back into the world. I am hoping they do more novels set in this universe.

I hadn’t read the first book before requesting this one, so I had to go back and catch up—and I’m so glad I did! As a librarian, I have a soft spot for books about books, and this one delivered with a perfect blend of fantasy and literary love.

Nanami, who has spent much of her life immersed in stories due to her asthma, starts to notice that some of her favorite books have been checked out far longer than they should be. Enter Tiger, a talking tabby cat, who opens Nanami’s world in ways she never expected. She soon finds herself the perfect champion to stand against the Gray Man and save the books.

I really enjoyed this follow-up to The Cat Who Saved Books. The characters were likable, and it was great to reconnect with Rintaro. I highly recommend this book to fellow book lovers!

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperVia, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the sequel to the heartwarming story of "The Cat Who Saved Books", where Tiger the talking cat and Rintaro Natsuki go on adventures to save the bookstore he inherited.
Nanami Kosaki is a lonely young girl with severe asthma who has developed a love of reading. Since she is unable to play like normal children, she spends most of her time in the library reading. She has noticed that many of her favorite books are not on the shelf and hopes they are being checked out but she is not sure. Then she notices sketchy man in a grey suit remove a book and leave down the aisle with it. She starts to follow him, but Tiger, the talking cat appears, and warns her of the dangers of following the man. Together they go on an adventure to find what is happening to the books. The themes of freedom to choose and the right to stand up for your beliefs are beautifully conveyed in this charming book.

A great, cozy read that focuses on emotions more than a ground-breaking plot. I didn't realize this book was actually part of a series, and I am now going back to read the first book (different story and main character, but same cat!).

Interesting in premise, I found the writing to be hard to follow and I was not a fan of the main character. there were one or two supporting characters that stood out to me but all in all, one that I will not revisit.

I enjoyed this middle grade book about at asthmatic kid and the cat they befriend it was an interesting read to say the least. I look forward to more books by this author.

I found this book to be necessary at this moment in history. We are in a time where so many people prioritize money over each other, that a book like this that is a reminder to think about people other than yourself, is one that we all need. Not only do we need to think about other people in our world, but we also need to not be afraid to ask for help. If we believe it is everyone for themselves, then we will just get crushed under the weight of it all. Nanami taught me to not be ashamed of asking the people around me for support, but also make sure that I do not forget how I can help other people. I love that the girl who learned so much from books is in turn a character that teaches those that read about her. I am surprised this book wasn't written in America because we as a country need this more than others. We are watching the grey men take over as we speak, and many of us are just letting it happen. We need to take a lesson from Nanami and be courageous.

In this heartwarming sequel, The Cat Who Saved the Library continues the story of Tiger, the talking cat, and his mission to protect books. Nanami, a book-loving girl with asthma, becomes embroiled in a mysterious plot to steal literary classics, and the adventure that unfolds is both exciting and thought-provoking. With a perfect balance of whimsy and deeper reflections on the importance of books, this charming tale is a reminder of literature’s power to change the world.

While this one didn't QUITE impact me as deeply as the first onrme did, I still thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book and loved it to pieces.

It was so nice to be back in this bit of magical realism with a cat who cares for books and the people who love them. This time he is joined by a girl with asthma who has noticed books going missing from the library.

I think I connected to the first book's protagonist a bit more and his struggle with grief, but the sequel's protagonist was still nice to read about.

Natsukawa's imagination is just so enthralling and consuming, I can't get enough of it. Going forward, I think I will always be excited to hear they are releasing another story.

Really enjoyed this book, much more than I thought I would. Very cosy and heart-warming with philosophical elements.