Published By: Picador
Pages: 224
Released On: 10/04/2025
Translated By: Louise Heal Kawai
Nanami sees nothing wrong with a library and cat combination. But a talking cat is a whole other story.
Thirteen-year-old Nanami Kosaki loves reading. The local library is a home from home and books have become her best friends. When Nanami notices books disappearing from the library shelves, she’s particularly curious about a suspicious man in a grey suit whose furtive behaviour doesn’t feel right. Should she follow him to see what he’s up to?
When a talking tabby cat called Tiger appears to warn her about how dangerous that would be, together they’re brave enough to follow the frightening trail to find out where all the books have gone. Will Nanami and Tiger overcome the challenges of the adventure ahead?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Picador for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I only read the first book in this series – The Cat Who Saved Books – recently, but it was so enchanting. I love Japanese fiction, especially because they often contain books and animals, which instantly draws me in.
It is whimsical and magical but rooted firmly into the real, recognisable world.
The cat is still my favourite character. He’s so nonchalant and rude but in such an endearing way. Never did I think that a somewhat arrogant talking cat would be so loveable.
Having not read the original Japanese, I cannot say this for certain, but it feels like the translator, Louise, has managed to capture what it was that Sosuke was aiming for.
It’s a relaxing book. It’s not always an easy book, with some topics, and this sense of righting a wrong, but it’s an easy book to while away a few hours. As bizarre as it sounds, it feels more like an autumnal or wintery read, although it is still enjoyable ay other time.
I think overall I preferred the first book, because it was fresh. This is, whilst in a different setting, is effectively the same book as the previous, in the sense that books go missing and an individual goes with a talking cat to find them. So whilst it is still good and I enjoyed reading it, I did have something to compare it to and it didn’t live up to it. The first book felt fresh and original; this one didn’t have the same feeling.
What I did love though, and it’s the same for the first book, is how Sosuke has shown how important books are. There’s always a chance that books will go out of fashion – but I’m hopeful they won’t. Because books and reading and stories are important for all ages, and Sosuke has managed to depict that without being too pushy.
Books By Your Bedside 