Before Your Memory Fades

Before Your Memory Fades is the perfect cosy read to tuck into when life feels a little darker, prompting us to think about life’s true value and what to do with ours while we still have the chance. Not only does he remind us of just how much we take our ordinary lives and the people in it for granted, but he also inspires us to remain hopeful when these people are no longer by our side; something I definitely needed reminding of.

Before Your Memory Fades is the third instalment in Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, and unlike the previous two books, it failed to some extent to capture my attention the way the former ones did!Let me explain why though. Before Your Memory Fades wasn’t bad at all. It had the same kind of emotions, the same kind of connections formed by grief and death, same sentiments. However, the writing felt kind of long, overused and repetitive. Because of the repetitiveness, it failed to tug on my heartstrings like the previous ones.That being said, these stories, though rooted in grief, always come as uplifting and satisfying. There is a kind of connection that we feel and can’t ignore with each one of Kawaguchi’s characters. Each story attaches us differently and plays with different emotions underneath while working on a similar concept of loss.The best part of these books is that they are short and to the point (despite the repetitiveness) and aren’t that deep-level character studies, so they are easily enjoyable.I have the physical copy still I listened to the audiobook because I feel that is the best way to read these stories.This instalment has four interconnected stories- a daughter holding a grudge for her dead parents to leave her orphaned; a comedian moving forward in life only to complete his deceased wife’s dream of his success; a sister all-consumed in the grief of her younger sister’s untimely death; a young man realising his love for his childhood friend too late.Despite the third instalment being my least favourite in the series so far, I would recommend it for sure and am looking forward to the next instalment coming later this year 😊

Looks like a pirated book. I have acquired the prequel too but the quality of this book is not as good as the sequel. Lacks authenticity!

It is a copy, not original

A entrega ultrapassou demais o prazo descrito na compra.Livro em perfeito estado.

This book follows the beautiful narrative of the two other books. It is located in a different city but it is really worth reading. I loved it!

I did enjoy the stories in this book, but some things felt super repetitive, mostly the rules for time travel. I get it's something that's important for the characters to understand, but having to read the same thing multiple times when you're already into the third book of the series was kind of annoying.Changing café's was also weird for me. At first I thought being in a new café in a new city would be a nice way to freshen things up in this book, but by the end I was wondering what the point really was. The rules are all the same, nothing about that café's ghost or origin were really talked about, so why bother? I'm guessing it sets something up for the fourth book, but I didn't find that the new setting really added anything in this book.

A book for cozy days and afternoons with your favourite warm beverage next to you. The story already known but still keeps you every page hooked which I didn‘t expect to love so much as I did third time around as well.

‘Before Your Memory Fades’ by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, translated from the Japanese by Geoffrey Trousselot, is the third in his ‘Before the Coffee Gets Cold’ series.The first two books were set in Funiculi Funicula, a Tokyo café that offers their customers the unique experience of travelling back in time in order to connect with someone important to them.In ‘Before Your Memory Fades’ the setting shifts to another café, Donna Donna, in Hakodate. It is also owned by the Tokita family and has a seat that allows its customers to slip back in time. The same strict rules must be followed including that the traveler must return before their coffee gets cold.I was pleased that the book opened with a relationship map of characters as it proved a handy reference especially given the introduction of new characters working at Donna Donna. As with the other books there are four chapters, each focusing upon a customer and their journey.I was a little perplexed by the move from the original Tokyo café though I felt that more was revealed about the process behind the time travel and the Tokita family’s involvement. Will more be revealed in the fourth book when it is translated? I shall have to wait to see.Overall, a whimsical story that sensitively explores grief and loss, yet remains full of hope.Highly recommended book and series.4.5 stars rounded up to 5.