“Before the Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

I am not sure why I liked this unusual book, translated from Japanese, since it has a time-travel premise that requires suspension of disbelief, but good writing is good writing, and this quiet, quirky little book, with its interconnected people searching for redemption, forgiveness, relief, or clarification to resolve inner conflicts, resonated with me, and made me reflect on the choices we make, and their long-term ramifications. Within the peculiar walls of Funiculi, Funicula, a small back alley coffee cafe in Tokyo, open since 1874, we meet the owner, Nagare, his wife Kei, and a no-nonsense waitress, Kazu who tersely explains the very strict parameters involved in visiting the past to each of the visitors as they come searching for a way to deal with regrets, and through their stories, we are challenged to examine our own choices and regrets in a fresh way. 4 Stars (Wonderful. Glad I read it.)