Before Your Memory Fades: The Japanese TikTok favourite that will break your heart: 3 (Before the Coffee Gets Cold, 3)

‘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.

Let me tell you, the first book was fantastic. Stunning, heartfelt, and lyrical! My disappointment has grown as I have read the next two. There appears to be an increasing degree of complexity in the premise. It was already tough for me to concentrate on the time travel stories without the cafe's plethora of new faces (now featuring a much-needed prompt list front and centre). To all appearances, they play a supporting role. Getting the next book is becoming unlikely.

I knew from the previous two books in this series that I would fall in love with the characters and journeys embarked on within this read. For sure, that's what happened. Kawaguchi has such a poignant style pf writing, which leaves you with utter goosebumps whilst reading. The four stories explored gave me a different. yet compelling meaning of life itself - and how relationships with loved ones can impact your life - even when they are long gone. I really like the way the book is divided - into 4 main stories. You grow so attached to the characters (old and new). It is as if you feel the pain they harbour, and can see into there hearts clearly. There are really no complaints about this book. The author has such a delicate manner of conveying such heartbreaking situations, and finding hope and closure at the end. Lastly, time travel fiction is always so fascinating - the element of it here is by far my favourite. The plot question I had were always answered in such a clever way and an articulated manner. I do hope the fourth book will be released one day.

Love these books, have nearly got the full collection 😊 very good read

I absolutely loved the first book. Emotional, lyrical, fabulous! I have read two more and been increasingly disappointed. The premise seems to get more and more complicated. That and the number of people introduced in the cafe (now with a much needed prompt list at the front) made me find it more difficult to focus on the time travel stories. They seem almost secondary to everything else. I doubt I will get the next book.

This is the third book in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series and like it’s predecessors it is book comprising of four tales about time travel once drinking a particular coffee in a particular cafe - this book moves events to Hakodate but with some familiar characters . The four stories again make us reflect on life ,live and death and the joys and tragedies that effect all of us .Geoffrey Trousselot’s translation pull the reader into the world if the cafe and Kawaguchi’s revisiting of events and the rules of the coffee shops help avoid confusion in what can be intricate plots . A worthy successor in this enchanting series - but do read book one and two first to get the best enjoyment from this latest series of tales

If you want something completely different you can't go far wrong with this series of books. Although I do recommend starting with the first one, Before the Coffee Gets Cold.

I really love this book series, but this book in particular is easily my favourite. It’s heartfelt and emotional. A must-read!

a great and intriguing book

I find this series to be so endearing and heartwarming. Even though the time travel premise is the same in every “chapter”, each story feels fresh and unique while still moving the overall storyline of the main characters forward. Before Your Memory Fades caught me by surprise as it takes place in a different city and cafe, but when explained it absolutely made sense. Absolutely loved the new characters and location. I found the story about a daughter traveling back to confront her parents both heartbreaking and moving. The story of Todoroki and Hayashida of the comedy duo PORON DORON was one of my favorites and I especially liked how it connected to one of the cafe workers. The story about two sisters impacted me the most. Having lost my aunt, I saw the grief of losing a sister through my mother’s and her surviving sister’s eyes. The author does a beautiful job capturing the bond of sisters and the grief of losing one. There is a lighter, but somewhat serious, note woven throughout all of the stories which was young Sachi posing questions to costumers from her book “What If the World Were Ending Tomorrow? One Hundred Questions.” It was entertaining throughout the novel, but most moving in the last story. There is SO much I love about this installment. If you don’t want to go back to the start of the series, Before Your Memory Fades would be a good place to start.

Livro Maravilhoso, magnético, te envolve de uma maneira impressionante, comprei de presente para o meu filho e ele amou, já quer todos da coleção 🤪

Good one

In my opinion this is the best one in the series. The quirky characters, the wholesome stories make up for a great winter/autumnal reading. The setting has changed from Funicili Funicula in Tokyo to Donna Donna cafe in a port city called Hakodate in Hokkaido. This was perfect for me because the setting changes to a sea-side town and the lovely descriptions of the foliage and the changing seasons. I loved it ! An absolute ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ! Highly recommend :)