Introducing our Book Club

Welcome to our neighbourhood Book Club. We’re a lively group of book enthusiasts who meet monthly, alternating between the serene setting of our local gardens in the summer and the cosy ambiance of Hanami café on Burleigh Street during the colder months. With 24 members, we typically see eight to 15 of us gathered to dive into thought-provoking discussions. We read an eclectic mix, drawing from both fiction and non-fiction. Each meeting features a book recommended and introduced by one of our members, while our dedicated organiser, Sally, captures the essence of the conversation in her delightful summaries. If you’re interested in joining us, leave a comment and we’ll put you in touch with Sally.

January 2025 Book Club Review

By Sally Wraight

We gathered at Hanami on Tuesday, 14th January to discuss “Before the Coffee Gets Cold” by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. It was a warm evening of conversation, made even more special by the addition of two new members—Carmel and Tony.

Lorna introduced the book, sharing fascinating insights about its origins as a play, which helped explain its unique setting—a small, windowless café with a limited cast of characters. She also noted its immense popularity in Japan, where it has spawned three sequels.

The story revolves around a peculiar café where a mysterious woman in a white dress—a ghost—occupies a particular seat. Each day, when she briefly vacates the seat, someone else can sit there and travel through time, either to the past or future, to reconcile or resolve something with a loved one. However, there are rules: the traveller must return to the seat before their cup of coffee gets cold. (We all wondered: how could they know when the coffee would cool?) As the book progresses, more rules are revealed, adding layers to the narrative.

The discussion brought out many thoughtful perspectives. Some members found the language stilted and debated whether this stemmed from the translation or cultural differences in storytelling. The emotional depth of the stories, particularly one involving a husband with Alzheimer’s, moved many of us deeply.

A heated debate arose over the pregnant character who must decide to give up her life for her unborn child—a choice some felt was troubling, particularly in a story written by a male author. It sparked broader discussions about agency, ethics, and cultural perspectives.

Overall, the book prompted plenty of lively debate and introspection. While everyone appreciated reading it, there was consensus that the sequels might not be on our collective to-read list. It was a memorable meeting, and we’re looking forward to next month’s book and discussion on “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad.