Strange Weather in Tokyo

Strange Weather in Tokyo is not your typical boy meets girl story. The short but satisfying tale is filled to the brim with excitement, joy, fun anecdotes, and plenty of heartfelt banter.

The story is a simple one. Tsukiko lives alone and likes to drink. One day at her local bar, she strikes up a conversation with an older gentleman who turns out to be one of her high school teachers from the past. You are a fly on the wall as they go to museums, local markets, bars, and meetups. The conversations are incredibly quirky, and the way the author approaches the age gap is handled incredibly well.

If you love haikus, you will enjoy Hiromi Kawakami's writing style. Here is one of my favorite excerpts: “If the love is true, then treat it the same way you would a plant—feed it, protect it from the elements—you must do absolutely everything you can. But if it isn't true, then it's best to just let it wither on the vine.”

If you have had a bad day, month, or year and need an emotional pick-me-up, level up your soul with this exciting book.