"Before the Coffee Gets Cold" by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a fantasy novel, but don’t expect the kind of fantastical elements that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Instead, this book is filled with raw emotions and deep human connections. If you dislike melancholic, thought-provoking stories, this book might not be for you. I won’t claim it’s a perfect 10 out of 10, but I savored every moment of the story. I have always been a fan of how Japanese literature portrays human emotions, and if you’re anything like me—trust me—once you pick up this book, there’s no turning back until you’ve finished it. The first thing that drew me in was the title—Before the Coffee Gets Cold. Doesn’t it sound