The Cat Who Saved Books

“This whimsical novel will have many a reader at it’s title.”  — The Observer (London)
"Lovers of traditional literature and books themselves will find validation in the lessons Rintaro learns (and teaches), while the story’s structure and fanciful nature may hold appeal for a young adult audience more familiar with the conventions of gaming …Cats, books, young love, and adventure: catnip for a variety of readers!" — Kirkus Reviews
"Charming." — Publishers Weekly
“Bibliophiles will dote on this charming import from Japan, smoothly translated by Louise Heal Kawai.”
— Library Journal
"Natsukawa's empowering Bildungsroman [manages] to be both whimsical and wise." — Shelf Awareness
"Quirky and heartwarming in equal measure, The Cat Who Saved Books invites us to remember the joy of curling up with a favorite book, and savoring the tactile pleasure that comes with turning the pages and immersing ourselves in a good story." — The Japan Times
“Combine “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” with “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore” and you might get a feel for this delightful novel. A talking bookstore cat persuades a young man named Rintaro to embark on a quest to save books from barbarous fates, including languishing on shelves and being “tortured” by a man whose speed-reading tutorials involve scissors.”
— Washington Post