The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop

 

The Vanishing Cherry Blossom Bookshop is a standalone cozy fantasy by Takuya Asakura. Originally published in Japanese in May 2025, this English language translation was published  28th Aug 2025 by HarperCollins on their One More Chapter imprint. It's 194 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

There's a vibrant sub-genre in Japanese cozy literature (Kamogawa Food Detectives, Tales from the Cafe, Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, Dallergut Department Store (which was Korean, but same basic genre), etc), and this one fits right in with the others. There's definitely a dreamlike, slightly trippy, aspect to the story, set in an ephemeral bookshop which only shows up during cherry blossom season like a bookish Brigadoon.

The prose is beautifully wrought and although slightly discursive and meandering, manages to make some good points about the meaning and trajectory of life, choices (and how they can affect our entire lives), acceptance, and being truthful (and kind) to ourselves. The translation work, done by Yuka Maeno, is seamless and invisible. Although indelibly Japanese, the text flows very well, and it doesn't read as though it's been translated (which has to be the goal).  

Four stars. Well written, professionally translated, and full of whimsy, it would make an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, and a challenging and enjoyable book club selection/buddy read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Marguerite by the Lake

 

Marguerite by the Lake is a slowly developing standalone mystery thriller by Mary Dixie Carter. Released 20th May 2025 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Very slow to develop with a number of morally grey characters and an often awkward dual-timeline narrative mechanic that is not always very well delineated. This is a reverse mystery; the denouement and guilty party are part of the prologue, and the story gets filled in as it progresses. Antihero Phoenix is generally unlikeable and difficult to vibe with, her affair with Geoffrey is both lackluster and unrealistic. Readers should absolutely bring a prodigious suspension of disbelief to the read.

The writing is competent and readable, but the story never really clearly settles in any camp; it's not horror, not really mystery, not engagingly thrilling, not paranormal (though there's a lot of talk of being haunted and feeling hunted on the part of the female MC (narrator voice: it's her guilty conscience)). 

Three stars. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, possibly for a buddy read or book club selection. It might make a diverting holiday read. 

Very much in the same subgenre as Jessa Maxwell and Rachel Hawkins. Fans of those authors will likely enjoy this one also.  

 Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

 

My Roommate from Hell

 

My Roommate from Hell is a cute light YA rom-com by Cale Dietrich. Released 11th Nov 2025 by Wednesday Books, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is a cute very light romance featuring a mismatched pair of dorm roommates thrust together by circumstance. One's an everyman type midwest all-American boy, the other is a prince of hell. Sparks (literally) fly. It's a slow burn throughout, with a HFN denouement and resolution. Owen is a bit of a doormat, and spends a *large* amount of the book giving prince Not-Very-Charming "just one more chance". 

It's aimed at YA readers, who can relate to the out-of-control feeling that comes with moving away to college, but even so, Owen's a doormat. Things do improve, although there are still points where readers will want to smack their heads together for being so unnecessarily *dim* about how to go about coexisting successfully without unnecessary drama.  

Four stars, with the understanding that it's YA romance. It's snarky and silly in about equal measure. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, home library, or for a buddy read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

The Maiden and Her Monster

 

The Maiden and Her Monster is a darky reimagined fantasy retelling of the Golem of Prague, by Maddie Martinez. Released 9th Sept 2025 by Macmillan on their Tor Forge imprint, it's 352 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same publisher in 3rd quarter 202. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

Steeped in Jewish folklore and history, the author has done a stellar job of reimagining the Golem story with some twists. It's not necessary for readers to have prior exposure to the fables; the author does a good job of providing context without spoon feeding. For readers who are entirely unfamiliar with the story/background/culture, expect to read this with additional resources, the author/publisher have not included a glossary. In fact, the author is gifted at narrative prose, and it does not read like a debut effort at all. The writing is lush, enveloping, and nuanced. 

That being said, there is a -lot- of explicit and direct violence here. Content warning for graphic body horror, religious extremism/zealotry, violence to animals, and threatened SA.  It was quite difficult to read in places. 

Three and a half stars. Well written.  It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, or possibly a book club or buddy read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

The Surgeon's House - Book 2

 

The Surgeon's House is an engaging historical mystery and the sequel to The Small Museum by Jody Cooksley. Released 22nd May 2025 by Allison & Busby, it's 320 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

Although undoubtedly fairly accurate with regard to social restrictions, sexism, and rigid class divisions, it's relentlessly depressing. Hannah Arendt was entirely spot on when she coined the phrase "the banality of evil" (she was talking about Eichmann, but the phrase is also quite apt here). The male characters are universally bad, mostly incompetent small minded and mean spirited. The women are hounded from pillar to post by circumstances beyond their control. When the resolution and denouement occur, although self-contained in this volume, they failed to entirely satisfy. 

The pacing is... sedate. The characters are a mixed bag; some are well fleshed out and believable, others seem more like mostly 2 dimensional plot devices. It must be said the author is extremely gifted, often the descriptive prose is beautifully rendered and inviting. 

Definitely one for fans of historical fiction/thrillers. There is a fair bit of continuity from the first book, and although this one can be read as a standalone, there's a large-ish portion of the plot which follows from the first book, and thus there will be some spoilers if read out of order.  

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 10 hours, 21 minutes and is capably read by Jessica Whittaker and Louise Williams. They do a good job with the disparate regional accents and a range of ages. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.  

Three stars. Readable, stately paced, and depressingly accurate. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Life, and Death, and Giants

 

Life, and Death, and Giants is a thoughtful philosophical fable by Ron Rindo. Released 9th Sept 2025 by Macmillan on their St. Martin's imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in 4th quarter 2026. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is a warm and moving tale, full of Americana and a Norman Rockwell vibe, with an often darker undertone. The titular central character, a child/man born very large who grows to a huge size is always the hub around which the characters' points of view revolve. It's told in alternating first person point of view, without ever giving Gabriel (the giant) a voice. It's an effective mechanic and the author uses it fully. 

The community into which giant Gabriel is born straddles old-sect Amish and "English" (non-Amish). The contrast and culture clashes, and uneasy alliances between Gabriel's family and his found family are moving and often tragic. The depictions of Amish life and culture are probably not very accurate. The story often flirts with magical realism, and the second half of the book deals with it more directly. 

It's an odd, off-kilter book in more ways than one, but well crafted, if slow-paced.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 11 hours 29 minutes and is read by an ensemble cast. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read. 

Four stars. It will undoubtedly hit the bookclub circuit heavily in 2026. It would be a good choice for public library acquisition, and is widely available. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes 
 

God's Colorful Easter: The Good News Is for Everyone

 

God's Colorful Easter: The Good News Is for Everyone is an inclusive and illustrated Easter story for young readers (~5-7 years) by Dr. Esau McCaulley. Released 3rd Feb 2026 by Tyndale on their kids' imprint, it's 32 pages and is available in hardcover format. 

The story is simply and directly told in age appropriate text and illustrations. The pictures, by Rogério Coelho are colorful and beautifully intricate with many small details, such as animals and facial expressions and body language which invite contemplation and a closer look. 

In addition to the redemption story, the illustrations also specifically show that the message of love and inclusivity being for people (and kids) of all ethnicities and abilities. 

It's a positive and uplifting book. There are no graphic representations of violence in the book, although the text does refer to Simon helping Jesus when he is unable to carry the cross. 

The author/publisher have also included short biographical info, but no further reading links, bibliography, or resources. There are some links for further reading and other resources available on the publisher's website.  

Four stars. It's would possibly be a good choice for public or school library acquisition (with the understanding that it's directly religious and tells the story of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection).   

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

The Baby Dragon Bookshop - The Baby Dragon #3

 

The Baby Dragon Bookshop is a cute sweetly fluffy lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romantasy by A.T. Qureshi, and the third book in the loosely connected series. Released 10th Feb 2026 by HarperCollins on their Avon imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.  It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Very cute, very fluffy, with a very YA vibe. Lots of heartfelt drama and a nice (fluffy) ending. This volume is back to being absolutely stuffed full of adorable baby dragons compared to the relative  dearth in the second book. This book has some returning cast, but the plot centers around a different couple and different setting. 

Three and a half stars. It would make a good choice for public library acquisition, or a short binge/buddy/beach read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

Murder on a Scottish Island - Lady Poppy Proudfoot #2

 

Murder on a Scottish Island is the second light historical cozy featuring Lady Poppy by Lydia Travers. Released 8th Sept 2025, it's 352 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free, alongside the other book in the series (as well as much of the author's oeuvre and other series).

This is a fun and well written historical cozy with an appealing cast set during the early 1920s in Scotland. The plot is well organized and the characters are rendered (mostly) believably. It's a historical cozy, so there are some period appropriate bits of dialogue and commentary which give the book a historical feel, but not so much as to be awkward or yank readers out of their suspension of disbelief. It's a light read; there's no graphic violence or rough language. Well written and civilized, readers who enjoy early golden age mysteries will likely find it, and the first book in the series, appealing.

Four stars. It works perfectly well as a standalone read, but readers who enjoy series cozies will enjoy the first, and it would make a nice short binge/buddy read. Book 3 is due out in March 2026.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

Murder at Somerset House - Wrexford & Sloane #9

 

Murder at Somerset House is the 9th Wrexford & Sloane regency mystery by Andrea Penrose. Released 30th Sept 2025 by Kensington, it's 368 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in Aug 2026 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.The earlier books in the series are currently available on KU as well.

This is an engaging and well written series. It's an ensemble character driven cozy(ish) historical murder mystery with a strong element of romance. The author has written the story around a framework of fictionalized historical characters and she does a good job of interweaving the real historical facts with the fictional narrative allowing for some minor poetic license regarding names, dates, and times. This installment, as most of them, contain a fair bit of science/technology/engineering of the period, and feature some cameos from well known names in the scientific world of the time.

Although self-contained in the narrative arc, the cast of characters have a long history together, so it works well enough as a standalone, but it's strongly recommend to read the series in order because of  character development spoilers (in fact the titular series characters have progressed from near-enemies in book one to stably married and with a settled situation and dependents). The language is very clean, there's some violence used in context, and very little sexual content. 

The author does take some thinly veiled pokes at colonialism, racism (one of the wards of the family is dark skinned), slavery, unscrupulous profiteers, and the military industrial complex in this book which have distinct takeaways for our modern world.  The narrative arc and denouement and resolution are satisfying for the genre (a little swoony and overwrought, but not egregiously so). This is the ninth book, and it's a continuing series holding to a roughly yearly release schedule; the 10th book is due out in Sept 2026.

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 11 hours, 31 minutes, and is expertly read by series narrator James Cameron Stewart. He has a well modulated light baritone voice and a surprisingly masterful control with regional UK accents of the period as well as a few non-local-accents (including southern German) without a hitch.  Happily, his Scottish accent isn't painful to listen to (it's his native dialect), nor is his upper class Regency English RP type accent (which presumably isn't).  Sound and production quality are high throughout.

Enjoyable cozy murder / romance. Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

A Quilted Christmas: 16 Projects to Bring the Warmth of the Season Home

 

A Quilted Christmas is a nice tutorial collection with 16 projects included collected by Deb Grogan. Released 9th Sept 2025 by Fox Chapel, it's 80 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. 

The projects cover a nice range of traditional, modern, whimsical, and cute. There are table runners, placemats, decor/door hangers, and hangings (See cover). The graphics a clear, high contrast, and in color throughout. There's a combination of photos and drawn graphics. Everything is easy to understand and in color. 

Each project includes a finish photo, materials list with measurements in imperial (American) measurements and metric in parentheses (yay!), and step by step instructions. Process photos and drawings are clear and easy to follow. Templates are included for each project.

Four stars. There are some cute, relatively quick projects here which would be good for gifts and bazaars. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. 

What Stalks the Deep

 

What Stalks the Deep is a very well written trippy fantasy historical-horror lite, the third adventure for these characters, by T. Kingfisher. Released 30th Sept 2025 by Macmillan on their Tor Nightfire imprint, it's 192 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in Sept 2026. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This time Alex & co. wind up on a missing person case with decidedly abnormal things-that-go-bump-in-the-night aspects. Dismemberment and disappearances, cagey locals (it's set deep in remote Appalachia), and a claustrophobic and mysterious cave system attached to a mine. Although it's the third book in the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone, and readers won't have any trouble staying with the story.

The author is exceedingly talented and this story is engaging, atmospherically creepy in places, with some jump scares and some body horror including animals (bear, dog, etc) but overall nothing really horrible (probably not enough actual horror for die-hard horror fans).

Four stars. It would make an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home library, or a great weekend or buddy/binge read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.   

A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang

 

 

A Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang is a semi-cozy fantasy debut by pseudonymous Lee Onhwa. Originally published in Korean in 2024, this English language translation was published  13th Jan 2026 by HarperCollins on their William Morrow imprint. It's 240 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

There's a vibrant sub-genre in Asian food related cozy fantasy (Kamogawa Food Detectives, Tales from the Cafe, Days at the Morisaki Bookshop, Dallergut Department Store (which is also Korean, but same basic genre), etc), and this one fits right in with the others. There's definitely a dreamlike, slightly trippy, aspect (the cafe is ephemeral and serves both the living and departed customers depending on circumstances dictated by the patrons' needs, always at night, and there are priests/monks who pay for the objects the ghost patrons pay for their pastries with).  

The book has a dreamlike quality, and the stories told to shop owner Yeon-Hwa traverse time and space, and philosophy, and music. It contains a fair bit of "woo-woo" pop psychology, but overall it's entertaining, full of whimsy, and fun with a serious bent. The patrons themselves are a mixed lot, but the story is written around their lives and fates and how they passed, and how their stories relate to the larger world.

The prose is oddly wrought and full of odd whimsy and although slightly discursive and meandering, manages to make some good points about the meaning and trajectory of life, choices (and how they can affect our entire lives), acceptance, and being truthful (and kind) to ourselves. Although the translation work seems well done, it absolutely reads like literature in translation and there's often (often!) a choppy discontinuity to the writing. It's not annoying, but it is noticeable. 

Three and a half stars. Well written, professionally translated, and full of whimsy, it would make an excellent choice for public library acquisition, home use, and a challenging and enjoyable book club selection/buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

 

We'll Prescribe You Another Cat

 

We'll Prescribe You Another Cat is the second collection of interconnected vignettes by Syou Ishida. Originally released in Japanese in 2023, this English language translation was released 2nd Sept 2025 by Penguin Random House on their Berkley imprint. It's 304 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

This is a relaxingly cozy, warmly written book with several mini-stories around people whose lives are touched by feline interactions. The "patients" run the gamut from a young relationship-shy woman to a widowed grandfather whose grandson is hikikomori, and it's a redemptive and sentimental read (in a good way). 

The translation work by E. Madison Shimoda is completely seamless and unobtrusive. It doesn't read like literature in translation and although set in Japan with Japanese names and settings, the scansion and prose flow very well in English. 

Four stars. Well written. There are a fair number of cozy Japanese "lifestyle" stories, it's become a popular genre. It's not derivative at all, but fans of The Full Moon Coffee Shop, the Morisaki Bookshop books, and the Kamogawa Food Detectives, will likely enjoy this one as well.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Christmas with a Chimera - Claw Haven #2

 

Christmas with a Chimera is a sweet fantasy second chance romance and the second book in the series by Isabelle Taylor. Released 7th Oct 2025 by Harlequin, it's 167 pages and is available in audio and ebook formats.  It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

Although it's the second book in the series, it's a standalone, and the continuity comes from the setting, a town which is full of both humans and nonhuman characters. It's full of the interpersonal drama and enemies to lovers tropes that keep fans of the genre turning pages. It's an easy, fun, safe, quick read.

The content is quite spicy in places, with some explicit on-page descriptions. It's a very short read, more of a longish novella than a full novel, so the pacing is speedy and the denouement and resolution are complete and satisfying.

Four stars. Sweetly cheesy, and well written.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Smallest Day - Micky Knight #12

 

The Smallest Day is the 12th Micky Knight standalone PI mystery by J.M. Redmann. Released 13th May 2025 by Bold Strokes Books, it's 264 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. 

Solid PI standalone with a relatable, jaded, competent female protagonist who has seen it all and is pretty fed up. This time Micky is tasked with protecting a female rabbi from NYC who was the target of an assassination attempt and has flown to New Orleans to try to throw off any further attempts. 

There are a couple of subplots which entwine into a satisfying denouement and resolution. Mostly, the setting, characterizations, and plotting meld well into an entertaining whole. Although it works fine as a standalone, it's the 12th book, and the returning ensemble cast of characters have back history which is mentioned in passing and if read out of order, there will be some minor spoilers for earlier books. 

Four and a half stars. Readable and enjoyable for fans of gritty PI mysteries. In the same vein as Marcia Muller and Sara Paretsky and compares favorably with both. It would make a nice binge or buddy series read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Sleepover Sneak Attack (Adventures of the Powerpuff Girls #1)

 

Sleepover Sneak Attack is the first book in a new series for beginning readers featuring the Powerpuff Girls by Kiara Valdez. Due out 1st Aug 2026 from Capstone, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover and paperback formats. 

This is such a fun and cute illustrated book with some good messages about teamwork, forgiveness, and boundaries. The text is easy to understand and the illustrations by Patricio Oliver are colorful and full of action and support the story well. They're full of small details which invite readers to stop and take a closer look. 

It's only 32 pages, so a good length for a story circle or bedtime read. It would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, home library or gifting. 

Five stars. Adorable.  

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.   

Supernatural Crimes Unit: NYPD: The Thin Blue Ley-Line

 

Supernatural Crimes Unit: NYPD is an urban fantasy police procedural comedy series starter by Keith R.A. DeCandido. Released 28th Oct 2025 by Blackstone, it's 390 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

Tongue in cheek, with sarcasm and snark to spare, the author does a good turn with rapid dialogue, law enforcement banter and camaraderie alongside professional rivalry, and workplace humor (some quite gritty and off-color). The difference is that these cops are chasing vampires, werewolves, slime monsters, and some lesser known elements from folklore. 

Although not egregious (especially for the UF/procedural genre), there are some mild content warnings for drug use, body horror, and kidnapping of a minor child. There's also standard language and violence warnings. For fans of Hearne and Butcher, this fits in the same general area, and compares well with them. The author isn't quite as polished, and hasn't met a pun he can bear to edit out (see book's subtitle), but overall it's engaging, quite funny in places, and full of cultural references to food, language, and people from all over NYC. There are gender positive representations included in the book which the author manages not to club readers with. 

Four stars. Enjoyable, funny, moderately diverting, and readable. It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition. First book in a series, though no current publishing info for book 2 is easily obtainable; it would make a fine buddy read. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.   

A Day in the Death of Dorothea Cassidy - Inspector Ramsay #3

 

A Day in the Death of Dorothea Cassidys is the 3rd Inspector Ramsay standalone mystery by Ann Cleeves. Originally released in 1992, this reformat and re-release 25th March 2025 by Macmillan is 256 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. 

The death of the vicar's much younger wife is distressing enough; she was a paragon of moral zeal and a fearless indefatigable champion of the disadvantaged. Inspector Ramsay's investigation, and his quietly compassionate but equally unstoppable hunt for the truth soon puts him at cross purposes with the local infrastructure and social services. The author deals plainly with often very stark realities: child neglect, abuse, drugs, and mental health issues, so sensitive readers should be aware. 

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 6 hours 5 minutes and is capably read by series narrator Simon Mattacks. He has a beautifully modulated classically trained light baritone voice and does a great job of delineating a range of characters of both sexes and a number of regional accents, shifting quickly and flawlessly. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Although it's the third book in the series, it works very well as a standalone. This book is also quite intricately plotted, but there aren't any major spoilers if they're read out of order. The denouement and resolution were satisfying, if melancholy. 

This series is definitely not as polished as her later work, but there are glimpses of the style and development which later gave rise to Vera and Shetland. It has "good bones" and works very well, despite the pervasive sadness which threads throughout the entire series.

Four stars. Well worth seeking out for fans of moody atmospheric British crime.  

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.  

 

The Cat Who Went To Heaven: A Timeless Japanese Tale for Kids

 

The Cat Who Went To Heaven is a reprint and re-release of athe classic 1931 Newbery Medal winner by Elizabeth Coatsworth. Released in this edition 16th Dec 2025 by Dover, it's 64 pages and is available in paperback format. 

This is quite poignant, but nevertheless a classic fable with good takeaways for modern audiences. Set in ancient Japan, an impoverished artist and his elderly housekeeper find their lives changed by the addition of a small, extremely polite and gifted, bobtail Japanese calico cat. Although the winner of a Newbery for Children's literature, there are good takeaways for all ages. This edition features monochrome illustrations by Lynd Ward. The calm pen and ink watercolor style illustrations enhance and support the story beautifully. 

This is an unabridged reprinting. 

Four stars. It's nice to see classic literature preserved and presented to new generations of readers.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.