Audacity Book Club: December Read

By Nic Daniels

Welcome back Audacious Readers! 

2021 is officially winding down and you’re about to create your last memories of the year. Last month, we explored the life of renowned indigenous poet, Joy Harjo, in her memoir, Poet Warrior. This month we’re going to stick to the idea of memories for just a little bit longer. So, before you start your countdown to 2022, let’s dive into December’s book of the month, Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi.

This international bestseller takes place in a café in Tokyo. It’s been in business for over a century and gives each customer a chance to go back in time. However, there are a few twists. You can only go back in time under specific conditions within the café, you can only go back one time, and you have to come back before the coffee gets cold. Most customers turn away the offer after the rules but for four patrons, it becomes an invaluable opportunity.

We follow along as four visitors travel to the past to fix their mistakes. One confronts an ex-lover, another receives a letter from their husband before he loses his memory, one goes to see her sister one last time, and the other goes to meet her daughter for the first time. 

Before the Coffee Gets Cold is a retrospective, heartfelt tale that will leave you with the question we all have: Is it ever too late to fix your mistakes? This book is available wherever books are sold, as well as your local library in paperback. I will see you at the end of the month for the full review and end of the year Book Club Recap so don’t miss out!

Until then, don’t forget to read audaciously!