Last week's post was all about Sosuke Natsukawa's The Cat Who Saved Books, so it was only natural to follow-up with the sequel, The Cat Who Saved the Library. Readers are reintroduced to the haughty talking tabby cat, who once again needs help on a mysterious and dangerous mission involving books.
The Situation: For 13 year-old Nanami Kosaki, the library is the best place in the world. Not only does she love books and love to read, but the library was once the place she would visit all the time with her dad, who is now often busy working. For Nanami, the library has remained her second home, especially since her chronic asthma makes it difficult to for her to do anything that puts any strain on her body. She is so familiar with the library and the books on its shelves that she notices several books have gone missing. The old librarian insists there is nothing wrong, as the nature of a library is for books to come and go. But Nanami is certain there are books missing, and that a strange man she sometimes sees among the shelves is to blame.
The Problem: When Nanami decides to play detective and follow the strange man, she knows she must be careful because of her asthma. While tracking him through the library, a place she knows almost as well as she knows her own home, she comes across a strange passageway she has never seen before, one in which the rows of shelves seem to go on forever. And when she begins to have a conversation with a talking cat, Nanami knows she is now on an adventure like she could have never imagined. The cat may need help, but he remains dubious if Nanami is up to it, until he sees how determined she is. But the young girl will have to hold onto that determination, as the enemy is powerful, persuasive, manipulative, and determined to make books disappear.
Genre, Themes, History: This book is the second in The Cat Who...Series, and once again involves Tiger the talking tabby cat. While the first book focused on Rintaro, a high school boy who worked at his grandfather's bookshop, this time the reader follows Nanami, an eighth grade girl with fragile health who loves books. Like Rintaro, Nanami believes that books hold power, and is determined to save them. Across four sections, Nanami will follow the talking cat down a strange passageway and encounter a place where books are being taken to ultimately be destroyed. And even though Nanami is only 13, she will have to contemplate the human experience, why books are needed, and even reflect on her own life up to this point.
My Verdict: I was excited to see in what direction this second book in the series was going to go and was pleasantly surprised by the primary setting being moved to a library. While many things are different about this book, including having the focus on young Nanami instead of our previous hero, Rintaro, much has remained the same, including Tiger the talking tabby, and the ultimate goal of saving books. The story is fun while also being serious in the right places, and the questions it asks are important while also not taking away from the fantastic aspects. And Nanami may be smart and determined, but she is also young and therefore understandably confused by several parts of her journey.
Favorite Moment: When it seems a way forward is not possible, Nanami has a crucial conversation with her father that changes everything.
Favorite Character: Nanami is aware of her limitations, but moves forward anyway, understanding that the journey may not be easy, but it will be worth it.
Recommended Reading: I recommend Haruki Murakami's The City and Its Uncertain Walls.
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