Before We Forget Kindness by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

A Heartwarming Japanese Novel About Love, Family, and the Power of Kindness

About the Book

Before We Forget Kindness is the fifth book in the multi-million-copy bestselling Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, set in a cosy Tokyo café that offers its visitors the remarkable chance to travel back in time. Each story in this novel gently reminds us that kindness, love, and the words left unspoken can shape our lives in ways we never fully realize until it is too late.

From the Back Cover

Translated from Japanese by Geoffrey Trousselot and featuring signature heartwarming characters and wistful storytelling, Before We Forget Kindness invites the reader to ask themselves: what would you change if you could travel back in time?  The answer, this book quietly suggests, might be simpler and more human than you ever expected.

About the Author

Toshikazu Kawaguchi was born in Osaka, Japan, in 1971. He has produced, directed, and written for the theatrical group Sonic Snail, and his play Before the Coffee Gets Cold won the grand prize at the Suginami Drama Festival.His debut novel of the same name went on to become a global bestseller, translated into dozens of languages and adapted for film in Japan.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is perfect for readers who love quiet, emotional stories about family, regret, second chances, and human connection. If you enjoy translated Japanese fiction, cozy settings, or novels that leave you thinking long after the last page, this one belongs on your shelf.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Do I need to read the other books before reading Before We Forget Kindness? It helps to start from the beginning of the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series to fully enjoy the characters and world. However, each book contains mostly self-contained stories, so new readers can still follow along and enjoy the emotional depth of this installment.

Q2. Is Before We Forget Kindness suitable for teenage readers? Yes, this book deals with gentle themes of love, family, loss, and forgiveness in a calm and beautiful way. It is written for adults but is also a great read for mature teens aged 16 and above who enjoy emotional and thoughtful fiction.

Q3. What makes the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series so popular worldwide? The series stands out because it combines the charm of a cozy Japanese café setting with deeply moving human stories. Readers connect with the characters because the emotions, whether grief, regret, or love, feel completely real and relatable no matter where you are from.

Q4. Is this book part of a series, and how many books are there? Yes, Before We Forget Kindness is the fifth book in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. The series also includes Before the Coffee Gets Cold, Tales from the Café, Before Your Memory Fades, and Before We Say Goodbye.