Before the Coffee Gets Cold series

Step into the enchanting world of Toshikazu Kawaguchi, where time bends and the boundaries between past, present, and future blur. At Books2Door, we're delighted to introduce you to this talented Japanese author and his captivating series, Before the Coffee Gets Cold. Dive into a realm where coffee shops hold secrets, time travel is possible, and emotions transcend the ages. Purchase all four books in the Before the Coffee Gets Cold series, now available and in stock at Books2Door.

Meet the Author: Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a talented Japanese playwright and novelist, born in 1971. His unique storytelling style has earned him international acclaim, making him a beloved figure in the literary world. Kawaguchi's ability to blend the ordinary with the extraordinary, seamlessly weaving tales that delve into the depths of human emotions, has endeared him to readers of all ages.

Kawaguchi's background in theatre is evident in his writing, as he masterfully constructs scenes and characters that feel both authentic and emotionally resonant. His works have a timeless quality, offering readers a chance to explore the human experience in ways they never imagined.

The Before the Coffee Gets Cold Series

Toshikazu Kawaguchi's Before the Coffee Gets Cold series is a heartwarming and thought-provoking collection of books, each set in a small, cosy café named Funiculi Funicula. Within the walls of this charming establishment, customers are presented with a unique opportunity: they can travel back in time to revisit moments from their past. However, there are rules to follow, and time travel comes with its own set of challenges and limitations.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold:

In the first book of the series, Before the Coffee Gets Cold, Kawaguchi introduces us to the café's mystical time-travelling chair. Customers can sit in this chair but must return to their seats before their coffee gets cold. Each character faces personal dilemmas and regrets that lead them to take this extraordinary journey, hoping to mend their past mistakes. As they navigate the complexities of time travel, they discover that altering the past is not as simple as it seems.

The story begins in a cosy little cafe nestled in a quiet corner of Tokyo. In this cafe, there is a seat with an unusual power - it allows its occupant to travel back in time. However, there are rules to be followed: you can only meet someone who has been to the cafe before, and you must return before your coffee gets cold. As customers grapple with their regrets and longing, they embark on emotional journeys that redefine the limits of time itself. Kawaguchi's debut novel is a heartwarming exploration of love and second chances.

Before the Coffee Gets Cold: Tales from the Café 

This collection of interconnected stories revisits the magical cafe with the time-traveling chair. Each tale delves into the lives of different characters, revealing their dreams, hopes, and regrets. Readers are treated to a deeper understanding of the cafe's enigmatic owner and the underlying power of human connections. Kawaguchi weaves a tapestry of emotions, painting a vivid picture of how a simple cup of coffee can change lives forever.

Before Your Memory Fades

The sequel to the beloved series continues to unravel the mysteries of the cafe. New customers, each carrying their unique burdens and desires, embark on transformative journeys through time. Kawaguchi introduces fresh characters while bringing back familiar faces, deepening the cafe's lore and the exploration of time's impact on human existence. As the stories unfold, readers are once again enchanted by the intersection of the mundane and the miraculous.

Before we say goodbye

The regulars at Café Funiculi Funicula are well acquainted with the whimsical ability it grants them to take a trip into the past—as well as the strict rules involved, including that each traveller must return to the present in the time it takes for their coffee to get cold. In Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s previous novels, patrons have been reunited with old flames, made amends with estranged family and visited loved ones. Now readers will once again be introduced to a new set of visitors.