2nd book in the series and I really enjoyed it as much as the 1st book. The stories stuck with me and I love how each traversed me into its charming and enthralling exploration on one’s loneliness, grief, affection and longing; so comfortingly wise, neat and totally heartwarming. Divided into 5 tales each woven to one stationery item (same plot structure like the previous book) in the backdrop of Shihodo Stationery, I followed 5 narrators in their vignette of quietness and interactions with Ken Takarada; the thoughtful shop owner who goes in between recommending a stationery to listening deeply and sincerely to his customers’ concern and emotional needs.

I fairly love all of the stories esp the Scissors chapter which highlighted on a school bullying theme and a new found friendship in between Haruna and Mihashi after both went to Shihodo for a job-shadow assignment. The tale has a thrilling discussion on stationery items that are easy to use by everyone that I could relate to Haruna’s concern in using the ‘normal’ scissors which not easily usable by a left-handed person.

Both Flash Card Deck and Business Cards having a gripping familial and career related plots with uplifting endings that touched me and I love how Colored Pencils observed on racism while exploring a heartfelt connection in between a grandson and his grandfather. Getting a peek to Ryoko’s POV in Bookmark with her walking down on memory lane premise of her relationship with Ken and how their friendship started; sentimental and quite lovely but I wish I could dig more on Ken’s soul about Ryoko!

A cozy plot, bit slowburn and reflective overall. Totally love the idea of how an object could hold such memorable meaning and becomes like a tool to connect people in between their past and present.

**Thank you Pansing Distribution for the gifted copy!