Book Review: The Convenience Store By the Sea By Sonoko Machida

 This book is probably the ultimate in cozy fiction.  I picked it up because it fit with my water theme.  I've not liked a lot of this cozy fiction- (DNF the Dallergut Dream department Store, DNF Dinner at the Night Library, Did not even start We'll Prescribe you a Cat, and Just barely made it through The Kamogawa Food Detectives) So, I'm a little unclear what possessed me to check this out of the library.  Did I think it would be different? 

  I didn't actually.  Yet, this one crept right into my heart, slowly and with a bit or stealth! 

I got to about 25% through and I honestly wasn't loving it. There were a lot of gentle vignettes coming along but I was not exactly finding myself wanting to read it. It became relegated to the car audio book- which is the audio I put on when driving. I can't easily switch to a new book, so it's likely to get finished.  

   An odd thing happened about at the 55%-65% mark. I started to really enjoy the way the stories connected. I started to love how some lovely, and lonely people were finding meaning in their lives through a convenience store that was run with thoughtfulness and obvious care.  I gobbled up the rest of this book with some joy. I especially loved the story of the girl who wanted to create the delicious treats sold in these stores, and the story of the retired businessman who became a substitute Grandfather - finding himself, rekindling a relationship with his wife and supporting a lonely child all in one fell swoop. 

  For me, I didn't really love that there wasn't exactly an overarching story, instead it being kind of a jumble of interactions and slices of life with an overall theme of kindness and care.  That said, I do see the appeal and see why it has sold so so well! 

I admit also... I am a little sad that this store - being by the sea- really says nothing about the sea in general! 

Overall more enjoyable than expected, would make an excellent gift book- nothing very controversial. What it lacks in propulsion, it makes up for in tenderness. 

STATS

First Published :  2023 in Japanese/ English version July 2025

Pages: 228

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings: lonely people, medical situations, bullying, parental death (not a complete list- be responsible!)