The Bookshop Woman

Quirky, heartwarming and witty, Hanada's exquisitely written memoir of looking for love and connection in modern Tokyo is an irresistible treat for all bibliophiles.

'I'm the manager of a very unusual bookshop. I have access to over ten thousand books, and I'll recommend the perfect one for you.'

Nanako Hanada's life has hit rock bottom. She's separated from her husband, living between 4-hour capsule hostels and pokey internet cafés in Tokyo. Work is going no better, and sales at her eccentric bookstore are dwindling.
That's when Nanako downloads an app called PerfectStrangers which offers users 30 minutes with someone they'll never see again. Styling herself as TheSexyBookseller, she recommends her matches 'the book that will change their life.' In the ensuing year, Nanako meets hundreds of strangers - and some of them want more than just a book.

Swinging open the door to a secret side of Tokyo, The Bookshop Woman is a true story about the beauty of diving into a book and resurfacing on the last page, ready to breathe freely.