⭐️4.5/5

🦛synopsis: the residents of advance hill, an apartment block next to hinode park, know the existence of an orange stone hippo who’s name is kabahiko. he is called that because kabahiko sounds like hippo and rumours say: if you touch hippo with the part of your body that needs healing, kabahiko will help make it better. This book tells the intertwined stories of five residents, each grappling with personal challenges:

1. Miyahara, a boy anxious about school (head)
2. Sawa, a first-time mother struggling with her new role (mouth)
3. Chiharu, a wedding planner taking a break from work, (ear)
4. Yayu, whose legs can no longer carry him as they once did (leg)
5. Kazuhiko, an editor-in-chief struggling with his vision, (eyes)

Each neighbour faces hardships that make them second-guess themselves, losing nearly all hope in their own abilities. through each story, kabahiko becomes a reminder that sometimes healing comes not from instant miracles but from small acts and having hopes. not only for the characters but, in a sense, for the reader is reminded of this as well. Even sensitive topics such as aging, parting ways, illness, loss of identity, or the complexities of motherhood are discussed in this novel. this book reminds us that there is wisdom to be found in every stage of life. we need not compete with others, because everyone’s struggles are unique. after all life is and will never be a race.

🦛 thoughts: I absolutely loved The Healing Hippo of Hinode Park. this gentle, healing-fiction novel is both a tender story and almost a guide to self-reflection. Each character’s journey is portrayed with compassion and realism, exploring themes we all face in life, sooner or later. aoyama-san has a remarkable way of taking mundane characters and turning them into teachers of the life lessons we all eventually encounter. these precious insights add real value to the reader’s own experience. and while kabahiko is a centralpiece, reading between the lines reveals that sometimes what we truly need is someone who listens. and in other moments we want one who offers genuine, uncomplicated guidance.

in the end, it’s the small, honest acts, taking care of one another, showing up for the people we hold close. because healing doesn’t require magic. it can be as simple as offering comfort or understanding and that may not solve every question we carry, but provide the support we need to keep on going.

⭐️ 3/5

🫧synopsis: in yeonnam-dong stands a laundromat and as the washing machines hum and turn, people from the neighborhood visit it, finding unexpected comfort in this ordinary place. in every chapter a new character appears, each carrying their own hardships. seeking moment of peace, they come to the laundromat hoping to set aside their worries, even if it is as short as the length of a wash cycle. in this laundromat there is a notebook that is shared by the visitors, in which the people write down their confessions and worries and they get written advice other visitors. through its pages, no one feels truly alone. customers drift in with far more than only laundry: the weight of heartbreak, burnout, loneliness and unspoken fears. the stories of the customers is intertwine and new friendships begin to form. the smiley laundromat becomes more than a place to clean clothes, it becomes a sanctuary where people learn to pause, to reconnect and to find solace in the rhythm of everyday life.

🫧thoughts: the first three chapters were incredible and made me genuinely excited to keep reading. they felt sweet and very real. the emotions and struggles of the characters were written so beautifully that i was fully drawn in. but then the “thriller” aspect suddenly appeared. In my opinion, it felt unnecessary and pulled me out of the experience. I didn’t expect the story to take that turn and by the middle of the book, it lost some of its charm for me. still, I don’t want to be entirely negative. At its core, this book is a gentle slice-of-life story about healing, community, and the quiet ways life unfolds. It was soft and heartwarming, honestly, it even made me want to go do my own laundry afterward :p

oh to chew on some japanese candy 🥹

⭐️ 2.5/5

🌌synopsis: this book is the sequel to “Scattered all over the earth” and the second installment in the trilogy. the quest for hiruko’s homeland continues, bringing together new faces and familiar ones from the first book. horoscopes and the stars play a significant role in shaping this story.

🌌thoughts: i was somewhat disappointed by this book, considering how strong the first installment was, this one felt surprisingly weak. It lacked depth, and the characters didn’t leave much of an impression. the first book kept me intrigued with its well-drawn, distinctive characters, which gave the story substance. although topics like language, travel, loneliness, migration and gender are discussed again, it didn’t hit the spot.

despite a few moments that made me smile, the book overall fell flat. i’m still debating whether to read the final installment, part of me wants to see if they finally find hiruko’s homeland and recover her lost memories.