Sosuke Natsukawa

"Cats, books, young love, and adventure: catnip for a variety of readers " --Kirkus Reviews "Whimsical and wise."--Shelf Awareness The long-awaited sequel to the #1 international bestseller The Cat Who Saved Books--an uplifting tale from Japan about a talking cat, a book-loving girl and the power of books to make a difference in the world. A chronic asthma condition prevents thirteen-year-old Nanami from playing sports or spending time with her friends after school. But nothing can stop her from one of her favorite activities. Nanami loves to read and happily spends much of her free time in the library, cocooned among the stacks. Then one day, Nanami notices that, despite the library being as deserted as ever, some of her favorite books, including literary classics like Ars ne Lupin, Gentleman Thief and Anne of Green Gables are disappearing from the shelves. When she alerts the library staff, they dismiss her concerns. But just as Nanami is about to return to her reading, she spots a suspicious man in a gray suit. Eager to discover what he's up to, she follows him. The chase is cut short when Nanami suffers an asthma attack. By the time she catches her breath, the man has disappeared and all that is left behind is a mysterious light filtering through the library's familiar passageways. That's when Tiger, the talking tabby cat who saves books, comes to the rescue. Are Nanami and Tiger prepared to face the dangerous challenges that lie ahead? Why are faceless gray soldiers burning books in a stone castle? And what happened to Rintaro, the socially withdrawn hero who helped Tiger save books in a second-hand bookshop? At a time of increased book bannings worldwide, Sosuke Natsukawa urges us not to underestimate the power of great literature--and to be prepared to defend our freedom to choose. Translated from the Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai

****MYCKET BRA!**** "... en charmig berättelse om modet att kliva ut ur sin trygghet och om hur läsning kan vara ett sätt att förstå sig själv i förhållande till sin omvärld." Karin Ahlberg, Bibliotekstjänst, BTJ-häftet nr 24, 2025 En dag märker Nanami att något inte står rätt till. Biblioteket är lika tomt som alltid, men böcker försvinner spårlöst från hyllorna. När hon berättar för bibliotekarierna avfärdar de hennes oro. Men just när hon ska återgå till sin läsning får hon syn på en mystisk man i grå kostym. Driven av nyfikenhet följer hon efter honom, men jakten avbryts tvärt när hon får ett astmaanfall. När hon återfår andan är mannen borta – och i bibliotekets dunkla gångar skimrar ett gåtfullt ljus. Då dyker Tiger upp – den talande katten som räddar böcker. Tillsammans ställs Nanami och Tiger inför farliga utmaningar. Vilka är de ansiktslösa grå soldaterna som bränner böcker i ett stenslott? Och vad har hänt med Rintaro, den tillbakadragna pojken som en gång hjälpte Tiger att rädda böcker i ett antikvariat? I en tid där bokförbud blir allt vanligare påminner Sosuke Natsukawa oss om att aldrig underskatta litteraturens kraft – och om vikten av att försvara vår frihet att läsa. Sosuke Natsukawa är läkare och författare, född i Osaka prefektur 1978. Han tog examen från Shinshu University Medical School och arbetar som läkare på ett sjukhus i landsbygdsprefekturen Nagano. Hans debutroman, Katten som räddade böcker, vann flera priser och sålde över tre miljoner exemplar i Japan. Det här är Natsukawas andra bok.

The instant Sunday Times bestsellerThe must-have sequel to the bestselling The Cat Who Saved Books – an uplifting tale from Japan about a talking cat and the power of books to make a difference in the world. Nanami Kosaki loves reading. The local library has become a home from home. Books are her friends. When Nanami notices that some of her favourite books are disappearing from the library shelves, she becomes suspicious of a man in a grey suit whose furtive behaviour doesn’t feel right. Should she follow him to see what he’s up to? It wouldn’t be dangerous . . . would it? When a smart-talking tabby cat called Tiger appears and issues a grave warning about how dangerous that would be, they decide to team up and investigate. Where have all the books gone? And can the unlikely duo overcome the challenges ahead? Translated from Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai* The Cat Who Saved the Library was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 19.04.25

"Cats, books, young love, and adventure: catnip for a variety of readers " --Kirkus Reviews"Whimsical and wise."--Shelf AwarenessThe long-awaited sequel to the #1 international bestseller The Cat Who Saved Books--an uplifting tale from Japan about a talking cat, a book-loving girl and the power of books to make a difference in the world. A chronic asthma condition prevents thirteen-year-old Nanami from playing sports or spending time with her friends after school. But nothing can stop her from one of her favorite activities. Nanami loves to read and happily spends much of her free time in the library, cocooned among the stacks. Then one day, Nanami notices that, despite the library being as deserted as ever, some of her favorite books, including literary classics like Ars ne Lupin, Gentleman Thief and Anne of Green Gables are disappearing from the shelves. When she alerts the library staff, they dismiss her concerns. But just as Nanami is about to return to her reading, she spots a suspicious man in a gray suit. Eager to discover what he's up to, she follows him. The chase is cut short when Nanami suffers an asthma attack. By the time she catches her breath, the man has disappeared and all that is left behind is a mysterious light filtering through the library's familiar passageways. That's when Tiger, the talking tabby cat who saves books, comes to the rescue. Are Nanami and Tiger prepared to face the dangerous challenges that lie ahead? Why are faceless gray soldiers burning books in a stone castle? And what happened to Rintaro, the socially withdrawn hero who helped Tiger save books in a second-hand bookshop? At a time of increased book bannings worldwide, Sosuke Natsukawa urges us not to underestimate the power of great literature--and to be prepared to defend our freedom to choose. Translated from the Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai

Starsheklassnik Rintaro Natsuki sobiraetsja zakryt bukinisticheskij magazin, kotoryj unasledoval ot ljubimogo dedushki. No odnazhdy samym obychnym dnem sredi stellazhej pojavljaetsja govorjaschij kot po imeni Tigr. On uvlekaet podrostka za soboj v zakhvatyvajuschee puteshestvie, tsel kotorogo - spasenie knig. Snachala ot intellektuala, zapirajuschego sotni tomov v shkafu, zatem ot professora, maniakalno kromsajuschego stranitsy nozhnitsami... Chto zhdet junogo Rintaro i ego podrugu Judzuki na etom puti i kak im spasti vse knigi, okazavshiesja v opasnosti?

Despu s del fen meno japon s El gato que amaba los libros, llega una novela que nos brinda un nuevo e inolvidable homenaje a la literatura. La joven Nanami no puede participar en actividades extraescolares por su asma, pero le encanta leer y pasar el tiempo en la biblioteca, entre historias. Un d a, Nanami se da cuenta de que, a pesar de que la biblioteca est tan poco frecuentada como siempre, sus libros favoritos est n desapareciendo poco a poco. Cuando avisa al personal, nadie la toma en serio. Pero entonces Nanami se topa con un misterioso hombre con un traje gris. Intenta seguirlo, pero fracasa y l deja a su paso tan solo un extra o haz de luz entre las estanter as. Es entonces cuando Tora, el gato favorito de los lectores, acude al rescate. Podr n superar juntos los desaf os que les aguardan? ENGLISH DESCRIPTION The long-awaited sequel to the #1 international bestseller The Cat Who Saved Books--an uplifting tale from Japan about a talking cat, a book-loving girl and the power of books to make a difference in the world. A chronic asthma condition prevents thirteen-year-old Nanami from playing sports or spending time with her friends after school. But nothing can stop her from one of her favorite activities. Nanami loves to read and happily spends much of her free time in the school library, cocooned among the stacks. Then one day, Nanami notices that, despite the library being as deserted as ever, some of her favorite books, including literary classics like Ars ne Lupin, Gentleman Thief and Anne of Green Gables are disappearing from the shelves. When she alerts the library staff, they dismiss her concerns. But just as Nanami is about to return to her reading, she spots a suspicious man in a gray suit. Eager to discover what he's up to, she follows him. The chase is cut short when Nanami suffers an asthma attack. By the time she catches her breath, the man has disappeared and all that is left behind is a mysterious light filtering through the library's familiar passageways. That's when Tiger, the talking tabby cat who saves books, comes to the rescue. Are Nanami and Tiger prepared to face the dangerous challenges that lie ahead? Why are faceless gray soldiers burning books in a stone castle? And what happened to Rintaro, the socially withdrawn hero who helped Tiger save books in a second-hand bookshop? At a time of increased book bannings worldwide, Sosuke Natsukawa urges us not to underestimate the power of great literature--and to be prepared to defend our freedom to choose.

A beautifully designed Deluxe Gift Edition of the #1 Japanese bestseller-- featuring sprayed edges, foil stamping and other special design features--a celebration of books, cats, and the people who love themBookish high school student Rintaro Natsuki is about to close the secondhand bookstore he inherited from his beloved bookworm grandfather. Then, a talking cat named Tiger appears with an unusual request. The feline asks for--or rather, demands--the teenager's help in saving books with him. The world is full of lonely books left unread and unloved, and Tiger and Rintaro must liberate them from their neglectful owners. Their mission sends this odd couple on an amazing journey, where they enter different mazes to set books free. Through their travels, Tiger and Rintaro meet a man who leaves his books to perish on a bookshelf, an unwitting book torturer who cuts the pages of books into snippets to help people speed read, and a publishing drone who only wants to create bestsellers. Their adventures culminate in one final, unforgettable challenge--the last maze that awaits leads Rintaro down a realm only the bravest dare enter . . . An enthralling tale of books, first love, fantasy, and an unusual friendship with a talking cat, The Cat Who Saved Books is a story for those for whom books are so much more than words on paper.

Rintaro har vuxit upp med sin morfar och tillbringat många timmar med näsan i en bok på hans antikvariat där hyllorna är fullproppade med underbara böcker. När den gamle mannen dör står Rintaro, som fortfarande går i skolan, inför det det svåra beslutet att stänga antikvariatet. Då dyker en talande katt oväntat upp och ber Rintaro om hjälp. Katten vill att han hjälper till att rädda oälskade böcker från försumliga ägare. Det udda paret ger sig iväg på en makalös resa där de ställs inför olika utmaningar. Deras resa kulminerar i ett sista uppdrag som Rintaro måste lösa på egen hand ...

AN INDIE NEXT PICK From the #1 bestselling author in Japan comes a celebration of books, cats, and the people who love them, infused with the heartwarming spirit of The Guest Cat and The Travelling Cat Chronicles. Bookish high school student Rintaro Natsuki is about to close the secondhand bookstore he inherited from his beloved bookworm grandfather. Then, a talking cat appears with an unusual request. The feline asks for--or rather, demands--the teenager's help in saving books with him. The world is full of lonely books left unread and unloved, and the cat and Rintaro must liberate them from their neglectful owners. Their mission sends this odd couple on an amazing journey, where they enter different mazes to set books free. Through their travels, the cat and Rintaro meet a man who leaves his books to perish on a bookshelf, an unwitting book torturer who cuts the pages of books into snippets to help people speed read, and a publishing drone who only wants to create bestsellers. Their adventures culminate in one final, unforgettable challenge--the last maze that awaits leads Rintaro down a realm only the bravest dare enter . . . An enthralling tale of books, first love, fantasy, and an unusual friendship with a talking cat, The Cat Who Saved Books is a story for those for whom books are so much more than words on paper. Translated from the Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai. "Cats, books, young love, and adventure: catnip for a variety of readers " -Kirkus

Ood raamatutele, kassidele ja inimestele, kes neid armastavad. Keskkoolipoiss Rintaro Natsuki armastab aega veeta oma vanaisa raamatuäris raamatute seltsis. Talle ei meeldi koolis käia, seepärast teeb ta koolist tihti poppi. Koolikaaslased kutsuvad teda hikikomori'ks - need on Jaapani noored, kes sulguvad oma tuppa ja keelduvad igasugusest suhtlusest väljaspool koduseinu. See on küll tõsi, et Rintarole meeldivad raamatud rohkemgi kui inimesed ja ta naudib üksiolekut, aga tal pole midagi ka selle vastu, et varahommikul või õhtul vanaisaga teed juua ja kirjandusest rääkida. Rintaro turvaline maailm variseb kokku, kui vanaisa äkitselt sureb ja poisil tuleb kolida elama tädi juurde, keda ta isegi ei tunne. Pealegi pärib ta vanaisalt pankroti äärel oleva raamatuantikvariaadi, mis tuleb sulgeda. Rintaro valmistub ebameeldivaks elumuutuseks, kui ühel päeval ilmub välja kõnelev kass Tiiger, kes palub Rintarod, et ta aitaks vabastada hädas olevad raamatud. See õilis missioon viib neid labürintidesse, kus raamatutele tehakse liiga. Poiss peab kasutama oma leidlikkust, et kogu maailma kirjanduspärand hävingust päästa.*Sosuke Natsukawa (sünd 1978) on ametilt arst. Ta töötab ühes Nagano haiglas ja kirjutab töö kõrvalt raamatuid. 2009. aastal ilmus ta esikteos "Haiguslugude taevane kartoteek" ("Kamisama no karute"), mis pälvis Shogakukani kirjastuse ilukirjanduspreemia ja tõi Jaapani Kirjastajate Ühingu auhinnakonkursilt 2. preemia. Raamatut müüdi üle pooleteise miljoni eksemplari ning sellest vändati film. Pärast esikteosega saavutatud edu on ta kirjutanud veel mitmeid raamatuid, millest 2017. aastal ilmunud "Lugu kassist, kes püüdis päästa raamatuid" ("Hon o mamoro to shita neko no hanashi") on ainsana tõlgitud mitmesse keelde. Selle raamatu üheks tegelaseks on kass Tiiger, kelle terav keel ja mõistatuslik naeratus meenutavad kohati Lewis Carrolli kuulsat Irvikkassi Alice'i seiklustest. Ka peategelase Rintaro kummalisi läbielamisi labürintides ja eneseotsinguid võib võtta autori kummardusena Carrolli teosele. See fantaasiarikas mõistujutu vormis esitatud lugu on ülistuslaul raamatutele, mida tuleb kindlasti kaitsta ja hoida, aga eelkõige ikka lugeda.

The original Japanese international bestseller, The Cat Who Saved Books is a heartwarming story about finding courage, caring for others – and the tremendous power of books. 'Enchanting' – The Observer__________Natsuki Books was a tiny second-hand bookshop on the edge of town. Inside, towering shelves reached the ceiling, every one crammed full of wonderful books. Rintaro Natsuki loved this space that his grandfather had created. He spent many happy hours there, reading whatever he liked. It was the perfect refuge for a boy who tended to be something of a recluse. After the death of his grandfather, Rintaro is devastated and alone. It seems he will have to close the shop. Then, a talking tabby cat called Tiger appears and asks Rintaro for help. The cat needs a book lover to join him on a mission. This odd couple will go on three magical adventures to save books from people who have imprisoned, mistreated and betrayed them. Finally, there is one last rescue that Rintaro must attempt alone . . . Sosuke Natsukawa’s international bestseller, translated from Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai, is a life-affirming story for those for whom books are so much more than words on paper. Now read the second book in the series: The Cat Who Saved the Library.

Empati er bøgernes særlige kraft! Velskrevet fascinerende, inspirerende japansk fortælling om venskab, empati, identitet og kærlighed til bøgerne. Den lidt nørdede enspænder, gymnasieeleven Rintaro Natsuki, har besluttet at lukke det antikvariat, han har arvet fra sin nyligt afdøde bedstefar. Men få dage inden flytningen, dukker der pludselig en rødstribet kat op. Og den kan tale! Og så vil den have Rintaro til at hjælpe med at redde nogle bøger ... Rintaro bliver hvirvlet ind i en magisk verden af portaler, labyrinter og mysterier, og med sig på sin dannelsesrejse har han både katten og pigen Sayo, som han går i klasse med. Hvad skal Rintaro stille op for at redde bøgerne? Og værre endnu: Hvad skal han gøre for at redde Sayo, da hun bliver bortført? Fascinerende japansk univers for unge og voksne. Med et strejf af Studio Ghibli-stemning. Sosuke Natsukawa (f. 1978) er læge i Nagano, Japan. Hans første bog, Kamisama No Karute, vandt det japanske forlag Shogakukans fiktionspris og blev nummer to ved uddelingen af den japanske boghandlerpris. Bogen solgte 1,5 mio. eksemplarer og blev filmatiseret i Japan. Oversættelsesrettighederne til Katten, der ville redde bøgerne er solgt verden over.“This whimsical novel will have many a reader at the title … Enchanting adventures ensue, yielding some cosy takeaway lessons.” The Guardian“This is one of those special books that everyone wants to read as soon as you've told them the story. It's a book for everyone who loves books, everyone who loves cats, and everyone who believes stories have the power to change the world, which means it's a book that a huge number of readers will love! I haven't felt this way about a novel since I published The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide, which was a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller." Kris Doyle, fhv. editorial director, Picador“For a book lover, this story is a real treat... A book that comes at the right time, with discussions on a declining number of readers and a threatened book market. A heart-warming plea to treasure books, but also very thoughtful, elegant and deceivingly inornate but with a big truth and heart to it, just like The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry... A wonderful blend of fairy tale and magical realism, appealing to lovers of books, cats and Japanese culture. I am totally convinced that there's a large readership that would love this novel. I can see this selling widely." Forlagschef Marion Kohler, C. Bertelsmann"Lovers of traditional literature and books themselves will find validation in the lessons Rintaro learns (and teaches), while the story’s structure and fanciful nature may hold appeal for a young adult audience more familiar with the conventions of gaming … Cats, books, young love, and adventure: catnip for a variety of readers! Kirkus ReviewsBibliophiles will dote on this charming import from Japan. Library Journal

AN INDIE NEXT PICK From the #1 bestselling author in Japan comes a celebration of books, cats, and the people who love them, infused with the heartwarming spirit of The Guest Cat and The Travelling Cat Chronicles. Bookish high school student Rintaro Natsuki is about to close the secondhand bookstore he inherited from his beloved bookworm grandfather. Then, a talking cat appears with an unusual request. The feline asks for--or rather, demands--the teenager's help in saving books with him. The world is full of lonely books left unread and unloved, and the cat and Rintaro must liberate them from their neglectful owners. Their mission sends this odd couple on an amazing journey, where they enter different mazes to set books free. Through their travels, the cat and Rintaro meet a man who leaves his books to perish on a bookshelf, an unwitting book torturer who cuts the pages of books into snippets to help people speed read, and a publishing drone who only wants to create bestsellers. Their adventures culminate in one final, unforgettable challenge--the last maze that awaits leads Rintaro down a realm only the bravest dare enter . . . An enthralling tale of books, first love, fantasy, and an unusual friendship with a talking cat, The Cat Who Saved Books is a story for those for whom books are so much more than words on paper. Translated from the Japanese by Louise Heal Kawai. "Cats, books, young love, and adventure: catnip for a variety of readers " -Kirkus