I treated myself to buying The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida at a bookshop in Petersfield a few weeks ago, having recently enjoyed reading the Japanese novel Butter by Asako Yuzuki (see my blog).

This is a charming story of the customers and staff at the Tenderness convenience store. The very good-looking and charismatic store manager draws visitors from far and wide but never ceases to ensure that the needs of his elderly customers in the apartments in the block above are catered for. He creates a real sense of community and a physical place where the residents can get together to have lunches of delicious sounding bento boxes and sweet treats, and if someone doesn’t turn up, they are immediately checked-up on to make sure they are alright.

The teenagers of the area also find solace at Tenderness – respite from friendship problems at school, or caring for sick parents at home. There are manga comics, lonely retirees connecting with young students, delicious food being cooked, husband and wives finally talking to each properly after years of not doing so, dreams being grasped before it is too late, and coffee being exquisitely roasted. In short, everything about this book is tender and sweet in all senses and it was a delight to read in the depths of a wet winter. You may find yourself reaching for some cake.