There’s something magical about the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through a cozy café on a crisp autumn day. It has the power to transport us—to cherished memories, to hopes for the future, to a moment of quiet reflection amidst life’s chaos. In Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s enchanting novel Tales from the Cafe, this transportive power of coffee becomes literal, as patrons of a small Tokyo establishment are given the extraordinary opportunity to travel back in time. Take the story of Yukio, the son who missed his mother’s funeral. His initial plan to use time travel as an escape from guilt evolves into a profound moment of self-reflection and healing. It’s a beautiful illustration of how facing our past—even when we can’t change it – can be transformative.