Name: Cassandra Tang's review of The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida
Item: The Convenience Store by the Sea
Rating: 4
Author: Cassandra Tang

Sonoko Machida

A quaint seaside town in Kitakyushu, Mojiko is full of hidden delights. And one unexpected treasure is the 24/7 convenience store, Tenderness.

At first glance, it’s a store like any other.

Sure, it’s a bit odd that the handsome manager has his own fan club. And perhaps the customers are somewhat eccentric. But there’s a warmth about Tenderness that draws you in.

The bright lights are always on. The employees know you by name. And the shelves are stacked with delicious treats, from strong hot coffee to sweet parfaits, egg sandos to ramen, crispy fried chicken to refreshing soba.

After a while, you get the feeling that whatever you need might just be waiting for you here…

THE CONVENIENCE STORE BY THE SEA is the heartwarming international bestseller from award-winning Japanese novelist Sonoko Machida. A a series of interconnected vignettes set in a 24/7 Japanese convenience store, the novel celebrates the joy of connection and community. Translated by Bruno Navasky.

The Convenience Store by the Sea

Andy

Whenever I go somewhere new, I can't hell thinking what strange places convenience stores are. No matter the town, you just have to step inside and the space transforms into something nostalgic, full of familiar comforts. Even if itwas just the same products lined up in the same aisles of the same interior, somehow it gave you a sense of security.

Cassandra Tang

The more we suffer, the more we should eat. If you don’t get enough nutrition, it distorts your thinking. 

What I mean is, to eat without enjoying yourself is to disrespect the food.

The greatest pleasure in life is to eat good food while talking about how good it is.

The Convenience Story by the Sea is somewhat interesting to read. 

I found myself more drawn to the setting than to the characters, and I'm a very character-driven reader. Maybe it was the translation, but the description of the character the store revolves around never quite worked for me. Some characters' reactions also felt a bit strange to me, which might be a cultural difference I'm not grasping. 

Oddly enough, I could easily imagine this story as a manga or anime. The characters feel like they'd fit well into that format. 

I did enjoy the concept of the store itself, though. A place where "normal" people come and go, each carrying their own small slice of life and while the managers' depiction felt off to me, I liked his brother, who came across as more human.

Alexandra

The Convenience Story by the Sea is somewhat interesting to read. 

I found myself more drawn to the setting than to the characters, and I'm a very character-driven reader. Maybe it was the translation, but the description of the character the store revolves around never quite worked for me. Some characters' reactions also felt a bit strange to me, which might be a cultural difference I'm not grasping. 

Oddly enough, I could easily imagine this story as a manga or anime. The characters feel like they'd fit well into that format. 

I did enjoy the concept of the store itself, though. A place where "normal" people come and go, each carrying their own small slice of life and while the managers' depiction felt off to me, I liked his brother, who came across as more human.

i’ve been stuck with life ever since i was 12. 

i’m 22 now and i feel worse than ever because i still don’t know what to do when i graduate college, when i thought i might finally figure it out but i obviously haven’t.

i’ts a nice surprise to read that every short story has someone who’s also stuck in life. wether its a middle schooler or a full fledged adult, its comforting to know i’m in the middle of those ages but they’re also going through the same thing as me. ❤️‍🩹

i know i have my whole life ahead of me to figure it out, but it’s not really a comfort when all your family and most of your friends figured out what they want to do since before high school. i still feel like i’m good for nothing and my talents and skills are a waste for someone like me, but hopefully i can push through with this ! ive come this far already anyways.

Nica

i’ve been stuck with life ever since i was 12. 

i’m 22 now and i feel worse than ever because i still don’t know what to do when i graduate college, when i thought i might finally figure it out but i obviously haven’t.

i’ts a nice surprise to read that every short story has someone who’s also stuck in life. wether its a middle schooler or a full fledged adult, its comforting to know i’m in the middle of those ages but they’re also going through the same thing as me. ❤️‍🩹

i know i have my whole life ahead of me to figure it out, but it’s not really a comfort when all your family and most of your friends figured out what they want to do since before high school. i still feel like i’m good for nothing and my talents and skills are a waste for someone like me, but hopefully i can push through with this ! ive come this far already anyways.

Wholesome stories and characters that are all centered around the Tenderness convenience store. Additional bonus of each chapter focusing on an individual food. 

Cassandra Tang &
The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida

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Cassandra Tang &The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida

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Cassandra Tang &
The Convenience Store by the Sea by Sonoko Machida