Matcha on a Monday by author Michiko Aoyama. If you have read What You Are Looking for Is in the Library, by the same author, you might want to pick this latest title by them too.

Matcha on a Monday is a 12-chapter novel (after months of the year) that follows interconnected characters whose shared meeting or crossing points are at a cafe.

Cafe Marble, set across a bridge in a quiet neighborhood of Tokyo, holds special days on its off day, Monday. On one such Matcha Monday, the characters we meet happen to be at the café, from which their stories branch in various directions, as we witness in each chapter.

There is a central character who appears in every chapter: the café owner, popularly known as Maestro. The people we initially meet in the café and then later in their lives are all at different points in their personal and professional lives, and the time they spend at the café feels like a pause, a memory reset in the story of their lives.

We meet people whose stories start with a cup of Matcha and move towards love, healing, or whatever was needed in their lives at that moment. Some find love, some purpose, and some lifelong friendships. All their journeys involve a brief or long conversation with the Maestro during one of their visits to the café. The way each of their story evolves presents a picture of a storm, sometimes a whirlwind, going in the character’s mind or life, which settles or takes a turn for the better after their visit to the café. The café visits represent a much-needed respite from the daily humdrum of their lives, which may have begun as a reluctant but ultimately welcome stopover.

I enjoyed how all the stories overlap at different times and in different ways, creating a dynamic crossover that feels like harmony at play. The sense of quiet, taking a pause, reflecting, and realizing is done beautifully. The flow of the story feels as smooth as the drinks served at the café on its special days, including Matcha Monday. At the core of this story, I felt an underlying sense of a quiet, relaxed me time on a day that felt heavy or never-ending.  

 Often, Japanese Lit, which has a healthy dose of realism and fantasy woven into its stories, may feel overwhelming or too simple for a seasoned reader. However, once you start reading, it gently holds your attention and doesn’t let you go till you reach The End. For a quiet time with a touch of fantasy and whimsy woven into everyday moments, pick up a copy of MATCHA ON A MONDAY and enjoy a quite surreal time, maybe accompanied by Matcha or your favorite drink.