Ep 685 - Before the Coffee Gets Cold, by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is set in Funiculi Funicula, an underground coffee shop in Tokyo where visitors can choose to return to the past to relive specific moments in their lives. The story follows four different women who each have unique reasons for traveling back in time, such as reuniting with loved ones, retrieving lost letters, and seeking forgiveness. Despite knowing that their actions will not change the present, these characters embark on emotional journeys that explore themes of regret, love, loss, duty, family, and hope. The novel is known for its quirky and magical elements, as well as its poignant and sometimes comical portrayal of human experiences[1][2][4].

This book is a compilation of short, inspirational stories and motivational essays gathered by motivational speakers Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. The stories are drawn from their audience members and focus on themes like kindness, love, and compassion. Despite initial rejections by major publishers, the book became a huge success and spawned a series of similar titles. It has been a New York Times bestseller and has sold millions of copies worldwide[3][4]. The stories range from motivational tales of people overcoming challenges to acts of kindness and poems that inspire reflection on life's possibilities. The book aims to warm the reader's heart and remind them of the good things in the world, promoting a sense of love, kindness, and compassion[1].

The Millennium Trilogy consists of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,' 'The Girl Who Played with Fire,' and 'The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.' The series follows the investigations of Mikael Blomkvist, a journalist, and Lisbeth Salander, a brilliant but troubled hacker. The novels explore themes of corruption, abuse of power, and violence against women, set against the backdrop of Swedish society. The trilogy was written by Stieg Larsson, who completed the three books before his death in 2004. The series has been widely acclaimed and adapted into films and other media.

In '11/22/63', Stephen King crafts a compelling narrative around Jake Epping, a high school English teacher from Lisbon Falls, Maine, who discovers a time portal in the back room of a local diner. This portal leads him to 1958, where he assumes the identity of George Amberson and integrates into society while awaiting the opportunity to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. The novel explores themes of time travel, the butterfly effect, and the personal relationships Jake forms, particularly with Sadie Dunhill, a high school librarian. King's meticulous research recreates the culture and atmosphere of the 1950s and 1960s, making the historical setting feel vivid and authentic. The book is a blend of suspense, historical fiction, and romance, showcasing King's versatility as a writer[1][3][5].