Before the Coffee Gets Cold ☕️ ★★★☆☆

Before the Coffee Gets Cold was first recommended to me on TikTok, and naturally, its name and cute cover got to me. I won't go into a plot summary here since you've probably already looked this book up, but the gist is that there are four intertwined stories of characters' relationships within the time-traveling cafe. There are also a handful of rules, the major two of which say (1) that nothing done while traveling in the past will change the present, and (2) that one absolutely must return to the present before their coffee gets cold.

So, after some canceled plans and a brewed cup of coffee on a Saturday morning, I decided to sit down and indulge in reading -- uninterrupted and unapologetically (for the most part). Normally, I don't have continuous chunks of hours to finish entire novels in almost one sitting, and that's not my preferred way of reading either. There's a lot to be said about binge-consuming media which I am completely guilty of, not to mention it's like a foil to the antithetical microdosing meme trend...but maybe that's something to unpack in another post. So, before I dive into this review, it is worth mentioning that me reading this book in just two sittings likely skewed my appreciation a bit.

This is not exactly the 5-star read I was expecting, and that's largely due to my own high expectations, general social media hype, and again, reading circumstances. So, let's get what I didn't love out of the way: the repetition. It's possible that this is a result of the translation rather than the original work, and I'd argue some of the repetition is actually what makes it impactful (for instance, my favorite quote which I mention later). Part of the repetition built character, such as the cafe's existence and long-standing, mysterious tradition backed by the numerous semi-identical atmospheric descriptions.

With the novel being split into four short stories all within a similar time frame (yes, despite time travel) and with essentially the same group of characters, I'm thinking that had I read this in several days and digested each quarter of the book in its own time span, I would have loved this book even more. So, if you haven't read this yet and want to, that's my one recommendation -- don't read it in one sitting, and if possible, read each 1/4 section and take some time to reflect on each before jumping into the next.

I'm also generally picky when it comes to style. I used to say that the beat, rhythm, melody, etc. in music mattered to me more than the lyrics, because it's not just what you say but how you say it that makes all the difference. In terms of the flow and prose, nothing particularly stuck out to me, though the writing does have a distinct style (again, partially because of the repetition...and now I realize I'm repeating myself so maybe I should do some reflecting on that, too). Since it wasn't flowery or overloaded with complex structure, I'd categorize this book as a fairly quick read as well. Of course, style isn't everything, and the substance throughout the novel is what makes this a wonderful read regardless.

So, substance-wise, here's what I loved: the heart. It's evident in each of these stories that they were written with careful reflection, an acknowledgment of semi-self-centered assumptions, and a commitment to closure and healing. Within each of the four sections -- The Lovers, Husband and Wife, The Sisters, and Mother and Child -- similar themes steam from the surface. Loss, love, longing, curiosity, humility, and grace. Those are the ones that come to mind immediately, though there are many more. Regardless of the relationship(s) in question, even if you've never been married or don't have a sister, there is something to identify with in each story. For instance, here are some of my favorite quotes that struck a chord with me:

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Water flows from high places to low places. That is the nature of gravity. Emotions also seem to act according to gravity. When in the presence of someone with whom you have a bond, and to whom you have entrusted your feelings, it is hard to lie and get away with it. The truth just wants to come flowing out. This is especially the case when you are trying to hide your sadness or vulnerability. It is much easier to conceal sadness from a stranger, or from someone you don't trust.

pp. 192

How kindly you look at me after I've been so horrible for so long. You held on to these kind feelings while you continued to wait for me for so long.

pp. 203

Can you forgive me that all I could do was to bring you into this world?

pp. 261

Bringing you into this world was the only thing that I did for you. Can you forgive me for that?

pp. 267

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The first one of the four above is likely the most universal, even if you disagree with it. Which, at this point, I might as well say that I did not agree with it 100%. I think that sometimes it can be easy to conceal from those you love so as to not burden them or you conceal simply out of habit, whereas it may be easier to speak candidly to a stranger. Either way, there's a lesson there about not burying emotions and about saying what you mean while you still can.

In essence, each character's trip to the past is seemingly futile. The rule is that nothing, absolutely nothing, will change the present. So, why even visit the past? Well, it's for the same reasons that we replay conversations over and over in our heads. It's for the same reasons why we revisit our favorite songs or media we admired from years past. It's for the same reason why we experience regret and longing in the first place. We, at some point or another, have loved. And, though we may not be able to change the current tangible reality on a whim, we can remember how we felt, compare that with how we feel now, and move forward with as much closure and peace as possible.

Anyway, there's much more to be said about this novel, but seeing as if I had brewed a cup of coffee before sitting down to write this that it would be frigid, I think it's my cue to sign off. If you've read this book, I'd love to know your thoughts, and if you haven't read it, is there anything that might make you want to? And, the most important question of all -- how do you like to make/take your coffee?

p.s. shoutout to Landing Book Club for choosing this book as September's read of the month!