Issue 54: Week to Weekend Reads with Marissa
📚 Thoughtfully curated reads to inspire your week and enrich your weekend.
Hi Friends!
The holiday season is fast approaching, and we’ve been savoring slow moments with a book—or maybe two, three, or four. This week’s issue marks the launch of Week to Weekend Reads, our cozy online book nook created to spark your love for reading.
There’s something magical about how a book can transport us across time, places, and ideas, offering comfort and perspective along the way. To kick things off, Marissa is sharing two titles that have captured her heart this season.
So, grab a warm drink, settle into your favorite reading spot, and let’s dive into our Week to Weekend Reads.
Much love & books,
Marissa & Akina
🛍️ Week to Weekend is on Bookshop.org!
We’re excited to share that Week to Weekend now has its very own curated shop on Bookshop.org!
What is Bookshop.org?
Bookshop.org is an online bookstore with a mission to support local, independent bookstores. When you shop on Bookshop.org, you’re not just purchasing books—you’re contributing to the survival and success of small, community-based shops. It’s a thoughtful way to buy your next read while giving back to the world of independent booksellers.
Why We Love It:
We’ve handpicked some of our favorite reads, including this week’s recommendations, so you can easily explore and purchase books we’ve loved and shared. By shopping through our curated page, you’re not only helping to support independent bookstores but also helping to fuel Week to Weekend Reads.
Full Transparency! We do earn a small commission from books purchased through our Bookshop.org page, but this helps us keep our newsletter running and allows us to continue sharing thoughtful recommendations with you.
So, if you’re inspired by this week’s picks, head over to our Bookshop.org page and explore our cozy online book nook.
Week to Weekend Reads with Marissa
I’ve always found books to be a source of comfort and connection. One of my fondest reading memories as a young adult wasn’t just Harry Potter, it was receiving a copy of Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul from my older brother—a book that helped spark perspective and empathy. Here are two titles that bring warmth and meaning to my days, perfect for slowing down and soaking up the magic of the holiday season.
❤️ Marissa
📖 Current Reads
What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
Why I’m Loving It:
The answers to life we knew all along are in the library. I’ve recently fallen into a binge of Japanese authors, drawn to their ability to weave stories that are brief, simple, yet profoundly moving. What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama captivated me with its gentle storytelling and life-affirming lessons.
About the Book:
This story follows five characters, each searching for purpose, whose lives become interconnected through their visits to a community library. Guided by the wisdom of a librarian who suggests books that spark epiphanies, they discover the beauty of life’s small yet significant moments.
“You may say that it was the book, but it's how you read a book that is most valuable, rather than any power it might have itself“
This quote reminds me of the unique connection we share through reading—how one book can touch different lives in meaningful ways. Aoyama’s writing feels like a subtle nudge to slow down and appreciate the small ways our paths intertwine with others, even through something as simple as a shared book.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tales of Christmas by Amy Newmark
Why I’m Loving It:
This book brings me back to the magic of my first encounter with Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul. The holiday-themed stories in Tales of Christmas are filled with warmth, generosity, and love. I recently picked this up to read a story every night with my young boys because it’s a great way for us to reflect, be grateful, and share meaningful moments during the season of giving.
About the Book:
This collection of Christmas-themed short stories highlights moments of love, family, and giving. Each story is a heartfelt reminder that small acts of kindness can leave a lasting impression.
📚 Recommended Reads
Other books by Japanese authors you might love:
The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai is a tale of a father-daughter duo who solve mysteries through the power of food, reminding us of the strong connection between taste and memory.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is a magical story about a small café that lets its visitors travel back in time—but only for the duration of a single cup of coffee
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto is a beautifully written exploration of grief, love, and the healing comfort of food, infused with warmth and quiet resilience.
Have you read these books? We’d love to hear your thoughts—or share your own recommendations with us! Reply to this email or comment below. Don’t forget to check out our Instagram @WeektoWeekend.
Bye for Now 👋
Thank you for joining us for the launch of Week to Weekend Reads! We hope these recommendations inspire you to slow down, cozy up, and find joy in the pages of a great book.
What’s next? In our upcoming issues, we’ll be sharing fun things to do right here on our beautiful island of Guam—perfect for your week-to-weekend plans. Then, in the first week of December, we’re excited to feature one of our favorite art studios, Dear Tree. Stay tuned for more inspiration and local love!