"Packed to the Brim" is on sale today

Hello. The hot days continue, but how is everyone doing? I'm managing to keep going by taking it easy, even though I sometimes crash.

Well, today, the novel "Packed to the Brim" is being published as a standalone book by Kodansha.
I've been posting it on note for a long time, so it feels like it's finally on sale.

The lovely cover art is by Ki-san, and the design is by Naoko Nakui.
The comment on the obi strip was provided by Sonoko Machida.

With the help of many people, the text I wrote has become a wonderful book and will be delivered to bookstores nationwide. This is my sixth standalone book, and every time I am moved, thinking, "This is an amazing thing," and just thinking about it makes me want to cry.

The day before yesterday, I went to Kodansha to sign copies.

I don't know which bookstores will receive how many copies, so I plan to announce it on X as soon as I find out.

My X is here ↓
https://twitter.com/mikoto_mashita

This novel is a collection of linked short stories featuring five protagonists, all set in the same supermarket. Here is the synopsis for each story.

The five protagonists are all different in age and gender, and they each carry different burdens.
This was a big challenge for me, and I remember writing while thinking about what people with different attributes than my own might be thinking as they live their lives.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with someone who read this novel early, and after our conversation, I realized that my view on novels had changed from before.
Until now, I think many of my works reflected my own outlook on life, which is that "there's nothing good about being alive." They often had a bitter aftertaste or were bad endings.
But now it's a little different. I can't say something irresponsible like "good things will happen if you live." I just write my novels with a prayer-like feeling, thinking, "I know there are painful times, but won't you choose to live with me anyway?"

I have no idea how this novel will be received once it's out in the world. However, just as the five protagonists visited the supermarket with the feeling that "this might be the end," I hope this novel becomes like a charm for readers to help them live their lives.

I think who people empathize with most among the five protagonists will vary from person to person, and that is exactly why I am very much looking forward to seeing how you read it.

If you have any inquiries or would like to place an order, it might be convenient to show this image to the bookstore staff.

I would be happy if you could take a screenshot of this screen and visit your local bookstore.

Other detailed information is summarized on this page.

Please use it when checking bookstore inventory and the like.

Well then everyone, the hot days continue, so please take care of yourselves.
Please look forward to "Packed to the Brim".

Goodbye.

Mikoto Mashita