Cocoa on Thursdays – Michiko Aoyama

“There’s a right utensil for everything”

I had read many glowing reviews and was excited to dive in, but I have to admit — I felt a little disappointed. Maybe it’s just the stage of life I’m in, but this book didn’t move me the way some of Aoyama’s other novels have.

One story, however, really caught my attention — about a successful woman who loves her corporate job. When her husband decides he wants to stay at home and take care of their child, she feels an overwhelming sense of relief. It means she doesn’t have to give up the work she loves. But then her husband, an artist, receives an opportunity that threatens this balance. Suddenly, she has to pick up her son from school herself, enduring the judgmental stares of “perfect mothers.” Later, when she tries to make a simple omelet, she realizes she can’t — and up until now, everything had always come so easily to her.

In that moment, her fear surfaces: deep down, she almost wishes her husband would fail. Because if he succeeds, does that make her less valuable? Her only role had been to provide financially. It’s only through a shared phone call and a simple line — “There’s a right utensil for everything” — that she calms down. They make the omelet together, and she chooses to support him in his career.

I also appreciated the descriptions of the little café itself. In my mind’s eye, I could see the view from its window, and I felt as though I were really sitting there — with a steaming cup of cocoa, watching people pass by.

And while not all of the stories touched me deeply, they carry undeniable warmth and gentleness. This is a quiet, tender collection of twelve short stories that highlights how even the smallest act of kindness can change someone’s life.

Who is this book for?

I think this book is for readers who enjoy intimate stories built from everyday moments and subtle insights. For those who value reflections on social roles, family, and a woman’s place in today’s world. And for anyone who delights in small details — like a cup of cocoa or the view from a café window.

Final Thoughts

Cocoa on Thursdays didn’t move me as much as Michiko Aoyama’s other books, but it left me with a few valuable thoughts. The most important: we don’t have to be good at everything, and our diversity of roles and talents isn’t a weakness but a strength. Perfect for one cozy evening — ideally with a cup of cocoa in hand.