Penguin India has announced the publication of Hot Chocolate on Thursday, a quietly profound new novel by internationally beloved Japanese author Michiko Aoyama, whose global bestseller What You Are Looking For Is in the Library resonated deeply with readers across cultures for its warmth, optimism and emotional clarity.

Set in a cosy Tokyo café that opens only on Thursdays, Hot Chocolate on Thursday unfolds through a series of interconnected stories. As strangers step into the café—some in search of comfort, others clarity or courage—their lives gently intersect. Through fleeting encounters and small acts of kindness, Aoyama reveals how even the most ordinary moments can ripple outward, shaping destinies in subtle yet lasting ways.

Known for her restrained, compassionate storytelling, Aoyama once again explores themes of loneliness, resilience and hope. Her writing creates a rare space for pause in an increasingly fast-moving world, inviting readers to slow down, listen more deeply and rediscover solace in everyday rituals—warm drinks, shared silences and the quiet reassurance of human presence.

With Japanese translated fiction continuing to find an enthusiastic readership worldwide, Hot Chocolate on Thursday arrives as a timely and uplifting addition to contemporary literary fiction. The novel celebrates the healing power of connection and gently reminds readers that it is never too late for new beginnings.

About the Author
Michiko Aoyama is a Japanese novelist acclaimed for her intimate, uplifting storytelling and her focus on the emotional lives of ordinary people. Her debut novel, Cocoa on Thursday, won the inaugural Miyazaki Book Award. Her internationally celebrated What You Are Looking For Is in the Library became a global bestseller, introducing readers around the world to her distinctive, comforting narrative voice. Hot Chocolate on Thursday continues her exploration of hope, connection and quiet transformation.