The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa

Music is more than just notes, and books are more than just words. More than just paper, embossed binding, or shiny illustrations. This is what high school student Rintaro realizes when he sets off into a magical labyrinth to save books. The boy doesn't look like a superhero at all: reclusive, pale, thin, and wearing thick glasses. But he does have one superpower—a sincere love for books. And he also has a strange companion—a cat named Tiger, who purrs straightforwardly and sometimes quotes The Little Prince. Together, they carry out three rescue missions. Save books in the 21st century? From whom? From people who chase quantity, kill individuality in favor of simplification, and publish informational junk while literary diamonds turn to dust.

This is a moving story about the power of reading, book worlds, love, values, the search for identity, and newfound courage.