Book Recommendation: The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa is a quietly beautiful novel about memory, mathematics, and human connection. The story follows a brilliant mathematics professor who, after a tragic accident, can only retain 80 minutes of short-term memory. His world is anchored in numbers, and despite his condition, he finds meaning and beauty in equations. When a housekeeper is assigned to care for him, she and her young son develop a touching, unconventional friendship with the professor, communicated through math, baseball, and small, everyday moments.

This deeply moving story about kindness, patience, and the bonds we form despite obstacles offers a fascinating look at how memory shapes our relationships. Even if you’re not a math lover, the way that numbers are woven into the narrative is nothing short of poetic. Ogawa’s prose is simple yet profound making for a truly enjoyable read.