What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

A Novel

By: Michiko Aoyama

Narrated by: Hanako Footman, Susan Momoko Hingley, Kenichiro Thomson, Winson Ting, Shiro Kawai

For fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, a charming, internationally bestselling Japanese novel about how the perfect book recommendation can change a readers’ life.

What are you looking for? So asks Tokyo’s most enigmatic librarian. For Sayuri Komachi is able to sense exactly what each visitor to her library is searching for and provide just the book recommendation to help them find it.

A restless retail assistant looks to gain new skills, a mother tries to overcome demotion at work after maternity leave, a conscientious accountant yearns to open an antique store, a recently retired salaryman searches for newfound purpose.

In Komachi’s unique book recommendations they will find just what they need to achieve their dreams. What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is about the magic of libraries and the discovery of connection. This inspirational tale shows how, by listening to our hearts, seizing opportunity and reaching out, we too can fulfill our lifelong dreams. Which book will you recommend?

©2023 Michiko Aoyama (P)2023 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited

Attainable Philosophy

Similar to the way historical fiction makes an historic event more interesting, the stories of the librarian, and her pets make the dispensed philosophy attainable. Excellent story!

warm and inspiring

enjoyable, lovely collection of stories about the different stages of life. leaves you feeling connected

Perspective

Interesting read. If we choose to look at life and what happens in our life through a different angle or walk sideways as the crab, we will get a new perspective and direction. Thoroughly enjoyed this read.

Lovely characters in a gentle story

I loved this book of linked short stories. This is full of sympathetic characters trying to figure out how to live their best lives who find their way to a local library that makes all the difference. This book makes each character distinct and interesting and gives a sense of life in contemporary Japan for young and old, men and women.

Very endearing book

This books was very endearing and enjoyable read. The authors a great job of connecting the characters as part of the “community,” and intertwining them without directly touching necessarily.
Some subtle life lessons are shared that I thought that makes for some introspection and self reflection. Nice read.

Optimistic

I loved the beautiful theme of every short story in this collection. I was with each one of them, going through whatever they did, and everyone of them ended up learning something and becoming better by the end of the story. Charming and a definite listen again!

The power of honesty and an open mind

I read a review on Goodreads recently that said something like, "The only Japanese books that get translated to English are those about a miserable person where nothing happens to them and then the book is over."

Having read several of those lately, I'd decided to give up on contemporary Japanese literature, but then gave this book a chance. It is nothing like that review and not only did I enjoy the stories here, but found the theme refreshing. There are five related "episodes" and each features a character who has come to a point in their life where they feel stuck or hopeless or without worth. A trip to the library unexpectedly points them in the direction of a different viewpoint. Happiness ensues.

One of the things I enjoyed most is a sense of humility in every character, even the supporting cast. None of them seem to have the "me, me, me!" mindset I find so prevalent in a lot of American media. I liked them all a lot, but even more so because of this trait.

There are five narrators, one for each episode. Some are better than others, but none are difficult to listen to.

Sweet stories

A collection of sweet stories that have some overlapping characters and a consistent, overworking theme. Very gentle, listening. And nice and interesting readers.

Intertwined story lines

Each story was intertwined with the others, but could also stand alone. The resolutions of each story we're not predictable.

Keep your Eyes and Heart Open

This gift to myself came from a recommendation from Parnasas books. I listened with my heart and heard what I most needed right now. In the future I will listen again for my next lesson.