Didn't finish this, was not at all what I expected from the synopsis. Certainly not bad, but don't feel that we need this in our collection.

After reading Before the Coffee Gets Cold, I've definitely been in the mood to read more translated fiction - especially since this one has a similar format to that book. We follow a number of different characters in loosely connecting stories as they all find their way for some reason at the library of a community center. In each of their stories they get help from a librarian who asks them nothing more than what they are looking for. While she often gives them books similar to what they requested, she also recommends something entirely different before sending them on their way. In each case their lives and struggles are different, but they each find a way to work through their inner turmoil or current life struggles with the help of her suggestions. Since it is a translation there are certainly some cultural references that might put off some people but the stories and individuals are charming and very touching reads.

The English translation of the original work "お探し物は図書室まで" is a must read for bibliophile, introverts, and anyone needing a bit of hugs and hope. I had first read the book in its original Japanese version, but the English translation is done sensibly and accurately, not diminishing Aoyama's work. I had started the English version on NetGalley, but ended up purchasing the actual copy to finish. I strongly recommend it for a comfort read for everyone who might be a bit lost...

This is a lovely book with many characters in various stages of life. The author links these characters one to the other, presenting situations that most people will encounter in their own lives. In each case, the perspectives presented provides much to think about and how one's own similar experience may be viewed differently.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This is the first time that I have read a translated to English book! I was really intrigued by the presence. I enjoyed the short stories about the characters using the Hatori Community House Library and visiting Sayuri Komachi.
If you love libraries and books that make you think about the meaning of life you'll love this one!
This is my favourite quote: “In a world where you don’t know what will happen next, I just do what I can right now.”

Strong 4 stars for this book. I'm making an effort to read more of the books-about-books that keep piling up on my TBR. I'm a sucker for a book about a library, a magic book, a magic library book...

What I'm finding is that most of these sorts of books are really about finding some self-confidence and courage to try something new or to follow your dream. This particular book follows six people, all of whom end up at a community library for various reasons. They are eventually directed to an unusual librarian who asks each of them what they are looking for. Then she rattles off a sheet of paper with book recommendations and each of these lists has a book that the person the list is intended for isn't expecting. She also gives each person a felted toy- a globe, a crab, etc- that seems random but makes each person wonder why she selected that particular toy for them.

Each person makes connections between the non-obvious book and something that inspires them to move forward in their lives.

What I liked about this book in the end is that the librarian admits that she selects the toys randomly. There wasn't a greater symbolic meaning except what each person brought to the table themselves. The message I took is that a seeker will find symbols and signs that will encourage them to go in the right direction if they are looking for these signs. Meaning is something that we impose upon the world- there isn't a supernatural librarian deciding what's best for us. But if we decide to move forward we may realize that there have been resources and possibilities all along waiting for when we were ready to discover them.

This was such a cozy read. I love books about books and even better, books about libraries and librarians. The title alone has me gushing, because as a librarian, I know there is always something/information/book/resource for anyone who walks through the doors.

What You Are Looking For is in the Library is a wonderful must-read for anyone who's feeling a little lost in life. A lovely cosy read for book and library lovers.

What a delightful book! I enjoyed entering the lives of the various characters, each of whom was in search of something, but not always sure what they needed. Their situations were so relatable: disappointment in oneself for not achieving as expected, disappointment at a career setback (I found this one particularly pertinent to my own situation), or just general dissatisfaction with one's life and circumstances. The author introduces us to various characters at many stages of life, from just starting out in the professional world, to entering retirement. They wonder whether they are destined to fail to make a mark on the world, whether they are any good at the life they have chosen, or whether they have more to give to society. They wander into the library almost by accident, sometimes thinking they need one thing, and being provided another perspective by the librarian. These characters felt like friends, and I was cheering for all of them. I hope that I find what I'm looking for (whatever that is) in the library.

I enjoyed getting to know the diverse characters highlighted in the individual vignettes. Each comes to the library in search of solace, companionship and knowledge. The librarian magically (a little mysticism here but not enough to bother to me) provides access to what they need even if they came in for something else! A lovely and thoughtful read. I’m a sucker for a book about libraries and books!

**Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an electronic ARC and the opportunity to review this book.

Thanks to Hanover Square Press for the ARC. It was a delightful collection of stories with an enigmatic librarian at the center. The characters are all at a crossroads of some type,; the librarian has the insight to help the, transition to a new and better stage of life. And each new story harkens back to an earlier one through the reappearance of one of the characters.
Delightful!

What a treat of a book. These little stories were so heartwarming and interesting. I deeply enjoyed experiencing small glimpses into life in Tokyo. I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did and I'm glad I read it.

Very cute, cozy book. Patrons are always looking for feel-good stories so I'm glad I read this and have another go-to recommendation.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for the advanced reading copy.

I wanted to like this book, as I really enjoyed Midnight Library, which was referred to in the description, and love a library setting novel. However, this book just felt so simplistic and preachy. Someone has a problem, they get a book from the library, they discover the solution to all their problems is to do x, y, or z. Of course someone can be dissatisfied at their job because it just sucks as a job, not just because they have a messy apartment or eat fast food. To reduce people and emotions to such simplicity is to eliminate any possibility of actual dissatisfaction or self-contemplation, or to dismiss an actual mental health issue or boundary that's not being met. It seems to me that simplifying this way would just do more to make anyone still feeling this way to feel worse because the "good thing" they do didn't fix their whole lives. Anyway, rant over, did not enjoy this book.

What You are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama (translated by Alison Watts) has books, plants, and a window seat on the cover. It has "library" in the title. The title promises that all can be found at the library. I am sold before I even start! This book is very much a love to letter to books, libraries, librarians, and readers. In a world drowning in conflict and negativity, this uplifting book is a beautiful and sweet interlude.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/11/what-you-are-looking-for-is-in-library.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

***Actual rating: 4.5/5 Realistic Stars***

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is originally a Japanese bestseller consisted of several essays and short stories about people from all walks of life. Each story was told in the first POV of said protagonists, making it easier for the readers to put themselves in the characters’ shoes. To my surprise, despite the book being translated from Japanese, I still have no problem finding every short story quite relatable and enjoyable to read. Perhaps the main reason is because Taiwanese culture is pretty similar to that of Japan on so many levels, and thus, experiencing the struggles, pain, helplessness, and joy in the mundane life vicariously through the characters has become quite an addictive yet satisfying feeling while reading this book.

For example, in the first chapter featuring Tokoma, a 21-year-old womenswear sales assistant, it’s common in Japanese culture to take full responsibility of their jobs, so unlike the Western culture, most people tend to work overtime on a daily basis just to make sure they’ve done their best at work. Hence, many people in Japan (or as far as I know, in China/Taiwan/Korea) usually take the career paths and development extremely seriously, resulting in unhealthy lifestyle and numerous health red flags in the long run. Sadly, I can personally attest to such a statement and that’s why I feel resonant with Tokoma and her colleagues through and through. Call me a masochistic workaholic, I thrive on the overwhelming stress from work and sometimes, I’d skip lunch or dinner just to get a little more work done. After constantly working under that kind of circumstances for a few years, the exhaustion has inevitably taken its toll on me and there’ve been more and more warnings in my medical examination report. :/

Aside from that, what Tokoma and her co-workers experience such as the dilemma between continuing their boring job or changing to something completely new yet challenging, and how they need to deal with “an incompetent boss and an assistant with an attitude” on a daily basis…all of which sort of sums up the majority of what Asian working culture is like. Interestingly, even though each of the short stories told from different main characters is utterly unique, what all of the protagonists have in common is that they all encounter some type of obstacles in life and further lead them all to the one and only, incredibly enigmatic librarian, Ms. Komachi. Ms. Komachi never fails to provide these solution seekers with a list of her book recommendations; what’s more, other than including the most related books regarding every single question these people from all walks of life are looking for, she tends to add another seemingly unrelated title to the list (along with a stress squeeze as a “bonus gift”), successfully confusing everyone.

Needless to say, in the process of searching for the answers, everybody gets to grasp a more profound meaning from that extra book recommendation (which is usually something pre-loved or well-known by the mass public), feeling wiser and being capable of making peace with themselves afterwards. Honestly, I think this book serves as a great demonstration of a guide to find our inner peace considering that to some extent, I believe Ms. Komachi’s trying to tell everyone that not only will everything (every difficulty, every hardship, and every tough time) be alright when time comes—I mean, there are BOOKS for literally all of the problems and situations—it’s also imperative to think outside the box. In short, sometimes seeing is not necessarily believing, particularly when we’re so sure about something only to realize later in life that whatever we used to believe in is not what it seems. You’ve had this feeling occasionally, haven’t you?

All in all, What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is undoubtedly an intriguing and thought-provoking read. I’m sure you’ll be able to rethink about many choices you’ve made as well as experiences you’ve had throughout your entire life with the “help” of Ms. Komachi. That being said, please feel free to pick this book up and get your ideas storming! As Jorge Luis Borges once remarked, “I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” So perhaps next time, when you don’t know what to do, what to think, or what to…eat, maybe just go pay your local library a visit so you can get rid of any bugging feelings and problematic thoughts!

***Thanks to Harper Collins Publishers and the author/translator for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***

This book feels like a warm hug.

I love Magic Realism and Japanese Lit., so this was just a hit after hit after hit.

Please add it to your TBR. I promise it will become one of those books you needed to read, but you didn't know it.

What a charming little gem! I will admit that it took me a bit to get into this- I wasn't sold at first. My initial thoughts centered around a worry of the possible corny-ness of it all. I was WRONG. Aoyama does a beautiful job of weaving together the stories of a cast of characters who are living their everyday lives, many dismayed by the banality of it all. Each ends up crossing paths with a small community library and its seemingly intuitive, extremely eccentric librarian, Sayuri Komachi. What plays out again and again is the densely loaded question,
"What are you looking for?"

The answer is not always what is seems.

4 stars!

I thought the description was great and thinks lot of people will love this. Unfortunately I could not finish this because I didn’t like the story structure. But this definitely measures up to books like Midnight Library and could even compete with Before the Coffee gets Cold