This was a delightful collection of stories! Very glad I had the opportunity to read What You Are Looking For Is In The Library.

I absolutely loved this series of stories set in a Japanese town. There are 5 different stories that are seemingly unconnected, aside from the fact that each protagonist visits the same branch of the public library. You'll notice the characters popping into each other's stories throughout the book.

In each chapter the protagonist is at a bit of a crossroads. A visit to the library and the mysterious librarian helps them find exactly the book they want, which helps them decide which direction their life should take next. It's a delightful, quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have recommended it many times.

Running a book club with this title this month. I liked parts of it a lot, the messages of the ways libraries and library workers can inspire folks in various ways in their lives. My issue was the repeated fatshaming references about the librarian as big, huge, Michelin man, Baymax, took up a lot of space, shirt so tight buttons were strained, etc. I think every single vignette had a comment about her weight/size that was very unnecessary.

The librarian, Sayure Komache, is the connecting thread in this story of five people ranging from 21-65 years of age. They all seem to be unsure with their lives. the librarian gives them a booklist based on what they request but she always adds on one more book plus a bonus. These five are not sure why she has selected that particular book, but as they read it, they become intrigued.
This is a definite read for all ages as one makes decisions about their journey in life.

This delightful little book has, at its core, a librarian who offers a unique reader’s advisory service. Five individuals, unhappy with the state of their lives, end up in the library and receive recommendations from the librarian. Her recommendations change their lives.

Free ebook, review is my own.

Everyone at the library is greeted by the same question. They are all looking for something unique to them and do not always know what to ask. The librarian though manages to meet all their needs. Each story is interconnected with each subject finding their way through life, human connection and personal growth. Absolutely loved the first two stories.

I really really enjoy this one.
A cozy easy-to-read slice-of-life kinda book, there are five short stories that interconnected about five people in a community center with magical library and wonderful unique librarian that recommend books that you might thing weird but life changing for people who asked that recommendation. Each story is heartwarming and what happen to these people is pretty much happen in real life, so I feel so related. This book bring smile on face and lots of quotes that got me thinking.
It's a comfort read and definitely recommended if you're looking for a cozy read.

Everyone who walks through the doors of the small community library in Japan, has a desire to somehow change their lives. From a sales attendant who feels stuck in her job, to a struggling working mother who longs for the career she lost, to an artist who feels like no one will ever care about his drawings - they all get led to Sayuri Komachi, the reference librarian who loves needle felting. After having a conversation with them, Sayuri Komachi gives them a book list, all with a surprising book at the end, and a bonus gift. What they don’t realize is how much of a life changing conversation that would be.

I’m going to be honest, I kind of went into this a little blind. I saw it was for fans of The Midnight Library and Before the Coffee Gets Cold and registered it’s about a library. I’m a librarian and I’m always interested in books about either libraries or books so I asked for an ARC on NetGalley without really looking too much into it. Because of this, I didn’t realize how the set up would be for the story going into it. The first story’s voice threw me off just a little bit because of how young she was. I didn't know if I wanted to read a whole story with that voice - but obviously it changes with each chapter.

This novel is such an ode to libraries and librarians and how they can help transform people’s growth, no matter what stage in life they are in. This novel is so heartwarming and touching that I feel like everyone would be able to connect to it on some level. I’ve said this before in my reviews, but Japanese literature just has a way of capturing the human experience in a way that never disappoints.

I’ll be highly recommending this novel to so many people. I can’t give this enough wonderful praise.

*Thank you Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I really liked this book because it had similar themes to Before the Coffee Gets Cold, you never know what each story will hold and how much you root for the characters.

The book was overall cute but the stories felt very similar. They were all career-focused, and I think I would have enjoyed this book more if the librarian had helped with a variety of different needs. I did like the way the stories were intertwined and we got to see glimpses of characters in other stories.

This book had such potential and as a librarian myself I had high hopes for it! Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me. Told as a series of interconnected short stories, this Japanese translation follows one talented librarian who has the ability to find the perfect book for people (loved this premise!). We get to see how her picks affect a number of people's lives in each of the stories. Some were more interesting than others for me though and overall I wasn't as invested as I had hoped to be. Okay on audio and recommended for fans of books like Before the coffee gets cold. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I love the librarian in this book. Doesn't everyone want to be greeted in that way when you walk into the library? Even if you don't have an answer to her question "What are you looking for?", it would feel good to simply be seen. Very fun Japanese atmosphere in the book.

This gentle little book uses simple prose to explore characters' lives as they weave amongst each other in modern-day Japan. Each chapter focuses on someone in a different point in their lives, all of whom are feeling lost, as if they are missing something, and who find their way to the library in a local rec center. The librarian there has a knack for helping them find not only what they ask for, but what they need.

A very quick and satisfying read that left me inspired to see what I could find in the library.
This one's for all the library lovers who know they're magical places where you can find anything you could possibly need to improve your life. You just have to be open to experiencing new things and putting in the effort.
It's a series of short stories of people who are unsatisfied with their lives but don't know what to do to make things better. From young adults who can't find a way to move forward in life with a satisfying job and life to older adults facing the obstacles that family and time put forward.
Each story takes the time to fully paint the picture of each character's situation and how they slowly improve things thanks to the inspiration from the book they receive from the mysterious librarian at the small library. It's sweet and really inspiring.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for the inspiring read!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley fir letting me review this book. The characters aren’t sure what they need at first but find it in the library at the Community House. The librarian giving the various characters books along with felt items don’t make sense at first but after delving into the books;;they get why she suggested those books.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hanover Square Press for making this title available for an honest review.

What you are looking for may be in this book. Aoyama has written a charming novel to warm your heart and jump start your mind. The five desperate searchers and their intertwining stories found in these pages were not strangers in a far off land. They felt like people I might meet any day. Actually, they felt like me. How many of us feel stuck, constricted, and even desperate in our circumstances? Librarian Komachi's gentle nudges encourage our characters to subtly shift their thinking bringing new opportunities and a better life. This book is a good nudge, a self-help book without the preaching.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a lovely novel about people in transition who need to make changes but are struggling. A quirky little library and even quirkier librarian assists each of the people on making their next steps.

What You Are Looking For Is In the Library was the perfect book to read and exactly the right time that I needed it. If you are a fan of "slice of life" genre, this book fits the bill. This book made me feel cozy like a soft sweater and cup of hot coffee.

The development of the characters caught me off guard with every short story that read. At first, the character seems so plain and ordinary, but complex layers are revealed as their story unfolds. I enjoyed reading about each of their struggles and ambitions. I could relate to each of the characters in some way or another.

Another thing that I enjoyed was that each of the characters lived in the same neighborhood and visited the same library. Even though each character had their own story/chapter, there were moments where they would crossover into others in different ways. By the time I finished the book, I felt like I was a part of the community too!

To sum it up... What You Are Looking For Is In The Library is hopeful, uplifting and gentle. It is the perfect book to lift a weary heart.

Love letter to libraries and librarians, about the unusual, hand-picked recommendations from a perceptive librarian and the far-reaching effects they have in her patrons’ lives.

Wonderfully light book about living your life and your dreams not just existing. Great little library in the book and I love the inclusion of fiber arts as well.