Found this book fascinating for the first three quarters or so but was disappointed by the ending. Feels zen-like in its different use of the novel…revealing of the personalities of another country’s culture. But ultimately, it becomes tiresome.

This is a charming book. In a community center in Tokyo there is a library with a remarkable reference librarian. When people ask her for the information they think they need she provides a list a titles plus a little more. Each of the chapters in this book is about the little more and how it changes the questioner's life. It is like a collection of connected short stories. I really enjoyed it and was left feeling assured that the right book can help with life's challenges.
This is a review of an eGalley provided by NetGalley.

“Library. What a nice-sounding word. So comforting. I feel like I’m a student again.” This book is truly a love letter to libraries and books. The story of five people and librarian, Sayuri Komachi, who helps them along their path with one simple phrase, “What are you looking for?” A book for all those who love libraries and understand their value. Releases September 5. @netgalley #firstreview #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #netgallery #netgalleryreviewer #reader #booknerd #booklover #whatthelibrarianread

I wish I knew Japanese so I could read this in its original form, but this was such a whimsical, cozy tale. Heartwarming. Perfect for book lovers and library lovers. Highly recommend!

A cute set of stories, linked together by a library in a Tokyo Community House. The librarian is a massive (large, not fat) woman with a mysterious air and an uncanny knack for recommending exactly what each patron needs, in addition to what they actually ask for. In each story, a person who is unhappy with some aspect of his or her life, finds inspiration and insight through the recommendations of the librarian. The stories are poignant and meaningful and for me, were interesting peeks into a very different culture from my own. Of course I have no idea how this reads in the original Japanese, but I like the style of the translation.

This collection of five stories connected by a wise librarian was fun and uplifting. I enjoyed the messages of it's never too late to start over and it's never too late to try to live your dream. It was a quick, entertaining read.

Disclaimer: I received a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for the opportunity to read this lovely story. The common theme is the interlocking stories is the community library's librarian. The five library patrons are all at a point in their lives where when the librarian asks, "What are you looking for?" is a significant question. Though the librarian prints out her recommendations and hands out a handmade felted project specific to the person, we learn that it's not necessarily books that can change your life but how a person reads it. Highly recommended!

I really enjoyed this book! It was relaxing and charming. I would recommend as a fun read for anyone needing a little whimsy. Or anyone who loves reading about books, libraries, or bookshops .

What You Are Looking For Is In the Library was advertised as for fans of The Midnight Library. The Midnight Library was a life changing book for me, so I decided to try this one. It was a disappointment.
Yes, the characters in this book do find a book in the library that helps them change their outlook on life, but it doesn’t seem magical - just contrived. There are five sections, one for each character, that are slightly connected. Each section reads more like a short story.
I would have enjoyed this book more of each story was more fully developed and each character was changed by more than one book.

I really loved this book--it's so cozy and comforting. It's a sweet and easy read, with five interlinked stories about different characters who each visit a library and receive a recommendation from the librarian, which ultimately ends up changing their outlook and perspective on life in some way. The book doesn't centre around the library, rather it's more about how reading and interacting with our community can change the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is a slow-moving, easy-going read that centers around a community library and the people who come to it looking for answers. All are helped by Sayuri Komachi, the reference librarian, who seems to know without being told just what it is her patrons need and are looking for. Eventually all the stories interconnect, and we understand that the thread linking these lives together is the library. As a librarian myself, I enjoyed this novel immensely and thought it was an excellent depiction of how libraries can change lives. The summary given is a bit misleading, as Sayuri is more of a supporting character to the individuals featured in interconnected vignettes, but the story was engaging enough that I didn't mind.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press, and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was a wholesome, easy read that lifted my spirits. A simple story but inspiring to me as a librarian. It shows the power of books - they can help you gain a new perspective, connect you with a new community, and even change the course of your life.

I loved "What You are Looking for is in the Library" by Michiko Aoyama. Each chapter was a different person and usually they were struggling with work and life decisions. They all found answers at the community center and library. It had such wonderful nuggets of wisdom about books and reading. Any book lover will enjoy this book.

I received a copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review
-Interesting fiction set in Japan. Each chapter brings you a new library customer, along with which books were recommended, what gift they received, and how they life changed. Most of their future is left to your imagination but easily dreamed of.
-The stories are connected one way or the other but you don't see it right away and it's kind of a fun surprise when you realize it.
-The less exciting chapter was #3, where there were lots of mini sermons about life.
-My one-star off is because of editing. I'm not sure if it's the translation or just missed during editing but many, many words are written in one word instead of either with an hyphen (twelveweek, one-onone, etc.) or a space (generalinterest). Then you have the double words or the missing words (how use detergent) or the wrong word. It was really distracting and I was a bit fed-up.
-Interesting quote: "You may say that it was the book, but it's how you read a book that is most valuable, rather than any power it might have itself".

What You Are Looking For Is In The Library is a nice collection of short stories that all tie together to create one whole story. Based on the description, I thought this book would have a little more of a fantasy element with the librarian who could "read the souls of her library guests" but it isn't. It is a contemporary fiction story with a librarian who is good at reading people and understanding what they need. Each story builds on the previous with characters meeting as the book continues and the librarian at the center of the story, helping each of the main characters realize an important truth about themselves which ultimately helps them feel happy and fulfilled in their lives. The book was a good read but I think the description lets it down a little, it implies that Sayuri Komachi is the main character and that we would get to know her, but she isn't. She plays a vital but supporting role to each of the visitors and we don't really get to know her as a character.

I think this book will be a big hit among my patrons at the library. It was a great read and it will fit right in to a library circulation. I am looking forward to this book being published!

Five stars! I’m very happy that I read this book. It was charming and well thought out. I love my local library and this story tells the reader so much about the characters that all visit the library and get book suggestions from the clerk there. These books wind up having a huge impact on the trajectory of their life! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This one will stay with me.

I couldn’t finish this book. Not because it wasn’t good but I was getting confused with the characters. Maybe because of the arc ebook format, I was puzzled when the storyline shifted from a sales clerk to an accountant? I googled the book and realized there were different patrons who visit the library. Maybe when the actual book is published the chapters will be marked more clearly, per character, because I found keeping the names straight kind of challenging.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
A darling book for fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, this is a collection of short tales on the central theme of the characters finding the right book at the right time from a librarian, a book that gives them insight into their lives and ultimately brings about the change they need.
I love the premise! As librarians we never know how a book we recommend will be received by our patrons. Sometimes too it’s the right book at the right time.
This book is translated from Japanese which is insanely hard to do. Having lived in Japan, I recognize the translation style, but some unsuspecting readers might struggle with some of the choppier narrative, especially with the first character. It read a lot like a translated anime, and some of the words didn’t capture the meaning they hoped.
Nonetheless, 4* for the story. I enjoyed it very much. It loses a star for the translation for me.
3.5 is the average.

Wonderfully different, uplifting and inspirational! Set in Tokyo, we meet five restless people, each one looking to change their lives in ways that seem out of reach and next to impossible. They each find their way, for different reasons, to the Hatori Community House, where they meet an amazing librarian, Sayuri Komachi, who is able to instantly, almost silently, size them up and know the exact books they need to help them get what they want from life. And they do, mostly by changing their perspectives and remembering to follow their hearts. I look forward to recommending this title.