Elizabeth R. (esjro) -
This book is sweet and charming. It is more like a collection of related short stories than a novel, as each chapter centers around one person who is unhappy with their life in some way. An enigmatic needle felting librarian recommends a book and gives each patron a felted gift that inspires them to change their circumstances for the better.
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.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/11/what-you-are-looking-for-is-in-library.html
Reviewed for NetGalley.
What you are looking for is in the library is an inspirational feel-good book by Japanese author Michiko Aoyama that incorporates magic realism through interconnected short stories. Five characters who are facing crossroads in their lives and need a nudge in the right direction, find themselves at one point or another, in front of the desk of Mrs. Komachi, the Reference Librarian. She is a physically imposing yet comforting presence with an uncanny ability to tap into 'what your are looking for' and use her magic computer to generate a list of books: the ones requested and one that is completely unrelated to the others. The oddball book and the bonus gift -a mini-plush figure Mrs. Komachi gives to go with the books- leads each character onto their respective soul-satisfying journey. Did Aoyama read âGarden Spells,' the 2007 novel by Sarah Addison Allen? Mrs. Komachi is âthisclose' to Aunt Evanelle.
The author presents stories from Gen Z to Baby Boomer in order to showcase the librarian's ability to bridge all generations: 21 year-old Tomoka, a sales girl who is faced with adulting and a work-crush for the first time; 30 year-old Hiroya, a quintessential starving artist with a Manga obsession who, like Tomoka, is facing adulting 101 issues but with crippling anxiety (A caveat to Christian readers, the Hiroya story might be offensive); 35 year-old Ryo, an accountant who yearns to start his own antiques shop but is too fearful; 40 year-old Natsumi, a careerwoman trying to balance late motherhood, her marriage and a career change; and 65 year-old Masao, a retiree of the Honeydome Cookie Company that doesn't have a hobby or know what to do with himself in retirement. It's good for him that the librarian met her husband over some Honeydome cookies. Unbeknownst to each character, their lives are intertwined by the library at the Community House.
I highly recommend this enjoyable read. It's a three olive martini with a twist! It gives hope to anyone in a rut or looking to make a change in their lives. It is chock full of wise anecdotes and some unusual translation choices from its original Japanese give the book an air of Asian authenticity. The author's writing is crisp and direct whereby the plot is eloquently delivered. âWhat you are looking for is in the library' is reminiscent of the 'Before the coffee gets cold' series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and 'Elsewhere' by Yan Ge. For readers who enjoy closure, all dilemmas and questions of 'whatever happened to?' are neatly resolved by the end of the book.
The author presents stories from Gen Z to Baby Boomer in order to showcase the librarian's ability to bridge all generations: 21 year-old Tomoka, a sales girl who is faced with adulting and a work-crush for the first time; 30 year-old Hiroya, a quintessential starving artist with a Manga obsession who, like Tomoka, is facing adulting 101 issues but with crippling anxiety (A caveat to Christian readers, the Hiroya story might be offensive); 35 year-old Ryo, an accountant who yearns to start his own antiques shop but is too fearful; 40 year-old Natsumi, a careerwoman trying to balance late motherhood, her marriage and a career change; and 65 year-old Masao, a retiree of the Honeydome Cookie Company that doesn't have a hobby or know what to do with himself in retirement. It's good for him that the librarian met her husband over some Honeydome cookies. Unbeknownst to each character, their lives are intertwined by the library at the Community House.
I highly recommend this enjoyable read. It's a three olive martini with a twist! It gives hope to anyone in a rut or looking to make a change in their lives. It is chock full of wise anecdotes and some unusual translation choices from its original Japanese give the book an air of Asian authenticity. The author's writing is crisp and direct whereby the plot is eloquently delivered. âWhat you are looking for is in the library' is reminiscent of the 'Before the coffee gets cold' series by Toshikazu Kawaguchi and 'Elsewhere' by Yan Ge. For readers who enjoy closure, all dilemmas and questions of 'whatever happened to?' are neatly resolved by the end of the book.
