Sweet and simple life vignettes; thanks to an enigmatic librarian, her book recommendations and needle felted bonus gifts, it's never too late to start over. Comforting and feel good read.

I've been reading quite a few contemporary Japanese books lately, mainly because I only had a vague idea about the country and had only read some classics before. This book, like a few others in its genre, was a pleasant surprise. It is an optimistic feel good book, not I genre I formerly associated with Japan. It contains sympathetic character from al walks of life whose lives are not what they expected them to be for one reason or another. They find their solutions... in a library. Where else? As a reader one has to agree with the premise of the novel: there's a book out here for everyone, you just may need some help to find it. Bonus: you find out a lot more about Japanese life reading this. A nice mellow holiday read!

I absolutely adored this book. ‘What You’re Looking For is in the Library’ centres around five different characters, all in very different stages of their life. Ranging from a young graduate trying to piece together her life while working in a department store, to a man who has recently retired, each of them finds themselves in their local community centre, which has a small library attached. The librarian loans them out the books that they’ve asked for, and an extra one they haven’t (plus a special little needle felted bonus) and we follow them as they read these extra books and come to realisations about their lives, and take the steps to improve their individual situations.

What I loved so much about this is that the changes aren’t always massive. Sometimes it’s as simple as making the effort to cook for yourself, realising that comparing yourself to others isn’t worth it, that your job is no longer fulfilling, or that you don’t have to be the best at something you simply have to do and keep at it. Sometimes all you need to do is leave the house, form connections with people, and remember that it’s never to late to make a change for the better.

Notably, near the end of the book, there is a quote pointing out that every reader takes away something different from a book - and I think everyone will take away something very personal to them from this book. Ultimately, I found this book truly beautiful, and I think it’s sentiments are going to stick with me for a very long time.

Thank you to the publishers, and netgalley, for the early copy to review.

The book is made up of 5 stories, each rather separate. The stories are thematically linked (people trying to find themselves and happiness in various points in their lives), and intersect as our protagonists visit the local library, and encounter the enigmatic and insightful librarian. Each story gives an intimate glimpses of the life of its protagonist, and explains their dilemma, via providing an understanding of the protagonist and their underlying motivations (or lack thereof).

The stories cover the following: a young woman who questions her choice of job as a sales assistant in a shopping mall, a man in his 30s who struggles to pursue his dreams of opening an antique shop while providing for himself via a mundane office job, a woman in her 40s who had to give up a successful career when she became a parent and is now struggling to find new meaning in her life, a main in his 30s who lives with his mother and questions and struggles to pursue his dreams of becoming an illustrator, and, finally, a man who, having just retired from his office job, is questing what next for himself and his life with his wife. As the stories progress, we also learn about the librarian and her assistant, as well as several other secondary characters, all of whom are on or have once been on similar journeys of self discovery.

Each of the stories has essentially the same set of messages: life's not black-and-white or all-or-nothing, pursuing dreams and hopes is not only possible but also essential, and barriers that stand in the way of realising dreams have to do with mindset and perspective. There is an inherent positivity in the stories, all of which end well. I very much liked the idea, which is somehow very Japanese, that happiness in small doses than no happiness at all, and happiness in still worth pursuing.

Overall, though, I found the book not particularly memorable or important. It came across too thickly moralising, and ignored the fact that luck also plays a strong role in success and happiness. It made it all sound easy and straightforward, and, in my view, this resulted in a bit of a condescending tone that made the book less than what it could have been.

I think the book will resonate perhaps with folks who really are struggling to find the motivation to keep trying, and especially the ones among those closer to the naive part of the spectrum. Maybe young adults are a great audience? I just found it too preachy, too sticky, and too simplistic. And don't get me started about the passages on astrology, which, even in fictional accounts, should never be mentioned without at least cynicism, and at best scorn. Not sure if it was intentional, or part of the overall naivete permeating the entire book, but I found it very annoying.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy of the book in return for an honest review.

You guys are not ready for this one!
It's a cute little book with a powerful message. We follow 5 different characters, with each of them stumbling upon a library and the mysterious Sayuri Komachi - a librarian whose passion is felt work. She helps people find the books they need, and throws in an extra one to help them with see the world through a different lens.
All of the stories had the same issue: the characters were lost, were unhappy and didn't know how to move forward.
But Komchi's recommendations made them realise that it's never too late to start over and that everything you need in life is already there - you just have to reach out for it
This book is perfect for anyone who's obsessed with Kawaguchi's Before the Coffee Gets Cold. It has the same cosy and calm vibes, with deep and powerful message; it finds beauty in the mundane world and I think it's definitely a must read.

It’s no secret that I tend to fall in love with stories written by Japanese authors, and this one I think has to be one of my favourites.

The story, or rather stories are centred on residents of the local Ward, and the library in the Community Centre. Each of them goes to the centre for a different reason, and all end up in the library, meeting the Librarian, and as the title suggests, finding what they are looking for - just not what they expect….

I loved this, and I found it quite thought provoking to be honest. A different way of thinking, some of which I’m pretty sure are going to stay with me.

Beautiful story, beautifully written, and translated by Alison Watts.

My thanks to Netgalley and Transworld, Penguin Random House for sending this joy to me in exchange for an honest review.

If you have enjoyed Sosuke Natsukawa’s The Cat Who Saved Books or any of Kawaguchi’s time travelling cafe stories, you will love this collection of stories linked by a visit to the community library.
Each character in these five short stories has their lives improved and helped in the right direction by the librarian, who provides them with a book list and a hand-crafted felt toy that signifies something to them.
The librarian is an almost fantastical person akin to something from an anime film or graphic novel - large, mysterious and with an uncanny knack of being able to foresee a person’s needs.
It’s both a homage to libraries and their staff and a great advertisement for their potential and ability to improve and support people’s lives. Thank you Aoyama for such a wonderful book.
Recommended for all libraries!

I've always been a great believer in the idea that the right book is always there just at the time you need it and this the main premise of this book.
It was also an interesting insight into how fragile the job market in Japan can be and how much of an impact this can have on mental health.

This book was a delight to read. I found it easy to read and get lost in. I enjoyed how each of the characters stories were separate but had overlapping elements that linked them in some way. The writing and structure of the book reminds me of Before the coffee gets cold, which is one of my favourite books. I would recommend this book to anyone and will definitely be buying a copy when it is released to read again in the future.

This is the sort of book I look for when reading Japanese literature - a book that seeks to make life better. We follow 5 people as they go the the local libary and find the reference section where the librarian, Sayuri Komachi, sits creating her little felt models. As each person approaches her she was them 'What you are looking for?' and each person seems to be going through a hard time and considering things that we all do at certain times in our lives. They have uncertainty about their jobs, the future - things we can all relate to. They are also looking for specific book recommendations. Komachi gives these people not only a list of books they were expecting, but one that seems totally random and unexpected. She also gives them a bonus gift - a little felt creation that she has made and these objects help people to learn something about themselves, to rediscover something and give them hope. I enjoyed watching each person enter the library, encounter the assistant and the librarian, I enjoyed watching them as they discovered the true meaning of the book and the gift that Komachi had given them. A lovely gentle read.

What You Are Looking For is in The Library is a cosy little read. It's quaint and a little too saccharine at times, but very personable and easy to read. Its charm lies in the light-touch magical realism - it's very much your everyday library but also a space of possibility and wonder.

If you are looking for a wholesome little hug of a novel, this is the one for you.

A wonderful little selection of stories about people finding the strength and courage to pave their own paths, even if they don't realize they are the ones doing it. Similar to Before the Coffee Gets Cold in its methodology and format, this story follows people who want to make a change in their life. And a trip to this library sends them there. Loved it

A series of characters with a librarian in common, who suggests to them, in addition to what is required, another book, which will lead them to discover and follow their own path. Rather similar to Toshikazu Kawaguchi's Coffee series and the Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Una serie di personaggi con in comune una bibliotecaria, che gli suggerisce, oltre a quanto richiesto, un altro libro, che li porterà a scoprire ed a seguire la loro strada. Piuttosto simile alla serie del Caffé di Toshikazu Kawaguchi e ai brodini di pollo per l'anima.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

This is a lovely little book with a number of different stories about people who find themselves a bit stuck...in their jobs, in their lives...and who, through contact with a librarian in a community library, find a way through. As a librarian, I really liked the idea for this collection of stories. I enjoyed how they intertwine, and the librarian is brilliant - bonkers, but brilliant!
The stories are gentle, quite sweet in places, and it just made for a really pleasant read.

Utterly magical with a powerful and positive message. Loved how there were a few stories intertwined. Fabulous read.

Unfortunately I had to dnf this one. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the book or the writing but it just wasn’t for me. I didn’t like before the coffee gets cold and this is a similar style, if you liked that you may well enjoy this book

This is a charming story for book lovers. This is a lovely ‘soft’ story. I recommend for people that lovely found friends that morph to friendships.

This book is an elixir for the heart. The writing is so calm and peaceful, and it soothes you. There are five distinct characters and their experiences with the library, but there are little connections in the background, which were fun to spot.

My only gripe was with the husband in the third story who says this to his wife who is struggling with her career while being the (almost) only person taking care of their child: ‘When you get emotional and say things like “help me” or “do more”, I don’t really know what to do. But if you explain it logically and give me specific suggestions, I can understand.’ This is your child too! You should know what needs to be done. Your wife shouldn't have to spoonfeed you. His attitude just annoyed me, but again, not a big deal in the overall context of this book.

This book is a heartwarming read, and there were definitely moments that resonated with me and made me tear up. This is going to be a book that I will immediately pre-order and keep close to my heart.

This book is truly magical. I read it a few months ago in a different translation and I was surprised to find an email from the wonderful Sara Roberts, inviting me to read this edition. I thought it meant something, similarly how in the novel, people find their answers after receiving a book recommendation and a special gift from Sayuri Komachi. I thought I needed to share my review.
What You Are Looking For Is In The Library is a collection of five interconnected short stories. It’s about finding answers when you feel stuck, about taking action and discovering something new about yourself and others. It encourages you to follow your dreams. I honestly believe that everyone should read it. It has this power to shift your perspective for the better.

What You Are Looking for is in the Library is a tale told through five different library patrons. Each of them has something going on in their life that is causing them some kind of problems or anxiety, but thanks to the strange reading recommendations from the librarian, each eventually finds a way forward. There is perhaps the barest hint of magical realism at play in the librarian's skill at matching each customer with the book they really need, although she denies any such gift, but essentially this is a sweet contemporary tale of people for whom a book opens up a new world of possibilities. It really is a homage to books and reading, and the way another's words can sometimes change our lives. Highly recommended to book-lovers in general and especially fans of Japanese modern fiction. I am giving it 5 stars.