The style of writing just didn’t appeal to me. I found it dull and uninspiring. The moral of every tale being heavily signposted. The repetition in each story. The fatphobic description of the librarian. Not for me.

What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama can best be described as a bowl of hot, homemade soup on a cold winter day. It was so comforting. It is a hot water bottle. A big fluffy blanket. It is a deep conversation with your best friend. It is, quite simply, stunning.

To put it really simply, What You Are Looking for is in the Library is similar to Love Actually. Interconnecting stories of people who live in a specific area whose lives generally don't infringe on - but they sit on the periphery - of each others worlds. All the while, the invisible line that does connect them is Sayuri Komachi - the local librarian.

What You Are Looking for is in the Library is a celebration of the power - nay, the magic - of a librarian. It is a love story to the library and the librarians and a reminder that they have powers way beyond our ken and we should protect them at all costs.

What You Are Looking for is in the Library is likely to be in my top 10 books of the year because it is just that gorgeous.

What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama is available now.

For more information regarding Random House (@penguinrandom) please visit www.penguinrandomhouse.com.

You know that feeling when you read a book that feels like it was written just for you? That is the exact feeling I got while reading “What you are looking for is in the library” by Michiko Aoyama, translated by Alison Watts. This book touched my soul and has become one of my all time favorite reads.

The story follows five separate library patrons who are all searching for meaning in their lives. We follow their journeys after meeting with quirky head librarian Sayuri Komachi. Not only is she a talented felt artist - she also has the gift of knowing exactly what books will change someone’s life forever.

Full of self-reflection, friendship, family, loss, love, hope and the magic of books; “What you are looking for is in the library” is an absolutely brilliant read. 10/10 recommend!

*This was my first time reading a book by Michiko Aoyama and I am crossing my fingers more of her works get translated into English because I want to read them all!

Thank you so much to Doubleday Books for the advanced copy.

A book about the power of books, sign me up! This is one of my favorite books of the year 💙🐈

This book is a collection of five interconnected stories that discuss this overwhelming feeling of being lost in our lives, not really knowing what our next step is going to be, but not being satisfied with the way things are. It approaches this feeling in a lot of different ways and moments in each character's lives.

What connects the stories is a library and its librarian. Sayuri, the librarian, recommends unexpected books that shift each character's perspective on their situation. However, as Sayuri herself acknowledges, it's not her who is driving any change, but the main character in each chapter who is taking their own lessons from the books.

This book highlights how every person takes different lessons from books, based on their context and experience, as well as the overall power books/literature can have.

This was such a heartwarming read. I loved all of these characters and found the message of the book so incredible. I felt like it found me just like the characters in the book found their way to the library and the books they end up reading.

Thank you so much Doubleday and NetGalley for this ARC!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, I greatly enjoyed Michiko Aoyama's What You Are Looking For Is in the Library, which is in many ways as much a novella as it is short story (you can easily deep in and out after a chapter as it focuses on various characters from the young retail assistant looking to expand her skills, a mother who seeks to overcome a demotion on return from maternity, an accountant who dreams of opening an antique store, a neet who resparks his passion for illustration and a recently retired salaryman looking for a hobby/ purpose heading to a community library helped by Sayuri Komachi who is somehow able to sense and provide book recommendations and a free needle felted gift to each which helps change their outlook on life, and seize opportunities.

The book was very much in the same vein as other modern j-literature being published over the past few years, in its whimsical otherworldly observations of the mundane everyday of life and its challenges, often resonating in some way with the reader being able to resonate with the life of one of the characters traits. If you enjoyed the likes of Convenience Store Woman then this book is sure to hit the same scratch.

Prepare to be enchanted and uplifted! "What You Are Looking For Is in the Library" by Michiko Aoyama is an absolute gem that captures the magical essence of a library and its incredible impact on people's lives. If you loved "The Midnight Library" and "Before the Coffee Gets Cold," you're in for a delightful treat that's brimming with heart, charm, and the joy of discovery.

Meet Sayuri Komachi, Tokyo's enigmatic librarian with an extraordinary gift: she not only knows the books on her shelves, but she also understands the desires and dreams of her library guests. As you step into the library, you'll find yourself at the crossroads of life, just like the diverse characters who seek refuge and guidance within its walls. From the restless sales attendant to the ambitious working mother, each visitor is met with a conversation that touches their soul, and a book recommendation that holds the key to a new chapter.

Michiko Aoyama weaves a tale of connection, inspiration, and the transformative power of literature. Through the captivating interactions between Sayuri and her guests, the author beautifully illustrates how the right book, shared at the right moment, can spark life-altering change. It's a heartwarming reminder that libraries are not just repositories of books; they're havens of friendship, community, and the magic of possibility.

You'll find yourself immersed in this story, feeling the warmth of the library's embrace, and rooting for each character as they navigate their personal journeys. Aoyama's writing style is a delightful blend of simplicity and wisdom, making this book a true joy to read. Whether you've experienced an impasse in your life or simply love tales of inspiration, this novel will leave you with a renewed appreciation for the serendipitous encounters that shape our paths.

"What You Are Looking For Is in the Library" is a celebration of the magic within our hearts and the treasures we find when we open the pages of a book. It's a touching reminder that sometimes, all it takes is the right book to help us find what we didn't even know we were searching for. Grab this book, cozy up with your favorite cup of tea, and let the enchantment begin. It's a five-star journey that you won't want to end!

I’m back for another instalment of “Ems reading all the translated fiction about books or cats” Sorry, not sorry….😂

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is such a wholesome book! There are five chapters from the perspective of five people all living in the same area of Toyko and each at an impasse in their lives. There is a young sales assistant who moved from the countryside, a man who aspires to own a business, a struggling working mum, an unemployed NEET and a retired man. Each story have something in common…they all visit their local library and meet Sayuri Komachi, the mysterious librarian. The conversation they have with her and the surprise book she lends them prompts life altering consequences.

There is a beautiful message of hope, friendship and community in each story, and I’m here for it! There is a lot a splash of magical realism in this as that librarian is so intuitive 😂 This book feels like a love letter to books, and how they can open you to a whole new world of possibilities.

Loved it. It felt like such a comfort read and I will definitely be rereading it 🥰

A gentle and heartwarming read that wraps its arms around you in a warm embrace. I didn’t want it to end. This is hands down one of the best reads of the year and I’m left wondering what book the librarian would have chosen for me.
Thanks to NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and Doubleday for early access to this stunning read.

A bestseller in Japan, Michiko Aoyama’s novel combines realism with a dash of fantasy. In a series of interlinked stories, five seemingly separate people have a transformative encounter with a mysterious librarian in their neighbourhood library. Each of them is at a different stage in life, all of them are somehow stuck: from newly-retired Masao who doesn’t know what to do with his time to Natsumi who’s been sidelined at work since becoming a mother to recent graduate Tomoko dissatisfied with her dead-end job. The otherworldly librarian, Sayuri Komachi, seems to act like a kind of magical or spiritual creature, a form of benevolent yokai or perhaps a goddess, whose book recommendations lead these readers in unexpected directions.

Aoyama’s style reminded me a little of Lonely Castle in the Mirror. Her story’s simply told, a little formulaic, perhaps a little trite, but still a relatively inventive variation on the self-help/life lessons genre. It’s a calm, gentle piece that flows well, Aoyama’s characters are engaging, and their situations provide interesting insights into aspects of contemporary Japanese society, particularly when it comes to relations between self and work. Unlike many Western “inspirational” books, this is less focused on the individual and much more on the individual as part of a wider community - from family to neighbours to co-workers. I wondered whether this emphasis was meant to reflect mainstream Japanese culture or whether it was an attempt to address increasing social fragmentation – for example Aoyama’s insistence on the benefits of intergenerational understanding and cooperation. Translated by Alison Watts.

Thanks to Netgalley UK and publisher Doubleday for an ARC

A gentle, sweet read of 5 short stories about individuals who are stuck in a rut, somehow find their way to a particular library, get some book recommendations then start digging themselves out of their respective ruts. Each of the 5 stories is standalone but they all follow the same outline and some of the individuals in the earlier stories pop up in the later stories.

If you're after a light, uplifting read for an evening, this'll do the trick nicely. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

One of the best books I read in the year? Yes, possibly that is the case.

This book tells us five stories of five different, very different people. Regarding age, work situation, social situation, feelings, ideals, projection of the future:
Tomoka, a 21-year-old woman, a women's clothing sales assistant who comes to understand that intention and will is everything.
Ryo, a 35-year-old man, who works in the accounting department of a furniture manufacturer looking to pursue his dream.
Natsumi, a 40-year-old woman, a former magazine editor, whose life has changed after becoming a mother.
Hiroya, a 30-year-old man, who is unemployed, who does not have the confidence in himself to be able to follow what he wanted and longed for as a teenager.
And finally, Masao, a 65-year-old man who has just retired and cannot find his place in society.

They all have one thing in common, which is to visit the library where they meet a very peculiar employee: Nozomi Morinaga. I was very interested in how each person described this character in different ways and how she connected with each of the characters and their story.

Our protagonists go to the library in search of something (many times they don't really know what they are looking for) and they come across a book that seems conventional for what they expected but that ends up giving them that necessary push.

There are THOUSANDS of beautiful phrases to highlight. I need to get this physical book because believe me it's going to be one of the best I've ever read. As a reader, as a human being, as a person with dreams, fears, frustrations and joys, this book was a caress to the soul.

each story has a message to give us, something to think about. And I consider that it is one of those books that, like the little prince, at every moment of your life that you read it, you can find something different that helps you move through the moment you are living (good or bad).

I am very grateful to all the reading journey I have made, to every decision I have made in my life that has led me to read this book. Thank you.

Thank you Michiko Aoyama for these beautiful stories.

And a big thanks to Random House UK for the ARC I read via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What You are Looking for is in the Library is one of the most heart-warming sweet books I've read in sometime. It's a gorgeous collection of loosely interlinked short stories set in a Toyko Community Centre library.

Five different protagonists go to the library seeking answers to their life problems through books.

We meet a young sales assistant in a busy department store, an accountant who secretly wishes to run an antique store, a 40 year old woman struggling to balance her career and needs of a young child, an unemployed aspirant manga artist and a recently retired manager who doesn't know what's next for him..

Each of them encounters the unique librarian Sayuri Komachi who asks them one simple question, "What do you want?"
She then gives them a printout of the books they want based on their response plus one additional extra book and a bonus prize, a unique felted object that brings them on a journey to discover something about themselves that helps them get unstuck and grow.

It's such a warm hug in a book - highlighting how the perfect book recommendation can help us fulfil our dreams, become better people and the importance of libraries and librarians to build communities through education, skills development and friendships.

I often get asked by people to recommend a book to gift someone you don't really know and this fits the bill. It's charmly Japanese - a little bit quirky, it features loads of delicious Japanese food, that beautiful cover and it's just a book about the importance of books and has such a gentle feel-good factor without being cheesy that would encourage someone to pay a visit to their local library to find something to read😍

An interesting and nicely written book about five different people who find their way to a rather special library at a time when they need help in their lives. Perhaps it is the Librarian who is really special because she gives each one a reading list with one book tagged on the end which seems outlandish. In fact it is the most important one as each person discovers.

I found it an enjoyable read with a pleasant Japanese atmosphere and some magic realism to help the characters improve their lives. Each character was nicely rounded. In fact only the Librarian was left partly undefined. Her physical description was detailed (and rather strange) but her background was hazy.

Altogether a good read and a happy way to pass a few hours. Four stars.

This is a simple novel in the 'feel good' genre. It is structured as five interlinked short stories, each about a different person who is dissatisfied with their life situation, particularly their career/work or lack of it. Each visits a community library in the Tokyo suburb they live in, and are recommended a surprising book by the librarian there, along with a free handmade felt object. Each finds that the book and gift somehow unlock their dilemma, helping them see their situation in a different way and empowering them to take action to change course.

Although it might seem the librarian has a supernatural gift of some sort, there's no suggestion of that within the story and she herself dismisses it as being down to the recipient interpreting it in a way that works for them, rather than any spooky prescience.

I liked that the stories were all about personal growth and career rather than finding love, which would have been the more obvious tack for a novel of this type to take, and would have been annoying. I think it might be particularly enjoyable for younger people starting out in their careers, when there is huge anxiety about how things will work out and a sense of great pressure if you make a mistake. The message here of change being possible at any time is an important one.

Sometimes the messaging is a bit simplistic and the stories and characters lack some depth. But it's not schmaltzy or irritating like many novels in this category and I enjoyed reading it. If you enjoy 'feel good' type fiction, it's well worth reading.

This was a short and fast read, i really enjoyed the writing style. It had me from the first page, a beautiful book.

This is a sweet book of interconnecting stories, all linked by the local library and the librarian there.
The featured character in each story has a reason for wanting change in their life, but no idea how to get there.
They end up in the local library and met Ms Komachi who helps them select the books on the subject they are looking for, but always with another suggestion and a bonus gift of one of her felted creations.
I liked this because there was nothing in it not to like.

A wonderful hug of a book! Poignant, uplifting, gentle and sage.

Sayuri Komachi is no ordinary librarian. Sensing exactly what someone is searching for in life, she provides just the book recommendation to help them find it.

I really enjoyed this! It’s a cosy read that offers the comfort of a library. It was uplifting to see each main character as they considered themselves or their lives in a different way from before, through a short conversation with Ms Komachi and a book. It is meaning they find for themselves, and enlightening and sage wisdom. Occasionally, I felt the resolutions offered were oversimplified.

Each library visitor felt like they connected to parts of my own life, even though I’ve never been in their situations. I felt very seen. For me, this novel is all about connections and connecting with people. I liked how many little connections there were between the characters in different chapters. Something that only came to light as the novel drew together.

I loved the wonderful quotes about books and reading. I think you will too. Do yourself a favour and read What You Are Looking For is in the Library!

This is one of those uplifting books that encapsulates Japanese culture and expresses it through books, cats, shy people and little tokens .the book consists of 5 short chapters where everyone who visits the Community library looking to realise a dream, is given a little bit of magic with their books. Although they translate well, culturally they are almost inexplicable to western ideas.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I love when they translate these stories for us to read as they are usually the most wholesome books you can find and I wasn’t wrong! The book is only short and covers five people who all visit a library and come out with a book they want plus an extra book to help them with their struggles. There isn’t magic as such in this story however if you want to believe that there is then it’s open to interpretation as I like to believe the librarian had a little magic to help people find their way in life.

It’s a lovely read and is clearly made with love for book lovers alike.

“How uncanny the way what one reads can sometimes synchronise with reality.”

A book about books and a librarian who recommends the right one at the right time is always going to be a must read for me. I’ve experienced bookish transformative magic and have long suspected some librarians are particularly gifted in wielding it.

This book introduces you to five people who are at a crossroads in their life. Whether they’re unsatisfied with their job, wanting to follow a dream or are searching for purpose, they all find their way to the librarian.

‘What are you looking for?’

After a short conversation with Sayuri Komachi, the librarian, she produces a list of books on the subject they have requested but invariably also sneaks in a surprise title that appears entirely irrelevant. It is this title that leads the reader on a journey of self discovery, while trying to decipher the meaning of the librarian’s bonus gift.

The comparisons between this book and Before the Coffee Gets Cold made sense early on. Each chapter focuses on a specific individual, although as you make your way through the book you discover connections between characters and their backstories. One of my favourite things about this book was searching for the ways in which the seemingly unconnected stories interwove.

One description, which initially niggled at me, became something that impacted my enjoyment of the book. Every character, upon seeing the librarian for the first time, noted their shock at her appearance. She’s described as “huge”, “really huge”, “large” (multiple times), “very large” (more than once) and “humungous”. She has “plump fingers”. Characters are surprised she can move quickly and that she is capable of the fine work of felting.

The paleness of her skin was also consistently commented one; it reminded one character of a “white glutinous rice cake”.

Comparisons are made between her and a polar bear, the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, Disney’s Baymax and Genma Saotome from Ranma ½. While I’m usually up for any Ghostbusters reference, all of the comparisons felt disparaging rather than descriptive.

I haven’t been able to find a better word to describe my experience of this book as a whole than ‘soft’. It’s easy to read. The characters aren’t difficult to get to know and you don’t need to think deeply to follow the story. It’s a nice, feel-good read and there are sentences that leave you feeling warm and squishy. Ultimately, though, while I will remember how it made me feel, I don’t think any of the individual stories are going to linger with me long term.

“Everybody should have their own story.”

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Doubleday, an imprint of Transworld Publishers, for the opportunity to read this book. I’m rounding up from 3.5 stars.