What You Are Looking for Is in the Library
Ratings129
Average rating4.1
It was cute and heartwarming, but repetitive and predictable. I wanted to like it, but every chapter felt formulaic. The writing style also feels dull and uninspired. It often happens when I read other Japanese translated novels , so it could very well be a cultural thing. It reminds me of reading YA novels where the author feels the need to over explain and tell me, rather than show me. It's fine. I enjoyed reading it, but I can't in good conscience give it more than 3 stars.
A interesting book that felt like a slice of life anime, as you look into the lives of other people and what they are going through
‘'What are you looking for?''
Libraries. A place of safety, of comfort, of shared silence. The place of our childhood and youth. A place of change. Where your levels of self-doubt and your low self-esteem give way to newly-found dreams. Where we understand that what we deem as ‘mundane' and ‘routine' is our personal, unique success. Where children's books become a beacon of light.
‘'In a world where you don't know what will happen next, I just do what I can right now.''
Five people learn to appreciate the simple pleasure in life, the small victories, the small steps towards a new day. Guided by Sayuri and Nozomi and bonus gifts that symbolise the change that is to come.
Chapter I - Tomoka: A young woman, frustrated and insecure, slowly discovers that the ingredients for a happy life are simple and much more attainable than we think.
Chapter II - Ryo: Ryo works as an accountant but has always wanted to open his very own antique shop. The enterprise is risky and our narrator is afraid of new beginnings. Too nervous, too apprehensive, and the problem with us conscientious people is that we trust nobody. And rightfully so, if you ask me. Everyone will disappoint you in the end. Everyone but God but that's another discussion. Having to deal with co-workers who prefer to paint their nails (or are glued to their phone judging from my personal experience...) than do their job is torment. And Ryo is waiting for this One Day. A visit to the library will help him realise the importance of Today.
I saw myself in Ryo in more ways than I can count...
Chapter III - Natsumi: Starting during the period before Christmas, we turn time back to a sultry August and Natsumi. Frustrated by the way motherhood is viewed in the corporate world, disappointed by her husband's attitude, angered at the inability and unwillingness of our society to accept that a woman may actually desire both a family and a successful, meaningful career. Her deep love for Literature will lead her to a path she never thought possible.
I adored the observations on the Moon as reflected in Religion and Mythology, our first victory in being born, on change, and the importance of reading in our lives. This chapter is pure perfection.
Chapter IV - Hiroya: A 30-year-old man who has never worked in his life and lives with his poor mother contemplates his presence in the ‘artistic' world. And blames everyone but himself...Typical of the idle...
I did not enjoy this chapter at all. Mangas irritate me to no end, the so-called theory of Evolution does not work for me (if you think that the beauty and wisdom of our planet are not God-given, you are heathens and irreversibly stupid...) and people like Hiroya are parasites. End of story.
Chapter V - Masao: Life after retirement can be both exciting and scary. Intimidating it certainly is. Masao tries to find a new meaning, a new purpose, creating his own ‘anthology' of moments, learning to appreciate what each new day brings.
Fairy tales hide the essence of Life's deeper meaning and Michiko Aoyama gives us a plethora of sweet, small pieces of wisdom throughout her heart-warming novel. Characters appearing briefly in a chapter become protagonists in the next. A world interlinked. The urban setting is vividly described and ALSO cats! It's Japanese Literature, of course there would be cats.
I adored the comment on birth through the eyes of the newborn -simply extraordinary- and the focus on how a book is a living organism that acquires a new life in the hands of each reader. Bookshops and libraries will never die as long as the human race exists. Technology or no technology, readers know how to rescue the very thing that gives meaning to our lives.
We breathe in dreams, that's the one thing that defines our humanity. We are waiting and waiting for this One Day. But what happens if we lose a very important Today that will never return?
One of the most healing novels you'll ever read.
‘'The Earth goes around.We gaze at the moon, illuminated by the sun.Feet on the ground and facing the sky, we go forward, changing as we do. In order to deliver a larger truth to the person looking down on an open page.''
My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/
2.75 stars
this is the kind of book that warms up to you. i found the writing overly descriptive and at a lot of times in the beginning, parts were unnecessary. but by the third chapter (which featured my favorite story), it grew on me, even if it did feel slightly contrived. this is the kind of book that requires steady patience to receive its simple, heartfelt themes. on another note, the librarian and her assistant are PRECIOUS.
A very wholesome read. It's one of those books that you need to pick up when you're looking for some kind of inspiration in your life or maybe just something to read when you don't know what to read or what to do next in your life.
A collection of beautifully interlinked stories where the characters are woven together with one thing; books. A must read of people who love reading and the joy of books. And how a visit to your local library can change your life. It shows how words have the power of transforming you and bringing in magic into the everyday life.
I'd recommend it to everyone! One of the best I've read this year. Michiko Aoyama has created a masterpiece with this one.
This was a book club read and I enjoyed it so very much. I love that each story was it's own but still intertwined with the others in subtle ways. I related to the story of Natsumi as I am a working mother. The librarian Ms. Komachi was my favorite and gave me Yoda vibes since she was so full of wisdom and made each character feel seen, heard, and made to feel comfortable. I recommend this book for anyone who maybe needs a break from their usual reads as a good pallet cleanser.
A quiet Japanese novel about a cast of unmoored characters who, in different chapters, stumble across the same wise librarian.
Each time, the librarian makes them a short list of books, with a last title seemingly unrelated to anything they told her. The wildcard book inevitably piques their interest and changes their lives, reframing how they think about work, success, and themselves.
This is a love letter to libraries, so it is no surprise I liked it. What I didn't expect was how much Aoyama focused on employment — how much our jobs can impact our quality of life and sense of self, lulling us into apathy even as ennui leads us to forget how we got somewhere, feeling like passive, unaccomplished beings that life happens to instead of active changemakers.
A sweet aspect of the text is that when people open up to those around them about how they are feeling, making a big change, or both, they are met with support and acceptance. No one drops the ball on being happy for their loved ones, or doubts their odds of making something happen. Their responses are a reassuring balm instead of a volatile plot device. Maybe a little idyllic, but in another sense, the bare minimum.
Aoyama also discusses how books hold meaning determined not only by their authors and editors and publishers, but also by each and every reader who interprets the text differently, based on their perspective and circumstances. Different people reading the same book will have vastly different, sometimes contradictory takeaways. Likewise, rereading books at a different time in life can resonate much differently than before.
Handing someone a book cannot change their life if they never open it, and we will never be able to predict how someone else (or even we ourselves) will take to it. This interactive potential is what makes art and media (made by humans, not generative AI, don't get me started) consequential. Because sometimes we don't know what we're looking for until we find it.
~coming back to add a quick CW about fatphobia, which IMO was almost too cartoonish to be hurtful, but was definitely a running theme~
This brought the feelings the first Tales from the Cafe gave me. I love the theme of quiet happiness. I love how the seemingly unrelated books force the borrower to reexamine their lives and goals. It was sweet and inspiring and it just makes me want to go to the library or maybe start felting.
A genuinely beautiful read that highlights, both differently and increasingly well with each successive story, how little it can sometimes take to completely turn your life around for the better. The little breadcrumbs of each story that ultimately come together in some small way for the book's last tale can really surprise you with how cohesive it makes the book feel overall, too, with one or two really satisfying pay-offs you won't see coming.
DNF after 2.5 stories. The stories are short, simple, and cute and there is some nice (very obvious) messaging happening, but it quickly got repetitive and predictable. The writing felt very stilted and I’m not sure if that is how the original is written or a commentary on the translation work, which in general was filled with typos.
Pretty good. I loved that there were stories for all age groups. The last one was a bit slow because I haven't experienced that yet. The first four, especially the first one about jobs and cooking for yourself were lovely.
whoever said this is like when the coffee gets cold is a liar and owes me time back for this. Pretty sure I didn't catch a word of the last 1/3
Comforting and heartwarming. This book just fills you up with positivity. Rounded down from 4.5⭐ because the translation is a bit too Westernized for my tastes.
What a wonderful book that feels like a warm hug. Wish I could meet Ms Sayuri Komachi some day and see what she would recommend for me ❤️
A sweet book that will remind you to be kind to yourself and live life at your own pace.
Was this book a life changing read? No, it wasn't. Was it a feel good, charming read filled with endearing yet imperfect characters learning somewhat important lessons? Yes. If you're looking for a read that isn't super deep but just sort of sweet this one might be what you're looking for. I was particularly fond of fat needle felting librarian it's not often that we see that type of character presented in a heartwarming fashion so I enjoyed it greatly.
5 loosely interconnected stories of people struggling to find their ways at crossroads in their lives. While they were enjoyable I found them repetitive and a little preachy. Overall a bit boring.
I loved all the different stories and how it comes back to the fact that we can get inspiration from a book, a gift, or a situation, but we ourselves have to connect the dots. Very cosy feel good novel for everyone.
People come into the library looking for something, and librarian Sayuri Komachi is able to help them with just the right book, just the right connection to another person.