What You Are Looking for is in the Library cover art

What You Are Looking for is in the Library

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What You Are Looking for is in the Library

By: Michiko Aoyama, Alison Watts - translator
Narrated by: Hanako Footman, Kenichiro Thomson, Winson Ting, Shiro Kawai, Susan Momoko Hingley
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The heartwarming Japanese bestseller for fans of Matt Haig, Fredrik Backman and THE CAT WHO SAVED BOOKS

'Library. What a nice-sounding word. So comforting. I feel like I'm a student again. Library ... Am I allowed to borrow books?'

'What are you looking for?' asks Tokyo's most enigmatic librarian, Sayuri Komachi. She is no ordinary librarian. Naturally, she has read every book on her shelf, but she also has the unique ability to read the souls of anyone who walks through her door. Sensing exactly what they're looking for in life, she provides just the book recommendation they never knew they needed to help them find it.

Every borrower in her library is at a different crossroads, from the restless retail assistant - can she ever get out of a dead-end job? - to the juggling new mother who dreams of becoming a magazine editor, and the meticulous accountant who yearns to own an antique store. The surprise book Komachi lends to each will have transformative consequences.

Magical and uplifting, What You Are Looking for is in the Library is about the wondrousness of libraries and the power of books for change. Highlighting all the tiny comforts of being alive, it is a story that no reader will ever forget.

©2023 Michiko Aoyama (P)2023 Penguin Audio

 Anthologies & Short Stories Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Magic Magical Realism Short Stories World Literature Fantasy Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring Cats

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Critic reviews

I ADORED this uplifting, hopeful novel ... A joy from start to finish, this book makes you feel anything is possible (Wendy Holden)
There's a wistful, warm-hearted appeal to Aoyama's paean to the power of books ... [it's] a quirky slice of feel-good fiction that you could recommend to anyone
An endearing novel and a tribute to the transformative power of books and libraries
Captivating!
The novel is an undeniable page-turner, its mechanism energized by a simple question, posed again and again by the uncanny librarian, Mrs. Komachi. The question brings Michiko Aoyama’s characters often to the brink of tears; and not only her characters, but this reader, too. It is the great question of the library, and of the bookstore, and maybe of life: What are you looking for?
If what you are searching for is a believable take on contemporary life in Tokyo, seasoned with a dash of whimsy, you’ll find your perfect match in this heartwarming novel
It's been a rotten year, so spark joy with this!
There’s a special kind of magic in recommending books to other people and Michiko Aoyama captures that perfectly here. Full of charm; a genuine comfort read
All stars
Most relevant
I really enjoyed this book. The simple interwoven stories felt so heartwarming and life affirming. A wonderful antidote to life at the moment. I felt more hopeful after reading this

Loved this book

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Overall I give this book 3/5. It had some nice moments I could relate myself to, but it's a bit too "hopeful & happy go lucky for me". That said, that doesn't mean somebody could not find a better connection with this book, that's the beauty of reading - everyone can take out what they need from a book they're reading.

Hopecore read

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An interesting and engaging novel, split into five stories about five different characters who encounter life challenges and overcome them with the help of a wise librarian.

Gentle, engaging philosophy about overcoming difficulties and becoming the best version of ourselves.

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This book is quite different from anything I read / listened so far. It has a calming, hopeful, soothing quality to it. It's as if everything is possible. A book of possibilities.

Soothing, full of hope book

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Absolutely delightful set of stories. I was left smiling at the end of each one thinking the next couldn't possibly be as good but I was proven worng every time. I fell in love with all characters. There was something to resonate with me in every story.

absolutely delightful

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