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What You Are Looking for Is in the Library (Original)
What You Are Looking for Is in the Library (Original) | Michiko Aoyama
12 posts | 11 read | 15 to read
What are you looking for? So asks Tokyo's most enigmatic librarian. For Sayuri Komachi is able to sense exactly what each visitor to her library is searching for and provide just the book recommendation to help them find it. A restless retail assistant looks to gain new skills, a mother tries to overcome demotion at work after maternity leave, a conscientious accountant yearns to open an antique store, a recently retired salaryman searches for newfound purpose. In Komachi's unique book recommendations they will find just what they need to achieve their dreams. What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is about the magic of libraries and the discovery of connection. This inspirational tale shows how, by listening to our hearts, seizing opportunity and reaching out, we too can fulfill our lifelong dreams. Which book will you recommend?
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ICantImReading
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The premise may seem deceptively simple, but each story is a beautiful invitation to reflect. I often felt quite moved while reading; the last three stories especially spoke to me. This is the kind of book that I imagine you could take away something new from it each time you read it, and each reader would have something different resonate - much like the characters themselves make the meaning in the gifts and books from Sayuri Komachi.

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 4mo
66 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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rachaich
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Pickpick

Lovely heartwarming book, five characters each seeking new direction and the Librarian who points them into soul searching in a subtle manner.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love this cover 🖤📚 5mo
19 likes1 comment
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Sarah93
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Sarah93
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monalyisha
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Pickpick

Based on my reading experience to date, I don‘t think Japanese Literature is 100% my jam. I enjoyed guessing who the Librarian character, Sayuri Komachi, was meant to represent, however. I got the impression that she was an incarnation of some goddess or deity: my best guess is White Tara. I liked the message about how important it is to feel like you belong, though as one character observes “belonging is an ambiguous state.” 👇🏻

monalyisha 1/3: Another character who serendipitously finds the library notes, with *obvious* relief, “It‘s okay for me to be in this place.” Working in the field, as I do, this warmed my heart. The library is a sanctuary; a free and welcoming place for outcasts. We‘ve got you. 💓 7mo
monalyisha 2/3: It‘s difficult to pinpoint exactly what didn‘t work for me. I think it‘s that the characters all feel so *painfully* awkward. It‘s almost as if they‘re ALL neurodivergent — to the last. And maybe there‘s something intentional to that, e.g. no one is normal. Not a single one of us. That might be a relief. But it‘s uncomfortable to *always* be in that place, no matter the story… 7mo
monalyisha 3/3:..even if it‘s concurrently heartwarming to witness the characters‘ first tentative steps toward the finding of self & community — & the reassurance that the “self” isn‘t fixed & is always evolving. The more I reflect, the more positive I feel. I think I just don‘t enjoy that constant state of cringe. Often, I read to escape. I cringe internally at my own interactions too often to openly extend that discomfort into my reading life! 🙈 (edited) 7mo
See All 17 Comments
BarbaraBB I love Japanese literature and although this one very much is, I agree with your review. Books like this one and The Coffee gets Cold series didn‘t really work for me. Most other Japanese books I read I loved! 7mo
monalyisha @BarbaraBB I think I probably just haven‘t read enough of it. I‘d happily investigate some personal recommendations! 7mo
BarbaraBB That‘s hard. I‘ll recommend two: a novel and a thriller (of which there are so many and who have that typical Japanese atmosphere): 7mo
BarbaraBB Oh and I loved this one: 7mo
monalyisha @BarbaraBB That‘s perfect! Thrillers are never my chosen genre but I‘ll definitely add the other two to my TBR. Thanks! 7mo
monalyisha Oh, @BarbaraBB, I actually loved The Memory Police! I don‘t know how I forgot about that one! (As I know you know, it was also written by Yoko Ogawa.) 7mo
BarbaraBB Yes! And this one is just as good as The Memory Police! 7mo
vivastory Although I have yet to read “Housekeeper etc“ I def second @barbarabb rec of Ogawa. I think that you might like her collection of stories 7mo
vivastory I think you also might like “Breasts & Eggs“ by Kawakami. IMO it reads more as two linked novellas, rather than a cohesive novel but I thought it was interesting 7mo
BarbaraBB @vivastory Yes! That one is so good too. And by Kawakami I also loved 7mo
vivastory @BarbaraBB Heaven sounds terrific. It's on my TBR 7mo
batsy Adding to the Kawakami love and in addition to Breasts and Eggs and Heaven, I also recommend 7mo
monalyisha Thanks @vivastory @batsy @BarbaraBB - I‘ll try Kawakami. Sounds promising! 7mo
70 likes2 stack adds17 comments
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Suelizbeth
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I am loving this little book! It feels epistolary without being epistolary. It reminds me of The Uncommon Reader. It‘s just lovely and warm. The chapters are loosely jointed but unique to themselves.

BkClubCare Yes, Such a feel good affirming book 8mo
Suelizbeth @BkClubCare 📚❤️ 8mo
48 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Melancholy2243
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Pickpick

This brilliant book has something in store for everyone. This is a kind of book that is meant to be reread again and again and through each reading one discovers something new, something exceptionally brilliant. I will definitely recommend this book.

48 likes3 stack adds
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yourfavouritemixtape
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Pickpick

Oh, this book. It holds you in a warm and tight hug, telling you everything is gonna be alright while at the same time lovingly shoving you in the right direction to do something new. I absolutely loved it. So much, that I have a proper book-hangover now.

ju.ca.no It is such a heartwarming book! 🩷 9mo
AnnR 🙂 High praise! I have a hold on the book and am patiently waiting for it to become available. 9mo
22 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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VRM1975
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Night_Reader
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Mehso-so

3.5/5🌟

This is a book of short stories about 5 individuals who are feeling lost in life and they visit a library one day. My recommendation is to take breaks between each chapter. Otherwise, the book becomes too predictable and repetitive. Overall, I thought it was OK, didn't love it nor hate it.

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Lunakay
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Everything I love in Japanese literature is in this book!
It's going to be a favourite on the shelf, the stories are inspirational, but not unrealistic, people of all ages and in different situations struggle with life's challenges and find answers through a very wise librarian. The stories are loosely linked in a way that makes sense and has its own meaning. The book includes lovely illustrations and I'm happy to have bought my own copy🥰🌸

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