‘What You Are Looking For Is In the Library’ by Michiko Aoyama
Five chapters, five unique characters at different stages and phases of their lives.
Tomoka, Ryo, Natsumi,Hiroya and Masao have all hit a time ‘where their lives haven’t stuck to the life plan they set out with’ and both Librarian and Library Assistant have a key role in sparking new imaginings with the books they recommend.
It is this that makes Michiko Aoyama’s book a most heartwarming read. Philosophical in style, the stories are personally encouraging and uplifting. Indeed, the library is where you do find what you are looking for…
The anchor that binds the five chapters together is the Community Centre - its library within, the thoughtful Librarian Ms Sayuri Komachi and her trustworthy assistant Nozomi Morinaga. One by one Tomoka, Ryo, Natsumi, Hiroya and Masao find their way to Hatori Community House Library. Nozomi and Ms Komachi have a system as the new enquiring library attendees seek reference books for their dilemmas. As Ms Komachi partakes of her felting handicraft, she has wise, sage words for these new users of the library and sets them on a path of personal discovery.
Tomoka seeks knowledge to start her own business to release her from the mindless retail store service job. Ryo dreams of opening an antique store and escaping the boxed-in grind of corporate life. Natsumi wants a new reconfigured editorial job alongside motherhood. Hiroya needs an injection of motivation and a plan to take her original artworks to an appreciative audience and Maseo struggles to make sense of the ‘life that remains’ in retirement. Throughout the stories they each shake their dissatisfaction with their present circumstances and develop a curiosity for new ideas that lead to newfound courage to make the changes to their life that they need to.
What You Are Looking For Is In the Library is translated well from the renown Japanese author Michiko Aoyama and gives you a clear, sharp insight into Japanese culture of work ethics, societal expectations and personal phases of life. Whilst there was a mild irritation with each character as I began each chapter, you grow in warmth and understanding of them to the point of a fist pump when they have a personal win.
If we’d ever lose our way in life then this is this the sort of library we would seek out! Michiko Aoyama presents us with a book that lifts heavy hearts and makes us take a second look at life around us.
Purchase your copy in store or online. Also available as an audiobook from LibroFM.
Translated by Alison Watts.
Penguin Random House
ISBN 9780857529121
