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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 Heartfelt Feel-Good Cats

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
This book stood out to me as a kindness, to oneself and others ... It explored the bumps in life's journey from many different perspectives, and teaches how to see things from a new perspective, how to explore new meanings and connections when all seems hopeless. Beautiful.

Deeply moving and hopeful

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Already one of my favourite books to go back to again and again. I loved all the characters - their flaws, struggles and thought processes. Ms Komachi the librarian being my favourite of course! On occasion the narration sounds a little over-acted in places but the observant and thoughtful writing outweighs this. A definite comfort read.

Heart-warming stories of how it's never too late to change your life direction with small steps and kindness

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This is better to be read as a book than an audiobook. Some of the voices they picked were OK and maybe a little too enthusiastic for my liking. However I liked the different stories of each person and their background, learning an unexpected life lesson. Very relatable to people's lives of today.

Different people in all walks of life

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Loved each story. Lots to think about and enjoy. The performances were great. Very well read.

Beautiful story and very uplifting

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I am going to listen to this book every year. I loved the stories. I loved the characters. I loved the variety of ages of the characters and their life stages. I loved the Japanese accents from the voice actors. Read this then move on to Days At The Morisaki Bookshop

What a beautiful book

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