What You Are Looking For is in the Library

Author: Michiko Aoyama
Translated to English by Alison Watts
Geemiz Rating: 4/5

What You are Looking for is in the Library

One of the many feel-good Japanese fictions that I have been diving into since I started reading Japanese novels way back in 2016 with the book The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama.

Frankly, I miss reading Japanese historical fiction. Even though they are not as comforting and easy to read as the latest Japanese novels that I am into right now, those old ones keep on reminding me of how blessed I am to be living in this era and how I need to struggle, learn to overcome them, grow, and enjoy my life.

Going back to the book “What You Are Looking for Is in the Library,” my biggest takeaway is to accept change and never stop learning.

“There are so many things to do, but I won’t make the excuse that I have no time anymore. Instead, I will think about what I can do with the time I have. One day is going to become tomorrow.”

When you feel that life is dull and is not going according to your plan then the problem is you and not the things around you. Stand up and do something about it. The world won’t change for you. You must change and adapt to the world around you.

“You can decide things, but there’s no guarantee everything will go as planned.”

At first, it looks like the librarian, Sayuri Komachi, can read people (or can she?). That is why, aside from the books and book recommendations that the characters are looking for in the library, she recommends books that are suitable for their current struggles in life. However, I realized that the character’s current situation is the reason why and how they interpret the book that Mrs. Komachi gave them. This is also true for me and you. I have re-read books several times, and how I interpret them depends on my mood and situation.

“You may say that it was the book, but it’s how you read a book that is most valuable, rather than any power it might have itself.”

Another lesson that struck me the most in this story is “parallel career.” It is my first time hearing such a term. It means you are dealing with 2 or more jobs. A job that can support you financially, and another job that can make you happy and at peace.

It would be nice to be able to make a living out of our dream job, but not all of us can attain that, and it’s not easy to do so. Thus, we need to learn to balance our lives and one day be able to have a “parallel career.” Mine is owning a book café, one day.

About the book What You Are Looking For is in the Library

We will meet 5 people, learn their stories, and learn how visiting the community library and getting a book recommendation from the librarian, Sayori Komachi, is a stepping stone to changing their lives and, of course, for the better.

Let us meet:
1. Tomoka, a young woman working as a sales assistant, doesn’t find fulfillment in her current job and wants to change careers but finds it difficult to do so.

2. Ryo, a 35-year-old man working in the accounts department of a furniture manufacturer, wanted to start his dream antique shop but couldn’t find the means to do so.

3. Natsumi, a mother who lost her dream job during her peak time and was reassigned to a different department after giving birth. She wanted to stay professionally relevant and, at the same time, take care of her child.

4. Hiroya, a NEET who dreamt of being an illustrator but was stuck in life due to inferiority.

5. Masao, a newly retired salaryman who is looking for his place in society without the label of being one of the best salesmen of a huge confectionary company.

If you want change in your life or are looking for something in life, then you may want to read this book, and hopefully, it will be as helpful to you as it was to me.

Have you read the book? I love to hear what you think!