Michiko Aoyama

For fans of The Midnight Library and Before the Coffee Gets Cold, this charming Japanese novel shows how the perfect book recommendation can change a reader's life. What are you looking for? This is the famous question routinely asked by Tokyo's most enigmatic librarian, Sayuri Komachi. Like most librarians, Komachi has read every book lining her shelves--but she also has the unique ability to read the souls of her library guests. For anyone who walks through her door, Komachi can sense exactly what they're looking for in life and provide just the book recommendation they never knew they needed to help them find it. Each visitor comes to her library from a different juncture in their careers and dreams, from the restless sales attendant who feels stuck at her job to the struggling working mother who longs to be a magazine editor. The conversation that they have with Sayuri Komachi--and the surprise book she lends each of them--will have life-altering consequences. With heartwarming charm and wisdom, What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is a paean to the magic of libraries, friendship and community, perfect for anyone who has ever found themselves at an impasse in their life and in need of a little inspiration.

What You Are Looking for Is in the Library

お探し物は図書室まで

cedar winslow

You told me that if you only ever look in front, your view will be quite narrow. So whenever I feel stuck or don't know what to do, I try to broaden my view. Relax my shoulders and walk sideways like a crab. 

Lindy

mikee ♡

‘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.’

Lia ♡

There are so many things to do, but I won’t make the excuse that I have no time any more. Instead, I will think about what I can do with the time I have.

Merve Ataç

I know that now. Just as every day is equal in value and no less important than all the others. The day I was born, today as I stand here now and the many tomorrows to come.

Jemima Scott

You managed to find employment, you go to work every day and you can feed yourself. That's a fine achievement.

The majority may not accept something, but as long as there are some who do, the existence of that thing – whatever it may be- is protected.

Marsheila Harvy

'Is that what you think? That it will only ever be a dream? As long as you continue to say the words "one day", the dream is not over. Maybe it will simply remaib a beautiful dream. It may never come true. But that is one way to live, in my opinion. The days go by more happily when you have something to dream about. It's not always a bad thing to have a dream, with no plan for ever carrying it out.'

'But isn't that funny? That each person should be chasing the tail of the person in front of them, when no one is coming first or last. In other words, when it comes to happiness nothing is better or worse - there is no definitive state.'

'Things change, even if you want them to stay the same. At the same time, you can try to change, but you will still remain the same.'

You managed to find employment, you go to work every day and you can feed yourself. That’s a fine achievement. 

What You Are Looking for Is in the Library quotes

Join the club