What You Are Looking For Is in the Library: A Novel Hardcover – September 5, 2023

My attention was immediately caught by this title as I love reading books about libraries and books. I didn’t bother to read the synopsis or note the author, but eagerly delved into the book and was pleasantly surprised.Having read a book by a Japanese author before, I am now reading my second book by them and am convinced that their stories always carry a moral message. It's difficult to explain, but as I read their stories, I am deeply engrossed in discovering the lessons the characters learn.The various stories in the book captivate my interest, as they all center around individual main characters who spend time in a shared library and interact with a knowledgeable librarian who I find represents wisdom.I am a definite fan of Japanese authors and look forward to reading more of their books.

Philosophical, relatable and thoroughly enjoyable, the stories contain a lot of insights worth reflecting on. It also delivers the message that books can, directly or indirectly, point us to the right direction.

This is a gentle comforting book revealing some magical aspects about every day life. I thoroughly recommend it. Good read

I absolutely loved it. Just like the books Ms. Komachi recommended, this one came into my life at the perfect time and was truly inspiring.

This is a sweet and gentle tale about opportunities and how they are everywhere and entwined within each human interaction.A young woman in the early stages of a career who is questioning her choices, a man approaching middle age who is dreaming of making a living doing something he loves, a new mother who finds herself penalized at work for having a child, a young man viewing the approach of middle age with nothing to show for his days since leaving school and a newly retired man who suffers not only a loss of usefulness and identity, but longs for the joy of human interaction and a return of purposefulness to his life. They all find themselves struggling with overwhelming questions that a mysterious librarian, at a local community center, with an unusual hobby, helps them to navigate.

What a great group of stories with interesting characters and life lessons intertwined. I enjoyed the way the author blended the stories together.

A collection of short stories-- not a novel, although the library and its librarian serve as a connecting thread.Each character feels stuck, each in a different phase of their life. By stepping into the library, they begin to see their lives and their choices differently, and move forward again. Beautifully and simply written. An affirmation of the power we each have to enrich our lives.

Although at times these stories feel a little too much like life lessons, they are very sweet and delightful to read. I lived in Japan for four years and these gave me a strong sense of homesickness! I love the idea of the library as the center of a community.