Play Book Tag discussion

What You Are Looking For is in the Library - Aoyama
3 stars

This is a series of short stories, linked together by some mild magical realism that takes place in a community library. The protagonist of each story has reached a place in life that is unsatisfactory in one way or another. Each wanders into the community library, usually with no specific purpose in mind. Apparently, a well defined purpose is completely unnecessary. With a touch of unexplained insight the resource librarian provides each patron with the books that were requested and a bonus book that meets each individual’s need.

All together the stories provide the sense of an active community. The library serves as a hub for interaction and overlapping experiences. There was certainly an overriding theme to the stories. It is not that all problems are solved. However, in each story the character was able to move forward in life.

I find it interesting that this book is reported to be a bestseller in Japan. The message was very sweetly supportive of nonconformity. There’s a definite bias against the heavy competition of big business. Some of the stories were too simplistic and occasionally took on a touch of the sermon, but overall it was relaxing and uplifting to read.

I do not recommend the audio book. Several of the readers were truly awful.