Book Club+ MPC discussion

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year!

Let us get started with our first Book Club+ MPC selection "What You Are Looking For Is in the Library: A Novel by Michiko Aoyama

Sayuri Komachi is a librarian has the remarkable ability to pair library visitors with the right book. We will encounter several library visitors who each have a story, a need and looking for a dream and purpose in life. Will they find it? Discover the power of books and read this selection with us.

If you are not reading with us this time, please let us know what you are reading or watching at the movies.

Chapter 1-
Womenswear sales assistant Tomoka is reflecting on her job and what it says about her as a person? She gets a text from her friend Saya, telling her she has a new doctor, boyfriend. Tomoka works at a general merchandise store. She introduces us to Mrs. Numauchi a co-worker who she thinks is bossy. Tomoka thought about her time working at Eden and she remembered that this was the first place that offered her a job. Tomoka had her opinion about coming from Tokyo and how it is not what she thought it would be. She thought about the future, time passing by, not having a dream, goals etc. She also thought about finding a new job. Kiriyama is another friend from Eden that she is intrigued with and confides in about her desire to try something new. Tomoka realizes that she also needs to update her skills if she is going to compete in the job market. Computer classes are expensive and Tomoka shops for what is available.

Tomoka finds a class at the Hatori Community House. Ms. Gonno is her teacher and helps get her started. Tomoka is excited to be learning Excel. Ms. Gonno tells her to visit the library for more resources to help with the class. Tomoka takes the book list to the library. She seeks the help of the reference librarian, Ms. Komachi. She questions Tomoka on why she wants these books and Tomoka tells her she is looking to improve herself and her skills. Ms. Komachi gives Tomoka a reality check when she tells her that the work she does is important, by having consistent employment, having money for food. That is an achievement. Ms. Komachi praises having a good attitude for wanting to learn something new. Tomoka gets her book list and a copy of *Guri and Gura, a children's book that Ms. Komachi added. Tomoka returns to work the next day and has a bad customer situation and is asking for her to be fired because her recommended top purchase had shrunk. Mrs. Numauchi saves the day with her advice on how to fix the top. Tomoka has a new appreciation and ashamed on how she misjudged her. Tomoka decides to make Castella and change her diet. Which inspires her to clean her small apartment. Her first attempt to make the cake doesn't work, but keeps trying and perfects it and is inspired to cook other things. The book has taught her about problem-solving. Talking to Kiriyama about it, she discovers that readers interpret the book differently. Mrs. Numauchi likes the theme of cooperation best. Still undecided on what to do with her life, Tomoka returns her books to the library and her frying pan to Ms. Komachi. She is inspired to learn new skills and get her life in order. A renewed direction in life thanks to Castella, and the book Guri and Gura.

*Guri and Gura by Rieko Nakagawa, illustrated by Yuriko Yamawaki (1963)

What are your thoughts so far? Now I want to read "Guri and Gura" and make Castella. Let me know if feel the same! Tomoka felt discouraged about her life, her job, thinking her life was going in the wrong direction. Not until she took a chance to learn something new, discovered the wonders of the library, meeting new people and places, she was inspired again. I saw the change in her towards her co-workers and appreciating her job once more while she is figuring out her future plans. I thought it was interesting how she was worried about how others wouldn't think her life and job were not meaningful and she was wasting time and energy worrying about the opinions of others. Once she removed herself from that, opportunities changed for her, she became happier, positive. Making Castella, she discovered that it's okay to fail, keep trying until you get it right. Sometimes you have to fail numerous times to reach success. It's also okay to ask for help to find what you are looking for. You might not always find someone with willingness to help you, but keep reaching out until you do.

Next we meet Ryo...

Have a good day.

Sincerely,

-Donna