Five strangers, one librarian, and infinite joy.
This Japanese future classic is rich with perfect storytelling and relatable characters struggling with their present-day lives. After coming across a library in their local community centre, all the people we meet are recommended a book by the mysterious and slightly quirky librarian. Every character is baffled by what is recommended to them, from an astrology book to a children’s poetry collection, the titles seem to have no relation to the characters’ problems. And yet, somehow, their lives begin to change.
Aoyama’s writing is full of magic and whimsy. She makes you believe wholeheartedly that her characters are real and each story is as intriguing as the next. She makes you question your own life, your own routine, and what it means to be truly happy. She also brings light to the fact that we are all living our own lives, we are all trying to live a good life, no matter who we are, or how old we are, everyone deserves a good life.
We meet such a variety of people, all in different stages of their lives. And yet, Aoyama is able to write each character in a way where you can see bits of your own life within every single one of them.
What You Are Looking for is in the Library is a story about life, creativity and change. This novel makes you question – why do we always strive for something ‘better?’ And why are we always searching for a happier life when sometimes the answer to happiness is right in front of us? Aoyama shows that sometimes a little change can go a long way.
The Pear Book 