What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

“I’m still searching. Searching for somewhere I can be accepted as I am. Just one place is all I need. Somewhere to be at peace.”

Michiko Aoyama

It is rare that I read a book and immediately want to read it again, as soon as I put it down – when I was younger it often happened, but somewhere in the business of growing up, it became far less frequent.

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama is one of those rare books.

This novel follows five characters across five chapters, each facing their own personal challenges and moments of transformation facilitated by an insightful librarian, Ms. Komachi, at the Hatori Community House Library. Each chapter is narrated by a different character and we see things from their own perspective, look out for some cameos across the chapters too – although I suppose that shouldn’t be too unusual given that this is a community first library.

Chapter I

Chapter I follows the story of Tomoka. She is a young, disillusioned sales assistant, struggling to find fulfilment in her retail job. Originally looking for books to improve her computer skills, and to attend a class on Excel [the most favoured of computer studies], she embarks on a journey of discovering her wonder for the world through a revisit to a favourite childhood story.

Chapter II

In Chapter II we join Ryo as he dreams of escaping corporate life to open an antiquities shop. I loved reading about his own experiences of first discovering an antique and curiosities shop, and how he treasures the items he has found there. The book recommendation given to him encourages him to reach out to his wider network, to trust that things will work out, and to be honest with himself about his preconceptions around his partner. I loved that this particular story was told from a mans point of view, especially with the touching moments of how he views his relationship – it showed a gentleness that is not all that often seen in male characters.

Chapter III

This is the chapter I loved the most, perhaps I can simply relate most closely to Natsumi and her attempts to balance her career, her life and her responsibilities. Whilst I don’t have a small child, I can relate to the frustration of people making decisions on your behalf simply because they feel you are not best placed to do so. The honest view of career jealousy is one that I imagine many of us can relate to, but as we see with Natsumi – things have a way of working out when you take the first steps to exploring outside your comfort zone.

Chapter IV

Chapter IV sees us following Hiroya, and to be honest – I started this chapter feeling mostly unsympathetic to Hiroya’s plight. But as seems to be the way with this book, I soon found myself developing a better understanding of the character. Feeling locked inside his head Hiroya has somewhat lost his way in a world that seems to fit only a specific type of person. I loved seeing him realise his own view of the world was part of what was limiting him – after all, we’ve all been there. Look out for an unexpected reminder of how important it is to be kind; you never know the impact that your words might have. The library creates a safe space for him as well as helping him become inspired to take his art seriously.

Chapter V

There is such a feeling of loss as we first encounter Masao, recently retired from a long career at a confectionery company – one that is a running theme throughout the novel. I loved seeing him develop his love of poetry, there is a power in trying new things – it’s important to remember that. This character has a place close to my heart, especially seeing him learn new things, and revaluate how he may have approached things in his life. It was so heart warming to see his respect and love for his daughter flourish as they found common ground in literature.

The connection of each story through Hatori Community House Library is so well executed by the writer, I not only want to meet these characters but I want to visit the library and find some magic too. I would love to meet Ms. Komachi and see what she recommended me to read next, and where that might take me. Even better if I received a little bonus gift too!

On reflection, it felt as though each chapter had it’s own gentle lesson to bring – from the reminder to develop your gratitude and sense of wonder with Tomoka in Chapter I to the exploration of new purposes with Masao in Chapter V. Each character has their own issues and concerns, whether those are societal or familial expectations or simply inside their own minds – throughout the novel we see each of them pursuing other routes to achieve fulfilment. It is a timely reminder that happiness can be found in many unexpected places. This book reads like just the type of story you might be prescribed from Ms. Komachi herself.

I genuinely believe that libraries can be magical places, full of knowledge and community, and I doubt I’m alone – sadly, the image used at the top of this post is computer generated, but when even a computer can make it look magical I think we’re onto something! I included a quote from Aoyama at the start of this piece – “I’m still searching. Searching for somewhere I can be accepted as I am. Just one place is all I need. Somewhere to be at peace.” This quote sums up the exact feeling that is soothed by entering a library, it is a place of acceptance and peace and one of the few places in the world where you can just be – no expectation of spending money, or consuming, just existing. This quote sums up the central theme of searching for peace and acceptance, which runs through each chapter and the overall message of the novel.

Another favourite quote from the book, that I highlighted as soon as I read it is: “Readers make their own personal connections to words, irrespective of the writer’s intentions, and each reader gains something unique”. I love this quote – isn’t it so true, everyone could read the same book, or poem as we saw in Chapter V and come to a completely different understanding, maybe this is why it sometime feels vulnerable to share your favourite books with someone.

To sum up, if you loved The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, or Before The Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi or even if you just need a gentle read and a little inspiration – then this is your book. How about borrowing it from your local library, you never know what else you might find in there!

Have you read this one? And if so – do you have any recommendations for anything with a similar theme?

Nx