Reviews

La bibliothèque des rêves secrets by Michiko Aoyama

stephanieelyse's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

susannagledhillrecommends's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

3.5

skylaey's review against another edition

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5.0

The moment is now.

eni_iilorak's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

A cute book, but the characters didn't really stick with me. Three months after reading it, I have a hard time remembering them - except for the librarian, of course.

This book is clearly meant to give comfort and hope, but it does so only superficially. For true, meaningful hope, it is ultimately too attached to the status quo. All characters find a way to fit into society and use their talents to make some money. Sure, this is a necessity in the capitalist world we live in. It's not that that's unrealistic, but it is not a source of happiness to me. I should add that I am reading this from a European point of view. I would be interested to learn how Japanese readers feel about this aspect.

I liked the last story the best. I thought each of the five stories was better than the previous one, so if the concept appeals to you but you find the first two stories rather clichéd, it may still be worth giving the remaining ones a chance. The interconnectedness of the stories is a nice detail that only really unfolds if you read all of them.

There is something very calming about books on books. There is a reason why readers - and writers - love them. What You Are Looking For is in the Library may be a good choice for a book club looking for a cute and easy book that can serve as a starting point for discussing the life-changing potential of reading. 

Cat lovers should know that the cat on the cover is just decoration.

drjorgensen's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rosyposie's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced

5.0

hemerocallis6's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

hmaldonado's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.5

xanaouro's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

bethabes's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0