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A review by caroisreading
What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
hopeful
inspiring
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
This is such a sweet collection of stories with the same comforting formula -- a librarian at a small community center recommends the perfect book for everyone, accompanied by a felted gift that she's handmade. I love that each book mentioned is a real book that we can all check out at the library, ourselves.
The common theme is about those who are lost, finding themselves. Some of us may feel behind, less successful than our peers. Some may feel we've been dealt a bad hand, and exhausted by unfair circumstances. And many of us want to be seen and appreciated. Michiko Aoyama replaces these insecurities with courage and hope, in a way that's not overbearing, but charming and creative.
I felt that the women in these stories were portrayed as being capable, inspiring and passionate, and yet succumbing to the gender inequalities of imbalanced household responsibilities, sexist professional practices, body image issues (lots of focus on how large the librarian is, in a kinda weird way that's disguised as magical realism?). These situations were illustrated lightly, and still went unaddressed, leaving me rather dejected.
Still, you'll enjoy this read if you love Japanese fiction and themes about work-life balance, finding purpose, and the transition to new life stages.
The common theme is about those who are lost, finding themselves. Some of us may feel behind, less successful than our peers. Some may feel we've been dealt a bad hand, and exhausted by unfair circumstances. And many of us want to be seen and appreciated. Michiko Aoyama replaces these insecurities with courage and hope, in a way that's not overbearing, but charming and creative.
I felt that the women in these stories were portrayed as being capable, inspiring and passionate, and yet succumbing to the gender inequalities of imbalanced household responsibilities, sexist professional practices, body image issues (lots of focus on how large the librarian is, in a kinda weird way that's disguised as magical realism?). These situations were illustrated lightly, and still went unaddressed, leaving me rather dejected.
Still, you'll enjoy this read if you love Japanese fiction and themes about work-life balance, finding purpose, and the transition to new life stages.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming and Pedophilia