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A review by aforestofbooks
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.75
I wasn't expecting this book to make me reflect so much on my life and the choices I make everyday. While I don't necessarily believe having a positive mindset or attitude can completely change your life, I think there is some truth to it.
Each chapter in this book follows a difference character. But every character lives in the same ward in Tokyo and do eventually come to know/hear about one another. I think it was a very sweet way to tie all the stories together. I wish I could meet the librarian who plays such an important role in each chapter and with these character's lives. She has a gift of finding the books that people need and giving them the push to discover a new way to look at life.
A lot of the characters in this book felt so similar to me. We live life on autopilot. Working so we can afford to live. Not sure if what we're doing is something that we're passionate about, or unable to follow through with our dreams because of life circumstances. And while a lot of that has to do with the capitalist environment we live in, this book shows the reader that there are ways to find some happiness and some passion and drive. It has a positive message about society and community, and how to belong in a world where we feel like we're not connected.
This book is meant for all ages and different stages of life, and I think everyone can get something unique from it.
<blockquote>"Sometimes, though, I think about the future. What will I be doing years from now? I don't have the same kind of burning desire like I used to when all I wanted was to escape to Tokyo, and I don't feel excited anymore about achieving a goal."</blockquote>
<blockquote>"You managed to find employment, you go to work every day and you can feed yourself. That's a fine achievement."</blockquote>
<blockquote>"I was working in order to eat, but I never had time to eat because of work."</blockquote>
^this one is a personal attack
<blockquote>"The days go by more happily when you have something to dream about. It's not always a bad thing to have a dream, with no plan of ever carrying it out."</blockquote>
<blockquote>"He might be tough enough to survive any conditions and have special powers, but he sulks if he doesn't get enough attention and cries at the drop of a hat."</blockquote>
<blockquote>"If you throw yourself into doing the things you like, it's possible to live a happy, healthy life as he does, even if one is old, retired, divorced and living alone."</blockquote>
^maybe for those of us who are especially lonely and covid conscious
Each chapter in this book follows a difference character. But every character lives in the same ward in Tokyo and do eventually come to know/hear about one another. I think it was a very sweet way to tie all the stories together. I wish I could meet the librarian who plays such an important role in each chapter and with these character's lives. She has a gift of finding the books that people need and giving them the push to discover a new way to look at life.
A lot of the characters in this book felt so similar to me. We live life on autopilot. Working so we can afford to live. Not sure if what we're doing is something that we're passionate about, or unable to follow through with our dreams because of life circumstances. And while a lot of that has to do with the capitalist environment we live in, this book shows the reader that there are ways to find some happiness and some passion and drive. It has a positive message about society and community, and how to belong in a world where we feel like we're not connected.
This book is meant for all ages and different stages of life, and I think everyone can get something unique from it.
<blockquote>"Sometimes, though, I think about the future. What will I be doing years from now? I don't have the same kind of burning desire like I used to when all I wanted was to escape to Tokyo, and I don't feel excited anymore about achieving a goal."</blockquote>
<blockquote>"You managed to find employment, you go to work every day and you can feed yourself. That's a fine achievement."</blockquote>
<blockquote>"I was working in order to eat, but I never had time to eat because of work."</blockquote>
^this one is a personal attack
<blockquote>"The days go by more happily when you have something to dream about. It's not always a bad thing to have a dream, with no plan of ever carrying it out."</blockquote>
<blockquote>"He might be tough enough to survive any conditions and have special powers, but he sulks if he doesn't get enough attention and cries at the drop of a hat."</blockquote>
<blockquote>"If you throw yourself into doing the things you like, it's possible to live a happy, healthy life as he does, even if one is old, retired, divorced and living alone."</blockquote>
^maybe for those of us who are especially lonely and covid conscious