[Review] What you are looking for is in the library by Michiko Aoyama : A heart melting story about a library for you

Cover of What you are looking for is in the library
@ Hanover Square Press / Michiko Aoyama

A bit of context:

There are amazing stories of everyday individuals of different ages who face different challenges in their lives. There is just one common thread among them. A community library and an exceptionally perceptive librarian whose book recommendations might just change their lives for good. 

How is the story:

Sometimes we get tired of our mundane lives. Sometimes we are unclear of what path we should follow to have a better future. We all need a small moment of inspiration or a little push to give us a little spring in our steps whenever we are either feeling exhausted or upset or burnt out. That is where a library could come in handy. Specifically in the case of this book one community center library with a very perceptive librarian named Sayuri Komachi.

Ms Komachi is exceptionally good at reading humans. She can neatly identify your issue and direct you towards a book that could potentially spark a bit of inspiration in your heart. That is an amazing skill that she has garnered and used for the benefit of humanity, which in this case are the residents of the ward where the community center resides.

Throughout the book you will find instances where characters have felt either lost or unambitious or burnout. They all face real problems. Yet, through her keen observation Ms Komachi is able to nudge them to a path that may inspire them to turn their lives around. That sense of perception is beautifully portrayed by the books she recommends to them.

At first glance the books appear quite strange as they have nothing to do with what the characters request. However, as you read each chapter you can see the characters slowly fuel the flames of inspiration as they read the outlier books that Ms. Komachi has recommended them to read.  

Those moments of sparkling inspiration that the characters feel are truly touching. As you learn about each character you not only begin to relate to their issues but you can also see them slowly pick themselves up as they get inspired by her recommended book. That is a beautiful sentiment as we can all relate to as we get uplifted or inspired by different sources of media.

For me lately, it has been books, but for you it could be a song or a movie or even a painting. You could get inspired by anything. That is the message of this book. That inspiration can be found anywhere. You just have to keep looking for it !

Conclusion:

Each character is very relatable despite their ages or genders or backgrounds. The stories are written well and intriguing enough to keep you invested throughout each character's journey. At the end of the character arc you are left not only satisfied but also hopeful that you can make similar changes to your own life. 

This is why I would recommend this book to anyone who is feeling low or stuck in their routine and needs a bit of a break. This book will truly inspire you. It certainly inspired me to keep working on my writing skills.