What You Are Looking For is in the LibrarySynopsis: “What are you looking for?

So asks Tokyo’s most enigmatic librarian, Sayuri Komachi. She is no ordinary librarian. Naturally, she has read every book on her shelf, but she also has the unique ability to read the souls of anyone who walks through her door. Sensing exactly what they’re looking for in life, she provides just the book recommendation they never knew they needed to help them find it.

Every borrower in her library is at a different crossroads, from the restless retail assistant – can she ever get out of a dead-end job? – to the juggling new mother who dreams of becoming a magazine editor, and the meticulous accountant who yearns to own an antique store. The surprise book Komachi lends to each will change their lives for ever. Which book will you recommend?”

My Review

I loved this book, it’s a new favourite and one I’ll definitely be reading again!

It’s a wonderful collection of short stories centred around a library, and a particular librarian who seems to know exactly what each person needs to read.

There are five stories in this collection about characters who feel that they are stuck in their lives. Each person ends up in the library almost as a afterthought, but it becomes a catalyst in each of their lives.

I’ve read a few Japanese translations in the past and this has got to be the best one, as the writing flowed perfectly and it didn’t feel stiff or awkward at all. I will definitely be looking out for more books translated by Alison Watts in the future.

Highly recommended if you enjoy books about books, stories set in libraries, short stories or translated fiction.