What You Are Looking For Is in the Library: A Life-Affirming Story About Finding Hope, Purpose, and Connection

THE NATIONAL BESTSELLER  *  A TIME BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR  *  A WASHINGTON POST BEST FEEL GOOD BOOK OF THE YEAR 

For fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold, a charming, internationally bestselling Japanese novel about how the perfect book recommendation can change a readers’ life.

What are you looking for? So asks Tokyo’s most enigmatic librarian. For Sayuri Komachi is able to sense exactly what each visitor to her library is searching for and provide just the book recommendation to help them find it.

A restless retail assistant looks to gain new skills, a mother tries to overcome demotion at work after maternity leave, a conscientious accountant yearns to open an antique store, a recently retired salaryman searches for newfound purpose.

In Komachi’s unique book recommendations they will find just what they need to achieve their dreams. What You Are Looking For Is in the Library is about the magic of libraries and the discovery of connection. This inspirational tale shows how, by listening to our hearts, seizing opportunity and reaching out, we too can fulfill our lifelong dreams. Which book will you recommend?

“An undeniable page-turner.” —New York Times Book Review

"A charming novel about the magic of reading." —Washington Post

Michiko Aoyama was born in 1970 in Aichi prefecture. After graduating from university, she worked for two years as a reporter for a Japanese newspaper in Sydney, then as a magazine editor at a publishing house before turning to full time writing. Her work has won the 1st Miyazakimoto Prize, the 13th Tenryu Literary Prize, and has been a runner up of the 2021 Japan Booksellers Awards. This is her English-language debut. She currently lives in Yokohama.