“What You Are Looking For Is In The Library”: Cosy Japanese Novel For a Rainy Sunday

Japanese and Korean contemporary novels have a special place in my heart.

I always come back to them for comfort read, especially after reading some “dry” non-fiction.

Today’s book is a perfect, easy read for a rainy Sunday:

“What you are looking for is in the library” is structured as a series of short stories about different people who don’t know each other, but who live or work in the same Tokyo neighbourhood.

They all have their struggles:

A woman who does not feel accomplished in her career after a longer maternity leave.

A young girl who works in a department store but does not feel like she is good at her job.

A man who would like to open his own business, but is afraid of losing the security of his 9 to 5.

All these characters, for one reason or the other, end up in a local library.

All of them are met by a librarian who asks them a direct question, “What are you looking for?”. Not just in terms of books, but in life.

The librarian gives them a list of books they ask for, plus a seemingly unrelated, very random book recommendation. This recommendation ends up making a difference in these people’s lives.

As all the short stories follow the same scenario, they all become quite predictable.

Still, it is a very wholesome read about all kinds of personal struggles: insecurities, relationship issues, feeling of accomplishment (or lack thereof), the challenge of staying authentic and true to yourself.

All in all, a good read to disconnect, “turn off” your brain and get immersed in a cosy book.

One more note specifically on Japanese contemporary literature: I have read quite a lot of Japanese novels in the past years, and it does catch your attention just how many novels revolve around the topic of work.

Being overworked. Living at work and going out with colleagues after work every night. Societal pressure of having a “decent” job. Work not bringing satisfaction. Burnout.

It is just one example how the literature reflects what is going on in the society.

Beer of the day is a pale ale enjoyed in a special craft beer bar Hitchcoq in Düsseldorf, Germany. It is a tiny little brewery for Hitchcoq restaurant and bar (probably not even a micro brewery, but a micro micro micro one).

Their pale ale is really good and so are other beers on tap, so if you are ever in Düsseldorf, make sure to go to Hitchcoq: