Book Discussion 2: (in person) What You are Looking for is in the Library by M.A

Our March book is "What You Are Looking For Is in the Library" by Michiko Aoyama, translated by Alison Watts.

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Book synopsis:

This book is the story of five individuals who feel a bit lost and are searching for their place in life. It is through their search that we each can find a bit of ourselves woven into their stories and discoveries from the library. As the book spans various stages of the work-life and purpose that we all can relate to. This is one of those books that will leave you feeling fulfilled and hopeful. It is a book written in Japanese and translated into English by the author Allison Watts.

As the translator of this book from Japanese to English, Allison Watts, who lived in Japan for 30 years (currently lives in Australia), put much passion and energy into making sure this was more than just words; the feeling and characters were translated into English. Alison originally learned Japanese and began translating when working in a factory, and delved deeper when she married her husband, who was Japanese. As an English literature major, she combined her practical application with her passion. She finds it important that people understand the difference between translation and interpretation. They both require highly intricate skills to interpret the spoken word successfully and, in a different career, to translate from the written word. To do the latter, one has to be good at writing English.

For this particular book, Allison Watts found it a fun exercise that led her to revisit some books and discover others for the first time. She endeavored to meet the books in the story, making judgment calls about how to describe certain things to capture their meaning, such as which version of a book used in the story, which was translated from English to Japanese, she should choose to describe within this story. Enjoy this book about books that inspire, expand, and guide us.

Similar Books:

Before the Coffee Gets Cold

The Travelling Cat Chronicles

View my sources: (Warning: There are some spoilers)

[Milly's Book Shelf, (2023). What You Are Looking For Is In The Library by Michiko Aoyama - a library we all need. [YouTube]. https://youtu.be/bQ__mIjvXJs?si=20_K51vxVwx1SI1Y](https://youtu.be/bQ__mIjvXJs?si=20_K51vxVwx1SI1Y)

[North Little Rock Public Library System. (2025). Meet the Author Alison Watts. [YouTube]. https://youtu.be/GCZuaTYTNJg?si=Awtk56IYuP_vbgAf](https://youtu.be/GCZuaTYTNJg?si=Awtk56IYuP_vbgAf)

[@melissa's_cozy_corner. (2024). 📚📖 Book Review: What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama 📖📚 - Day 17. [YouTube]. https://youtube.com/shorts/S4742HbIKz8?si=Fq-_Nu03HNNOh3Hz](https://youtube.com/shorts/S4742HbIKz8?si=Fq-_Nu03HNNOh3Hz)

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Announcements: Book recommendations requested.

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Donations: If you would like to make a small contribution to support our costs, please email Michelle at ***Luvshell1@gmail.com*** for donation information.

We are all Volunteers: Note that no one makes a profit; donations are strictly used to cover our costs.

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Join us at this virtual event on Zoom.

Meeting ID: 876 9950 4078
Passcode: 271399

There is also a link where the location is displayed on this MeetUp event.

Remember: you are welcome to come if you are late, if you didn't finish the book, if you liked the book, if you didn't like the book, just come, your presence is a gift.

If you can not make it, please adjust your RSVP. Thank you.

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