Rosetta’s Great Reads

What You Are Looking For is in the Library

Reviewed by Karin Markowski

An author signed my librarian friend’s book with the words: ‘Maria – because librarians heal hearts and save lives.’ Michiko Aoyama’s little gem of a book illustrates these words perfectly! We get to know five people in different stages of their lives; the young shop attendant, the career woman that just had a baby, the newly retired man and the dreamers. What they have in common is that they are at that crossroad when life is about to change from within. They also happen to encounter the peculiar and wonderful community librarian, Ms Komachi, who doesn’t just give you the book you want but also the one you didn’t know you needed. You will read this Japanese bestseller with a silly smile on your face. RRP $32.99

Tom Lake

Reviewed by Lea Dodd

Set in Michigan during the lockdown, this could have been just another pandemic story. But Anne Patchett delivers so much more. As Lara and her three grown daughters are brought together to conduct the harvest on the family’s cherry farm due to staff shortages, Patchett weaves the past and the present in a seamless dual timeline that brings to light both Lara’s pre-orchard hopes and dreams and her choice to be happy with the path down which life has taken her. This is a message she attempts to pass on to her daughters, and to her readers. Once again, Patchett has drawn complex characters in a wholesome and compelling story that is thoroughly enjoyable. RRP $32.99