{"title":"Michiko Aoyama","description":"\u003cp\u003eMichiko Aoyama’s work invites readers into worlds where everyday moments blend effortlessly with subtle magic and heartfelt reflection. Her stories, ranging from the comforting warmth of \u003cem\u003eHot Chocolate on Thursday\u003c\/em\u003e to the gentle mysteries of \u003cem\u003eThe Healing Hippo Of Hinode Park\u003c\/em\u003e, explore human connection through beautifully crafted narratives filled with quiet wonder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlurring the lines between general fiction and speculative fantasy, Aoyama’s themes often revolve around discovery and healing, as found in titles like \u003cem\u003eWhat You Are Looking for is in the Library\u003c\/em\u003e. Whether grounded in familiar settings or imaginative realms, her books offer a poignant, immersive experience that lingers long after the final page.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"what-you-are-looking-for-is-in-the-library","title":"What You Are Looking for is in the Library","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe irresistible hardback Times bestseller and bookshop favourite about the healing power of books and community; Time magazine Top 100 books of 2023; \u003cem\u003e'An undeniable page-turner'\u003c\/em\u003e New York Times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTHE TWO-MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING INTERNATIONAL NOVEL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Top Ten Times bestseller\u003cbr\u003e\nA \u003cem\u003eTime Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e Book of the Year\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e'An undeniable page-turner'\u003c\/em\u003e New York Times\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'I ADORED this uplifting, hopeful novel '\u003c\/em\u003e Daily Mail\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e'It made me laugh and cry and feel comforted'\u003c\/em\u003e 5\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e* Reader review\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e'A tribute to the transformative power of books and libraries'\u003c\/em\u003e Irish Times\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn inspirational tale of the love, comfort and growth you can find in the pages of a good book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e_________________\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat are you looking for? So asks Tokyo's most enigmatic librarian, Sayuri Komachi. But she is no ordinary librarian.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSensing exactly what someone is searching for in life, she provides just the book recommendation to help them find it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe meet five visitors to the library, each at a different crossroads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe restless retail assistant eager to pick up new skills\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe mother faced with a demotion at work after maternity leave\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe conscientious accountant who yearns to open an antique store\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe gifted young manga artist in search of motivation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe recently retired salaryman on a quest for newfound purpose\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCan she help them find what they are looking for? Which book will you recommend?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e_________________\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'An undeniable page-turner'\u003c\/em\u003e New York Times\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor fans of \u003cem\u003eThe Midnight Library\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eBefore the Coffee Gets Cold\u003c\/em\u003e, this feel-good Japanese book shows how the perfect book recommendation can change a life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSHORTLISTED FOR THE JAPAN BOOKSELLERS' AWARD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'I definitely want to visit this library. I feel kinder after this book'\u003c\/em\u003e 5\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e* Reader review\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e'A quirky slice of feel-good fiction that you could recommend to anyone'\u003c\/em\u003e Mail on Sunday\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e'Wonderful. It made me look for connection in my life'\u003c\/em\u003e 5\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e* Reader review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTimes bestseller, August 2023\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45748160626924,"sku":"9781804994139","price":22.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781804994139_02747a43-9390-4209-98fa-98a14fe99ea9.jpg?v=1736905720"},{"product_id":"the-healing-hippo-of-hinode-park-by-michiko-aoyama-9781529949766","title":"The Healing Hippo Of Hinode Park","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthentic healing fiction from the 2.5-million-copy bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eWhat You Are Looking for is in the Library\u003c\/em\u003e, set in a suburban community block.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePRE-ORDER THE NEW NOVEL BY THE AUTHOR OF \u003cem\u003eWHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS IN THE LIBRARY\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders adore \u003cem\u003eThe Healing Hippo Of Hinode Park\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'I wanted to discover the magical hippo in myself as I read this book' ★★★★★\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'How does Aoyama depict human emotion so vividly? I imagined myself in this book' ★★★★★\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'I almost wept on my train home from work' ★★★★★\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'It gripped my heart. I wish there was a magical hippo near my home' ★★★★★\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Whenever I feel hurt, I want to re-read this wonderful book' ★★★★★\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003chr\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Kabahiko is an amazing hippo. People say that if you touch the area of his body that you want to make better on yours, he'll provide a cure.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNestling at the bottom of a five-storey apartment block is the children's playground, Hinode Park. If you look to the side, standing on stubby legs, is a hippo. Its upturned eyes give it a teary look, yet for decades, its quiet power has sustained the hearts of one community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMeet the neighbours who will reach out to Kabahiko:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eKanato presses his head to the hippo's cheek, hoping to recover the stellar marks he once scored;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSawa, a lonely new mother, strokes its mouth, hoping to connect as she once did when she was an award-winning retail assistant;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eChiharu, a wedding planner, hopes to be able to listen for the happiness of others;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eYuya avoids sports day with a fake injury, only to find he really is in pain;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDespite Kazuhiko's fading eyes from too much editorial work, he will learn to see life's everyday wonders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA quietly powerful story of hope, friendship, and connection, Michiko Aoyama's beloved bestseller is a celebration of everyday encounters. Its subtle portrayal of the magic of community will lodge itself in every reader's heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46549190967532,"sku":"9781529949766","price":32.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781529949766.jpg?v=1750031970"},{"product_id":"hot-chocolate-on-thursday-by-michiko-aoyama-9781529950120","title":"Hot Chocolate on Thursday","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithout even realising it, we may touch and change someone else's life. This is the debut novel by the multi-million-copy bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eWhat You Are Looking For Is In The Library\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMuch-loved modern classic by the bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eWhat You Are Looking For Is In The Library\u003c\/em\u003e for fans of \u003cem\u003eBefore the Coffee Gets Cold\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders love \u003cem\u003eHot Chocolate on Thursday\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'Slipped into my heart and warmed me, just like a cup of cocoa' ★★★★★\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'I definitely recommend this book!' ★★★★★\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'Thursday is the beginning of the second half of the week. I felt restored reading this' ★★★★★\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'Reminds you that everyone is living their own daily joy and pain. Heartwarming' ★★★★★\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'This made me realise how we magically influence each other's lives without realising it' ★★★★★\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e___________\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'I learned first-hand how people, flora, and fauna interact. All that breathes on this Earth is interconnected.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAcross a bridge in a quiet neighbourhood in Tokyo, a seasonal cherry blossom sits on the river. Nearby is the Marble Cafe, where a woman writes in a notebook and a young waiter prepares her favourite hot drink. Both wonder about each other and about the other lives of the clientele who frequent this charming little cafe behind the trees...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTaking a walk along the river, cooking the best tamagoyaki, ordering hot chocolate, forgetting to remove our nail polish... The small, everyday acts that we do can lead to unexpected encounters and reverberate far beyond our own lives to make a real difference in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHot Chocolate on Thursday\u003c\/em\u003e is a tapestry of slice-of-life moments that open and close with a woman ordering her regular hot chocolate at the mysterious Marble Cafe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat happens in between will touch and swell your heart, as we connect with a community of untold unfolding lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47033627738348,"sku":"9781529950120","price":30.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2b2c343c77c71bf217930b341c4a7b3a.jpg?v=1764277333"},{"product_id":"the-healing-hippo-of-hinode-park-by-michiko-aoyama-9781804996560","title":"The Healing Hippo Of Hinode Park","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe brand new novel by the multi-million-copy bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eWhat You Are Looking For Is In The Library\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe brand new novel by the author of \u003cem\u003eWhat You Are Looking For Is In The Library\u003c\/em\u003e now available in translation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eReaders adore \u003cem\u003eThe Healing Hippo Of Hinode Park\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I wanted to discover the magical hippo in myself as I read this book\" ★★★★★\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"How does Aoyama depict human emotion so vividly? I imagined myself in this book\" ★★★★★\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I almost wept on my train home from work\" ★★★★★\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"It gripped my heart. I wish there was a magical hippo near my home\" ★★★★★\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Whenever I feel hurt, I want to re-read this wonderful book\" ★★★★★\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Kabahiko is an amazing hippo. People say that if you touch the area of his body that you want to make better on yours, he'll provide a cure.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNestling at the bottom of a five-storey apartment block is the children's playground, Hinode Park. If you look to the side, standing on stubby legs, is a hippo. Its upturned eyes give it a teary look, yet for decades, its quiet power has sustained the hearts of one community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMeet the neighbours who will reach out to Kabahiko:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eKanato presses his head to the hippo's cheek, hoping to recover the stellar marks he once scored;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSawa, a lonely new mother, strokes its mouth, hopes to connect as she once did when she was an award-winning retail assistant;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eChiharu, a wedding-planner, hopes to be able to listen for the happiness of others;\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eYuya avoids sports day with a fake injury, only to find he really is in pain.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDespite Kazuhiko's fading eyes from too much editorial work, he will learn to see life's everyday wonders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA quietly powerful story of hope, friendship, and connection, Michiko Aoyama's beloved bestseller is a celebration of everyday encounters. Its subtle portrayal of the magic of community will lodge itself in every reader's heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47418156318956,"sku":"9781804996560","price":28.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781804996560.jpg?v=1774323614"},{"product_id":"matcha-on-monday-by-michiko-aoyama-9781529950144","title":"Matcha on Monday","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIrresistible companion piece to Hot Chocolate on Thursday\u003c\/em\u003e, set in a charming cafe, by the million-copy bestselling brand author of \u003cem\u003eWhat You Are Looking For is in the Library.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Global Bestseller\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBy the multi-million-copy author of \u003cem\u003eWhat You Are Looking For is in the Library\u003c\/em\u003e, for fans of \u003cem\u003eBefore the Coffee Gets Cold\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTucked behind the trees in a quiet neighbourhood in Tokyo, the beloved Marble cafe offers a cup of warm, healing matcha to all who pass through its doors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCustomers flock all week to Cafe Marble, tucked away behind the cherry trees. But Monday is a special day—the enigmatic owner hosts a tea tasting. The ritual invites its clientele to pause, reconnect with their inner peace, and rediscover the value of simplicity, allowing the bitterness of matcha to soothe their troubles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the twelve calendar months, \u003cem\u003eMatcha on Monday\u003c\/em\u003e follows people from all walks of life—a woman who needs to change her attitude, a couple facing a crisis, an artist who has lost her purpose, and a young woman struggling to break free from family expectations. As each customer frequents Cafe Marble's cosy haven, they start their week with a warm sip of matcha and the joys of everyday human connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWarm and luminous, this heart-warming story brings together a community of untold unfolding lives. As a snow-white cat peacefully puzzles over the surrounding humans, Cafe Marble becomes the setting for unexpected encounters that will change everything for those who walk through its doors—all starting with a cup of matcha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLoving praise from international readers for \u003cem\u003eMatcha on Monday\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'These words resonate in my heart' \u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'I felt the depth of each relationship and burst into tears a few times' \u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'A miraculous story that shows the importance of giving things perspective' \u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'It would be a great idea to read this together with \u003cem\u003eHot Chocolate on Thursday\u003c\/em\u003e' \u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e'The same taste and feeling as drinking a cup of matcha' \u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e*\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47582703091948,"sku":"9781529950144","price":30.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781529950144-matcha-on-monday.jpg?v=1777437197"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/michiko-aoyama.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}