The Library

Wow. I was blown away by this novel about a UK village library about to close for good.
The main characters, Tom, 16, and Maggie, 72, are unforgettable.

Book of the year and it's only March. I'm not going to bother getting all analytical and try to evaluate character, plot, etc. I'm simply going to say that I LOVED this book! I can't imagine I'll read a better one all year. This story will touch on every possible human emotion and memory. As I neared the end, I simply wished it wouldn't end. I HIGHLY recommend this book!

This book has all of the elements I love, it's about books, farm life, lambs and a library. You will just be fall in love with Maggie and Tom, I sure did.

Enjoyed this book a lot. Appreciated the idea of reading romance to learn how to handle social situations. I recommend this book if you want a feel-good read.

Tom is a teenager who feels invisible. He doesn't have many friends and his home situation isn't as pleasant as it used to be. After the death of his mom, Tom and his father are just making it through each day. As things seem to deteriorate, Tom begins spending more and more time at the library.

Maggie is a widow who lives on a farm. She attends the book club at the library for interaction with others, and the rest of the time she pretty much keeps to herself.

Tom and Maggie cross paths and an unlikely friendship forms. As Tom and Maggie get to know each other, they face challenges only they can help the other face. To further draw them together, they learn the library is at risk for closing. Tom and Maggie join forces with those around them to try to keep the library open.

I loved this story. I immediately loved Tom and Maggie and watching their relationship grow and their trust grow was the best part of this story for me. The storyline about the library and the other people in the story was a close second regarding what I loved about this story. I am so glad Bella Osborne wrote this story. It was just what I needed when I read it.

I voluntarily accepted a copy of this book from Aria and NetGalley. All views are simply my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this story, "The Library," written by Bella Osborne. It's a tale about a group of people saving their local library. The real story though, is surrounded around a friendship between, Tom, a 16-year-old young man that has many struggles in his life, and a lonely 72-year-old lady named, Maggie. Both of them have their own issues to deal with but come to together helping each other through their problems.
For those that add this one to their book clubs, there are questions in the back for further discussions.
(I received a copy of this book at our local library.

This is a sweet story about unexpected friendships and finding your true worth. Both Tom and Maggie are dealing with grief and are drawn to each other. Saving the library is the reason they become friends but it is only mentioned every so often, not the main focus of the story. Definitely a feel-good story that’s perfect when you need a pick-me-up.

I found the summary of this book intriguing and it definitely proved to be so. I found it engaging and it drew me in. I read it over the course of two days and enjoyed every minute of it. .

This is the story of Tom–a lonely young man with a challenging family/home situation, and Maggie–an older woman with her own difficult past, who are brought together by their local library. It is an intergenerational friendship that brings healing and companionship into both their lives. Maggie is outspoken, confident and bold, knowledgeable and determined. Tom is quiet and withdrawn, lonely and fairly isolated. Their interactions and eventual friendship give Tom the support and advice he needs at this pivotal time in his life. It gives Maggie a companion and a link to a long ago loss she holds deep. Tom's presence in her life fills a void that loss has left in her. Together they also affect the lives of those around them and their community as a whole.

This is a warm, engaging book. A hug in written form. I enjoyed the alternating third person POVs and getting into Tom and Maggie's heads. It is a book that focuses on found family, personal growth, loss, grief, relationships, responsibility, candor, and forgiveness.

I really liked both Tom and Maggie. They are flawed, messy people who are making an effort and that is a big part of their charm.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
4.5 stars

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Libraries are more than just a storage place for books, they are treasure troves filled with creativity and knowledge. And that knowledge can be empowering.” - R.L. Hemlock

This was the perfect book to end my reading slump!

Two people - Tom is a lonely teenager. Maggie is in her 70s and lonely as well. What brings them together? A library!

I love how Tom and Maggie formed a friendship. They were both what the other needed. I also loved how the library was a catalyst for change in both of their lives. How two lonely people, who on the surface, had nothing in common except for coming to the library for solace and belonging. When the librarian learns the library was in threat of closing, both pick up the torch and vow to help save it. In the process, they just might save themselves as well!

This was such a charming book that also dealt with difficult subjects. I have been reading some less than amazing books lately and this one was just a pleasure from cover to cover. It does address some heavy subjects such as alcoholism, loss, loneliness, and relationships to name a few.

I enjoyed the writing and story. I appreciated how the author dealt with the difficult subjects and how the two main characters found each other and the bond they shared.

"Libraries are more than just a storage place for books, they are treasure troves filled with creativity and knowledge. And that knowledge can be empowering.” - R.L. Hemlock

This was the perfect book to end my reading slump!

Two people - Tom is a lonely teenager. Maggie is in her 70s and lonely as well. What brings them together? A library!

I love how Tom and Maggie formed a friendship. They were both what the other needed. I also loved how the library was a catalyst for change in both of their lives. How two lonely people, who on the surface, had nothing in common except for coming to the library for solace and belonging. When the librarian learns the library was in threat of closing, both pick up the torch and vow to help save it. In the process, they just might save themselves as well!

This was such a charming book that also dealt with difficult subjects. I have been reading some less than amazing books lately and this one was just a pleasure from cover to cover. It does address some heavy subjects such as alcoholism, loss, loneliness, and relationships to name a few.

I enjoyed the writing and story. I appreciated how the author dealt with the difficult subjects and how the two main characters found each other and the bond they shared.