I really loved the premise of this book. The same list of books is found by different people at different times in different places. The list of books, in order, include To Kill a Mockingbird, Rebecca, The Kite Runner, Life of Pi, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Beloved, and A Suitable Boy. The list is headed by the sentence, "Just in case you need it." Since I have read all of these books except one (A Suitable Boy), I found the story even more relatable. I do believe that books - and the messages within them - can be very influential on a person's life. Looking at the list initially, I wasn't sure what the common "theme" was, since these are all very different stories. Each reader gets different things out of each story though, and it also depends on the age of the reader and their life experiences.
One of the two main characters is Aleisha, a 17-year old living at home with her older brother, Aidan, and their mother. Their father left years ago and now has a new family. Aleisha & Aidan are their mother's caregivers. Leilah (mom) experiences pretty severe mental health symptoms that are left untreated. Aleisha & Aidan take turns working and taking care of her. It's a pretty depressing life for both of them, not to mention their mother. Aleisha starts a summer job at the local library, which is where she discovers the Reading List. As a non-reader up to that point, deciding to start reading the books on the list opens up her world.
The second main character is Mukesh, who lives alone since his beloved wife died. He has three daughters (who each call him daily) and three grandchildren. The grandchild he spends the most time with is Priya, who is a voracious reader. Mukesh is lonely and boring. He decides to try to connect with young Priya by going to the library to check out a book to read. The first person Mukesh encounters at the library is Aleisha, who is the new employee. She doesn't want to be there; she doesn't read; and she is incredibly rude. Fortunately, Aleisha feels bad about how she treated Mukesh and she tries to make it up to him by recommending the first book on the Reading List, To Kill a Mockingbird. She reads it at the same time - and then tries to stay ahead of Mukesh as they both read the books on the list.
As much as I liked the book, it was confusing at times because different characters (who find the Reading List) have small chapters throughout the book that don't seem to connect with the main characters. These chapters would throw me off. Do I know who they are? Did the author mention them previously? It's a small London town they all live in, with a very small library, so I guess in that respect they are all connected through someone, but still.... Also, the main "theme" that ties all the books together is "loss". So, although the book ends with the characters feeling hope for their futures, there is a lot of sadness. I am still incredibly sad about a significant loss that happens in the book. :( I can't stop thinking about it.
Wendy's Rating: ****
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