ob_ledbetter's review against another edition
3.0
Nothing shocking but a warm-hearted story that reminds me why I love libraries!
beatrice343's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
cicip's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sarahjolioli's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
hellodiana's review against another edition
I slogged through two whole days to get to a third of this book. Not only was there not a single aspect of the story that interested me, I found myself actively annoyed with the main character for being a caricature of a spineless woman.
And the Harry potter references in a book published after the author came out as a Terf? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
And the Harry potter references in a book published after the author came out as a Terf? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
_mjreads_'s review against another edition
4.0
This was such a cozy book! June is a little frustrating at times but overall I really enjoyed it. It’s a great palette cleanser. The audiobook is phenomenal!
billynev's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A heartwarming story about a small village fighting for its library. You really end up rooting for the “Friends of Chalcot Library”, especially June who’s the protagonist of the story. Her character development is well-written albeit totally predictable.
There are some flaws in the book. The dialogue was not at all captivating. Sometimes it seemed that it was written by an AI model in a sense that I feel like real people don’t at all talk like they do in the book. The characters often fulfilled their stereotype to a fault (outspoken lesbian socialist, old immigrant-basher, insecure book girl) that it made them not believable. It’s also why I was not in love with the June character whose insecurities were almost cartoonish. I also didn’t buy her relationship with Alex (the love interest). The most inspiring and heartwarming passages involve Stanley Phelps, an old lonely pensioner who stands up for the library, and who inspires June’s character development in many ways. Overall it was an enjoyable and quick read. I feel like the story and characters had more potential though.
There are some flaws in the book. The dialogue was not at all captivating. Sometimes it seemed that it was written by an AI model in a sense that I feel like real people don’t at all talk like they do in the book. The characters often fulfilled their stereotype to a fault (outspoken lesbian socialist, old immigrant-basher, insecure book girl) that it made them not believable. It’s also why I was not in love with the June character whose insecurities were almost cartoonish. I also didn’t buy her relationship with Alex (the love interest). The most inspiring and heartwarming passages involve Stanley Phelps, an old lonely pensioner who stands up for the library, and who inspires June’s character development in many ways.
Spoiler
I really enjoyed the fact that his son appears in the ending as a donor for the new community library. Smart way to bring a plotline full circle.bethanie22's review against another edition
4.0
I adored this book for many reasons, but it ended up with a 4 star because I am absolutely FURIOUS that June allowed Marjorie to be involved in ANYTHING in the end. Marjorie was so abusive throughout this entire novel, and buying a single dinner does not excuse everything else! I want June to have walked out of that bathroom stall and told those nasty girls that were making fun of her that she had not begged to be there, she was ordered to by bridezillas mother who was her boss. I wanted June to bring out every single bad thing Marjorie ever said and did, and she just never did. The hen do made me so mad. Marjorie made me so mad. But everything else was perfect! Stanley, my entire heart and soul right now. I love libraries
sarah_kurtz's review against another edition
3.0
Over all, this book was so-so for me.
I loved the idea behind the book because it’s about a library whose future is in peril. And because, a select group of the community comes together to try and save it. I feel that library’s are often under-utilized and especially during a pandemic (or whatever the heck it is we’re still experiencing) they’ve really struggled. The closing of library is something that’s pretty realistic and a threat that a lot of them do face. It touches on the importance of them and how for some while it’s a place to get some great books, for others it’s a job, it’s their ONLY way of having access to books, and really could be a potential safe haven for them.
I also loved that while it was focusing on a topic that could seem rather grim, or uninteresting to some, the author still found a way to work some humor into the situation. There was always a fun one-liner or one something wild and crazy happening! I mean, they literally call their group, FOCL (pronounced FUC-OL..I’m sure you get it.) for Friends of Chalcot Library.
One thing that I wasn’t particularly fond of in this storyline was the romance. It was pretty cliche and I saw it coming from the start, but it just lacked any sort of spark. But, we know how I feel about romances…
And finally, there is a TRIGGER WARNING in this storyline for death of a minor/major character depending on how you look at him. However, the grief in this story helps produce a beautiful outcome, so it’s good. Even if I did cry.
I listened to the book via audio, so it was a pleasant and easy listen, not sure I would have felt the same if I was actually reading it. So, three stars because I’m not knocking down people’s doors to tell them to read it, but it’ll definitely stay with me for a bit, too.
I loved the idea behind the book because it’s about a library whose future is in peril. And because, a select group of the community comes together to try and save it. I feel that library’s are often under-utilized and especially during a pandemic (or whatever the heck it is we’re still experiencing) they’ve really struggled. The closing of library is something that’s pretty realistic and a threat that a lot of them do face. It touches on the importance of them and how for some while it’s a place to get some great books, for others it’s a job, it’s their ONLY way of having access to books, and really could be a potential safe haven for them.
I also loved that while it was focusing on a topic that could seem rather grim, or uninteresting to some, the author still found a way to work some humor into the situation. There was always a fun one-liner or one something wild and crazy happening! I mean, they literally call their group, FOCL (pronounced FUC-OL..I’m sure you get it.) for Friends of Chalcot Library.
One thing that I wasn’t particularly fond of in this storyline was the romance. It was pretty cliche and I saw it coming from the start, but it just lacked any sort of spark. But, we know how I feel about romances…
And finally, there is a TRIGGER WARNING in this storyline for death of a minor/major character depending on how you look at him. However, the grief in this story helps produce a beautiful outcome, so it’s good. Even if I did cry.
I listened to the book via audio, so it was a pleasant and easy listen, not sure I would have felt the same if I was actually reading it. So, three stars because I’m not knocking down people’s doors to tell them to read it, but it’ll definitely stay with me for a bit, too.