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Thursday, January 19, 2023

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson

 
The plot:  June Jones once dreamed of attending Cambridge University and becoming a writer. Instead, she ended up staying in the small English village where she grew up, working at the Chalcot Library as an assistant librarian. She's 28 and shy, one of those introverts who would rather get lost in a good book than go out, though several library patrons count her as their friend. When she finds out that the county council might close the library for good, June doesn't know if she has the courage to join in the fight to save it. But in fighting to save the library, she just might save herself.

My thoughts:  This is a novel about the power of books to change lives, as well as a love letter to libraries. It's got humor, and charm, delightful and eccentric characters, unexpected friendships, and even a bit of a romance. I loved how June classified everyone by the books they read, and how she had her own favorite books that she turned to when needing escape or comfort. And I liked how she found her voice and her fighting spirit with a little help from her friends--friends who range from a crossword-loving elderly gentleman to a precocious 8-year-old boy. Everything about this book made me smile, including the predictable twist at the end. It's a truly lovely read.

Happy Reading!

P.S. This book also counts as one of my reads for Susan's Bookish Books Reading Challenge.

53 comments:

  1. This sounds like such a feel-good book. I like the way June classified people by their reading choices. :)

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    1. I liked that, too. Because what a person chooses to read really does say a lot about them. :D

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  2. Sounds like a good read. Honestly I don't know what to do if my library is closed for good.

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    1. I would be so lost without my library! It was awful when they closed down for 70+ days in 2020 because of the pandemic. I couldn't wait for them to open back up.

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  3. Ah, this sounds great. I've had it on my TBR for a while, might have to bump it up the list!

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    1. I really enjoyed it. It's humorous and made me happy.

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  4. It does sound like a feel-good book and we all need those from time to time.

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  5. This sounds really good. June seems like a great character. Relatable too. :)

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    1. She is a great character! And I could definitely relate to some of her introvert tendencies. :D

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  6. This sounds so charming! I'll have to look for it in audio when I need a pick-me-up.

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    1. It's a good pick-me-up kind of book: fun and heartwarming.

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  7. I've had this on my TBR, but haven't got to it yet. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.

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    1. I thought the whole "save our library!" thing was humorous and fun.

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  8. This does sound great! I do love books about books!

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  9. I love the sound of this one! Coming out of your shell to fight for a library sounds good to me. I need to request it. :)

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  10. This is a perfect book for the bookish books challenge. I will put in on my list.

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  11. This does sound like a nice heartwarming read.

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  12. Off to look this one up as I love the sound of it!

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    1. Don't laugh, apparently I already have it on my Kindle...

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    2. I'm not laughing at you...I'm laughing with you. :D And I think you'll enjoy this one when you get the chance to read it.

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  13. I have found in the bnovels I've read that books about bookstores or book clubs often use books as a hook to tell a totally different story and the books themselves are soon forgotten. This novel sounds really worthwhile because books are kept front and center and we see the main character really being changed by her love of books.

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    1. I like that the books she loved and read did play a part in this one, and weren't just a convenient backdrop.

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  14. Love a novel set in a library. Adding to tbr.

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  15. This sounds wonderful. I like the idea of her classifying people by what they read. :)

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  16. I would be so sad if my library closed and I don't take advantage of half the different services it offers. This sounds absolutely wonderful!

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    1. Me, too! It's always nice when a book you're hoping you'll like exceeds expectations.

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  18. I really enjoyed this one too! And, you reminded me I still need to do my wrap up on this one. I just loved the library patrons and how they come together.

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    1. I loved that, too, especially when they camp out in the library overnight. :D

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  19. This sounds like a truly lovely read! I'm pretty sure it's on my TBR already. If not, I'm sticking it on there now. It sounds like a great feel-good read.

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    1. It is a fun feel-good read. I liked the quirkiness of the town and characters, and I related in many ways to June. :D

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  20. Ooh, sounds good! I love books about libraries, bookshops, etc. This one is going on my TBR right away!

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    1. I love books about libraries and bookshops, too! I'm always on the lookout for more. :D

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  21. I love the sound of this! I just finished a book with similar themes that I really enjoyed too.

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    1. Which book? I'm always on the lookout for more bookish books to read.

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  22. I love bookish books! I've seen this one around quite a bit. I'm glad to see you enjoyed it!

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    1. It ended up being just a fun and heartwarming book. :D

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  23. This one just made me smile, predictability and all.

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    1. This one made me smile, too...all the way through! :D

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  24. Lovely review, Lark! Glad you enjoyed it.

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