The Library

By: Bella Osborne

Narrated by: Julia Franklin, Harry Lister Smith

Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

Tom is a teenager and blends into the background of life. After a row with his dad and facing an unhappy future at the dog food factory, he escapes to the library. Tom unwittingly ends up with a bagful of romance novels and comes under the suspicion of Maggie.

Maggie is a pensioner and has been happily alone for 10 years, at least that's what she tells herself. When Tom comes to her rescue, a friendship develops that could change her life....

They each set out to prove that the library isn't just about books - it's the heart of their community. Together they discover some things are worth fighting for.

©2021 Bella Osborne (P)2021 Isis Publishing Ltd

A Thoroughly Enjoyable Read!

I loved this book! There characters were so endearing that half way through the book I already knew I would miss them when the book was over. The book made me laugh, made me cry and made me happy. The story of the unexpected friendship between a septuagenarian and a teen aged boy was unique and fun. The way they brought each other what they needed was beautiful to see. If you are looking for an inspiring book, you found it!

Heartwarming!

Please, do yourself a favor & listen to this beautiful story! It will touch each person who reads💜

Being a teenager is tough

I appreciate that the viewpoint character is a teenager who is dealing with the normal trials of his age, plus very real personal issues. The story is a testament to having friends you can lean on, of any age, and allowing them to help you. Also, how they can all stand together to make a difference in their community.

Performance

This is one of those stories that is excellent as a book but is raised to beyond excellent with the quality of the narration.

Fabulous!

I’m hard to please with books. Most of the time I take issue with something or feel like one or more of the characters didn’t read real or right, somehow… but I’m happy to say that this was a lovely read. I am thoroughly charmed by the characters of Tom and Maggie and all the secondary characters were good, too. I laughed and cried and am sad to come to the end.

This is a lot like Wednesday Wars or Have You Seen Louis Valez, but with more charm (and Britishness).

It also has the library, book themed stuff and family angst of The Library of Lost and Found, but again with MUCH more charm and cohesion to the story.

This is definitely my favorite “book themed” read so far this year. I’m putting Ms Osborne in my list of authors to read more of in future.

Emotional and entertaining

Book club pick to start the year. A moving and unlikely friendship formed between a teen boys and elderly woman. They both need each other to work through and overcome heartaches and challenges in their lives.

Like a cup of hot chocolate

This book is very heartwarming if predictable. Very comforting and cute, especially for avid readers who will see a lot of their favorite books being referenced by the characters.

Favorite Book

Wonderful, touching story. Well written dialog. Terrific readers/actors. They made the story come to life. I loved Tom’s appreciation of Maggie’s farm and the library. Maggie’s kind straight-shooter, yoga, work-ethic, and guidance for Tom and his dad. You really care deeply about the people and how their life evolves!

Nice story. Slow at times

This was a nice story about the friendship between an older person and a younger person. The 3rd quarter was very long and probably unnecessary, but it ended well. Overall enjoyable.