The Lending Library

A Novel

By: Aliza Fogelson

Narrated by: Cris Dukehart

Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

For fans of Jane Green and Loretta Nyhan, a heartwarming debut novel about a daydreamer who gives her town, and herself, an amazing gift: a lending library in her sunroom while confronting an even higher stakes, life-changing, decision.

When the Chatsworth library closes indefinitely, Dodie Fairisle loses her sanctuary. How is a small-town art teacher supposed to cope without the never-ending life advice and enjoyment that books give her? Well, when she’s as resourceful and generous as Dodie, she turns her sunroom into her very own little lending library.

At first just a hobby, this lit lovers’ haven opens up her world in incredible ways. She knows books are powerful, and soon enough they help her forge friendships between her zany neighbors - and attract an exciting new romance.

But when the chance to adopt an orphaned child brings Dodie’s secret dream of motherhood within reach, everything else suddenly seems less important. Finding herself at a crossroads, Dodie must figure out what it means to live a full, happy life. If only there were a book that could tell her what to do....

©2020 Aliza Fogelson (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Cris Dukehart delivers a thoughtful and lively narration of this feel good story.... Dukehart’s performance captures a range of characters, familiar emotions, and, most importantly, the playful sense of discovery in Dodie’s personal growth and unconditional love.” (AudioFile Magazine)

“Fogelson’s debut is a beautiful heartwarming novel that weaves together a wide range of emotions. Book lovers will revel in Dodie’s journey of loss, abandonment, motherhood, and love. Jane Green fans won’t be able to put down this page-turner.” (Booklist, starred review)

“Fogelson pairs a passionate bibliophile with a handsome construction worker and achieves maximum charm in her quirky and sweet debut.... This should be catnip for book clubs.” (Publishers Weekly)

Romance was a disappointment

It's sweet that Dodie Fairisle turns her sunroom into a lending library when the local library closed for renovation. However, the budding romance was a disappointment. Dodie is made to look like the perfect girlfriend... maybe with a few cracks. The relationship is strained when she doesn't know if she can forgive him (for doing the same things that she herself had done!). That was a big turnoff, especially when the author didn't acknowledge the hypocrisy of that interaction.

fun read

I loved this book. I loved the allusion to so many stories, some I have read and some not. I loved the characters and their development.

Such a great book!

I absolutely loved this book. Just when you think you know how it will go, there is a gentle turn. So heartwarming. It felt like a warm hug.

What happened?

This was just an ok book. With the way it skipped around, it was hard to keep up with the story lines. I don't mind a few skips ahead, but it was too many for this book. I felt like I was missing half the story.

Books, love, and food!

I absolutely loved this book! A lovely book about Books food and romance. What could be better???

Not for me

The story was well written and the performance was great too. This just wasn’t the book for me.

Don’t check this out

Yeah, it’s pretty boring and very bland. Could not make it past chapter 2 with the white wash characters. Kept thinking of ‘Matilda’ meets a bad 1980’s sitcom.

MC deserved better

Honestly the author had too many ideas. Tons of branches of story that didn’t apply and were unneeded. Just eh.

White world fantasy read by a machine

This sounds like it was both written and read by machines, white machines; formulaic, staccato, empty.

Vapid

I'm so sorry to say that I couldn't bear to finish this book. The characters are vapid and boring. For example, early in the story one calls another (both artists in art school) quirky for having shoes in colors other than black or brown and bringing home-baked goods to gatherings. Anyone who knows an artist knows that red shoes and muffins wouldn't even register on the creativity and quirkiness scale. The descriptions are amateurish and self-indulgent. I never grew fond of any of the characters and there are too many good books out there waiting for me, so I bailed - something I rarely do. I really wanted to like it. I really did. On the other hand, the narration was well done.