The Reading List

By: Sara Nisha Adams, Paul Panting

Narrated by: Sagar Arya, Tara Divina, Paul Panting

A new chapter is just beginning…

*A finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards for Fiction 2021!*

‘A love letter to books, reading and the power of connection – absolutely gorgeous’ Sunday Times bestseller, RUTH WARE

When Aleisha discovers a crumpled reading list tucked into a tattered library book, it sparks an extraordinary journey.

From timeless stories of love and friendship to an epic journey across the Pacific Ocean with a boy and a tiger in a boat, the list opens a gateway to new and wonderful worlds – just when Aleisha needs an escape from her troubles at home.

And when widower Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to connect with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha introduces him to the magic of the reading list. An anxious teenager and a lonely grandfather forming an unlikely book club of two.

Inspiring and heartwarming, The Reading List is a love letter to storytelling – its power to transport us, connect us, and remind us that a new beginning is only a page away…

A real heart-lifter . . . . A joyful, uplifting read’ Good Housekeeping

‘A gorgeous debut novel about the power reading has to bring people together, no matter the barriers of age, culture and class’ Red

©2021 Sara Nisha Adams (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"The story is an absolute joy. I loved the way Aleisha and Mukesh found their lives entwined thanks to the power of books.... A captivating and exquisitely crafted debut." (Sunday Times best-selling author Heidi Swain)

"If you love books, read this. If you love people, read this. If you love crying with sadness, crying with happiness and feeling like you have been wrapped in the blanket of someone else's life, read this." (Debbie Johnson)

"The Reading List absolutely captures the magic of reading and of libraries. I felt a part of Mukesh and Aleisha's book club, revisiting some of my favourite novels alongside these new friends." (Louise Hare)

Excellent Performance

Beautiful book excellently delivered.
It was easy to listen to and follow.
Accents created depth for each character and were not annoying (like some tend to be)

Lovely story, lovely narration

I found myself smiling, laughing and crying. I wasn't expecting much but I loved it. I think I need to read the books from the list.