Reviews with content warning for Suicide - The Reading List

I loved this story from beginning to end. It is a captivating narrative that showcases the importance of books, libraries, readers, and communities. Avid readers may find many of their favorite books included in the story.

The story revolves around the heartwarming friendship between two main characters—a young pre-law student dealing with challenging family circumstances and a Kenyan gentleman in his seventies who has recently lost his life partner and struggles to adjust to his new life. Several other significant characters shape the narrative and add depth to the story.

The story explores the theme of dealing with grief and highlights how books and libraries can unite people and help them support one another during difficult times. It tells a tale of strength and resilience in the face of sadness, isolation, and hardship.

Content Warnings

bethanystone13's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Content Warnings

mlmwtp's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

andrewhatesham's review

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

The Reading List explores themes of human connection, mental illness, bibliophilia, and the importance of libraries.

I got this book from a thrift store a while ago. I rarely buy books I've never heard of before, but this sounded interesting so I decided to pick it up. I'm really glad I did, because I liked it a lot! It didn't hook me in right away, I'm glad I kept on reading because it eventually picked up and I was entertained all the way through to the end!

I loved the premise and the characters. This makes me want to write a reading list of my own, and also to spend more time at the library.

If you like A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman and Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, you will probably like this, it has similar vibes.

Content Warnings

booksandharps's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Content Warnings

krabbypattydeluxe's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-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

4.25

Content Warnings

annakh16's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

I found this to be quite the drag. The story was sweet enough and so were the characters, but there wasn’t enough happening in either plot or personality insights for me to be interested. The life lessons explored by the characters through books felt too on the nose for me. I also disliked the random time and pov jumps to minor characters; I understand Adams wanted to show how everyone was connected through the reading list, but to me it made the story more confusing rather than adding to it. Neither was the reveal of the author of the reading list a surprise to me.

The last 100-ish pages brought this back up a little, as the book finally picked up some pace. There were also some sweet quotes about libraries and reading. But overall this unfortunately wasn’t for me.

Content Warnings

More...