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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Check out this review (and more) over on my blog!
*All quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change*
Quick Stats:
Overall: 3.5/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Plot and Themes: 3.5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 3.5/5
Review in a Nutshell: The Library of Lost Things is an interesting read that’s a mix between cute romance and heavy family drama.
“The circle never broke. We lived in a home strung across tightropes.”
// Content Warning: Illness (Post-Concussive Syndrome), Mental Illness (Hoarding) //
Release Date: 10/8/2016
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Page Count: 384
Premise:
When Darcy Wells meets Asher Fleet, a former pilot whose dreams seem just out of reach, she doesn’t expect to care for him. For once, she doesn’t want to hide in her books. But after years of protecting her mother’s secret of being a hoarder, Darcy doesn’t know how to let anyone into her cluttered life.
"Holding a real book is like holding something alive. There’s the grit of the pages between your fingers as you turn them. The edges get soft and worn. With a real book, you feel the weight of the story more."
- Writing & Setting-
Laura Taylor Namey’s writing style is great for a contemporary. It’s easy to get into, blending flowery writing with a lighter contemporary feel. The tone of this book balances fairly well between lighthearted romance and darker family drama, bouncing back and forth with ease.
"He was the home for all my words, even the ones I hadn’t defined yet. He was the home for all my stories, even the ones I hadn’t imagined."
- Plot -
Like I said earlier, the plot of this book goes back and forth between relationship drama and family drama. It definitely wasn’t the fluffy read I was expecting, but it handles all of the more serious aspects really well (especially the mental and physical illnesses portrayed). There is a lot of depth, which prevents it from being your typical contemporary. However, sometimes the drama could be a bit much.
"Since kindergarten, my mind has been a story bank. I read and read, and I remember."
- Characters -
I really wasn’t expecting the mental health representation in this book but I was so here for it. It was handled really well, and very realistically. As for the characters, I really loved Darcy. She’s such a relatable, down to earth protagonist. And it didn’t hurt that she’s a bookworm. Meanwhile, Asher was interesting and a good love interest, but I didn’t like how his relationship that he has at the start of the book was handled. They do address it, but it still bothered me a little. Besides that, I really did like Asher’s character. Darcy’s family and her best friend Marisol also play a big part in this book and I just really appreciated the complexity of all of their relationships.
"But if you're about to do something questionable and stupid and brilliant and cunning, you're not doing it without me."
- Conclusion -
Pros- Good characters and complex relationships, great representation for mental and physical illness
Cons- Some of the drama was a little too unrealistic
Overall- 3.5/5 stars.
The Library of Lost Things isn’t a perfect book, but if you’re looking for a cute, fun fall read, then it might just be the book for you.
Follow Me Here: Blog ||Tumblr || Bookstagram || Twitter|| Reviews
*All quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change*
Quick Stats:
Overall: 3.5/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Plot and Themes: 3.5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 3.5/5
Review in a Nutshell: The Library of Lost Things is an interesting read that’s a mix between cute romance and heavy family drama.
“The circle never broke. We lived in a home strung across tightropes.”
// Content Warning: Illness (Post-Concussive Syndrome), Mental Illness (Hoarding) //
Release Date: 10/8/2016
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Page Count: 384
Premise:
When Darcy Wells meets Asher Fleet, a former pilot whose dreams seem just out of reach, she doesn’t expect to care for him. For once, she doesn’t want to hide in her books. But after years of protecting her mother’s secret of being a hoarder, Darcy doesn’t know how to let anyone into her cluttered life.
"Holding a real book is like holding something alive. There’s the grit of the pages between your fingers as you turn them. The edges get soft and worn. With a real book, you feel the weight of the story more."
- Writing & Setting-
Laura Taylor Namey’s writing style is great for a contemporary. It’s easy to get into, blending flowery writing with a lighter contemporary feel. The tone of this book balances fairly well between lighthearted romance and darker family drama, bouncing back and forth with ease.
"He was the home for all my words, even the ones I hadn’t defined yet. He was the home for all my stories, even the ones I hadn’t imagined."
- Plot -
Like I said earlier, the plot of this book goes back and forth between relationship drama and family drama. It definitely wasn’t the fluffy read I was expecting, but it handles all of the more serious aspects really well (especially the mental and physical illnesses portrayed). There is a lot of depth, which prevents it from being your typical contemporary. However, sometimes the drama could be a bit much.
"Since kindergarten, my mind has been a story bank. I read and read, and I remember."
- Characters -
I really wasn’t expecting the mental health representation in this book but I was so here for it. It was handled really well, and very realistically. As for the characters, I really loved Darcy. She’s such a relatable, down to earth protagonist. And it didn’t hurt that she’s a bookworm. Meanwhile, Asher was interesting and a good love interest, but I didn’t like how his relationship that he has at the start of the book was handled. They do address it, but it still bothered me a little. Besides that, I really did like Asher’s character. Darcy’s family and her best friend Marisol also play a big part in this book and I just really appreciated the complexity of all of their relationships.
"But if you're about to do something questionable and stupid and brilliant and cunning, you're not doing it without me."
- Conclusion -
Pros- Good characters and complex relationships, great representation for mental and physical illness
Cons- Some of the drama was a little too unrealistic
Overall- 3.5/5 stars.
The Library of Lost Things isn’t a perfect book, but if you’re looking for a cute, fun fall read, then it might just be the book for you.
Follow Me Here: Blog ||Tumblr || Bookstagram || Twitter|| Reviews
This is a solid young adult novel, although the characters behave in a way that is a bit more mature than I would expect from 18/19-year-olds. Still, I enjoyed the story and the characters and was rooting for them all the way.
One of the most beautiful stories I’ve read in a while with a few surprises near the end that bring so many things full circle and set up the protagonist to write her own story
Overall a sweet book with a good message. I very much enjoyed how real and vivid the characters felt. There was a bit of language in it, which I didn't appreciate, but if you don't mind that then it is a really sweet read.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
THE LIBRARY OF LOST THINGS took me by surprise. To be honest, YA contemporary isn't usually my thing and I can't remember who recommend this book to me -- but if it was you, THANK YOU! It's been on my TBR shelf for a while and I picked it up this week because I needed a diversion from the chaos of life. It more than worked. It sucked me in and wrapped me up like a warm, cozy blanket as I became more and more attached to Darcy, Marisol, and Asher.
There's so much I loved about this book:
--chapter titles and cool quotations
--Peter Pan
--tons of literary references
--amazing best friendship (teen me would totally want to be their friend)
--MC works in a book store
--slow burn
--layers of emotion and just the right amount of highs and lows for me
--the uncertainty of the future at 18, but with the promise of adventure, love, and hope
Do I recommend THE LIBRARY OF LOST THINGS? Absolutely! And it's definitely going into my reread rotation because I know I want to revisit Darcy, Marisol, and Asher.
There's so much I loved about this book:
--chapter titles and cool quotations
--Peter Pan
--tons of literary references
--amazing best friendship (teen me would totally want to be their friend)
--MC works in a book store
--slow burn
--layers of emotion and just the right amount of highs and lows for me
--the uncertainty of the future at 18, but with the promise of adventure, love, and hope
Do I recommend THE LIBRARY OF LOST THINGS? Absolutely! And it's definitely going into my reread rotation because I know I want to revisit Darcy, Marisol, and Asher.
Technical Rating: 3.5
"Well, I don't want to be anyone but myself, even if I go uncomforted by diamonds all my life."- L. M. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Well, my librarian heart was so happy to hear about the love for books and words throughout this novel. The little quotes and poems sprinkled throughout were a joy to read.
Not much to say about this one except it was a slightly dramatic slice of life with good depth to otherwise average characters.
Let's just get right to it:
The Good, The Bad, and the Darcy:
G: "Darcy, welcome to your heart... This, what you're feeling- all the wild-ride emotion- it's not your book-shaped heart. It's your heart-shaped heart."- Marisol
G: "And you're more than pretty. You're like all the places I want to fly to."- Asher
G: Characters with depth and realistic problems/home situations.
B: Why are the book smart girls always quiet loners who've never had a boyfriend? Or even a kiss? Nothing wrong with that, but damn.
B: But of course, the GF of MMC nags him and isn't interested in his life's hobby. Of course he's being pulled toward Darcy while still in a relationship. *insert eyeroll*
B: So dramatic. How do 18 year old's have all these wise words?
A solid YA book with a lot of drama and heart. The extra .5 rating was just because I was happily swayed toward liking the book about books and the love of books. Reading is good for you!
"Well, I don't want to be anyone but myself, even if I go uncomforted by diamonds all my life."- L. M. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Well, my librarian heart was so happy to hear about the love for books and words throughout this novel. The little quotes and poems sprinkled throughout were a joy to read.
Not much to say about this one except it was a slightly dramatic slice of life with good depth to otherwise average characters.
Let's just get right to it:
The Good, The Bad, and the Darcy:
G: "Darcy, welcome to your heart... This, what you're feeling- all the wild-ride emotion- it's not your book-shaped heart. It's your heart-shaped heart."- Marisol
G: "And you're more than pretty. You're like all the places I want to fly to."- Asher
G: Characters with depth and realistic problems/home situations.
B: Why are the book smart girls always quiet loners who've never had a boyfriend? Or even a kiss? Nothing wrong with that, but damn.
B: But of course, the GF of MMC nags him and isn't interested in his life's hobby. Of course he's being pulled toward Darcy while still in a relationship. *insert eyeroll*
B: So dramatic. How do 18 year old's have all these wise words?
A solid YA book with a lot of drama and heart. The extra .5 rating was just because I was happily swayed toward liking the book about books and the love of books. Reading is good for you!
emotional
medium-paced
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
medium-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
The representation of a booklover.
BEST.DONE.EVER.
Mostly when it comes to books about books, it's either you love them or end up hating them. There is nothing in the middle. But here it looks so goddamn real as if you are reading your own story.
WRITING FUCKIN 5/5
It would make you cry like anything.
Asher Fleet is THE best.
This book is extremely relatable on some s tier goddamn spiritual level.