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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Disappointed.
The book is told from 3 different character viewpoints. It's repetitive and somewhat boring. Pretty sure there's an error in chapter 17 regarding Mario's "feet".
The book is told from 3 different character viewpoints. It's repetitive and somewhat boring. Pretty sure there's an error in chapter 17 regarding Mario's "feet".
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
As much as I wanted to enjoy this book, I struggled getting into the story. I wasn't prepared with how heavy the subject matter would be.
I do love character-led books, so perhaps it was a just a time-0f-life issue for me, given everything that's going on in the world these days. I also expected the characters to be developed a little more deeply, and I was left wanting a little bit more from the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!
I do love character-led books, so perhaps it was a just a time-0f-life issue for me, given everything that's going on in the world these days. I also expected the characters to be developed a little more deeply, and I was left wanting a little bit more from the story.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!
This book was like a hug around my heart, filled with such wonderful characters.
On a cold and stormy night 5 very different people get stranded in the library while a blizzard rages outside: Nora- the librarian, Valdo- the library’s security guard, Marlene- a woman who’s recently widowed, Lewis- a homeless man, and Jasmine- a teenager. They spend a dark, freezing night together slowly learning more about each other and themselves.
I really loved how this was told mostly over one night. The way it is written we get the backstory of all of the characters when they are talking to each other, which gives us a good sense of the growth and development that is accomplished by the end of the book.
Each of these characters has their own issues that they’re able to work through with the help of the others.
I found this to be perfectly written. You can see how much love and thought Melissa Payne has put into each of these characters. While there are 3 narrators, we really get insights into each of the 5, and you grow to love them all. In addition to that, Ms. Payne put an incredible amount of detail into the scene, from what the library smelled like, to what sounds were heard by the characters while they were sitting in the dark, and what their wet and cold clothes felt like. She truly made me feel like I was there, and that’s a very special gift for a writer.
On a cold and stormy night 5 very different people get stranded in the library while a blizzard rages outside: Nora- the librarian, Valdo- the library’s security guard, Marlene- a woman who’s recently widowed, Lewis- a homeless man, and Jasmine- a teenager. They spend a dark, freezing night together slowly learning more about each other and themselves.
I really loved how this was told mostly over one night. The way it is written we get the backstory of all of the characters when they are talking to each other, which gives us a good sense of the growth and development that is accomplished by the end of the book.
Each of these characters has their own issues that they’re able to work through with the help of the others.
I found this to be perfectly written. You can see how much love and thought Melissa Payne has put into each of these characters. While there are 3 narrators, we really get insights into each of the 5, and you grow to love them all. In addition to that, Ms. Payne put an incredible amount of detail into the scene, from what the library smelled like, to what sounds were heard by the characters while they were sitting in the dark, and what their wet and cold clothes felt like. She truly made me feel like I was there, and that’s a very special gift for a writer.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
I really enjoyed this read. It was beautifully written and the character development is gracefully done.
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nora Martinez has a serious messiah complex.
After losing her parents in a tragic accident as a young girl - an accident that her brother, Mario, blames himself for - she’s determined to save him from the life of drug addiction he’s been lost in for years - even if it comes at her own expense. Furthermore, she also seems determined to help everyone else while she’s at it, hoping the good karma will bring her brother back.
One night, when a blizzard hits her town of Silver Ridge, Colorado, this young, good-hearted librarian is trapped in the darkened, cold library with four others: a cranky widow named Marlene, a sweet-natured teenager named Jasmine, the sensitive mythology-loving security guard, Vlado, and an abrasive elderly homeless gentleman named Lewis whose favorite word is apparently “goddamn” or any of its variations, which he says ad nauseam.
Despite what felt like an “everything but the kitchen sink” approach to serious topics, including drug addiction, chronic illness, accidental or unexpected death, loss of parents, family dysfunction and estrangement, loneliness, homelessness, and suicidality, this surprisingly isn’t a heavy book. If you ever saw the 80’s comedy The Breakfast Club, where five teenagers from very different walks of life spend an afternoon detention in the school library bickering and bonding over their mutual dysfunctions, this felt like a dramatic grown-up version of that, complete with the same sense of bonding and character growth that the movie offered.
I almost DNF’d it after being annoyed with Nora and then Marlene in the first few chapters, but I’m glad I pushed past it, because while I didn’t love it, I actually ended up feeling pretty engaged in the story. It had some really sweet and heartwarming moments, even if some verged on cloying. It won’t stick with me for long, but if you’re looking for a book with human connection and character growth and you like a bit of drama, it’s a quick, enjoyable read.
★★★ ½
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. It will be published on October 19, 2021.
After losing her parents in a tragic accident as a young girl - an accident that her brother, Mario, blames himself for - she’s determined to save him from the life of drug addiction he’s been lost in for years - even if it comes at her own expense. Furthermore, she also seems determined to help everyone else while she’s at it, hoping the good karma will bring her brother back.
One night, when a blizzard hits her town of Silver Ridge, Colorado, this young, good-hearted librarian is trapped in the darkened, cold library with four others: a cranky widow named Marlene, a sweet-natured teenager named Jasmine, the sensitive mythology-loving security guard, Vlado, and an abrasive elderly homeless gentleman named Lewis whose favorite word is apparently “goddamn” or any of its variations, which he says ad nauseam.
Despite what felt like an “everything but the kitchen sink” approach to serious topics, including drug addiction, chronic illness, accidental or unexpected death, loss of parents, family dysfunction and estrangement, loneliness, homelessness, and suicidality, this surprisingly isn’t a heavy book. If you ever saw the 80’s comedy The Breakfast Club, where five teenagers from very different walks of life spend an afternoon detention in the school library bickering and bonding over their mutual dysfunctions, this felt like a dramatic grown-up version of that, complete with the same sense of bonding and character growth that the movie offered.
I almost DNF’d it after being annoyed with Nora and then Marlene in the first few chapters, but I’m glad I pushed past it, because while I didn’t love it, I actually ended up feeling pretty engaged in the story. It had some really sweet and heartwarming moments, even if some verged on cloying. It won’t stick with me for long, but if you’re looking for a book with human connection and character growth and you like a bit of drama, it’s a quick, enjoyable read.
★★★ ½
Thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. It will be published on October 19, 2021.