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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Read for #the52bookclub2022 prompt #2 “featuring a library or a bookstore”
This story takes place in a Library during a snowstorm. If you were to ask me where I would like to be if a snowstorm hits, my answer would probably be: a library, but I would be in a corner reading books, not talking to people... so I would have been oblivious about what happened around me.
Thankfully for the story, the characters involved are not as antisocial as me, so we have a book.
The book is good. I really like stories where people from different backgrounds and minds get together and, just by virtue of listening, they connect and end up helping one another. I love these stories, especially now that no one is having conversations anymore but just talking on top of one another.
This book gravitates around topics like addiction, the homeless, loss, need of purpose,... the characters are strong and complex and the writer gave them distinct voices.
My only complaint about the prose is that - in the internal dialogue - there are often multiple repetition, especially with Nora, but I loved her journey probably even more than the any of the other characters. I really enjoyed how often chapters surprised me with something unexpected even if the writer gave me clues.
If you are participating in the 52 book challenge this book can also easily fit the prompt 24 “address a specific topic” 41 “involves a second chance”
This story takes place in a Library during a snowstorm. If you were to ask me where I would like to be if a snowstorm hits, my answer would probably be: a library, but I would be in a corner reading books, not talking to people... so I would have been oblivious about what happened around me.
Thankfully for the story, the characters involved are not as antisocial as me, so we have a book.
The book is good. I really like stories where people from different backgrounds and minds get together and, just by virtue of listening, they connect and end up helping one another. I love these stories, especially now that no one is having conversations anymore but just talking on top of one another.
This book gravitates around topics like addiction, the homeless, loss, need of purpose,... the characters are strong and complex and the writer gave them distinct voices.
My only complaint about the prose is that - in the internal dialogue - there are often multiple repetition, especially with Nora, but I loved her journey probably even more than the any of the other characters. I really enjoyed how often chapters surprised me with something unexpected even if the writer gave me clues.
If you are participating in the 52 book challenge this book can also easily fit the prompt 24 “address a specific topic” 41 “involves a second chance”
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a sweet and melancholy story, one of addiction and love and loss.
Definitely slow to start, I wasn’t quite sure where the story was headed. The second half was paced in a way I loved, but I expected Nora’s story to come full circle earlier. Every single character had something they were carrying, and all of them found a way to let it go.
Thank you for opening my mind to a world I otherwise wouldn’t have known.
*read on kindle
Definitely slow to start, I wasn’t quite sure where the story was headed. The second half was paced in a way I loved, but I expected Nora’s story to come full circle earlier. Every single character had something they were carrying, and all of them found a way to let it go.
Thank you for opening my mind to a world I otherwise wouldn’t have known.
*read on kindle
This review was originally on Sara's Books and Things
“Well, it challenged me to see that we are each the sum of our experiences and that every decision we make, every experience we have, leads us to this single moment in time.” She pointed to the floor for emphasis. “If all of our moments are important, then I wanted to use mine to help others, because you never know how it will all add up.”
A once in a decade storm brings together an unlikely cast of characters. Nora a librarian who does everything she possibly can to help the homeless in order to try and find her brother who's struggling, Marlene an older woman whose kindness was only evident to her husband Charlie, Lewis a homeless man with little to his name and the same amount of hope, Jasmine a teen new to town, and Valdo the library security guard trying to keep an eye on the place and a subtle one on Nora.
I loved this book. It is an exploration of what can happen when you put people together and they just treat each other as humans.
When we are around the people we're comfortable with we can be a completely different person. Forced intimacy in a situation like this can help you understand people you never would have given a chance otherwise. You truly never know what someone is going through unless you take the time to talk to them.
This book humanizes addiction, the effect that it has on family members, homelessness, and grief. It is a lovely character study that I highly recommend.
“Well, it challenged me to see that we are each the sum of our experiences and that every decision we make, every experience we have, leads us to this single moment in time.” She pointed to the floor for emphasis. “If all of our moments are important, then I wanted to use mine to help others, because you never know how it will all add up.”
A once in a decade storm brings together an unlikely cast of characters. Nora a librarian who does everything she possibly can to help the homeless in order to try and find her brother who's struggling, Marlene an older woman whose kindness was only evident to her husband Charlie, Lewis a homeless man with little to his name and the same amount of hope, Jasmine a teen new to town, and Valdo the library security guard trying to keep an eye on the place and a subtle one on Nora.
I loved this book. It is an exploration of what can happen when you put people together and they just treat each other as humans.
When we are around the people we're comfortable with we can be a completely different person. Forced intimacy in a situation like this can help you understand people you never would have given a chance otherwise. You truly never know what someone is going through unless you take the time to talk to them.
This book humanizes addiction, the effect that it has on family members, homelessness, and grief. It is a lovely character study that I highly recommend.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
First book of the year and I had such a good time. The character development was absolutely wonderful on all accounts and the story was both tense and heartwarming. Would absolutely recommend this.
emotional
inspiring
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:
No