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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I stumbled on this book and couldn’t put it down! It touched me deep down as I am dealing with my mom’s recent dementia diagnosis. The author handled the heart breaking situation with truth, honesty and love. I felt so connected to Sally and Ella I had to finish to know the outcome. Beautifully written.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
Well, this book has all the feels! Be warned about reading this in public because it is full of so many emotions! Not surprising since it is all about Ella returning to England to take care of her estranged mother who had fallen and injured herself. It is a story of learning about each other, changing from the static image Ella had had of her mother when she left 20 years before and figuring out that parents are real people, complete with faults and many sides that you don't know about when you are a child.
I love the idea of the memory library, with books that are super special and have messages from loved ones in them. I love books in general but this is a wonderful idea. Besides books, you have the love and strength of community and friends coming together to help each other out without asking for anything in return. And the ending is so wonderful! Families made whole again, love found and rekindled and friends that stick with you no matter what!
This was a wonderful story and the audiobook was super excellent too! The narrator did a grand job in playing all the characters and that also really helped with feeling all the emotions! I highly recommend this! Even if it made me cry. :)
I love the idea of the memory library, with books that are super special and have messages from loved ones in them. I love books in general but this is a wonderful idea. Besides books, you have the love and strength of community and friends coming together to help each other out without asking for anything in return. And the ending is so wonderful! Families made whole again, love found and rekindled and friends that stick with you no matter what!
This was a wonderful story and the audiobook was super excellent too! The narrator did a grand job in playing all the characters and that also really helped with feeling all the emotions! I highly recommend this! Even if it made me cry. :)
42 yr old mc,
“If she was Queen of the World, everyone would have a gauge on their foreheads: a traffic-light system, showing green for open to hugs, amber for a quick squeeze and red for leave me the fuck alone.”
This was a great little book about mothers, daughters and Mis-conceptions.
“If we accepted our parents were individuals in their own right, like we are, then we would have to accept we are not the centre of their world. They are. And we’d know they’re fallible, and that wouldn’t work for us, when we’re kids at least, would it? Parents have got to be right all the time. They have to be in charge and make all the right decisions. That keeps us safe.”
“If she was Queen of the World, everyone would have a gauge on their foreheads: a traffic-light system, showing green for open to hugs, amber for a quick squeeze and red for leave me the fuck alone.”
This was a great little book about mothers, daughters and Mis-conceptions.
“If we accepted our parents were individuals in their own right, like we are, then we would have to accept we are not the centre of their world. They are. And we’d know they’re fallible, and that wouldn’t work for us, when we’re kids at least, would it? Parents have got to be right all the time. They have to be in charge and make all the right decisions. That keeps us safe.”
I’d give this 3.5 stars. One thing about me I’m a sucker for a story about an unlikely community coming together and needing each other. Gets my heart every time. I mostly enjoyed this sweet story despite the 42 year old protagonist being insufferable to preteen petulance at times.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm a sucker for a book about books or libraries/book stores, so this one had to come home with me. Ella is living the dream in Australia with a high-powered job, a perfect husband and young daughter, but is estranged from her Mum in the UK. When she hears Sally has had a fall she has no choice but to return to care for her and figure out what needs doing.
When Ella was born, Sally started the tradition of putting a book a year into a home library, each with an inscription about what the book means to her. With the library destroyed, and their relationship strained, both have to work to be more open, honest and accepting.
This was not a challenging or deep read, rather a gentle reminder about the importance of family, honesty and community.
When Ella was born, Sally started the tradition of putting a book a year into a home library, each with an inscription about what the book means to her. With the library destroyed, and their relationship strained, both have to work to be more open, honest and accepting.
This was not a challenging or deep read, rather a gentle reminder about the importance of family, honesty and community.
Content Warnings
Minor: Dementia
Passed the time. Lovely premise which could have worked but too many pieces didn’t fit. Formulaic & predictable.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Medical content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
All the feels
I loved the book. So relatable with points of reference to great books throughout. A great reminder to hold your loved ones close.
I loved the book. So relatable with points of reference to great books throughout. A great reminder to hold your loved ones close.