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analenegrace's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
So much of how I give five stars is if it made me cry, and this absolutely did. As someone currently getting a library master's degree, it always makes me so emotional to consider what libraries, especially public libraries offer their patrons. They are so much more than book repositories, they are everything to a community.
I loved the characters in this book deeply and appreciated that the side characters got fleshed out, starting as caricatures of people you might see in a library and becoming important and valuable to the library by the end. I also appreciated that they didn't win but that a solution was found otherwise. Books where people always win against corrupt government make me tired since so rarely do people actually win, so I loved the realism and the earnestness of the characters and the plot.
I loved the characters in this book deeply and appreciated that the side characters got fleshed out, starting as caricatures of people you might see in a library and becoming important and valuable to the library by the end. I also appreciated that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Bullying, and Classism
Moderate: Death and Mental illness
swept_up_in_books's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
As a book lover, I really enjoy novels that are set in libraries and looked forward to The Last Library.
I had so much fun getting to know library assistant June Jones and the visitors of Chalcot Library. Each of the characters were so distinguishable and the varied personalities really brought them to life. I also liked the running theme of grief and the affect it had upon June. I’d read that some found her character a little pathetic, however I loved her transformation.
A quick read with lovely spirit. I’ll definitely read more from this author.
I had so much fun getting to know library assistant June Jones and the visitors of Chalcot Library. Each of the characters were so distinguishable and the varied personalities really brought them to life. I also liked the running theme of grief and the affect it had upon June. I’d read that some found her character a little pathetic, however I loved her transformation.
A quick read with lovely spirit. I’ll definitely read more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition
hopeful
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
4.0
Oh, what a group of kindred souls I found in Chalot. I enjoyed my time getting to know the cast and see their love of their library. It really made me appriciate what our libraries do for us and our community. Highly recommend to book and library lovers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism
amyrandles1's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, Grief, and Cancer
Minor: Racism, Mental illness, Police brutality, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
sofiedoo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
A wonderful read, full of references but never obnoxious. The characters are all strong, well-rounded, and well written. found the end of her getting together with Alex little stretched, he was sweet but the weakest of all the characters, and would have liked June to stand on her own feet at the end, or have a fresh relationship
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Death
becca_thegrimreader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.0
This was utterly adorable! I will never say no to a book that is about a library, book lovers, and the fight to save local libraries. The icing on the cake is the unbelievably lovely and feisty elderly characters that I would like to adopt!
June Jones is twenty eight, working at her local library she has built walls to keep people out. When the local council announces it plans to close the library June must break out of her shell to try and save it. June’s self esteem is rock bottom throughout the book, suffering from grief after losing her mother she keeps to herself and feels she’s missed out on life. Any booklover would connect with her as books are her favourite things, they transport her out of her life and into another world. Her journey throughout the book is heartwarming and shows June that she is stronger than she thinks. We meet several regulars of the library, and they are a joy. Mrs B is fiery and passionate woman who will fight against any injustice, Vera is cranky and difficult, while my absolute favourite was Stanley.
This book delves into a small community and touches on the many libraries that are facing closures due to budget cuts. We get a look at what is lost when services such as libraries shut, not only is a valuable resource shut for education, but also a social hub for rural and small communities. There are some hilarious moments in the book that help to lighten the mood after some more heartrending moments. This is definitely a book I’d recommend to any booklovers out there!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
calamitywindpetal's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism and Abandonment
kportalareads's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
mikaelaandherbooks's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I'm surprised I haven't seen more reviews address this, but first, this is not a romance book. I would categorize it more as contemporary fiction. There is a very small romance plot, but the majority of the book focuses on saving the library and a really nice found family trope. It was slow to begin with and I didn't find June Jones to be a very lovable main character. I found myself screaming at June to stop letting people walk over her so much throughout the first third to half of the book. I was much more interested in the side characters and what would happen to them. With that said, the ending really wrapped this story up nicely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cancer
Minor: Alcoholism, Racism, and Xenophobia
aus10england's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia