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A review by beate251
The Forgotten Book Club by Kate Storey
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC.
Grace is still grieving her husband Frank who died 18 months ago from a heart attack. He was a total bookworm and had founded a book club he tried to take Grace to but she always resisted. Her daughter Rosie and her husband Paz plus grandson Jude are worried about her isolation and make her promise to attend the book club just once.
When she reluctantly makes the journey, she discovers it's a silent book club - the members don't discuss a set book but all read whatever they like while they are there. Grace doesn't see a point in this, but slowly she is won over by the motley crew that attends fortnightly. However, the book club is not very well attended. After finding one of Frank's old journals, Grace makes the decision to change that and at the same time raise awareness of ADHD which seems to run in the family.
God, I loved this book. Oftentimes when you get a book that takes place in a book-filled environment like a bookshop or library, the books are just in the background. This novel is all about reading. It mentions lots of great books that I have read (both books Crash gave Grace are excellent) and gives recommendations on many more. I believe even one of the author's own is mentioned! It shows how books are for everyone - they give us access to different worlds but also connect us to others who love to read, and they can educate, entertain or soothe us.
Personally, I've never liked the idea of a traditional book club. I don't have the time to discuss a book with other people but I love the idea of a silent book club where you take the time to read without interruption by your telephone (I can lose hours on social media), but you're not on your own while doing so. It feels like quiet gardening, but in company. I read quite a few different genres, ranging from romance to historical to cosy and other crime and psychological thrillers. To see those genres honoured and find a man reading romance is giving me life.
The second topic is mental health, especially ADHD and anxiety and depression. It covers all the prejudices people have about conditions that people are increasingly being diagnosed with, but the warped ideas about just getting on with it and harmful medications as initially displayed by Grace about her grandson Jude are thankfully no longer common and the stigma of mental illness is receding. There is still work to be done though and this book is contributing with lots of info on the condition. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the author knew people with ADHD or had it herself.
I loved all the characters and their challenges, from grieving widow Grace to rock chick turned bookshop owner Crash to posh Harry and his cat Earnest, to kind but troubled Annie and fact-loving Lee who takes a bit of getting used to. Grace's family are wonderful and loving too and I was very happy for Jude who got so much support. It's rare I want to be in a book I read but I really wanted to be a member of this book club and be friends with these lovely people who rally around you when you need help.
I love older characters and this is such an intelligent book. It's a romance, a love declaration for books and a manual on grief and mental health. It's also a warmhearted book about community and found family, about shared passions and new beginnings, and it manages to be light-hearted, inspiring and hopeful without compromising on emotional depth. I had tears in my eyes at the end. What a rare treat, with a gorgeous cover. My heart is full. Thank you.
#DesertIslandReads #ReadWithEarnest #TheSilentBookClub
Grace is still grieving her husband Frank who died 18 months ago from a heart attack. He was a total bookworm and had founded a book club he tried to take Grace to but she always resisted. Her daughter Rosie and her husband Paz plus grandson Jude are worried about her isolation and make her promise to attend the book club just once.
When she reluctantly makes the journey, she discovers it's a silent book club - the members don't discuss a set book but all read whatever they like while they are there. Grace doesn't see a point in this, but slowly she is won over by the motley crew that attends fortnightly. However, the book club is not very well attended. After finding one of Frank's old journals, Grace makes the decision to change that and at the same time raise awareness of ADHD which seems to run in the family.
God, I loved this book. Oftentimes when you get a book that takes place in a book-filled environment like a bookshop or library, the books are just in the background. This novel is all about reading. It mentions lots of great books that I have read (both books Crash gave Grace are excellent) and gives recommendations on many more. I believe even one of the author's own is mentioned! It shows how books are for everyone - they give us access to different worlds but also connect us to others who love to read, and they can educate, entertain or soothe us.
Personally, I've never liked the idea of a traditional book club. I don't have the time to discuss a book with other people but I love the idea of a silent book club where you take the time to read without interruption by your telephone (I can lose hours on social media), but you're not on your own while doing so. It feels like quiet gardening, but in company. I read quite a few different genres, ranging from romance to historical to cosy and other crime and psychological thrillers. To see those genres honoured and find a man reading romance is giving me life.
The second topic is mental health, especially ADHD and anxiety and depression. It covers all the prejudices people have about conditions that people are increasingly being diagnosed with, but the warped ideas about just getting on with it and harmful medications as initially displayed by Grace about her grandson Jude are thankfully no longer common and the stigma of mental illness is receding. There is still work to be done though and this book is contributing with lots of info on the condition. I wouldn't be at all surprised if the author knew people with ADHD or had it herself.
I loved all the characters and their challenges, from grieving widow Grace to rock chick turned bookshop owner Crash to posh Harry and his cat Earnest, to kind but troubled Annie and fact-loving Lee who takes a bit of getting used to. Grace's family are wonderful and loving too and I was very happy for Jude who got so much support. It's rare I want to be in a book I read but I really wanted to be a member of this book club and be friends with these lovely people who rally around you when you need help.
I love older characters and this is such an intelligent book. It's a romance, a love declaration for books and a manual on grief and mental health. It's also a warmhearted book about community and found family, about shared passions and new beginnings, and it manages to be light-hearted, inspiring and hopeful without compromising on emotional depth. I had tears in my eyes at the end. What a rare treat, with a gorgeous cover. My heart is full. Thank you.
#DesertIslandReads #ReadWithEarnest #TheSilentBookClub
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, and Grief