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So, she is devastated when she learns that the City Council is planning to close the Charcot library where she works, following in her Mother’s footsteps, after she died a few years ago.
Both spellbinding and tender, The Last Library is a gorgeous love letter to books, a celebration of the characters that make a community, and an inspiring call to muster our courage and fight for the things that matter. Simply put, this book is sublime * Libby Hubscher, author of Meet Me In Paradise * Since her mum passed away June has retreated into herself, surviving on Chinese takeaways for one and rereading her favourite books at home. A wonderful DEBUT from Freya Sampson, who lives in London with her husband, two children, and her own, antisocial cat! 😼 That's the major problem with this book. No matter how much the author tries to show Ivy taking some action, and making some decisions, like organizing a book lending club, she isn't an active player in this story. She doesn't push the story forward. None of her actions progress anything. Things happen to her. In essence, she has no agency in this story at all. I understand that it was supposed to convey her dismay and confusion at progressively loosing her memories, but it misses the mark here, in my opinion. She comes across and pathetic and helpless, yet also stubborn and pigheaded when she shouldn't be. She gives up all resistance the moment she encounters any difficulty. The Last Library is SUCH a feel-good read, brimming with warmth & lovable characters. Also, a moving reflection on community & friendship. Bliss * Tracy Rees *
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More powerful than armies and police, stronger than guns and bombs, words are what change the world, and that is why they're always a threat to those that rule with corrupt ways Lonely librarian June Jones has never left the sleepy English village where she grew up. Shy and reclusive, the thirty-year-old would rather spend her time buried in books than venture out into the world. But when her library is threatened with closure, June is forced to emerge from behind the shelves to save the heart of her community and the place that holds the dearest memories of her mother. But why? The world is seemingly at peace, no wars have been fought for the past 100 years. So why destroy a vital part of human society? I liked the stories June made up in her head about some of the library members based on the books that they borrowed. The old lady who borrowed two Danielle Steele books and The Rough Guide to Iceland, June decided, was trapped in a loveless marriage. She was planning to run away to Reykjavik, where she’d fall in love with a rugged, bearded local.
The book begins with the anchoress choosing to hide her writing due to the actions of unscrupulous men. The evil at the abbey exists because the anchoress, instead of choosing to share her knowledge with the women around her, chose to write everything down instead and a mad monk found it. So, first off, brilliant idea. I fell in love with the plot line almost immediately, with the importance of the last library and the last librarian, the idea that books (printed books, which was ironic, since I was reading on a Kindle) could save the world--that's my kind of story! June stepped into her Mum's shoes at Chalcot Library but has felt she's been living in her shadow for the last eight years. Now the library is threatened with closure will she find the confidence to fight it and realise it's ok to let go of the past. With an array of fabulous characters this is a truly lovely and endearing read * Nina Pottell, Prima * June Jones emerges from her shell to fight for her beloved local library, and through the efforts and support of an eclectic group of library patrons, she discovers life-changing friendships along the way. I loved reading about how June developed and how her life became so enriched and changed so completely and how happy she is. Just a brilliant brilliant storyline.The Last Chance Library is a heart-squeezing and charming story about grief, love and the power of community. An absolute delight.”— USA Today bestselling author Colleen Oakley
His best friend Nelson is an author, he offers to help and gets his sister Chelle Andreas involved too. Runit is concerned about his son Grandyn becoming embroiled in the rebellious act, but is unable to prevent him joining the growing team and also bringing his girlfriend Vida along, as well as his Treerunner colleagues. Surely all those would be enough to achieve the saving of 100,000 books. Wonderful characters, gentle humour and a sweet romance make this an endearing read * Good Housekeeping * This was going to be a solid 4 or 5 stars book until about 50% into the story. The setup was wonderful. Old manor that used to be an abbey, the moors and the fog, the cold and unwelcoming servants, and a mysterious library... What is there not to like about this?Well, this story certainly threw me through a loop. From the synopsis, I got a lot of what I was expecting: post-apocalyptic setting with a single human left to what a devastating virus has left in its wake, but then I failed to look at the second half of the synopsis after reading this first part... and was thrown off guard when a new element came into play, even though I totally should have expected it if I had just thought a little harder about what I was reading beforehand. Not that that's a bad thing — I love not knowing what I'm getting into! It's why I usually don't read anything about a book before going into it. I just thought it was pretty funny how I completely missed that little curve ball. She studied History at Cambridge University and in 2018 was shortlisted for the Exeter Novel Prize. Thanks to Freya’s uplifting story I have re-joined my own local library and now look forward to regular visits. Although, I’ll try to be more polite than Mrs B :-). You never know I may find new friendships with like minded book worms. Why not give it a go yourself, join your local library and share your thoughts in the comments below. When the library is threatened with closure, June is distraught. Yet when a ragtag band of eccentric but dedicated locals establish the Friends of Chalcot Library campaign, June is forbidden from joining their cause.
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