Reviews

It was a cosy library read with many heart warming moments and a heavy, emotional moment about 75% in. That heaviness stayed with me for the remainder of the book and I don’t feel like it was resolved.

Like others have said, I completely didn’t see the years next to some of the chapters to denote flashbacks and but you pick up on it as you read. There are multiple POVs from different characters, mostly Mukesh and Aliesha.

I absolutely loved Mukesh’s story arc and provided so many heart warming moments.

I have so many questions for Aleisha.

Aidan had to give up his dreams to work long hours, late nights to pay the bills for the family. With Aidan gone, I don’t see Leilah able to work and support herself. Aleisha is off to university - how is all of this going to work?

As wonderful as the community get together in Aidan’s memory was - I couldn’t help but think the whole time that Aidan was trying so hard to take care of Leilah - he was parentified.
While I don’t know the answer, I feel I need to know something about how Leilah would be taken care of after all of Aidan’s efforts. It shouldn't be left on Aleisha's shoulders.

I’d say it’s almost a cosy read however the book deals with heavy mental health and suicide.

Content Warnings

mathman329's review against another edition

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4.0

Summer Book Review - Book No. 2: “The Reading List” by Sara Nisha Adams

Date started: 6/13/22
Date finished: 6/22/22

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (would recommend reading this summer)

Spoiler free review: This debut novel from Sara Nisha Adams is as much a love letter to reading as it a story about loss, coping, and moving on. At its core are two characters, Aleisha and Mukesh, who both begin as people who consider themselves non-readers. But as Mukesh finds himself visiting the library for the first time in his life, he seeks out recommendations from Aleisha, a librarian who doesn’t really know much about the wares she is meant to peddle. Thankfully, a little reading list comes along to guide them both on the journey that follows. Nisha Adams masterfully weaves the themes of the books on the list into the lives of both Mukesh and Aleisha. While I predicted the ending, the journey to get there was still a complete joy.

matthewschirber's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

5.0

Page turner, favorite book I have read this year, highly recommend. Has hope and sadness with suicide but is so good.

marikombaba's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.75

polychrome's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Sweet lovely story about books and community.

cassmccaff's review against another edition

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4.0

This book was super cute. I love the idea of books bringing people together and also healing through stories! I think that’s a beautiful idea and a fun concept. I was soooo sad for the main girl towards the end. But overall, I enjoyed it. I do think that you need to have read at least the majority of the books on the list in order to enjoy this book. And I had read all but 1, beloved. Now I’m wondering if I should!

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