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Tom goes to the local library to find romance novels so he can better understand his crush and find a way to get to know her better. While at the library, he catches the eye of Maggie, a 72-year-old recluse, who only leaves her home once a week to go to the book club at the library. Tom and Maggie form an unlikely friendship and when the library is threatened with closure, they work together to try and save the village library. While Maggie has secrets of her own. She gave up her baby years ago and now grown up he doesn’t want anything to do with her. The pair seem to help each other and get over their problems and also, they devise a plan to save the library.
A story that was deeply moving, and ultimately uplifting... Definitely recommended – it was one of my best reads this year' – Janet Gover Such a heart-warming and thought-provoking novel! The Library is a touching tale of true friendship, overcoming adversity... and the genuine joy books can bring to our lives' -- Jill Mansell Tom is watching his once happy dad, Paul, spiral downward into alcoholism and debt, increasingly neglecting his duties as a father while pressuring Tom to give up his university dream to get a factory job. Maggie is maintaining a sheep farm by herself and dealing with the isolation and loneliness that can come with age and circumstance. She also has a secret from her past involving her son - the mystery of which plays throughout the story. Tom and Maggie find each other through the library, but their friendship grows as Maggie becomes a defacto mother to Tom during the worst of his father’s decline.Christine the librarian has received word that their library may soon be closed. So there is the fight for the library that both of them are involved in, but that is almost second place in this story. The titular library does have an important role to play in the book but it is not the central focus point of the book. Instead, the story focusses more on the personal lives of Tom and Maggie, and even the people in the village where they all reside. I think the title creates different sort of expectations in your head, and when the book doesn’t match up to them, you feel let down, even though the book does its job pretty well. I must say, I loved all the book references scattered throughout the story. (Thankfully, I’ve read most of them and have the rest in my TBR. Else, this book would have made a big dent in my reading plans!) Pensioner Maggie has been happily alone with her beloved novels for ten years - at least, that's what she tells herself. Maggie was an absolute delight to read. Despite her own demons and secrets from her past, her day to day loneliness and advancing years, she was a feisty, can do, type of lady. Who would ride to anyone’s rescue on her tractor!
I love to read books with characters of many ages, especially if a older character (over 70 years old) is included as a main focus. That is the case with this story, as Maggie, 72 years and Tom, a teenager meet and develop a very special friendship that both of them need badly. went into ‘The Library’ expecting a cute story about an inter generational friendship with a mutual love of books. I was not expecting a heart wrenching story about a young boy with trouble at home, and a lonely pensioner who come together when they both needed each other the most. So many readers will recognise the fight needed to keep open a library and the passion for books conveyed in the story. It’s as if Bella Osborne is speaking directly to the reader or writing about their own experiences. Secrets and darker themes The Library by Bella Osborne is a sweet , delightful read with endearing characters and an engaging narrative shared in alternating chapters from the perspectives of Tom and Maggie. I loved the vivid descriptions of nature and Maggie’s farm and animals. The intergenerational friendship and trust between Tom and Maggie are beautifully and convincingly developed as the story progresses. In addition to themes of friendship, kindness, trust and community and highlighting the power of books and libraries in bringing people and communities together, the author also touches upon sensitive themes of aging, grief, loneliness, alcoholism, dysfunctional families and bullying among others with sensitivity, compassion and wisdom. I'm drawn to stories that revolve around bookstores and/or libraries. Unfortunately, more often than not I've been disappointed with how the stories are handled/executed. I’m happy to say that this novel does not fall into that category. This is a perfect feel-good, uplifting read for those times you need to de-stress or when you just need a lighter read in between more serious /heavy reads.
Advance Praise
I enjoyed the plot, story arc and character development. I especially liked how Tom grew into his own person and became confident in his own skin. Maggie was such a positive influence but she also comes from a place of pain and it affects her personality too. Osborne manages to let the subtleties shine through while also not making despair the focus of either one’s personality. A realistic portrayal, I think. It is Tom’s life now and Maggie’s past actions that have such huge impact. They are both superbly depicted characters. The natural dialogue between the two makes them feel absolutely real, ensuring that the reader cares about them deeply. Humour and poignancy So, just to clarify, I LOVED this book. Tom and Maggie were delightful, their story made me both laugh and cry. Take a Look at Our Summary of November Highlights, Whether You're Looking for the Latest Releases or Gift Inspiration
A series of circumstances, draws the two together. Their friendship grows and becomes the catalyst for change in both their lives. It’s fair to say I'm a fan of Bella’s writing and I almost didn't want to read anything other than the fabulously funny, feel-good romance stories that Bella Osborne is renowned for writing. However, being someone who has a terrible fear of missing out, there was no way I couldn’t have given this book a read. I’m so glad I did. It may be a slight change of direction for Bella’s writing, but her skill, humour and warmth still shine through. When he encounters that certain girl in the library, he manages to chat about books without being wholly overcome by the embarrassment that usually plagues him. Later, they learn that the library is under threat of closure and, together with Maggie’s book group and other library patrons, they vow to fight the council’s short-sighted plan. For Maggie the library has become her routine weekly social outing. She catches the bus into town where she can mingle among people with minimum fuss. She meets up with the book club group and interacts with them about their latest book read, and that’s enough for her. It’s not that she dislikes people, she just doesn’t want the complications or commitment required of close friendships. Her weekly library visits sustain her emotional and intellectual needs.
Featured Reviews
The Library" by Bella Osborne is an emotional read that highlights the struggles of both the older and younger generation while maintaining a light-hearted narrative tone. This novel shows how the unlikeliest of people can become close friends and the toughest of situations can be overcome if one has the motivation and support of others. There seems to be no shortage of books lately about the threat of closure to a beloved community library - this is one of two I have right now. Unfortunately, it’s a reflection of the real-life threat to public libraries, so if I take nothing else away from this book, it’ll be a reminder of how grateful I am to have an awesome community library where I live and to continue to support it!
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Aria & Aries via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of The Library by Bella Osborne for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Tom is a 16 year old boy being raised by his alcoholic father after his mom years ago. He likes a girl, but doesn't know how to talk to her. He seeks guidance at his local public library in the romance section. There he meets Maggie, a 72 year old independent lady, who frequents the library weekly for book club and runs her own farm. When the library is threatened to be closed, it propels these acquaintances into an unlikely friendship. These two form a bond that goes beyond what you would expect, but it's because they are both what the other needs. Meanwhile, Maggie calls on Tom’s assistance more often, glad that he is both willing and interested in farm work, and she’s happy to have someone else to cook for. They open up more to one another, and Maggie has sound advice about study and further education. On the farm, Tom finds himself involved in tasks he could never have anticipated, and enthralled by newborn animals. We all judge a book by its cover. (Don’t deny it!) We also judge books by their titles at times. So if you see this book, you will certainly go for it because it is about the magical place we all love: the library. But does the content do justice to this title and cover? Not exactly.Maggie has come to the library for her weekly book club meeting. She comes for the company and a chance to interact with others. She has always loved the library, it’s sense of calm and “somewhere safe and quiet to run to and the library had never let her down.” I always like reading books by this author and think this novel was far better than my last read… by a long way. I really enjoyed this one and thought the narrative was a perfect example of cosy escapism – what more could you want from a book?! The value of friendships between senior citizens and younger people is shown. Tom grows so close to Maggie and cherishes the many things she teaches him. He learns how to relax but also how to physically defned himself. He learns things without realizing he has learned them...like the benefits of healthy eating and the emotional value of animals. I absolutely loved this book. Heart-warming with genuine characters, the plot pulled me in and I was rooting for the library every step of the way. A great tonic for the times and highly recommended!' - Talli Roland
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