What do you think?
Rate this book
The Reading List
ŷ Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Fiction (2021)An unforgettable and heartwarming debut about how a chance encounter with a list of library books helps forge an unlikely friendship between two very different people in a London suburb.
Widower Mukesh lives a quiet life in Wembley, in West London after losing his beloved wife. He shops every Wednesday, goes to Temple, and worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who hides in her room reading while he spends his evenings watching nature documentaries.
Aleisha is a bright but anxious teenager working at the local library for the summer when she discovers a crumpled-up piece of paper in the back of To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a list of novels that she’s never heard of before. Intrigued, and a little bored with her slow job at the checkout desk, she impulsively decides to read every book on the list, one after the other. As each story gives up its magic, the books transport Aleisha from the painful realities she’s facing at home.
When Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to forge a connection with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha passes along the reading list…hoping that it will be a lifeline for him too. Slowly, the shared books create a connection between two lonely souls, as fiction helps them escape their grief and everyday troubles and find joy again.
Widower Mukesh lives a quiet life in Wembley, in West London after losing his beloved wife. He shops every Wednesday, goes to Temple, and worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who hides in her room reading while he spends his evenings watching nature documentaries.
Aleisha is a bright but anxious teenager working at the local library for the summer when she discovers a crumpled-up piece of paper in the back of To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a list of novels that she’s never heard of before. Intrigued, and a little bored with her slow job at the checkout desk, she impulsively decides to read every book on the list, one after the other. As each story gives up its magic, the books transport Aleisha from the painful realities she’s facing at home.
When Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to forge a connection with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha passes along the reading list…hoping that it will be a lifeline for him too. Slowly, the shared books create a connection between two lonely souls, as fiction helps them escape their grief and everyday troubles and find joy again.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 3, 2021
10.5k people are currently reading
197k people want to read
About the author
Sara Nisha Adams
3books1,907followersSara is a writer and editor. She lives in London and was born in Hertfordshire to Indian and English parents. Her debut novel The Reading List is partly inspired by her grandfather, who lived in Wembley and immediately found a connection with his granddaughter through books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 17,114 reviews
June 1, 2021
This is a exquisite debut from Sara Nisha Adams that will resonate with anyone who loves books, their power to impart wisdom, open our eyes to the world and the lives of others, and the priceless role played by libraries in our communities. Set in Wembley in London with all its variety, colour, cultures, contrasts and contradictions, the still grieving Mukesh lost his beloved wife, Naina, 2 years ago. He has withdrawn into himself, a lonely man ruled by routines, with his protective daughters playing an organising and protective role through the phone although failing to communicate with him, busy with their own lives. Mukesh is not a reader, but Naina was, and when he finds a library copy of The Time Traveler's Wife taken out from the Harrow Road Library, he reads it and finds it a revelation, discovering Naina within it, the story speaks to him about his love for Naina and the heartrending experience of losing her to cancer.
This has Mukesh making his way to the library, where he has a problematic encounter with 17 year old Aleisha, not a reader either, working temporarily at the library on the recommendation of her book loving brother, Aiden. The two of them are bearing the heavy responsibility of caring for their mother, Leilah, round the clock, with no support for her mental health issues. Along with other people in the book, Aleisha discovers a crumpled reading list that begins with Just in case you need it. The list comprises of To Kill a Mockingbird, Rebecca, Life of Pi, The Kite Runner, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, A Suitable Boy and Beloved, a selection that serendipitously I have read. Aleisha reads the books prior to recommending them to Mukesh, leading to the two of developing a close relationship that begins with their discussions over the books, and the surprising impact they make on their lives, with ghosts of the characters appearing in Mukesh's life.
Mukesh becomes far more outgoing, letting in others into his life, getting close to his young granddaughter, Priya, as reading becomes an integral part of his life, feeling closer to Naina as a result. This is a beautiful and enthralling read, totally riveting, paying homage to books, libraries, readers and communities, a life affirming novel amidst the grief, death, loneliness and challenging circumstances that the characters find themselves in. I would like to suggest that anyone who has plans to read any of the books on the reading list that they do so before reading this, as there are major spoilers in it. I highly recommend this incredible debut to any and every reader. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
This has Mukesh making his way to the library, where he has a problematic encounter with 17 year old Aleisha, not a reader either, working temporarily at the library on the recommendation of her book loving brother, Aiden. The two of them are bearing the heavy responsibility of caring for their mother, Leilah, round the clock, with no support for her mental health issues. Along with other people in the book, Aleisha discovers a crumpled reading list that begins with Just in case you need it. The list comprises of To Kill a Mockingbird, Rebecca, Life of Pi, The Kite Runner, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, A Suitable Boy and Beloved, a selection that serendipitously I have read. Aleisha reads the books prior to recommending them to Mukesh, leading to the two of developing a close relationship that begins with their discussions over the books, and the surprising impact they make on their lives, with ghosts of the characters appearing in Mukesh's life.
Mukesh becomes far more outgoing, letting in others into his life, getting close to his young granddaughter, Priya, as reading becomes an integral part of his life, feeling closer to Naina as a result. This is a beautiful and enthralling read, totally riveting, paying homage to books, libraries, readers and communities, a life affirming novel amidst the grief, death, loneliness and challenging circumstances that the characters find themselves in. I would like to suggest that anyone who has plans to read any of the books on the reading list that they do so before reading this, as there are major spoilers in it. I highly recommend this incredible debut to any and every reader. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
April 16, 2021
I've never written a book review before and I don't really know how to go about it.
I won an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book in a ŷ Giveaway. It arrived yesterday and I've just finished it with the tears still wet on my cheeks.
I love this book! I could identify with every character in some way. And the way it describes the books on the reading list has made me want to read them all - even Pride and Prejudice - and I have never been interested in Jane Austen before!
A book about the magic of books. :-)
I won an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book in a ŷ Giveaway. It arrived yesterday and I've just finished it with the tears still wet on my cheeks.
I love this book! I could identify with every character in some way. And the way it describes the books on the reading list has made me want to read them all - even Pride and Prejudice - and I have never been interested in Jane Austen before!
A book about the magic of books. :-)
September 5, 2021
What’s more lovely than discovering a list of books in a library book with the heading “Just in case you need it� ? Perhaps, it’s reading those books with someone who needs them and your friendship just as much as you need theirs. What could be more lovely than that? It’s that the characters are there for each other when they are most needed through grief and loss.
Sweet and lovely story that touches both your heart and your literary heart. Sad, saccharine at times, but so uplifting. This book and the joy and inspiration that reading the books on the list brought to these characters, happened to be just what I needed.
I received a copy of this book from William Morrow /HarperCollins through Edelweiss.
Sweet and lovely story that touches both your heart and your literary heart. Sad, saccharine at times, but so uplifting. This book and the joy and inspiration that reading the books on the list brought to these characters, happened to be just what I needed.
I received a copy of this book from William Morrow /HarperCollins through Edelweiss.
October 29, 2021
I like books about books and how reading heals and how it helps cope with life. I was eagerly looking forward to “The Reading List� but it disappointed me quite early on, and yet I went on with it, hoping there will be some redemption. I was wrong.
The characters are predictable and the writing quite uninteresting. I mean I like the idea and maybe it could’ve gone somewhere, but that wasn’t explored. Both Mukesh and Aleisha are not relatable. Books are the common factor between them and there’s a reading list (but of course) but that’s that. The reading list however is interesting and can be talked about a lot more than the book of which it is a part.
Like I said, the writing doesn’t lead you to imagine, it doesn’t make you empathise with the characters, nor does it excite you. I can see why it might work for other readers, but it just didn’t do anything for me.
The characters are predictable and the writing quite uninteresting. I mean I like the idea and maybe it could’ve gone somewhere, but that wasn’t explored. Both Mukesh and Aleisha are not relatable. Books are the common factor between them and there’s a reading list (but of course) but that’s that. The reading list however is interesting and can be talked about a lot more than the book of which it is a part.
Like I said, the writing doesn’t lead you to imagine, it doesn’t make you empathise with the characters, nor does it excite you. I can see why it might work for other readers, but it just didn’t do anything for me.
August 12, 2021
"...Books aren't always an escape; sometimes books teach us things. They show us the world; they don't hide it."
Beautiful and heartfelt, this novel is an ode to book lovers everywhere.
I just absolutely loved this book! It is more than a story of a found reading list, it's the story of family--both the one that is related to you and the one you create. It's the story of grief and learning how to deal with that grief. And it's the story of how books can help you hide and also can help you heal.
Mukesh is a widower with three grown daughters who are worried about him. His young granddaughter Priya visits, but all she seems to do is read and Mukesh has never been a reader like his late wife Naina. He finds a copy of The Time Traveler's Wife while cleaning and connects with this epic love story so much that he goes to the local small library, in permanent danger of closure, to find more stories. He encounters teenager Aleisha, another non-reader who is grumpily working at the library for the summer. Chagrined at the way she treats him, Aleisha discovers To Kill a Mockingbird and it contains a list of other books stuck inside. Aleisha reads the book and then recommends it to Mukesh, and a friendship begins to develop between the two as they read through the books on the list. Both have issues in their home lives and these books help them to get through.
I know that's a long synopsis, but it's just the setup for such a wonderful story. I laughed and cried at many of the events in the story and could not put it down until I was done, in the moments that I had to put it down I still thought about it and longed to pick it back up. I loved all of the characters and how much care and love they had for each other even when they were hurting.
I think that the experience of reading this book is incredibly enhanced if the reader has read all or some of the books on the list. I personally had read all except one and I think it helped me to understand the depth of the lessons the characters were learning in their lives from those stories.
I highly recommend this novel, it's such a beautiful picture of friendship and family.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Beautiful and heartfelt, this novel is an ode to book lovers everywhere.
I just absolutely loved this book! It is more than a story of a found reading list, it's the story of family--both the one that is related to you and the one you create. It's the story of grief and learning how to deal with that grief. And it's the story of how books can help you hide and also can help you heal.
Mukesh is a widower with three grown daughters who are worried about him. His young granddaughter Priya visits, but all she seems to do is read and Mukesh has never been a reader like his late wife Naina. He finds a copy of The Time Traveler's Wife while cleaning and connects with this epic love story so much that he goes to the local small library, in permanent danger of closure, to find more stories. He encounters teenager Aleisha, another non-reader who is grumpily working at the library for the summer. Chagrined at the way she treats him, Aleisha discovers To Kill a Mockingbird and it contains a list of other books stuck inside. Aleisha reads the book and then recommends it to Mukesh, and a friendship begins to develop between the two as they read through the books on the list. Both have issues in their home lives and these books help them to get through.
I know that's a long synopsis, but it's just the setup for such a wonderful story. I laughed and cried at many of the events in the story and could not put it down until I was done, in the moments that I had to put it down I still thought about it and longed to pick it back up. I loved all of the characters and how much care and love they had for each other even when they were hurting.
I think that the experience of reading this book is incredibly enhanced if the reader has read all or some of the books on the list. I personally had read all except one and I think it helped me to understand the depth of the lessons the characters were learning in their lives from those stories.
I highly recommend this novel, it's such a beautiful picture of friendship and family.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
October 29, 2021
“The Reading List� is a beautiful story about the importance of reading. As a life-long reader, I was very moved by this story which highlights impactful novels and ordinary people. “The Reading List� shows how reading fiction allows us to become closer to people, to embrace challenges, and to become more empathetic.
The story revolves around a lonely widower who is still grieving the loss of his wife and a young library worker who works at the library to escape her family life and for the money. Mukesh goes to the library after he finished one of his wife’s favorite novels, “The Time Traveler’s Wife�. After reading that story, he felt closer to his deceased wife. She was an avid reader, so he wants to read more, but he doesn’t know where to begin. He meets Aleisha at the library and asks for a recommendation. Aleisha is very rude (she’s having a bad day) and is very unhelpful. Immediately she is regretful of her behavior, and by chance, finds a list on a piece of paper with book ideas. The first novel on the list is “To Kill a Mockingbird�, which Aleisha finds and puts on hold for Mukesh.
Of course, he finds “To Kill a Mockingbird� very relevant for what he is going through�..loneliness. How that story affects Mukesh and also Aleisha is heartwarming, and through the love of that novel, a friendship is born. The next novel on the list is “Rebecca�. Next, “The Kite Runner�; “The Life of Pi�; “Pride and Prejudice�; “Little Women�; “Beloved�; and the last, “A Suitable Boy�. Now that’s a great reading list!
If you have read these novels, you will be reminded of their storylines as the book characters reflect on how the novel relates to their lives. Mukesh especially finds more understanding of the people around him, particularly his daughters. It’s very touching and sweet.
This is a remarkable novel in that it reminds us of why we love to read. This is a feel-good story that is clever and well written. I listened to the audio production, narrated by Tara Divina, Sagar Arya, and Paul Panting. I highly recommend the audio because this is a story that is written to be read aloud. The talented narrators made the story pure enjoyment!
The story revolves around a lonely widower who is still grieving the loss of his wife and a young library worker who works at the library to escape her family life and for the money. Mukesh goes to the library after he finished one of his wife’s favorite novels, “The Time Traveler’s Wife�. After reading that story, he felt closer to his deceased wife. She was an avid reader, so he wants to read more, but he doesn’t know where to begin. He meets Aleisha at the library and asks for a recommendation. Aleisha is very rude (she’s having a bad day) and is very unhelpful. Immediately she is regretful of her behavior, and by chance, finds a list on a piece of paper with book ideas. The first novel on the list is “To Kill a Mockingbird�, which Aleisha finds and puts on hold for Mukesh.
Of course, he finds “To Kill a Mockingbird� very relevant for what he is going through�..loneliness. How that story affects Mukesh and also Aleisha is heartwarming, and through the love of that novel, a friendship is born. The next novel on the list is “Rebecca�. Next, “The Kite Runner�; “The Life of Pi�; “Pride and Prejudice�; “Little Women�; “Beloved�; and the last, “A Suitable Boy�. Now that’s a great reading list!
If you have read these novels, you will be reminded of their storylines as the book characters reflect on how the novel relates to their lives. Mukesh especially finds more understanding of the people around him, particularly his daughters. It’s very touching and sweet.
This is a remarkable novel in that it reminds us of why we love to read. This is a feel-good story that is clever and well written. I listened to the audio production, narrated by Tara Divina, Sagar Arya, and Paul Panting. I highly recommend the audio because this is a story that is written to be read aloud. The talented narrators made the story pure enjoyment!
September 22, 2021
4.5 *
A stunning debut novel! Kudos to Sara Nisha Adams for writing such a beautiful story!
I listened to this audio and it captured my attention from beginning to end. This is a story about two very different people. Mukesh, is an 80 year old man who has recently lost his wife. He is still grieving and trying to cope. Aleisha, is a 17 year old girl with problems at home. Mukesh has never been a reader but his wife was. Aleisha is not a reader but works at the front desk at the local library. These two people are joined together by books when Aleisha finds a reading list tucked away in one of the books. She decides to begin to read the books and passes the list onto Mukesh.
What follows is a lovely story about friendship and family and how the love of books can bring people together even in the darkest of times.
It was wonderful how each book was incorporated in the chapters and the lives of the characters. I've read some of the books but this has inspired me to read them all!
Here is the reading list in case you are wondering.
The time traveler's wife
To kill a mockingbird
Rebecca
The kite runner
Life of pi
Pride and prejudice
Little Women
Beloved
A suitable boy
This is a story for everyone who loves books!
A stunning debut novel! Kudos to Sara Nisha Adams for writing such a beautiful story!
I listened to this audio and it captured my attention from beginning to end. This is a story about two very different people. Mukesh, is an 80 year old man who has recently lost his wife. He is still grieving and trying to cope. Aleisha, is a 17 year old girl with problems at home. Mukesh has never been a reader but his wife was. Aleisha is not a reader but works at the front desk at the local library. These two people are joined together by books when Aleisha finds a reading list tucked away in one of the books. She decides to begin to read the books and passes the list onto Mukesh.
What follows is a lovely story about friendship and family and how the love of books can bring people together even in the darkest of times.
It was wonderful how each book was incorporated in the chapters and the lives of the characters. I've read some of the books but this has inspired me to read them all!
Here is the reading list in case you are wondering.
The time traveler's wife
To kill a mockingbird
Rebecca
The kite runner
Life of pi
Pride and prejudice
Little Women
Beloved
A suitable boy
This is a story for everyone who loves books!
February 13, 2024
In a Nutshell: Didn’t expect much, didn’t get much. Should have loved the ode to books, reading, and libraries, but the paper-thin character detailing and the lack of overall structure and sense in the plot didn’t work in favour of my reading experience. Plus, there were errors in the references it makes to the classics � so disappointing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
😍 The fondness this novel generates for reading and local libraries. It brings out how people can bond and heal over a shared love for books, and also how different readers experience the same book differently.
😍 Great Indian rep. Or perhaps I should say, great Gujarati rep. India is so diverse that each of our regional subcultures has a distinct vibe. This novel represents well the food, culture, and beliefs of the Gujarati people from Western India. (There are teeny stereotypes, but on the whole, this is among the least stereotypical novels I have read by an author from the Indian diaspora, so I’ll ignore those clichés so as to add a Yay.)
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 For a debut novel, the writing is remarkable restrained in the themes it covers. Rather than going overboard with a list of issues, the author sticks to the power of books in healing and bringing people together. However, this also turns out to be a shortcoming too. The whole book feels repetitive as we explore barely anything outside of mental health themes such as depression, loneliness, frustration, teen angst, and so on.
😐 The core plot idea is good, but the writing style is heavily melodramatic, especially in the dialogues. The first half is almost like a soap opera, with the way all characters overreact at the tiniest of things.
Bookish Nays:
😤 The ‘reading list� discovered by the characters in this novel contains eight names, most of which deserve to be in a must-read list. For a couple of these books (‘The Kite Runner�, and ‘Little Women�), the novel does justice. However, I was really disappointed with how it misrepresents a novel (repeatedly calling ‘Rebecca� as a horror story with an actual ghost - It is not!), gets the age of a fictional character wrong (Boo Radley was just 33 in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird�, not at all an old man as this novel calls him multiple times), and gets character detailing entirely wrong (Mr. Bennet was far from stern in ‘Pride and Prejudice�, and Lydia was clearly the worst behaved daughter, not Kitty. Don’t even get me started on her interpretation of Elizabeth and Darcy’s behaviour!) I began to question if the author has even read the original works, or maybe she read them ages ago and decided to rely on her memory instead of revisiting them.
(On an aside, it would be better if you have already read the eight novels. I haven’t read ‘A Suitable Boy� and ‘Beloved�, so my experiences in the chapters connected to these two novels were least remarkable. The eighth book is ‘Life of Pi�, for which you could even watch the movie. Oh, and just in case you dislike spoilers, know that there are major spoilers about these eight books in this novel.)
😤 On a related note, how does that reading list magically spring up here, there and everywhere in London without ever going ignored or discarded as rubbish? And at the end, even make its way to the right intended recipient? And never does it reach a person who simply rolls their eyes at the thought of reading and puts the list back in place? So farfetched!
😤 Flat character development, with no exceptions. We see only Mukesh’s life in detail, right down to his Indianisms. But even this extensive look doesn’t make Mukesh a relatable character. His behaviour is a study of contradictions in thoughts as well as actions. (That said, a conservative Indian grandpa would know the meaning of the word ’smut� when he isn’t even a reader and doesn’t even have family members who read smut? Highly unlikely! Even I didn’t know what ‘smut� meant until a few years ago!) Aleisha’s family dysfunction is written at just a superficial level, with no explanation of what her mother suffers from or why her brother Aidan seems so lost in his work. What do we even know about Aidan by the end of the book though he is such a key character? The remaining characters come on page only to the extent they are needed and barely get any development.
😤 The pacing � slow in the first half and dragged in the second half. This is the kind of novel where you keep on reading and reading and reading, only to see the percentage indicator on your Kindle move up by 1-3% after a marathon session.
😤 There are interspersed flashbacks from the perspectives of characters who aren’t a part of the main plot but whose lives are affected by that mysterious reading list. This adds only confusion as those characters have no bearing on the main proceedings, and the brief glimpse into their lives is nothing but a distraction. We do get to see why they are mentioned, but this is only near the end, and all that build-up is just a waste of page space.
😤 The ending is preposterous and forcefully contrived to create a HEA, which generates more questions than provides answers. I can see why many readers will love the joyous finale, but if the ending doesn’t spring logically from the events of the book, it is not a happy ending but an unrealistic OTT ending. For such a story, things can’t be tied so neatly with a ribbon on top!
😤 Why mention ‘Save Our Libraries� at random points throughout the book, and use it only in one event at the end? An event that is so basic that I can’t believe none of the library staff thought of it! Most of the book has hardly anything about the struggles libraries face today, and the “saving� event was just idiotic, sorry.
As a few of my friends had already warned me not to expect much, this book ended up on the average level. I might have been even more disappointed otherwise. I loved the ode to books, but I wish the content had been more memorable in its execution. For a debut work, this book functions decently, but by leaving many things unsaid, it doesn’t fulfil the potential it showed. This is a case of ’great idea, poor execution.�
As the other reviews will tell you, I am very much the outlier in my rating. I still appreciate the way it advocates books in a world with increasing non-book distractions, so even if you dislike the book, you might enjoy its message about reading and about libraries. Other than this, the book was a big fat dud for me. I would have DNFed this had it not been the BOTM in my book group. (And our very last BOTM too � what a sad way for our journey to end!)
I must mention that all my friends who heard this on audio loved it, while those of us who read it were disappointed. So it is quite possible that the multi-cast audiobook enhances the story, but to the best of my abilities, I can’t see how it can turn a below-par experience into a winner.
I have read this author’s second novel, ‘The Twilight Garden�, which was a much better experience, though still not a perfect one. But as it was a vast improvement over this book, I can hope that she hones her writing even more by the time the third novel is ready.
‘The Reading List�, however, is not gonna be recommended by me.
1.5 stars. (rounding up as it was a debut and had enough of yummy Indian food in it.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
|| || || || ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Seventeen-year-old Aleisha lives a frustrating life taking care of her mentally ill mother Leilah and working part-time in the local library while her elder brother works all hours to take care of the family. Aleisha dislikes books, but when she comes upon a reading list, she decides to alleviate her boredom and check out the first book on the list.
Widower Mukesh Patel has been living alone after the death of his beloved wife Naina. His three daughters check in on him from time to time, but there is no one to understand him and speak to him the way Naina did. As she was an avid reader, Mukesh decides to read a novel, just to see why Naina was so fascinated by reading.
The above two characters thus begin a new journey through books, and when they stumble into each other, also develop a new friendship that connects over books despite the age gap.
The story comes to us in the third person perspective of various characters, though the prime narrative viewpoint is that of Mukesh and Aleisha.
Bookish Yays:
😍 The fondness this novel generates for reading and local libraries. It brings out how people can bond and heal over a shared love for books, and also how different readers experience the same book differently.
😍 Great Indian rep. Or perhaps I should say, great Gujarati rep. India is so diverse that each of our regional subcultures has a distinct vibe. This novel represents well the food, culture, and beliefs of the Gujarati people from Western India. (There are teeny stereotypes, but on the whole, this is among the least stereotypical novels I have read by an author from the Indian diaspora, so I’ll ignore those clichés so as to add a Yay.)
Bookish Mixed Bags:
😐 For a debut novel, the writing is remarkable restrained in the themes it covers. Rather than going overboard with a list of issues, the author sticks to the power of books in healing and bringing people together. However, this also turns out to be a shortcoming too. The whole book feels repetitive as we explore barely anything outside of mental health themes such as depression, loneliness, frustration, teen angst, and so on.
😐 The core plot idea is good, but the writing style is heavily melodramatic, especially in the dialogues. The first half is almost like a soap opera, with the way all characters overreact at the tiniest of things.
Bookish Nays:
😤 The ‘reading list� discovered by the characters in this novel contains eight names, most of which deserve to be in a must-read list. For a couple of these books (‘The Kite Runner�, and ‘Little Women�), the novel does justice. However, I was really disappointed with how it misrepresents a novel (repeatedly calling ‘Rebecca� as a horror story with an actual ghost - It is not!), gets the age of a fictional character wrong (Boo Radley was just 33 in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird�, not at all an old man as this novel calls him multiple times), and gets character detailing entirely wrong (Mr. Bennet was far from stern in ‘Pride and Prejudice�, and Lydia was clearly the worst behaved daughter, not Kitty. Don’t even get me started on her interpretation of Elizabeth and Darcy’s behaviour!) I began to question if the author has even read the original works, or maybe she read them ages ago and decided to rely on her memory instead of revisiting them.
(On an aside, it would be better if you have already read the eight novels. I haven’t read ‘A Suitable Boy� and ‘Beloved�, so my experiences in the chapters connected to these two novels were least remarkable. The eighth book is ‘Life of Pi�, for which you could even watch the movie. Oh, and just in case you dislike spoilers, know that there are major spoilers about these eight books in this novel.)
😤 On a related note, how does that reading list magically spring up here, there and everywhere in London without ever going ignored or discarded as rubbish? And at the end, even make its way to the right intended recipient? And never does it reach a person who simply rolls their eyes at the thought of reading and puts the list back in place? So farfetched!
😤 Flat character development, with no exceptions. We see only Mukesh’s life in detail, right down to his Indianisms. But even this extensive look doesn’t make Mukesh a relatable character. His behaviour is a study of contradictions in thoughts as well as actions. (That said, a conservative Indian grandpa would know the meaning of the word ’smut� when he isn’t even a reader and doesn’t even have family members who read smut? Highly unlikely! Even I didn’t know what ‘smut� meant until a few years ago!) Aleisha’s family dysfunction is written at just a superficial level, with no explanation of what her mother suffers from or why her brother Aidan seems so lost in his work. What do we even know about Aidan by the end of the book though he is such a key character? The remaining characters come on page only to the extent they are needed and barely get any development.
😤 The pacing � slow in the first half and dragged in the second half. This is the kind of novel where you keep on reading and reading and reading, only to see the percentage indicator on your Kindle move up by 1-3% after a marathon session.
😤 There are interspersed flashbacks from the perspectives of characters who aren’t a part of the main plot but whose lives are affected by that mysterious reading list. This adds only confusion as those characters have no bearing on the main proceedings, and the brief glimpse into their lives is nothing but a distraction. We do get to see why they are mentioned, but this is only near the end, and all that build-up is just a waste of page space.
😤 The ending is preposterous and forcefully contrived to create a HEA, which generates more questions than provides answers. I can see why many readers will love the joyous finale, but if the ending doesn’t spring logically from the events of the book, it is not a happy ending but an unrealistic OTT ending. For such a story, things can’t be tied so neatly with a ribbon on top!
😤 Why mention ‘Save Our Libraries� at random points throughout the book, and use it only in one event at the end? An event that is so basic that I can’t believe none of the library staff thought of it! Most of the book has hardly anything about the struggles libraries face today, and the “saving� event was just idiotic, sorry.
As a few of my friends had already warned me not to expect much, this book ended up on the average level. I might have been even more disappointed otherwise. I loved the ode to books, but I wish the content had been more memorable in its execution. For a debut work, this book functions decently, but by leaving many things unsaid, it doesn’t fulfil the potential it showed. This is a case of ’great idea, poor execution.�
As the other reviews will tell you, I am very much the outlier in my rating. I still appreciate the way it advocates books in a world with increasing non-book distractions, so even if you dislike the book, you might enjoy its message about reading and about libraries. Other than this, the book was a big fat dud for me. I would have DNFed this had it not been the BOTM in my book group. (And our very last BOTM too � what a sad way for our journey to end!)
I must mention that all my friends who heard this on audio loved it, while those of us who read it were disappointed. So it is quite possible that the multi-cast audiobook enhances the story, but to the best of my abilities, I can’t see how it can turn a below-par experience into a winner.
I have read this author’s second novel, ‘The Twilight Garden�, which was a much better experience, though still not a perfect one. But as it was a vast improvement over this book, I can hope that she hones her writing even more by the time the third novel is ready.
‘The Reading List�, however, is not gonna be recommended by me.
1.5 stars. (rounding up as it was a debut and had enough of yummy Indian food in it.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
|| || || || ||
March 11, 2023
Why I chose to read this book:
1. like many avid readers, I was drawn to a book about books; and,
2. March 2023 is my "Realistic Fiction" Month.
Praises:
1. I've read all the books on the "Reading List" mentioned prior to reading this particular book (including a couple on the author's personal reading list - is a personal favorite), and like the characters, I was affected positively more so by some than others;
2. Mukesh's character was so relatable as he reminded me a lot of my dad, especially during his remembrances of his deceased wife;
3. this story was quite thought-provoking as mental health played a major role for several characters;
4. although I figured out the "who" early on, it was fun trying to solve the mysterious "Reading List" author; and,
5. as a reader, I loved various quotes throughout this story, such as:
"... books say different things to different people."
"...reading had helped him find something to pass the time, some way to connect with others, a reason to get out of bed and out of the house."
"I think you can read whatever you want to into anything. That is the point of books..."
"...books aren't always an escape; sometimes books teach us things. They show us the world; they don't hide it."
"Books always change as the person who reads them changes too."
Niggles:
1. Aleisha's character was such an enigma to me. She would often be rude to others when the situation didn't warrant it; and,
2. at first, I was intrigued about various secondary characters being privy to the "Reading List", but I was disappointed that they seemed redundant to the overall story as they were not fleshed out as I had hoped they would be, making them easy to forget.
Overall Thoughts:
strongly affirms my belief that books are so subjective - books affect people in different ways.
Recommendation?
A heartwarming "book-about-books" that revolves around love, loss, family, and friendship!
1. like many avid readers, I was drawn to a book about books; and,
2. March 2023 is my "Realistic Fiction" Month.
Praises:
1. I've read all the books on the "Reading List" mentioned prior to reading this particular book (including a couple on the author's personal reading list - is a personal favorite), and like the characters, I was affected positively more so by some than others;
2. Mukesh's character was so relatable as he reminded me a lot of my dad, especially during his remembrances of his deceased wife;
3. this story was quite thought-provoking as mental health played a major role for several characters;
4. although I figured out the "who" early on, it was fun trying to solve the mysterious "Reading List" author; and,
5. as a reader, I loved various quotes throughout this story, such as:
"... books say different things to different people."
"...reading had helped him find something to pass the time, some way to connect with others, a reason to get out of bed and out of the house."
"I think you can read whatever you want to into anything. That is the point of books..."
"...books aren't always an escape; sometimes books teach us things. They show us the world; they don't hide it."
"Books always change as the person who reads them changes too."
Niggles:
1. Aleisha's character was such an enigma to me. She would often be rude to others when the situation didn't warrant it; and,
2. at first, I was intrigued about various secondary characters being privy to the "Reading List", but I was disappointed that they seemed redundant to the overall story as they were not fleshed out as I had hoped they would be, making them easy to forget.
Overall Thoughts:
strongly affirms my belief that books are so subjective - books affect people in different ways.
Recommendation?
A heartwarming "book-about-books" that revolves around love, loss, family, and friendship!
February 13, 2025
The Reading List revolves around 2 characters and a reading list. The protagonist is a young girl named Aleisha, and the other is an old man named Mukesh. A reading list and a library connect the 2, and they read through the books on the list together, discussing their reading experiences and sharing life's trivial matters. Along with them, the lives of their relatives and friends unfold.
The 2, who previously disliked reading, began to read under a strange circumstance. Their reading scenes are exceptionally vivid, a construction of the spiritual world. When reading Rebecca,, Mukesh immersed himself in it, often feeling that Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper in the story, was beside him, watching him, reminding him not to forget his deceased wife. This terrified him, but he was also attracted to the world in the book. The lonely man hoped to find a place to belong, a temporary escape from the silent home after his wife's death.
Aleisha’s reading was the same. Turning the pages of a book would take her to another world, allowing her to temporarily escape her suffocating life. In reality, she had a mentally ill mother to take care of. In her own words, her mother and brother wanted her to be a child, but when her mother needed care, she couldn't even be a teenager; she could only be a mature and responsible adult, even though she was just a little girl.
While reading this book, I felt the same as the scenes described in the book. I also entered the world of the book. The characters in the book were 3 - dimensional and vivid, and the scenes were 360 - degree surround. In the quiet library, sunlight poured in from the window, illuminating the fine dust particles in the air. A girl squinted her eyes against the sunlight, her expression changing with the content of the book. Such scenes replayed in my mind like a movie.
Despite the initial warmth and comfort I felt while reading, Aiden’s death cast a pall of sadness over the entire book. Aiden was Aleisha’s brother. After their parents' divorce, he had always taken on the role of father to take care of his mother and sister. At a very young age, he took on the responsibility of the entire family. A tiring job, a mother whose condition showed no signs of improvement for years, and dreams that had no time or energy to realize - under heavy pressure, Aidan chose to leave.
When I read to this point, I even wondered if I had read too fast and missed some links. How could Aiden, such a warm and responsible person who loved his mother and sister so much, silently leave? I went back and looked only at the parts about Aiden. Sarah Nisha didn't write much about him. Occasionally, there were clues, like him saying he had a headache and went to the pharmacy to buy medicine. I think he probably suffered from depression, so even though he had a family he deeply loved in reality, under the torment of life pressure and mental illness, he still couldn't hold on.
In the end, the mystery was solved. It was Mukesh's wife, who wrote the reading list. She hoped that after her death, her husband could live well and hoped that reading these books would bring him light and joy.
Sarah Nisha, the author of this novel, said that this book was inspired by her connection with her grandfather through books. With extraordinary writing skills, she vividly presents the characters and their inner worlds, making me feel as if I know them personally.
The writing style is warm and inviting.
Through the characters in the book, I can also clearly see the underlying symptoms of the times - the rapid development of urbanization has led to alienation, mobility, and busyness. The popularity of video media has made reading a luxurious indulgence. The deserted community library symbolizes the subtle changes in people's lifestyles.
However, this constantly drifting list injects spiritual strength into Mukesh and Aleisha. They constantly draw courage, faith, perseverance, and love from the reading list. As the narrator describes Alesha's thoughts: She learned from Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird how to fight for her beliefs; from Pi in Life of Pi how to survive under a tiger's nose; from Amir in The Kite Runner that it's never too late to do the right thing...
When comforting and encouraging Alesha, Mukesh also said: Reading is not always an escape; sometimes books teach us something. Books show us the world, not hide it.
Books have the power to heal.
Reading List in the book: The Time Traveller’s Wife, To Kill a Mockingbird, Rebecca, The Kite Runner, Life of Pi, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Beloved, A Suitable Boy. (I’ve read them all except A Suitable Boy).
4.1 / 5 stars
The 2, who previously disliked reading, began to read under a strange circumstance. Their reading scenes are exceptionally vivid, a construction of the spiritual world. When reading Rebecca,, Mukesh immersed himself in it, often feeling that Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper in the story, was beside him, watching him, reminding him not to forget his deceased wife. This terrified him, but he was also attracted to the world in the book. The lonely man hoped to find a place to belong, a temporary escape from the silent home after his wife's death.
Aleisha’s reading was the same. Turning the pages of a book would take her to another world, allowing her to temporarily escape her suffocating life. In reality, she had a mentally ill mother to take care of. In her own words, her mother and brother wanted her to be a child, but when her mother needed care, she couldn't even be a teenager; she could only be a mature and responsible adult, even though she was just a little girl.
While reading this book, I felt the same as the scenes described in the book. I also entered the world of the book. The characters in the book were 3 - dimensional and vivid, and the scenes were 360 - degree surround. In the quiet library, sunlight poured in from the window, illuminating the fine dust particles in the air. A girl squinted her eyes against the sunlight, her expression changing with the content of the book. Such scenes replayed in my mind like a movie.
Despite the initial warmth and comfort I felt while reading, Aiden’s death cast a pall of sadness over the entire book. Aiden was Aleisha’s brother. After their parents' divorce, he had always taken on the role of father to take care of his mother and sister. At a very young age, he took on the responsibility of the entire family. A tiring job, a mother whose condition showed no signs of improvement for years, and dreams that had no time or energy to realize - under heavy pressure, Aidan chose to leave.
When I read to this point, I even wondered if I had read too fast and missed some links. How could Aiden, such a warm and responsible person who loved his mother and sister so much, silently leave? I went back and looked only at the parts about Aiden. Sarah Nisha didn't write much about him. Occasionally, there were clues, like him saying he had a headache and went to the pharmacy to buy medicine. I think he probably suffered from depression, so even though he had a family he deeply loved in reality, under the torment of life pressure and mental illness, he still couldn't hold on.
In the end, the mystery was solved. It was Mukesh's wife, who wrote the reading list. She hoped that after her death, her husband could live well and hoped that reading these books would bring him light and joy.
Sarah Nisha, the author of this novel, said that this book was inspired by her connection with her grandfather through books. With extraordinary writing skills, she vividly presents the characters and their inner worlds, making me feel as if I know them personally.
The writing style is warm and inviting.
Through the characters in the book, I can also clearly see the underlying symptoms of the times - the rapid development of urbanization has led to alienation, mobility, and busyness. The popularity of video media has made reading a luxurious indulgence. The deserted community library symbolizes the subtle changes in people's lifestyles.
However, this constantly drifting list injects spiritual strength into Mukesh and Aleisha. They constantly draw courage, faith, perseverance, and love from the reading list. As the narrator describes Alesha's thoughts: She learned from Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird how to fight for her beliefs; from Pi in Life of Pi how to survive under a tiger's nose; from Amir in The Kite Runner that it's never too late to do the right thing...
When comforting and encouraging Alesha, Mukesh also said: Reading is not always an escape; sometimes books teach us something. Books show us the world, not hide it.
Books have the power to heal.
Reading List in the book: The Time Traveller’s Wife, To Kill a Mockingbird, Rebecca, The Kite Runner, Life of Pi, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Beloved, A Suitable Boy. (I’ve read them all except A Suitable Boy).
4.1 / 5 stars
September 5, 2021
I loved The Reading List, a story about an unlikely friendship between Aleisha, a teenager working at the library for the summer, and Mukesh, a widow trying to move forward with his life while still addressing his grief.
Aleisha finds a reading list in one of the library books and decides to read the books on the list herself, as an escape from her challenging home life. She recommends the books to Mukesh too after he seeks suggestions at the library.
Beyond their friendship, The Reading List is a great reminder of why we read books � how we can find comfort in stories similar to ours, gratitude for our own families after reading about others, education when we learn about new perspectives � and why we love to read. I really enjoyed this story!
Aleisha finds a reading list in one of the library books and decides to read the books on the list herself, as an escape from her challenging home life. She recommends the books to Mukesh too after he seeks suggestions at the library.
Beyond their friendship, The Reading List is a great reminder of why we read books � how we can find comfort in stories similar to ours, gratitude for our own families after reading about others, education when we learn about new perspectives � and why we love to read. I really enjoyed this story!
December 6, 2021
A celebration of and an ode to books and libraries. Makeesh is a lonely widower, his wife of fifty years had recently passed. She had been a big reader, a love she shared with her youngest granddaughter, Priya. Makeesh watched TV, the Blue Planet, but used to love seeing his wife read. He finds her copy of The Time Traveler's wife and in an effort to feel close to her, he reads and loves the story. Returning it to the library he meets Aleisha, working for the summer, and at first their relationship is contentious but as they both fall in love with books, this soon changes.
A list is found in various places, with the title, if you need it, and lists a number of books to read. This list changes the life of many as do the books themselves. I couldn't help wonder what books I would include on a list. Books bridge generations, bringing family together, taking us to places we've never been and so much more. We're all readers, I don't have to say much more. It's all here, in this heartwarming tale.
A feel good, sentimental story, but what better time to read this than in December? Tis the season, after all.
A list is found in various places, with the title, if you need it, and lists a number of books to read. This list changes the life of many as do the books themselves. I couldn't help wonder what books I would include on a list. Books bridge generations, bringing family together, taking us to places we've never been and so much more. We're all readers, I don't have to say much more. It's all here, in this heartwarming tale.
A feel good, sentimental story, but what better time to read this than in December? Tis the season, after all.
February 1, 2022
The overall theme was wonderful, as it explored, the joy of reading,and it’s many aspects. However, I thought the story dragged on a little. It was a little sad at times, as it ventured ,into the challenges of depression, panic attacks, and suicide. The authors reading list at the end was a plus! I did enjoy the main characters as they shared their love for books and venturing to “Save The Library!� I also enjoyed their discussion of books on the reading list. I did enjoy the descriptions of the cultural aspects of this book. The food, the religious ceremonies and family support. My score of 3 stars, is still good for me. I’ve become tougher with reviews!
November 16, 2021
What a lovely, sweet story. It's about losing people you love, about finding others who will be there for you and about a booklist and a library, oh and about hope. Balm for the soul when times are a bit rough.
June 7, 2022
‘Just in case you need it : To kill a Mockingbird, Rebecca, The Kite Runner, Life of Pi, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Beloved, A Suitable Boy.�
Can I entice you into Harrow Road Library in Wembley, London? It’s a hub for some and let’s just say there are a number of characters who need the diversion of a good book and a mysterious list appears for those in need of it. Mukesh certainly needs to take his mind of his grief for his beloved wife Naina who died a couple of years ago. Naina was an avid reader and Mukesh finds a long overdue library loan of The Time Travellers Wife which he reads, loves and discovers it’s way to connect to her. He tries to return it but temporary librarian Aleisha is not in the best frame of mind when he does � their first encounter does not auger well � until she finds the list.
This is one of the most beautiful books I have read in a while, what a cracking debut, this author sure can write! It’s wonderfully written and whilst it does contain topics that should not be uplifting, it actually is. The characters are simply fabulous. I love Mukesh who is an absolutely delightful elderly gentleman with an emphasis on the gentle man part. His daughters sure are characters too, let’s say they liven up the pages!!! I just want to give his granddaughter Priya a great big hug as she’s so lovely. Aleisha seems all hard edges but her life is not easy but she grows and grows as the book progresses largely due to books and unlikely but true friendship. They find a means to not only survive but to thrive.
It is absolutely riveting and captivating, enthralling and charming. Apart from the spell binding story which makes you feel a whole range of emotions, it also reminds us how important libraries are to our communities. It’s a lose lose once they go. It’s also a fantastic triumphal fanfare for the love of books, as if we need a reminder!!! I’m sure we all have a list of our favourites that live in our hearts and minds and this reading list has some superb examples.
So, thank you Sara Nisha Adams for making me smile, laugh and cry in the company of some characters that warm your heart.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, HarperFiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Can I entice you into Harrow Road Library in Wembley, London? It’s a hub for some and let’s just say there are a number of characters who need the diversion of a good book and a mysterious list appears for those in need of it. Mukesh certainly needs to take his mind of his grief for his beloved wife Naina who died a couple of years ago. Naina was an avid reader and Mukesh finds a long overdue library loan of The Time Travellers Wife which he reads, loves and discovers it’s way to connect to her. He tries to return it but temporary librarian Aleisha is not in the best frame of mind when he does � their first encounter does not auger well � until she finds the list.
This is one of the most beautiful books I have read in a while, what a cracking debut, this author sure can write! It’s wonderfully written and whilst it does contain topics that should not be uplifting, it actually is. The characters are simply fabulous. I love Mukesh who is an absolutely delightful elderly gentleman with an emphasis on the gentle man part. His daughters sure are characters too, let’s say they liven up the pages!!! I just want to give his granddaughter Priya a great big hug as she’s so lovely. Aleisha seems all hard edges but her life is not easy but she grows and grows as the book progresses largely due to books and unlikely but true friendship. They find a means to not only survive but to thrive.
It is absolutely riveting and captivating, enthralling and charming. Apart from the spell binding story which makes you feel a whole range of emotions, it also reminds us how important libraries are to our communities. It’s a lose lose once they go. It’s also a fantastic triumphal fanfare for the love of books, as if we need a reminder!!! I’m sure we all have a list of our favourites that live in our hearts and minds and this reading list has some superb examples.
So, thank you Sara Nisha Adams for making me smile, laugh and cry in the company of some characters that warm your heart.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, HarperFiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
December 20, 2022
Incredible book that will stay with me for a very long time. Highly recommend!
A list of eight books is left in several different places and found by various people. The books on the list are:
* To Kill a Mockingbird
* Rebecca
* The Kite Runner
* Life of Pi
* Pride and Prejudice
* Little Women
* Beloved
* A Suitable Boy
The novel follows the lives of the people who begin reading these books and the difference it makes in their lives, particularly regarding connections and relationships.
One of the main characters, a recently widowed man who didn't read books, indicated that reading helped him find something to pass the time, a way to connect with others, and a reason to get out of bed and to get out of the house. This book highlights the unique and special ways that books create bonds by sharing new worlds.
The chapter about Little Women was poignant because a book that was written in the 1800's continues to resonate with families today. Last night, I attended a Little Women performance with my mother and daughter----as three generations of women, we were spellbound by Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy from Little Women.
Highly recommend!
A list of eight books is left in several different places and found by various people. The books on the list are:
* To Kill a Mockingbird
* Rebecca
* The Kite Runner
* Life of Pi
* Pride and Prejudice
* Little Women
* Beloved
* A Suitable Boy
The novel follows the lives of the people who begin reading these books and the difference it makes in their lives, particularly regarding connections and relationships.
One of the main characters, a recently widowed man who didn't read books, indicated that reading helped him find something to pass the time, a way to connect with others, and a reason to get out of bed and to get out of the house. This book highlights the unique and special ways that books create bonds by sharing new worlds.
The chapter about Little Women was poignant because a book that was written in the 1800's continues to resonate with families today. Last night, I attended a Little Women performance with my mother and daughter----as three generations of women, we were spellbound by Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy from Little Women.
Highly recommend!
October 27, 2021
A book about books is always a good thing and this one, the author's debut novel, is good. It begins with the small mystery of a reading list which appears in many places with no indication of its source.
It is a good list and I found I had read many of the books on it, which of course increased my interest. A number of different people start to read from it and some of them become friends. Mostly the story revolves around elderly, lonely widower Mukesh and teenage Aleisha, who is working in a library. When Mukesh asks for suggestions for what to read Aleisha starts him off on the reading list.
This is definitely a feel good book because, with one major exception, all the characters have a happy ending. So, maybe a little bit too sweet and not quite how life actually happens, but who cares when it makes for a really entertaining read.
It is a good list and I found I had read many of the books on it, which of course increased my interest. A number of different people start to read from it and some of them become friends. Mostly the story revolves around elderly, lonely widower Mukesh and teenage Aleisha, who is working in a library. When Mukesh asks for suggestions for what to read Aleisha starts him off on the reading list.
This is definitely a feel good book because, with one major exception, all the characters have a happy ending. So, maybe a little bit too sweet and not quite how life actually happens, but who cares when it makes for a really entertaining read.
February 20, 2022
CW: mental health, suicide
I thought this was going to be a 5 star read for the first 2/3s of the book. I loved the intergenerational relationships along with the concept of the book lists, and how they were bringing people together. The characters were all developing so wonderfully. BUT THEN. I understand why something in Aliesha's life had to give, and I was fully prepared for something traumatic to happen, but the route Adams chose to go left a real sour taste in my mouth.
Anyway this book had so much potential to be an amazing story that tackled some hard truths in ways that matter. Instead Adams pulled out the trope used too many times by authors who wrote themselves into emotional plot corners they needed a way out of.
I thought this was going to be a 5 star read for the first 2/3s of the book. I loved the intergenerational relationships along with the concept of the book lists, and how they were bringing people together. The characters were all developing so wonderfully. BUT THEN. I understand why something in Aliesha's life had to give, and I was fully prepared for something traumatic to happen, but the route Adams chose to go left a real sour taste in my mouth.
Anyway this book had so much potential to be an amazing story that tackled some hard truths in ways that matter. Instead Adams pulled out the trope used too many times by authors who wrote themselves into emotional plot corners they needed a way out of.
February 27, 2022
It's a big call to make so early in the year but this may end up being a 2022 favourite!
An absolutely lovely story with characters that were easy to connect with. The novel took me to highs and lows as I was drawn into a world that is a bibliophile's dream. The author did an incredible job of illustrating how books and libraries can nurture connections. These connections became instrumental in creating positive changes in our characters' lives. A list of books makes its way through a random collection of people within a community. No one knows who wrote the list or what it might mean, but when people start reading the books they start to find their own profound meanings in the pages of these great novels.
It has inspired me to reread some of the books mentioned and have borrowed a couple I have not read from the list. Loved it.
CW:
An absolutely lovely story with characters that were easy to connect with. The novel took me to highs and lows as I was drawn into a world that is a bibliophile's dream. The author did an incredible job of illustrating how books and libraries can nurture connections. These connections became instrumental in creating positive changes in our characters' lives. A list of books makes its way through a random collection of people within a community. No one knows who wrote the list or what it might mean, but when people start reading the books they start to find their own profound meanings in the pages of these great novels.
It has inspired me to reread some of the books mentioned and have borrowed a couple I have not read from the list. Loved it.
CW:
June 30, 2021
A book about books, what is there not to love right? I am sorry I have tried and tried to really like this book. I was very excited to receive the ARC from ŷ and the publisher. I thought I would really enjoy it since I love reading books about books. Try as I might I just could not get into it. I have had this book for a while now and have tried on several occasions to really sit and read it, but I ended up having to force myself. Forcing myself to read a book is never a good sign. I feel it was too slow paced, something just didn't click with me. I really enjoyed the chapters about the character Mukesh, his character took center stage to me. The chapters about Aleisha were just not relatable. I found no connection to her story at all, I really just didn't like her.
The book is well written I believe, it just wasn't a good fit for me. I did enjoy the descriptions of the reading list and the books on it. I want to go back and read some of them again now. I just didn't connect with this one. I am sure many people will love this story. It has all the right ingredients for a success, just not for this reader.
Thank you to the publishers at Harper Collins and ŷ for the free ARC of this novel. I am leaving my honest review in return.
The book is well written I believe, it just wasn't a good fit for me. I did enjoy the descriptions of the reading list and the books on it. I want to go back and read some of them again now. I just didn't connect with this one. I am sure many people will love this story. It has all the right ingredients for a success, just not for this reader.
Thank you to the publishers at Harper Collins and ŷ for the free ARC of this novel. I am leaving my honest review in return.
May 8, 2021
A book about books, about the connections we find through reading, and about the way a book can change the way we view the world and ourselves.
"Sometimes, books just take us away fro a little while, and return us to our place with a new perspective."
The story, set in London, centers around 2 main characters, Mukesh, a recently widowed older man whose wife, Naina, was an avid reader, and Aleisha, a new employee at the Harrow library, who has not been much of a reader. The exquisite way the characters are developed brings you into their worlds and gives context for the rest of the story. Mukesh and Aleisha meet while Mukesh is visiting the library to return a library book checked out by his deceased wife, found under their bed. He decided to read the book, The Time Traveler's Wife, prior to returning it, and in doing so, he felt Naina close to him again. He wants to experience more of the same, and decides that reading, which was her passion, will help him achieve that. Aleisha took the job at the library through a recommendation from her brother, Aiden, who used to work at the same library. The big difference is that Aiden was a big reader, while Aleisha is not. The reader learns that Aleisha and Aiden's home life is suffocating, as they shoulder the extreme responsibility of caring for their mentally fragile and unstable mother.
While preparing books to be re-shelved at the library one day, Aleisha finds a "reading list" in one of the books with the names of 8 books and a heading that reads, "Just in case you need it:". She sets out on an amazing reading journey beginning with the first book on the list. She shares the books on the list with Mukesh and as they discuss the books, they develop a friendship. During the course of their reading journey and bourgeoning friendship, they realize the impact that books and reading have on their lives. It enables them to connect with others at the library, to fend off their frequent feelings of loneliness and also teaches them about the world around them.
Without going into too much detail, several characters get involved with the list and reading and discover the value of books, the library, a shared passion for reading and community. I really enjoyed the view into the Indian culture through Mukesh and his family. There are several minor characters who are also pivotal to the story including Mukesh's daughters, grandchildren and friends, Aiden and Leilah, Chris the thriller guy among other library patrons, Leonora, Nilakshiben and Zak . I loved watching the connections develop between all of these characters. The story portrays sadness, mental illness, death, loneliness and despair, but it is also uplifting, engaging, insightful and heartfelt.
I can't recommend this book enough. I LOVED it! Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for my gifted advance copy to read and review. Pub date: August 2021
"Sometimes, books just take us away fro a little while, and return us to our place with a new perspective."
The story, set in London, centers around 2 main characters, Mukesh, a recently widowed older man whose wife, Naina, was an avid reader, and Aleisha, a new employee at the Harrow library, who has not been much of a reader. The exquisite way the characters are developed brings you into their worlds and gives context for the rest of the story. Mukesh and Aleisha meet while Mukesh is visiting the library to return a library book checked out by his deceased wife, found under their bed. He decided to read the book, The Time Traveler's Wife, prior to returning it, and in doing so, he felt Naina close to him again. He wants to experience more of the same, and decides that reading, which was her passion, will help him achieve that. Aleisha took the job at the library through a recommendation from her brother, Aiden, who used to work at the same library. The big difference is that Aiden was a big reader, while Aleisha is not. The reader learns that Aleisha and Aiden's home life is suffocating, as they shoulder the extreme responsibility of caring for their mentally fragile and unstable mother.
While preparing books to be re-shelved at the library one day, Aleisha finds a "reading list" in one of the books with the names of 8 books and a heading that reads, "Just in case you need it:". She sets out on an amazing reading journey beginning with the first book on the list. She shares the books on the list with Mukesh and as they discuss the books, they develop a friendship. During the course of their reading journey and bourgeoning friendship, they realize the impact that books and reading have on their lives. It enables them to connect with others at the library, to fend off their frequent feelings of loneliness and also teaches them about the world around them.
Without going into too much detail, several characters get involved with the list and reading and discover the value of books, the library, a shared passion for reading and community. I really enjoyed the view into the Indian culture through Mukesh and his family. There are several minor characters who are also pivotal to the story including Mukesh's daughters, grandchildren and friends, Aiden and Leilah, Chris the thriller guy among other library patrons, Leonora, Nilakshiben and Zak . I loved watching the connections develop between all of these characters. The story portrays sadness, mental illness, death, loneliness and despair, but it is also uplifting, engaging, insightful and heartfelt.
I can't recommend this book enough. I LOVED it! Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for my gifted advance copy to read and review. Pub date: August 2021
January 27, 2025
What’s more lovely than discovering a list of books in a library book with the heading “Just in case you need it?�
Perhaps, it’s reading those books with someone who needs them.
“The Reading List� is a beautiful story about the importance of reading.
As a life-long reader, I was very moved by this story which highlights impactful novels and ordinary people.
Sweet, sad, saccharine at times, but so uplifting it has a way of touching your heart.
Perhaps, it’s reading those books with someone who needs them.
“The Reading List� is a beautiful story about the importance of reading.
As a life-long reader, I was very moved by this story which highlights impactful novels and ordinary people.
Sweet, sad, saccharine at times, but so uplifting it has a way of touching your heart.
July 21, 2022
An unexpected delight.
What a cute superbly written book about books and how they bring the least expected benefits of friends and healing plus heartfelt joy.
I had no choice but to give this 5*. It’s cute, it’s thoughtful, it’s heartwarming and I felt emotions.
There are no age barriers in books, there are no class distinctions within booklovers, we are brought together by our passion.
This story though was just a tiny bit different.
Mukesh is an 80 year old man who doesn’t read books. His wife used used to. He’s been recently widowed and missing his wife.
Aleisha Is 17. She works at the front desk at her local library and she doesn’t read books either.
An odd thing happens. Aleisha finds a reading list tucked within the pages of a book.
She decides to start working her way through the list.
She then passes the list to Mukesh and there-in forms a lovely bond.
It melted my heart to see, read and feel how powerful books can be in our life, just like music.
Such a great book I’ll remember for a long time to come.
What a cute superbly written book about books and how they bring the least expected benefits of friends and healing plus heartfelt joy.
I had no choice but to give this 5*. It’s cute, it’s thoughtful, it’s heartwarming and I felt emotions.
There are no age barriers in books, there are no class distinctions within booklovers, we are brought together by our passion.
This story though was just a tiny bit different.
Mukesh is an 80 year old man who doesn’t read books. His wife used used to. He’s been recently widowed and missing his wife.
Aleisha Is 17. She works at the front desk at her local library and she doesn’t read books either.
An odd thing happens. Aleisha finds a reading list tucked within the pages of a book.
She decides to start working her way through the list.
She then passes the list to Mukesh and there-in forms a lovely bond.
It melted my heart to see, read and feel how powerful books can be in our life, just like music.
Such a great book I’ll remember for a long time to come.
February 21, 2022
Five stars for showing how books and reading can connect us to and give us a new perspective on our past, present, and future. Four stars for all else as I wanted just a bit more to truly make it a five-star read.
I connected more with Mukesh's story as it felt like we got a more rounded look at his life and personality. Aleisha's story didn't capture me until much later in the book but I understand and appreciate the juxtaposition of her experiences as compared to Mukesh's experiences. At the end, considering the book as a whole, I thought the author did a great job of connecting people in a very human way in spite of the limited characters and setting.
I connected more with Mukesh's story as it felt like we got a more rounded look at his life and personality. Aleisha's story didn't capture me until much later in the book but I understand and appreciate the juxtaposition of her experiences as compared to Mukesh's experiences. At the end, considering the book as a whole, I thought the author did a great job of connecting people in a very human way in spite of the limited characters and setting.
September 2, 2021
Wow. This book broke my heart and then put it back together again! An ode to the power of books and libraries, Sara Nisha Adams's debut novel, The Reading List (2021), takes place in the London suburb of Wembley. Alternating between different characters, The Reading List features strangers whose lives intersect at the local library, brought together by a mysterious reading list.
This reading list, author unknown, featuring a short list of classic novels, from Pride and Prejudice to To Kill a Mockingbird, tends to show up at serendipitous times in our characters' lives, usually when they're at a low point or feeling stuck. Almost showing up as if by magic.
We have Mukesh Patel, a lonely grandfather and recent widower, who visits the library for the first time in an attempt to connect with his bookworm granddaughter, Priya. Ever since his wife Naina died (she was also an avid reader), he has been isolated from his family and wishes to reconnect with them. Then there's Aleisha, a library clerk working a summer job at the library before going off to college to study law. She and her brother, Aidan, are looking after their mentally ill mother, Leilah, without much support, and both of them struggle to keep it together.
Both Mukesh and Aleisha are reluctant readers who strike up an unlikely friendship after Aleisha recommends various books to him from the reading list she found in a library book. Before they know it, they begin to see their worlds and their lives change. (Yes, it is somewhat of a cliché, the life-changing-magic-of-books, the ability to learn from stories and apply them to one's life, but it is well executed throughout The Reading List.) Mukesh reconnects with his granddaughter, finding unexpected joy in the books they read together, and Aleisha finds her mother coming out of her shell to enjoy the books she brings home from the library. Things appear to be getting better for both of our protagonists.
Because this is a novel, things aren't always looking up. Grief, loneliness, and death creep up on our characters and test them and their newfound love of reading and sense of community with others at the library. (Make sure you have a box of tissues when you sit down to read this one. It is quite the tearjerker. Let's just say I practically dehydrated myself at various points while reading the book.)
The Reading List is one of those rare books that resonates strongly with me at an emotional and spiritual level. Yes, this is a book about books, but it is way more than that.
-Cora
Find this book and other titles within .
**September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month. Come to any La Crosse County Library location or visit us on to get your library card today! Happy reading!**
This reading list, author unknown, featuring a short list of classic novels, from Pride and Prejudice to To Kill a Mockingbird, tends to show up at serendipitous times in our characters' lives, usually when they're at a low point or feeling stuck. Almost showing up as if by magic.
We have Mukesh Patel, a lonely grandfather and recent widower, who visits the library for the first time in an attempt to connect with his bookworm granddaughter, Priya. Ever since his wife Naina died (she was also an avid reader), he has been isolated from his family and wishes to reconnect with them. Then there's Aleisha, a library clerk working a summer job at the library before going off to college to study law. She and her brother, Aidan, are looking after their mentally ill mother, Leilah, without much support, and both of them struggle to keep it together.
Both Mukesh and Aleisha are reluctant readers who strike up an unlikely friendship after Aleisha recommends various books to him from the reading list she found in a library book. Before they know it, they begin to see their worlds and their lives change. (Yes, it is somewhat of a cliché, the life-changing-magic-of-books, the ability to learn from stories and apply them to one's life, but it is well executed throughout The Reading List.) Mukesh reconnects with his granddaughter, finding unexpected joy in the books they read together, and Aleisha finds her mother coming out of her shell to enjoy the books she brings home from the library. Things appear to be getting better for both of our protagonists.
Because this is a novel, things aren't always looking up. Grief, loneliness, and death creep up on our characters and test them and their newfound love of reading and sense of community with others at the library. (Make sure you have a box of tissues when you sit down to read this one. It is quite the tearjerker. Let's just say I practically dehydrated myself at various points while reading the book.)
The Reading List is one of those rare books that resonates strongly with me at an emotional and spiritual level. Yes, this is a book about books, but it is way more than that.
-Cora
Find this book and other titles within .
**September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month. Come to any La Crosse County Library location or visit us on to get your library card today! Happy reading!**
December 24, 2022
Wow I loved this more than I thought I would. The name says it all but with a very deeper side to it. Nice characters that tug at the heartstrings and with loads of book reviews in the mix.
April 19, 2023
To było urocze, wzruszające, pełne książek i miłości do nich!
June 12, 2021
A charming story set around a library and some classic novels. The story features Mukesh, a recently widowed father and grandfather and Aleisha, a teenage girl having to deal with her ailing mother. Despite the age difference, the two main characters build a relationship around a reading list that has been left lying around.
I really wanted to love this story ; it appeared to have all the right ingredients, books, a library, feel-good vibes. However, I found that as hard as I tried, I just couldn't find the book particularly good.
The opening chapters of the book were confusing as it flitted between 2017 and 2019. It was difficult to work out how the minor characters fitted into the story until much later on.
The only character I found interesting was Mukesh. Compared to the other characters he leapt off the page as a well-drawn individual. The other characters just didn't appear fully-formed.
Overall the plot of the story was very contrived and a bit disappointing for me.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
I really wanted to love this story ; it appeared to have all the right ingredients, books, a library, feel-good vibes. However, I found that as hard as I tried, I just couldn't find the book particularly good.
The opening chapters of the book were confusing as it flitted between 2017 and 2019. It was difficult to work out how the minor characters fitted into the story until much later on.
The only character I found interesting was Mukesh. Compared to the other characters he leapt off the page as a well-drawn individual. The other characters just didn't appear fully-formed.
Overall the plot of the story was very contrived and a bit disappointing for me.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
November 10, 2021
What an amazing first novel! I lost my husband six months ago, and this story of widower Mukesh really struck a chord with me. I would like to think my husband would have done similar things if the roles had been reversed, with me being an insatiable reader and him basically a non-reader, but I know that is just wishful fantasizing. The way the reading list is incorporated into Mukesh and Aleisha's lives is just amazing, almost magical. Their stories and including their family and friends stories all mesh in the most heartwarming way. Great insight into relationships and human nature without glossing over the storms of life. The list impels me to read a few I've not picked up yet, and a few to re-read! The empathy and compassion for others makes this a recommended book.
June 26, 2024
The story centres two characters from different generations and backgrounds, both grappling with their own personal challenges. One character is grieving the loss of his spouse, feeling aimless and empty without his lifelong companion, while the other is dealing with her mother's mental illness and the weight of parentification on her shoulders. They strike up an unlikely friendship at a library, bonding over a shared list of books that not only connects them to each other but to several other characters in the story.
At first, I thought the premise seemed a bit cheesy—typical book club material, you know? But I was pleasantly surprised! The depth and authenticity of the characters really won me over. Their complexity and the genuine relationships they formed, especially through their shared reading experiences, resonated with me deeply. Despite my initial skepticism, I found myself emotionally invested in the story, shedding tears multiple times.
What I loved most were the characters and the central narrative about how reading and discussing books can bring people together, how literature can be a guiding light through difficult times, especially through grief (which was, sadly, my own experience a few months after reading this as I processed my own loss of a loved one through books). It was touching and heartfelt, and it reminded me of the power of literature to connect us not only to friends and family but to strangers we may never meet who have, despite wildly different circumstances, felt precisely the same range of human experiences and emotions that we have. We are not so different, and books can bridge the gap if we let them.
A beautiful book with a beautiful message that I would highly recommend!
Representation: Black & South Asian MCs
Trigger/Content Warnings: grief, self-harm, suicide, death, partner loss, loss of a sibling, mental illness, parentification, racism
You can find me on...
| |
This was our PBB Book Club pick for January! You can join our book club over on Patreon...
At first, I thought the premise seemed a bit cheesy—typical book club material, you know? But I was pleasantly surprised! The depth and authenticity of the characters really won me over. Their complexity and the genuine relationships they formed, especially through their shared reading experiences, resonated with me deeply. Despite my initial skepticism, I found myself emotionally invested in the story, shedding tears multiple times.
What I loved most were the characters and the central narrative about how reading and discussing books can bring people together, how literature can be a guiding light through difficult times, especially through grief (which was, sadly, my own experience a few months after reading this as I processed my own loss of a loved one through books). It was touching and heartfelt, and it reminded me of the power of literature to connect us not only to friends and family but to strangers we may never meet who have, despite wildly different circumstances, felt precisely the same range of human experiences and emotions that we have. We are not so different, and books can bridge the gap if we let them.
A beautiful book with a beautiful message that I would highly recommend!
Representation: Black & South Asian MCs
Trigger/Content Warnings: grief, self-harm, suicide, death, partner loss, loss of a sibling, mental illness, parentification, racism
You can find me on...
| |
This was our PBB Book Club pick for January! You can join our book club over on Patreon...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 17,114 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.