Aleisha is 17 years-old and has a summer job at the library. Not being a reader, she’s not over excited by the job, but it gets her out of the house and allows her to contribute at home. When she finds a crumpled up piece of paper in the back of a book that has a reading list on it, Aleisha is intrigued. She begins reading the books on the list, and finds herself engrossed in the stories – a welcome escape from the problems at home.
Mukesh is a widower whose wife loved the library and loved to read. He finds a library book – The Time Traveler’s Wife – that his wife had checked out, but that had gotten lost in the house. After reading the book, and so moved not only by the book, but also the connection he feels to his wife, Mukesh ventures to the library for the first time in his life. He needs more books!
If you love books, this is a lovely story about the impact that stories have on us, the way that books can help to make connections and bring people together. Aleisha and Mukesh’s unlikely friendship is so sweet, and comes along just at the right time for both of them. You’ll definitely be placing holds on all of the titles on the reading list – just as soon as you’re done crying happy/sad tears.
PS: Here’s the Reading List – just in case you need it:
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Posted in: Audiobook, BIPOC, Feel Good Fiction, Fiction