Book Review: The Library by Bella Osborne

My Rating: 4.5⭐️

When sixteen-year-old Tom Harris lives with his alcoholic father and seventy-two-year-old Maggie Mann meet at the local library and strike up a conversation about books it is just the beginning of a warm and beautiful friendship.

"There was something oddly isolating about being surrounded by people and yet completely alone."

Tom lives with his negligent father, whose alcoholic binges leave Tom with the responsibility of picking up after both himself and his father who works nights at a pet food factory. Tom wishes to pursue higher education but is under pressure to work as an apprentice at his father’s factory to supplement the family income. Shy, and introverted, he doesn’t have too many friends at school, preferring to spend his free time playing games on his Xbox. He’s not much of a reader, but when he ends up in the village library after a confrontation with his father, a chance meeting with Maggie changes the trajectory of his life in the best way possible. Widowed Maggie is lonely and lives alone on her farm, taking care of her sheep. Her book club meetings at the library proved to be an opportunity to discuss books (though she usually isn’t too happy with the selections and the lackluster conversations on the same) and spend some time with friends. As the story progresses we see Maggie befriending Tom, taking him under her wing, and becoming his confidante. In turn, Tom begins to treat Maggie like family, sharing her adventurous spirit, and learning to love books and Maggi’s sheep (not to mention her quad bike!). As When the village library is threatened with closure, Maggie and Tom are crucial in bringing the community together in an initiative to save their library.

"Every book is a key that unlocks another world, leads us down the path of a different life and offers the chance to explore an unexpected adventure. Every one is a gift of either knowledge, entertainment or pure escapism and goodness knows we all need that from time to time."

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 absolutely 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.

I paired my reading with the wonderful audio narration by Julia Franklin and Harry Lister Smith who made the story and the characters come alive.

“Friends aren’t merely the tumbleweed of faces that roll in and out of your life. Friends are the ones you connect with and who last a lifetime. You’ll pass a million people on your path and just a few will be worth spending time with.”