The Reading List: A Novel

NOW A LILLY'S LIBRARY PICK!

"The most heartfelt read...a surprising delight of a novel."--Shondaland

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.

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366 pages

Average rating: 7.42

477 RATINGS

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22 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

Anonymous
Jan 11, 2025
6/10 stars
Although the idea was charming and drew me in, I had trouble getting invested in the book at first, especially with the minor POVs they throw in. In the second half, the characters finally feel worth investing time in, but I considered DNFing multiple times before that point. The message is nice, and I applaud that it tells a more unique story considering its somewhat basic premise. If you’re looking for something quiet with emotional investment, a bit of sadness but a happy ending, and overall a cozy read, give this book a try.
waurayo_reads
Nov 24, 2024
7/10 stars
An easy read that was like a soothing balm. A story about how stories and books can illuminate the mystery of ourselves and how to connect with one another.
hideTurtle
Sep 01, 2024
7/10 stars
"Please try to remember that books aren't always an escape; sometimes books teach us things. They show us the world, they don't hide it." Mukesh is grieving the loss of his wife. His children mean well, but can't understand what he is going through. Aleisha is struggling with a difficult home life, where she and her older brother have assumed the role of parent to their mentally unwell mother. Aleisha doesn't share with others what she is going through. The two meet at the public library. With Aleisha's discovery of a handwritten list of books, so begins the most unlikely of friendships, when both people need it most. This is about family and friendship, about community, and the power that reading and books can have in times of great difficulty. Definitely reminded me of the very reasons I absolutely adore books.
GherkinKat
Jun 30, 2024
9/10 stars
I actually adored this book. It made me very emotional in a way books don't often manage to do. A lovely read about human connection and a love of literature
Jwgrn
Jun 30, 2024
6/10 stars
For me, this book was a slow start but as I continued to read the connection between the two main characters reminded me of a grandparent with a grandchild. Each learning something new from the other. Overall it was a nice read!

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