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Out of necessity, Tom rediscovers reading, something he used to enjoy with his mum. He also discovers the library. Where he meets Maggie. The Library is a novel by British author, Bella Osborne. The audio version is narrated by Julia Franklin and Harry Lister Smith. Compton Mallow’s village library is many things to many people: for seventy-two-year-old Maggie, it represents a break from Providence Farm, some social interaction with her book club and a chance to read the papers; for sixteen-year-old Thomas Harris, it’s quiet place to study and revise for his GCSEs, and a source of the romance novels he hopes will teach him how to attract a certain girl. I absolutely loved this book. Heart-warming with genuine characters, the plot pulled me in and I was rooting for the library every step of the way. A great tonic for the times and highly recommended!' – Talli Roland Pensioner Maggie has been happily alone with her beloved novels for ten years – at least, that's what she tells herself.
MY THOUGHTS: I needed this! If you want a book that is going to make you smile and your heart swell, this is it! An introverted sixteen year old boy meets an introverted seventy two year old woman at the library, both of them live fairly solitary lifestyles, each one seeking some sense of solace and inclusion without the commitment required of normal social interaction.A touching story of a friendship between a troubled teenager, a yoga-practising farming woman in her seventies and a local library. A delight!' – Sunday Times bestselling author Katie Fforde I always like reading books by this author and think this novel was far better than my last read… by a long way. I really enjoyed this one and thought the narrative was a perfect example of cosy escapism – what more could you want from a book?!
No complaints here. I loved the bond between Tom and Maggie, so unconditional, so unexpected, so adorable! Maggie especially is unlike any other geriatric character I have seen in novels. I’d love to meet someone like her in real life. She steals the show in this story. Christine the librarian has received word that their library may soon be closed. So there is the fight for the library that both of them are involved in, but that is almost second place in this story. But when the library comes under threat of closure, it's up to Tom and Maggie to rally the community and save the library! This is a charming, touching novel of friendship and families, forgiveness and healing, and books! I highly recommend it. Tom is invisible... He is 16, lives with his dad and doesn't have any real friends. No one notices him.
AWARD WINNER
When Christmas-hating Sam moves to Holly Cross, he thinks he's found the perfect home, until he discovers that, each year, Holly Cross transforms into the most Christmassy village in the whole country... When the library is threatened with closure, Tom and Maggie seek to help. But what can they do? And how can Tom get through to his father who is turning increasingly to alcohol? And how can he he get Farah’s attention without exposing himself to further bullying from Joshua Kemp? Paul is insistent that Tom begins earning money as soon as possible and begin to pay his way, and to this end, wants him to begin an apprenticeship at a local dog food factory. Tom wants more, and dreams of going to university, but has concerns about how well he will do in his exams. He is drawn to the popular, beautiful and bright girl at school, Farah Shah, who likes reading romantic fiction. After his father breaks his Xbox, Tom finds himself going to Compton Mallow Library, and begins reading romance novels, and it is where he meets Maggie, a group member of the weekly book club discussions. After trying to help Maggie when she gets mugged, the two of them start to become closer, each needing the other, a relationship that develops around their campaign to save the library from being closed. However, there are personal challenges to overcome for both of them. Tom and Maggie, the protagonists of our story are awesome characters. The storyline, details, other characters and the fact that The Library is an important part of the books makes it a reader's heaven! Tom goes to the local library to find romance novels so he can better understand his crush and find a way to get to know her better. While at the library, he catches the eye of Maggie, a 72-year-old recluse, who only leaves her home once a week to go to the book club at the library. Tom and Maggie form an unlikely friendship and when the library is threatened with closure, they work together to try and save the village library.
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