Abi McEwen Guest Writer Bookstagram: @abisliterarylounge
As an avid reader, and someone who works in a library, I am always looking for more book recommendations. Yes, there may be over 3,000 books on my Goodreads “To Be Read” list (not kidding, the list is too long), but if someone personally recommends a book to me, I will prioritize that over other books on my list. What better feeling than falling in love with a piece of literature that a friend or family member has also loved? This is the premise of “The Reading List” by Sara Nisha Adams.
Set in North London, the story follows two main characters, Mukesh and Aleisha. Though they are strangers, they were brought together by the magic of synchronicity and a random list of books.
Mukesh, an elderly widower, has been mourning the loss of his wife, Naina to cancer. When he find one of Naina’s overdue library books, he remembers her love for reading and decides to try it an attempt to keep her memory alive. A bit reclusive, Mukesh makes the big journey to his local library where he meets the troubled and grumpy, Aleisha.
Although she works at a library, Aleisha hasn’t had any interest in reading. She’s just there for the work, and to get out of the house and away from her struggling mother for a bit. During work, she puts in her headphones and hopes she can make it through her shift without anyone bothering her.
When Mukesh gets to the library and asks for a book recommendation, Aleisha has nothing to offer him, and rudely brushes him off. Later, she finds a list of eight books tucked into the back of one of the library books, and, feeling bad for how she treated the elderly patron earlier, decides to read the books on the list so that she can talk about the books with Mukesh if he asks again.
As they read through the tales, Mukesh and Aleisha discuss their differing opinions and interpretations of the stories, pointing out the bits that were especially important to them. Through the shared experience of reading together, they learn to process their grief, grow closer to their family members, and find a safe place at the library.
I love the idea behind the book, particularly because I work at a library and love seeing people come in to find books, but also because I am captivated by the idea that the universe uses words to bring people together exactly when they need it. While I have never found a list of books while sorting through the shelves (and believe me, I have looked), I have had a stranger give me a sticky note with a message on it that were the right words I needed during a difficult time.
I also love that Adams was able to describe the books on the reading list in a way that made sense without having to read them. And that’s the beauty of her writing—you don’t need to be a big reader or familiar with any of the books on the list to understand the story and what the characters learned from them. The only books on the reading list that I have read are “Pride and Prejudice” and “Little Women,” and that’s because I studied those books in classes during high school. There’s no shame in being a new reader or not having read the most popular book, a lesson that Mukesh learns as he begins his reading journey at the ripe old age of 80.
This novel was nominated for the “Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fiction,” and for good reason. There are a variety of characters with complex and diverse backgrounds, differing ages, and life situations. The characters feel human. The novel also highlights the importance of the library as a third-space and community center. By the end of the story, Aleisha finds comfort in the library and goes to spend time there outside of work.
It’s important to note that this book deals with some difficult topics such as suicide, mental illness, and losing a family member. The emotions described by the characters are very real and moving, and we see them through the process of dealing with it. As you read, please be sure to take care of yourself as you need.
With beautiful writing, loveable characters, and a touch of magic, “The Reading List” earned a strong 4 out of 5 stars from me.
Are you interested in this book? The Pittsburg Public Library is hosting a book discussion of “The Reading List” by Sara Nisha Adams on July 16 at 1:30pm in the library reading room.