A review by strawberrymivvy
The Memory Library by Kate Storey

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I'm a sucker for a book about books or libraries/book stores, so this one had to come home with me.  Ella is living the dream in Australia with a high-powered job, a perfect husband and young daughter, but is estranged from her Mum in the UK.  When she hears Sally has had a fall she has no choice but to return to care for her and figure out what needs doing.

When Ella was born, Sally started the tradition of putting a book a year into a home library, each with an inscription about what the book means to her.  With the library destroyed, and their relationship strained, both have to work to be more open, honest and accepting.

This was not a challenging or deep read, rather a gentle reminder about the importance of family, honesty and community.

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