Library Books

You may remember that I have quite an impressive collection of unread books based in libraries and bookstores.  I have just read three in a row – all based in libraries.  This may have been a mistake to read them so close together — as one was great, but the other two – well not so much.  I’ll start with the best.   

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

This was a really fun read.  Although the title is somewhat of a misnomer, as only the first scene takes place in a library, namely, the beautiful Boston Public Library.

Four strangers are sitting at the same table in the library’s reading room when a scream is heard and later a body of a woman is found murdered in the library. These four table mates  — Cain, a novelist, Freddie (Winifred), an Australian writer visiting on a writing grant, Marigold, a grad student in psychology, and Whit, a reluctant Harvard Law student unite over the unsolved murder.

But wait, The Woman in the Library is a story within a story, as the book opens with an email from Leo Johnson, an early reader for Australian author, Hannah Tigone, a mystery writer, who because of Covid is relying on Leo to help with Americanisms and local Boston authenticity.   These emails from Leo are interspersed throughout the novel. At first Leo simply provides some writing suggestions and corrects her language (as in: ‘a car boot is called a trunk here’).   As the novel progresses, Leo starts providing social commentary on current events, and trespasses into creepy stalker territory. 

Meanwhile back in Boston, our library patrons are trying to solve the screaming woman’s murder mostly for selfish reasons.  Cain and Freddie want to use the story in their writing, and Marigold is just there out of curiosity, and perhaps a crush.  Whit is in it for the fun.  But as they dig deeper they begin to discover connections some of them may have had with the deceased. They start to question why they were all sitting together at the opportune time of the scream. I was captivated by this engaging group as they observe, react to and investigate the murders that follow.

It was refreshing to have the author as a main character and a novel with an author writing about another author was just fun.   I enjoyed Ms. Gentill’s (Freddie’s) narration and description of the writing process, likening it to laying bricks without a plan, and allowing the walls to twist and turn on a whim. Or like riding a bus where people get on and off and there’s always the possibility of the route being changed at the last minute because of weather, an accident, parade or marathon.

And this quote while of staring at the ceiling in the Boston public library reading room:

These [ceilings] have gazed down on writers before. Do they see one now? Or just a woman in the library with a blank page before her? Maybe I should just stop looking at the ceiling and write something.’

I don’t want to give away any more about this many-layered mystery.  When it came to the actual whodunit, I changed my mind many times.  As a reader you have to figure out not only the criminal, but the crime as well – while at the same time you’re following the complex writing process of the actual writer Hannah and her creepy correspondent, Leo.  The concept may seen confusing as I muck up this review, but trust me it’s not confusing – it’s compelling.

Even though you think you know where this story might end up, Ms. Gentill manages to surprise you.  The Woman in the Library is an accomplished page turner of a mystery.   And if you’re someone who enjoys a good mystery that will challenge you and keep you on edge of your seat – you will certainly want to seek this one out.

Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the digital advanced readers copy.

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Full disclosure I did not finish the following two books, so these reviews are not based on a full reading of either. 

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams

A review of The Reading List purported that it was about people finding community in a library, connecting in unexpected ways, all surrounded by the love of reading. And the starting point held great promise — a list of books is found within the pages of a recently returned library book and two characters – a young librarian who is trying to find her way in life and an elderly man and recent widower connect in the library.  They read through the list together and together they discover the joys of reading and through books they develop a deep friendship.

Doesn’t The Reading List sound like something right up my alley?  I’m someone who loves to read, relishes libraries, and I do appreciate a good reading list. 

But nooo, I found it had a lackluster plot and much pointless rambling. The writing drags and drags to the point that I returned it to the library after only six chapters. 

To me it suffered from a strange combination of being trite, while at the same time, just very sad.

But don’t trust me, many have loved it – it has great reviews so perhaps it might work for you. 

(Warning this book contains story lines about suicide.)

Just in case you’re wondering here’s the reading list:

To Kill a Mockingbird
Rebecca
The Kite Runner
Life of Pi
Pride and Prejudice
Little Women
Beloved
A Suitable Boy

The Night of Many Endings by Melissa Payne

This book was on my library wish list, so I ordered it and checked it out of my local branch.  Reading it after The Reading List (above) was my big mistake.  The Night of Many Endings is about a librarian who has dedicated her life to trying to save her brother, Mario. But no matter what she does, including putting her own life on hold, Mario can’t beat his drug addiction for long. In the hopes that her own good deeds will pay it forward, Nora spends her free time helping the homeless in her town of Silver Ridge, Colorado.

On the day the novel opens, Nora chases another lead that Mario may be back in town. When her search proves fruitless, she goes to her job as the town librarian, already planning what she can do the following day to find her brother. However, that night a massive snow storm hits the town, trapping her in the library with Marlene, a crotchety senior citizen, Vlado, the library’s security guard, Lewis, a homeless man who nearly overdosed outside the library, and Jasmine, a local teenager.

As the storm progresses they start to open up to each other…and then

zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

oh, sorry there, I almost fell asleep even trying to write about this very slow, sad, and boring read.

I shut the book there and this one, too got returned it to the library. 

Again, I blame myself for trying to read such similar books back to back. 

I’m off to find something completely different to get me out of this slump.