The Reading List
- Downloads：8416
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-10-12 06:52:37
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Sara Nisha Adams
- ISBN：000839136X
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary
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。
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。
Reviews
Maggie
，
It’s a very sweet read。 However， I think it’s intended to encourage people who don’t like to read of the value of reading and I wasn’t particularly affected by it as a result。 Good for a younger audience， particularly！
Ine Heyerick
，
“The Reading List” by Sara Nisha Adams contains a number of characters， but has two clear protagonists: Aleisha， a 17-year-old girl whose life centres around caring for her mentally ill mother and working at the library， and Mukesh， a lonely widower who is looking for ways to stay connected to his late wife。 Though he has never been much of a reader， Mukesh picks up the last book his wife was reading before she died and instantly feels close to her。 Totally clueless on what to read next， he goes “The Reading List” by Sara Nisha Adams contains a number of characters， but has two clear protagonists: Aleisha， a 17-year-old girl whose life centres around caring for her mentally ill mother and working at the library， and Mukesh， a lonely widower who is looking for ways to stay connected to his late wife。 Though he has never been much of a reader， Mukesh picks up the last book his wife was reading before she died and instantly feels close to her。 Totally clueless on what to read next， he goes to the local library and asks the grumpy Aleisha for a book recommendation。 Aleisha has no idea what to recommend， but when clearing out some tables in the library， she finds a piece of paper listing eight books， prefaced by the simple note “just in case you need it”。 She decides to read the first book on the list and passes the title along to Mukesh as well， not yet knowing that it would spark an inspiring friendship and instil a love for literature in both of them。As Aleisha and Mukesh make their way down the reading list， we don’t get any highbrow or detailed analyses of the books they are reading， but there are some short discussions on what the books mean for them。 I like that there is room for disagreement， and that it is clear that not all books are for everyone。 I also appreciate the fact that the novel does not revolve entirely around the books。 It is the central thread， for sure， but the story is being driven by the now intertwined personal lives of Mukesh and Aleisha， who are both well-rounded characters。More than anything， “The Reading List” shows that books have the power to connect people。 I’m not going to lie – this book gets a bit cheesy at times and the plot is rather predictable。 But the fact that I teared up （only a little bit） over an old， lonely widower making up with his daughters after quarrelling with them， shows that this book succeeds in its mission。 If you like reading and are looking for an easy， feel-good novel， this is the book for you。 Except if you actually want to ready any of the books on the reading list （spoiler alert）。 。。。more
Beachbum7805
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Excellent book， can’t wait to discuss it in book club。 I may even read the list！
Christine
，
CW: mental health （extreme outcomes）
Rita
，
This story suggests that reading books and recognizing other people’s lives can help one through the grief process。 Mukesh has lost his wife of many years。 His wife had been an avid book reader。 His granddaughter， Priya， also enjoys reading and grandfather and granddaughter spend some time together but this time is not really enjoyable for either of them as they have little in common and little to talk about。 Mokesh wants to improve this and he thinks that he may be able to find a book among his This story suggests that reading books and recognizing other people’s lives can help one through the grief process。 Mukesh has lost his wife of many years。 His wife had been an avid book reader。 His granddaughter， Priya， also enjoys reading and grandfather and granddaughter spend some time together but this time is not really enjoyable for either of them as they have little in common and little to talk about。 Mokesh wants to improve this and he thinks that he may be able to find a book among his wife’s possessions to share with this granddaughter。 However， his wife never really owned the books that she read; rather， she borrowed them from the library。 Mokesh finds a book that is overdue and decides to take it back to the library。 He has never been to the library and does not even know how a library works so this is a somewhat intimidating experience。 His initial experience is not very pleasant as the young librarian， Aleisha， who helps him is rather rude。Aleisha picks up the book To Kill a Mockingbird， finds a list of books in the back and decides to start reading the books on the list。 When Mokesh returns to the library， Aleisha shares the list with him and a friendship begins between the teenager and the old man。 They proceed to share other books: the Tie Traveler’s Wife， The Kite Runner， Little Women， Pride and Prejudice and A Suitable Boy。 Mokesh believes he finds answers and understanding in the characters and events in the books and eventually， Aleisha also finds some solace in reading。I found some things about Aleisha that seemed inconsistent: that Aleisha claims to be a non-reader when she is first introduced and， then， later， when facing personal tragedy， she laments that she has spent too much of her life reading。 I also thought that much of the book appeared to be an advertisement for other books。 The basic story of the resolution of grief and building friendship was endearing and there was definitely support for the value of books to aid in these aspects of life。 。。。more
Jasmien
，
I loved the first chapters！！！ After the forth book on the list they didn't discuss it anymore an i thought this was what the book was about。 Discussing and loving the story， escaping a shitty situation，。。。 It started like this but in the end the author lost me because the maincharacters of the book were developping on their own。 I don't mind that but i had different expectations。 I had the feeling the story was a bit rushed in the end。 There was a big plottwist and i was sad about it but it didn I loved the first chapters！！！ After the forth book on the list they didn't discuss it anymore an i thought this was what the book was about。 Discussing and loving the story， escaping a shitty situation，。。。 It started like this but in the end the author lost me because the maincharacters of the book were developping on their own。 I don't mind that but i had different expectations。 I had the feeling the story was a bit rushed in the end。 There was a big plottwist and i was sad about it but it didn't need to happen。 The story was fine without it。 I had the feeling that the author needed a shock factor but if she had the focus just on the bookclub i would give it 5 stars。 I will for sure read the reading list on the backcover。 。。。more
Kim
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on of out book club books - I liked it。 enjoyed revisiting other books and the characters were likeable and well fleshed out。
Alyson
，
Yawn
Theresa
，
My daughter and I picked this up on a whim from a table in Barnes and Noble。 It's told from several points of view， but an older man and a young woman are the main characters。 I loved their friendship。 I also thought it was interesting how the book was divided up into sections based on the books on the reading list。 My daughter and I picked this up on a whim from a table in Barnes and Noble。 It's told from several points of view， but an older man and a young woman are the main characters。 I loved their friendship。 I also thought it was interesting how the book was divided up into sections based on the books on the reading list。 。。。more
Kimberly
，
3。5 stars！ A definite recommend， but it dragged a little and was a little confusing as it hopped timelines for background characters。 I loved Mukesh’s character so much！
Annie Carrott Smith
，
I had a hard time deciding on 3 or 4 stars for this novel but went with the 3。 It had a slow start with some confusing timelines and characters in the beginning but continued to redeem itself as the story became established。 The interweaving of the books into the story was a delightful way to show how the reading of great books help us understand so much in our lives。 The best character and storyline was Mr P。 and his daughters。 Some sadness and a lot of inspiration made this a decent read！
leah r。 geisler
，
A warm hug of a book。 The concept is simple: A man who has just lost his wife meets a young librarian who has just found a mysterious list of books。 The book is structured into sections as the characters read each book on the list and find themselves connecting the contents to their own lives。 Such a sweet read， truly filled me with the simplicity and joy of life as I read。 My only note would be the odd sections sprinkled throughout where other minor characters find the reading list as well and A warm hug of a book。 The concept is simple: A man who has just lost his wife meets a young librarian who has just found a mysterious list of books。 The book is structured into sections as the characters read each book on the list and find themselves connecting the contents to their own lives。 Such a sweet read， truly filled me with the simplicity and joy of life as I read。 My only note would be the odd sections sprinkled throughout where other minor characters find the reading list as well and distract from the main story。 。。。more
Theresa
，
This book was recommended for book club by librarian at CH library。 Started out a bit choppy and a bit of jumping around over a 2 year period with many characters。 In the end， when it all came together， I really enjoyed it。 Loved how strangers and families were brought together。 Spoiler alert- but what happened to Aidan， knew this could’ve coming， but I felt like this could have been developed more… although it would be a different book then。 I recommend this book！
Liz
，
I expected to love The Reading List。 After all， it’s a book about books。 And it’s the sort of premise I usually love， when two characters with nothing in common find a connection over books。 But I found that the story was too slow to really enjoy。 Mukesh is an 80 year old widower still in the first years of grief。 Aleisha is only 17， working at the local library。 Neither are readers。 But Mukesh is looking to keep a bond with his dead wife， a big reader。 And Aleisha is looking for a way to occupy I expected to love The Reading List。 After all， it’s a book about books。 And it’s the sort of premise I usually love， when two characters with nothing in common find a connection over books。 But I found that the story was too slow to really enjoy。 Mukesh is an 80 year old widower still in the first years of grief。 Aleisha is only 17， working at the local library。 Neither are readers。 But Mukesh is looking to keep a bond with his dead wife， a big reader。 And Aleisha is looking for a way to occupy her time when things get rough at home。 And then there’s a list “in case you need it”， a list of classic books。 In addition to alternating chapters between the two main characters， we watch how the list gets in Aleisha’s hands。 I appreciated how books help Mukesh finally make a connection not just with Aleisha but with his young granddaughter。 And it’s a reminder that a book means different things to different people and we each take away something different based on our own life experiences。 What didn’t work for me was that both of the main characters， especially Mukesh， saw the characters from the books as apparitions in their own lives。 And while there was a big twist I didn’t see coming， I found the ending too predictable。 I listened to this and all three of the narrators did a good job。 。。。more
Anouk Van Obergen
，
Absolutely loved this one！ Reads super fast and the storyline is very comforting and relatable。
Mary Weissman
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YA book。
Jennifer
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I love books about books。 I love good reading lists。 It was enjoyable to hear how books changed people’s lives。 Just all around good book。
Lori
，
Fabulous
Tara Altepeter
，
This was a lovely book。 Vivid characters， great story line。 It tells a tale of how books can unite the most unlikely people and bring them closer together。 I also really enjoy how it touched on different generations， and how the relationship between a child and parent changes over generations as everyone ages。Beautiful book！
Megan
，
Dnf， couldn’t get into it
Lindsay
，
“Books aren’t always an escape; sometimes books teach us things。 They show us the world; they don’t hide it。” This is a beautiful， feel good story about an unlikely friendship and the power of books to bring people together。 It was a pleasure to read of lonely people finding the joy of reading。 “In case you need it，” the list beckons。 Through this mysterious reading list of beloved novels， they find escape， comfort， joy， and a new perspective。 Books bridge generations and take us to places we’ve “Books aren’t always an escape; sometimes books teach us things。 They show us the world; they don’t hide it。” This is a beautiful， feel good story about an unlikely friendship and the power of books to bring people together。 It was a pleasure to read of lonely people finding the joy of reading。 “In case you need it，” the list beckons。 Through this mysterious reading list of beloved novels， they find escape， comfort， joy， and a new perspective。 Books bridge generations and take us to places we’ve never been！ This story comes together in such a heartwarming， lovely way。 “Sometimes， books just take us away for a little while， and return us to our place with a new perspective。” 。。。more
Elena
，
Un libro metaletterario， con tanti libri e tante vite dentro di sé。 Comfort book con un chiaro messaggio: i libri sono un'evasione dalla realtà ma sono anche un modo per comprenderla e per comprenderci Un libro metaletterario， con tanti libri e tante vite dentro di sé。 Comfort book con un chiaro messaggio: i libri sono un'evasione dalla realtà ma sono anche un modo per comprenderla e per comprenderci 。。。more
Jess J
，
DNF…I got about 55% through this audiobook and dreaded having to continue to listen to it。 I enjoyed the reading list and discussions of the classical books， but I could not connect with any of the main characters。 I don’t understand the minor character’s random presence， and I was totally uninterested in their stories。 I felt like Mukesh’s story was probably the most interesting， but it was so so slow。 I enjoyed the descriptions of his culture， and even recognized some of the dishes he enjoyed！ DNF…I got about 55% through this audiobook and dreaded having to continue to listen to it。 I enjoyed the reading list and discussions of the classical books， but I could not connect with any of the main characters。 I don’t understand the minor character’s random presence， and I was totally uninterested in their stories。 I felt like Mukesh’s story was probably the most interesting， but it was so so slow。 I enjoyed the descriptions of his culture， and even recognized some of the dishes he enjoyed！ It made me hungry for galub jamun （which I ordered following his ceremony in the book！）。 Otherwise with all the other characters， I felt like I was forcing myself to get through the book。 It just wasn’t for me！ On to the next one！ 。。。more
Elysa
，
This book is endearing and warm， nostalgic and sad， funny and tender。 If you like books about books and reading and libraries， you're sure to like this one！ It's also a found family book - - my favorite！ There's so much happening in this book， and Mukesh Patel is a a great character！ His unlikely friendship with Aleisha was special。 This book is endearing and warm， nostalgic and sad， funny and tender。 If you like books about books and reading and libraries， you're sure to like this one！ It's also a found family book - - my favorite！ There's so much happening in this book， and Mukesh Patel is a a great character！ His unlikely friendship with Aleisha was special。 。。。more
Jackie Goebel
，
For the most part， I adored this book。 I enjoyed watching the unlikely friendship between the two main characters develop throughout the book。 I love how the author tied so many characters’ lives together with the book list。 The middle third of the book got a bit slow going for me， which is why I chose 4 stars， but the final third was much more compelling。
Debra Robert
，
This was a great idea。 There were some gaps and some boring parts。
Dawn Hester
，
I really enjoyed the story。 All the characters come together to read a list of books that Naina sent out。 Aleisha and Mukesh are different people， not just in age but in life experience。 However， they are both lonely and become friends through this list of books。 Their friendship and these books help them through some tough times。 It's true， we can all learn something new by reading。 I really enjoyed the story。 All the characters come together to read a list of books that Naina sent out。 Aleisha and Mukesh are different people， not just in age but in life experience。 However， they are both lonely and become friends through this list of books。 Their friendship and these books help them through some tough times。 It's true， we can all learn something new by reading。 。。。more
Adria
，
Absolutely lovely！
Maya
，
Lots of crying on planes for me
Cullen Johnson
，
I’m here for all this cheesiness。 It’s often the most unexpected people that help us get through the toughest seasons of life。 And “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。”
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Reading List
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=The Reading List&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft
The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The Reading List&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0