Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Spotlight Post - The Last Chance Library; Freya Sampson - First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros

Welcome to First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Yvonne @ Socrates Book Reviews
Each week readers post the first paragraph (or 2) of a book we are reading or plan to read soon.  

Berkley - August 31, 2021
(Debut Novel)

Chapter One

You can tell a lot about a person from the library books they borrow.

June liked  to play a game when things were quiet at work. She's pick a patron and make up their life story based on the books they read.  Today she'd chosen a middle-aged lady who took out two Danielle Steel novels and The Rough Guide to Iceland.  After some consideration, June decided that the woman was trapped in a loveless marriage, perhaps with a boorish, aggressive husband.  She was planning to run away to Reykjavik, where she'd fall in love with a rigged, bearded, local.  But just as she thought she'd found true happiness, her husband would track her down and announce---"Well that was a pile of shit."

June was snapped out of her daydream by Mrs Bransworth, who was standing in front of the desk waving a book in her face. It was Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains of the Day.

I love the sound of this one, what about you? Read more or pass?

                                                                  ( Full Book Description)

June Jones emerges from her shell to fight for her beloved local library, and through the efforts and support of an eclectic group of library patrons, she discovers life-changing friendships along the way.
 
Lonely librarian June Jones has never left the sleepy English village where she grew up. Shy and reclusive, the thirty-year-old would rather spend her time buried in books than venture out into the world. But when her library is threatened with closure, June is forced to emerge from behind the shelves to save the heart of her community and the place that holds the dearest memories of her mother.

Joining a band of eccentric yet dedicated locals in a campaign to keep the library, June opens herself up to other people for the first time since her mother died. It just so happens that her old school friend Alex Chen is back in town and willing to lend a helping hand. The kindhearted lawyer's feelings for her are obvious to everyone but June, who won't believe that anyone could ever care for her in that way.

To save the place and the books that mean so much to her, June must finally make some changes to her life. For once, she's determined not to go down without a fight. And maybe, in fighting for her cherished library, June can save herself, too.

Freya Sampson

Freya Sampson

Freya Sampson works in television as a creator and Executive Producer. Her credits include two documentary series for the BBC about the British Royal Family, and a number of factual and entertainment series. She studied History at Cambridge University and in 2018 was shortlisted for the Exeter Novel Prize. She lives in London with her husband, two young children and an antisocial cat. 

29 comments:

  1. I read this one ... it's a feel-good story that goes down easily. Enjoy.

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    1. I'm so glad that you liked this one, I hope to start it in a day or two after I finish my current read.

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  2. I also like the sound of that one. Love the title too!

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  3. Oh, yes, this one sounds delightful! Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Maybe just what I need to avoid thinking about distressing news! A library, a librarian, and a sleepy English village. :)

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    1. Doesn't it sound charming? Having worked in libraries for 15 years, I also thought about readers lives by the books they tended to select.

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  5. That's an interesting storyline, sounds good.

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  6. I also spotlighted today. Sounds like a nice comfort read.

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  7. What a fun start to a book! I'll have to watch for this one. In my mind, anyone who wants to fight for libraries to stay around is great. LOL

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  8. This sounds like an excellent late summer read and a good escape from the distressing news of the day.

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    1. I was hoping to start it by today but still trying to finish up (2) other books.

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  9. Oh, I'd definitely continue reading. It sounds like so much fun.

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  10. I like that opening! I won't get to it for a while, but will mention it to my mother. Sounds like a book she'd love.

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    1. I think I need a book like this right about now - this was a super busy week.

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  11. Sounds like fun...one of those good-mood books that can fly by before you know it.

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    1. I know, I need it - busy week now winding down but, still I have (2) books I'm trying to finish (almost done) both are pretty good too.

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  12. This sounds like a perfect "feel good" book for these troubling times! I love any book that mentions real books & authors in the storyline. Thanks for bringing this to my attention, Diane.

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    1. I think it's what many of us need as we wind down from summer. Hope you enjoy it.

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  13. You can tell a lot about a person by the library books they borrow...and how often they go and check out more! ;D I'm looking forward to reading this book.

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    1. So true, sometimes I borrow so many that I end up at library 2-3x a week and often return ones I thought I'd read unread. Sound familiar?

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  14. This sounds so fun although I'm already upset with that Mrs. Bransworth - Remains of the Day is the best! Can't wait to read your full review of this one.

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