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The Reading List

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The Reading List

By: Sara Nisha Adams, Paul Panting
Narrated by: Sagar Arya, Tara Divina, Paul Panting
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About this listen

A new chapter is just beginning…

*A finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards for Fiction 2021!*

‘A love letter to books, reading and the power of connection – absolutely gorgeous’ Sunday Times bestseller, RUTH WARE

When Aleisha discovers a crumpled reading list tucked into a tattered library book, it sparks an extraordinary journey.

From timeless stories of love and friendship to an epic journey across the Pacific Ocean with a boy and a tiger in a boat, the list opens a gateway to new and wonderful worlds – just when Aleisha needs an escape from her troubles at home.

And when widower Mukesh arrives at the library, desperate to connect with his bookworm granddaughter, Aleisha introduces him to the magic of the reading list. An anxious teenager and a lonely grandfather forming an unlikely book club of two.

Inspiring and heartwarming, The Reading List is a love letter to storytelling – its power to transport us, connect us, and remind us that a new beginning is only a page away…

A real heart-lifter . . . . A joyful, uplifting read’ Good Housekeeping

‘A gorgeous debut novel about the power reading has to bring people together, no matter the barriers of age, culture and class’ Red

©2021 Sara Nisha Adams (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Family Life Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Historical Fiction World Literature Feel-Good Heartfelt Inspiring

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Critic reviews

"The story is an absolute joy. I loved the way Aleisha and Mukesh found their lives entwined thanks to the power of books.... A captivating and exquisitely crafted debut." (Sunday Times best-selling author Heidi Swain)

"If you love books, read this. If you love people, read this. If you love crying with sadness, crying with happiness and feeling like you have been wrapped in the blanket of someone else's life, read this." (Debbie Johnson)

"The Reading List absolutely captures the magic of reading and of libraries. I felt a part of Mukesh and Aleisha's book club, revisiting some of my favourite novels alongside these new friends." (Louise Hare)

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I loved this book from start to finish. the characters were believable and their relationships were touching.

loved it

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Heartwarming book about libraries and the wonder that getting lost in a book brings.

Enjoyed the different characters and how their ages were different and then found common ground in reading.

Easy read. Enjoyed the community feeling.

Heartwarming book about libraries

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This book has been the best one for me for a while! I have enjoyed listening to every word so well read! A well written story that could be inspirational for many!

Such a wonderful story!

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This was a little frustrating at first I couldn’t get into it but once it got underway and I knew all the characters I found it a lovely book

Hard at first but worth the read

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Warm, empathetic characters, so well written. I couldn't put it down. No big highs or lows, a story that wends its way through loss, sadness and love. so beautifully written

Beautiful Book

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Well drawn characters whom we see grow, change and develop during the story. It is well narrated and the books read within it add an extra dimension to the story. Some of my favourite books are included within this book and it is like revisiting old friends but through new eyes. I loved The Reading List

A heartwarming story of friendship, love and loss and the power of books.,

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I found this a warm heartwarming listen on Audible. Characters were gently woven together … and whilst some of the storyline was predictable I found that this brought a contentment that you had grown to know the characters. The narration was lovely and brought life to the characters.

A heartwarming listen

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a sweet story with unexpected elements...it did not end as I had expected. it has tempted me to read somebofvthe books mentioned...which is an odd outcome. Will I remember this book in the long term....not really sure

an undemanding read

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Struggled at first with this. Female narrator jarred as she didn't make sense of the words. In the end I got lost in it, in spite of the female narrator who placed emphasis in wrong places and just sounded like she didn't understand what she was reading. Found it deeply sad and also rather unexplained and therefore incomplete. The mental illness aspects were never fleshed out. Sad when it finished though.

Enjoyable with flaws

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I loved this book. The ability of books to heal. Inspiring and life affirming in the best way.

Beautiful

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