I apologise for the lateness of this review! An absolute dream of a read and one that I have found myself going back to to read again and again.

This has been sitting on my TBR pile for an embarrassing 3 years, but sometimes a book comes to you at the exact right time, just when you can appreciate it the most. I absolutely loved it. As Mukesh and Aleisha, two strangers, bought together at Harrow Road Library over a mysterious Reading List, become friends - crossing the age divide in the most wholesome of ways - they each find joy, peace, fulfilment and purpose over their joint love of literature. It's an emotional read, touching and sad, and shows how the solitary hobby of reading can bring people together. Beautiful.

This is the perfect book for book lovers, and I enjoyed every word.

It is about the unlikely friendship between the two main characters, Mukesh an elderly man who is recently widowed, and Aleisha a teenager who reluctantly works at the library. It is also about how these two very different people discover themselves and their love of books. When Aleisha discovers a faded list of books tucked away inside one of the library books, she works her way through it and encourages Mukesh to do the same.
The entire novel is a love letter to books, reading and libraries. It is a heartwarming novel that demonstrates how books can bring people together, bridge the generational divide and heal us.

This is a wonderful book, and although it has it's moments of sadness, it is ultimately uplifting and hopeful. It has been beautifully written and I highly recommend it.

A wonderful read - and a must read for book lovers! A very sweet and moving tale. Highly recommended.

I think what I love most about this book is how much the author loves books. It's so visible in every aspect of the story. This such a beautiful read, honestly. I found myself tearing up on more than one occasion. Definitely an author I will keep note of to read more from them in the future.

Aleisha finds herself at a crossroads—unwilling to embrace a librarian's life, yet equally reluctant to endure a summer in her less-than-pleasant home. Meanwhile, Mukesh grapples with the weight of grief over his departed wife, attempting to shield his concerned daughters from his sorrow.

Their paths converge unexpectedly when they stumble upon a reading list. This curated collection of books becomes the catalyst, drawing Aleisha, Mukesh, and a cast of remarkable characters into a shared literary journey. As the stories unfold, they serve as a source of solace and support for both Aleisha and Mukesh, giving rise to an improbable and heartwarming friendship that transcends their initial differences.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I have spent about four days with Mukesh and Aleisha. Mukesh is a grandfather who is grieving the loss of his wife. Aleisha is a 17 years old, works in a library and has a traumatic home life.
Mukesh wants to feel close to his wife and his gran-daughter, and feels that he can do his by joining the library and embracing reading.
Aleisha has found a reading list, and, although she dislikes reading, she reads the books on the reading list so that she can reccomend them to Mukesh....And so begins a most unlikely friendship.
A story about, loss, and grief, and community, and family, and how there is more to books than just reading a story...

Aleisha doesn't want to be a librarian but nor does she want to spend her summer at home because it is not nice there.
Mukesh is mourning the loss of his wife and trying to avoid his worried daughters.
Then they find the reading list.
This list of books bring them and other amazing characters together and the stories support them both and create an unlikely and lovely friendship.
I absolutely sobbed at certain points in the story but somehow felt uplifted a the end.

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.

This is a debut from Sara Nisha Adams that will touch a lot of readers. I could identify with every character in some way. The Reading List is a great reminder of why we read books



Thank you so much to the author and HarperCollins NZ for sending this ARC in exchange for a free review.

What a really lovely book!!! The characters are so warm and rounded, I absolutely wanted to be best friends with Mike’s. I adored how central the library was, and how each of the books was thought about carefully and discussed. I have now added all of them to my own reading list and have my next 6 reads planned! Thank you so much for this arc

I went into The Reading List thinking it was going to be a Emily Henry style rom-com. While it wasn't what I expected, the novel was a lot of fun.

The book follows a found reading list and how it affects the people who pick it up. We join the reading list when it is found by Aleisha, though there are cameo chapters of its past. I found Aleisha contrary and forced at the beginning, but she grew in me. I liked the Mukesh-led chapters the most, with its self-depreciating humor and its descriptions of an old man finding his place in the world without his wife.

While the novel lacked an action driven plot, I found The Reading List is be very atmospheric. I think the mentioned books was excellent and I like the concept of them bringing people together.

This book reminded me that we cannot have joy without sorrow. What a touching, real-life story. I especially appreciated the dynamics between the main characters.

Mukesh who is overwhelmed by Aleisha when she appears unannounced, finding him in tracksuit bottoms with a stain on it. And then her embarrassment later at the table with the four of them (I'll not say anything more, not wanting to spoil this lovely chapter for you).

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

A book about books for bookworms, what more do you want?!? I loved this read..it was heartwarming and entertaining.

I know so many others have loved this book, unfortunately I just don't think I was in the space for it. As a book lover, I could see the beauty in book as connection. But I couldn't find a way in myself. I felt like I had jumped into the middle of the story and even though we're told what had come before, I didn't quite feel it. Nevertheless it was beautifully writter and I appreciated how it's structured around the different books. I'll be sure to try it again in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review



There were some parts I found dull but Overall I enjoyed the book

found it rather dull and boring.
Some books I would have read others never heard of and I didn't find the characters that interesting.

I adored this book! What a wonderful celebration of books and the effects they can have on people, and how a book character can become a friend. The list itself was perfect and I've started reading them myself.

A book for book lovers! I really enjoyed this story about the unlikely friendship which develops between Aleisha, a troubled young girl who reluctantly takes a summer job in her local library and Mukesh, a sad and lonely widower who is still grieving his late wife. Together they work their way through a ‘reading list’ of recommended books from a mysterious and anonymous source, and the effect these books have on them both is life changing. A great read!

now i strive for honesty whenever a review these books, and i am being honest when i say that this book didn’t really grip me or grab my attention. i do think the book could have been a little bit shorter. some aspects of the novel seemed to go on forever and some bits seemed as thought they shouldn’t be there at all.

my heart broke when the book went into the challenges of depression, panic attacks, suicide and mental health. the story of mukesh RUINED me and definitely pulled at all of my heartstrings. this book shows how important reading is and how it connect people together. there are some serious topics woven into this story.

even though i wasn’t the biggest fan of this book, i am still thankful that i read it!

This has been a delightful escape to a wonderful setting. I have definitely been transported by this one.