A lovely, heartwarming novel by Mike Gayle that will pull on the heartstrings! I really enjoyed the characters and their challenge to help start The Museum of Ordinary People. It was an intriguing premise and I loved the little stories about the objects that people had donated. A lovely cast of characters with some unexpected twists.

This is such a wonderful book with so many layers. Although you love the characters and the emotions, more than anything, what this book does is that it connects with you.

Jess has lost her mum suddenly and decides to clear out her family home alone, knowing that she wants to spend time with her memories alone. Those of us who have lost loved ones can feel this so acutely, we are with her as she has to let go all of the things that her mum loved, all of the the things that held memories for her. Back at the flat she shares with her partner, Guy, she puts all of the items that she has kept - – including a full set of encyclopaedias - in the back of her wardrobe with everything else that doesn't fit in with Guy's décor. And this is the reason I just did not like Guy – what man stops you from displaying your own personal belongings, things that are special to you?

Anyway – a year later Guy has decided that it is time to sell the flat and with the money from the sale of Jess' mother's house, he wants them to buy their first house. So, Jess has to get rid of the encyclopaedias which breaks her heart. Then her friend tells her about the Museum of Ordinary Things- a place where loved items can go and Jess takes her beloved treasures there, and meets Alex who has inherited this quirky museum – a battered warehouse -that holds the items that were special to ordinary people. She falls in love with the place and it sparks something inside her. She had always longed to be a museum curator, had taken the first steps but life got in the way. Therefore when she sees this museum she is inspired. And with the help of wonderful characters, she sets about turning this warehouse into the museum of her dreams.

As with the author's other novels, we have characters with heart. We have families whose lives are full of complications and secrets. This is a book of love, grief, memories and forgiveness and I loved it.

The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle

Jess has lost her way whilst caring for and then grieving for her mum, working as a receptionist in a London office instead of following her dream to be a museum curator, and in a relationship with Guy which isn't quite working. When she comes across the Museum of Ordinary People and its new owner Alex a chain of events follows in which Jess confronts her past and decides who she wants to be now.

I've loved everything Mike Gayle has ever written and this is no exception! Wonderful characters, fantastic story, and a real page turner. What a fabulous idea for a museum - so unique and touching. Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I just love Mike Gayle’s writing. Been reading his books for years and he did it again! I was instantly hooked by The Museum of Ordinary People! It is so beautifully written, with well-developed and lovable characters, and with a plot that just plays with all of your heartstrings and feelings.

The story follows Jess, who is dealing with the sudden loss of her mother, whom she was really close to and loves unconditionally. On top of dealing with a spectrum of feelings including grief, she also has to deal with the practicalities, such as trying to sell mum’s house, finding a new home for mum’s belongings and of course saying goodbye to her childhood home.

Whilst trying to rehome some of her mother’s belongings she comes across a Museum of Ordinary People owned by mysterious Alex. This museum is not a very well-known space in London, where people bring very ordinary objects that they can’t bear to throw away because those belongings mean the world to them but they don’t have anywhere to store these possessions. Jess always had a dream to work in a museum, so she takes a step to fulfil this dream by curating and making The Museum of Ordinary People known to a wider public so they can appreciate its beauty, whilst trying to juggle her current job, relationship, friendships and the loss of a loved one.

I really liked that this book explores ordinary experiences and feelings of loss and grief. Jess’s feelings are so raw and so real, as well as her memories of her mother, whilst Jess goes about her everyday life, are so relatable if you lose a loved one. Also, loved how Gayle portrays how different people deal with loss. For example, how Alex is dealing with his loss after a long time has passed in comparison to Jess, whose loss is still fresh. It is really nice to see this being explored.

In terms of characters, I adored Alex's character, as even though he had a fair share of losses in life and his own demons to overcome, he is such a kind, loving and caring person. The way he helps Jess supports her all the way through with the museum and believes in her every step of the way was so kind and adorable to read. I also loved the respect and love that both of them shared with each other.

Each character was unique in their own way and very well developed, each adding something special to the story. I love the progression and development of Jess, Alex, Guy and even some of the second plan characters throughout this book. It made the story very captivating, uplifting and most of all, real.

Also, this book is not only about dealing with loss and grief. This story also explores themes of not giving up on your dreams, not giving up on your passion, believing in yourself and others, as well as not settling for second best and listening to your gut and heart. I think the main theme is actually finding a purpose in life again when you think your world is crumbling after you lose your loved one.

Overall: Mike Gayle’s books are just masterpieces of exploring human feelings and emotions, and The Museum of Ordinary People is not an exception. The beautifully written, captivating and uplifting story, lovable characters and exploration of such important themes of belonging, loss, grief, dreams and memories of loved ones. Absolutely adored this book and if I could I would give it 1000 stars to it. I could re-read this book over and over again and still find new things and feel all the emotions. A MUST book on everyone’s shelf!

A huge thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for letting me read and review this amazing book!

Mike Gayle has done it again! I don't think I've ever read a book by him that I wasn't instantly hooked by!

The Museum of Ordinary People follows Jess, who is dealing with the loss of her mother whilst trying to move on in life with her partner Guy. Guy is very well off and owns the fancy apartment they live in, Jess is trying to find a home for some of her mother's possessions when she stumbles upon the Museum of Ordinary People: a secret museum that houses ordinary possessions that some people couldn't bear to see thrown out.

This starts a transformation in her life that leads her down a different path, introduces her to new people and changes things for the better.

This book is the classic Mike Gayle combination of heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Strongly recommend!

Brilliant book! I love the way Mike Gayle writes, there is something very comforting about it and he seems to have the perfect insight into family dynamics and relationship problems.
Becoming a museum curator is my dream job so I was totally behind Jess and could identify with her passion for restoring the Museum of Ordinary People. There weren't any great shocks or twists in this book but it didn't need any, it was a wonderful character driven novel which was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot - instead I would recommend that you read this for yourself.

I LOVE the idea of a Museum of Ordinary People! If only there were such things, it would be such a comfort!

Having lost both my parents and both my in-laws in recent years, this book really "spoke" to me. I really empathised with Jess and the "customers" of the MOP, as I understand exactly how it feels to have to find homes for possessions that were imbued with meaning and memory for your loved ones - but that nobody now has enough space to keep. (Incidentally I would say that it feels equally sad to rehome the "everyday" items, but hopefully at least charities benefit there).

There are some great well-rounded characters, and the dialogue is well written and feels genuine. I also liked the added dimension of setting part of the book in Northampton (a town I know quite well) rather than just in London.

The book deals with difficult things in a really good way - grief, loss, physical and mental injuries, and shocking revelations - and overall has a feeling of hope and recovery. Hats off to Mike Gayle for another great read!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

Jess is grieving over her mother who recently passed away. They were very close. So, when she is sorting out her mother’s things to clear the house ready to sell it. Some of her belongings she has, she hasn’t got the heart to throw them away. Her first thought is to bring them to the charity shop but then she discovers the Museum of Ordinary things. Where there are items that have meaning to someone, but they have no room in their lives to keep it. So, they bring it to the museum for them to look after.
She decides to help out at the museum and become Curator of it and with the help of the owner Alex and another volunteer Angel to show the outside world what a special place this is.
The Museum of ordinary things by Mike Gayle is a beautifully written and thought-provoking book from the author. I can’t believe that I have not ready a book from this author before. I loved this book, which is about grief, relationships and changing your life for the better. It one of them books that will resonate with you for a long time. I can't wait to read the other book the author has written. 5 stars from me.

Mike Gayle really is the master of exploring the complexities of human emotions, he does it with such depth of understanding, compassion and feeling!
The museum of ordinary people is such an enjoyable uplifting read full of forgiveness, love, memories, loss, grief,community spirit and friendship that will stay with you long after you have finished reading the book!
Fantastically diverse characters,Jess grieving her mothers death,Alex contending with disfigurement, and the mysterious benefactor Mr Thomas Barclay who has unwittingly brought Jess and Alex together and in doing so they can complete his idea of keeping ordinary peoples loved items safe, treasured and revered for future generations due to Jess vision, enthusiasm and drive and Alex’s inheritance the museum of ordinary people is born! Such a great idea!
A fantastic captivating read that I would highly recommend! Thank you netgalley for this early read.

Mike Gayle Is a fairly new author I’ve started reading. My love for his books started when I read half a world away during lockdown and it has had a place in my heart ever since! I’ve then gone on to read a few more of Mike’s books and honestly each one has made me cry and smile at the same time.

As soon as I saw The museum of ordinary people I requested it and I was so gratefully accepted.

The whole story behind the book is amazing. All those things that meant so much to someone, stored for others to admire. Loved the name and the whole concept.

The characters are amazing, I really liked Jess, she was such a genuine character. I was really rooting for her throughout.

As mentioned before, I have always found I shed a tear whilst reading Mike’s books and this one was no exception. I could feel my heart hurting as Jess was clearing her mothers house and trying to carry on with her life despite hurting from her loss. I also really struggled with her relationship with Guy. I don’t think he was necessarily an unpleasant person but I just found him really unlikable and I felt he just took Jess for granted, a little self centred.

Overall this was a lovely read and one I will remember for a long time.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this title.

My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for a copy of “ The Museum Of Ordinary People”

Some authors release a new book that makes you put it to the top of your must read pile , Milke Gayle is one of those for me!
I started back in 2000 with his first book “ My Legendary Girlfriend” and was hooked, and have found his writing only to get better and varied.in themes This new title deals with the subject of grief , and how to come to terms with loss.This being said , it is a joyful book and , as someone who has lost parents , and has to decide which treasured possessions to keep or be able to give away , I could totally empathise.
From watching programmes like Repair Shop , with the reactions of those bringing in lost relatives items ,we can see how “ everyday objects and the memories they represent…are so much more than the sum of their parts “.You don’t need to be a famous person to make a difference to the lives of those we love, and treasured possessions can be priceless , whatever the monetary value.
A wonderful read and a book I will definitely be recommending

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of "The Museum of Ordinary People" by Mike Gayle.

I did like this book! It was such a fascinating concept and I enjoyed the main characters. However, some bits were too slow or felt a bit empty for my liking - but that was just personal and I know plenty of people would devour this book by Gayle in a moment.

A beautiful story dealing with love, hope, kindness and fulfilling your dreams. Jess has always dreamt of working in a museum but her mother's illness prevented this from happening, on clearing her house she finds her old encyclopaedias but has no space for them until she comes across the room where your loved ones belongings you cannot bear to be parted from tell a story to people. With the aid of some new friends Jess breathes life into the museum and finds herself in the process.
Mike Gayle has tugged on the heartstrings yet again with this novel, certainly one to make you wonder which of your belongings you'd want to end up in the Museum for Ordinary People
I am under no obligation to leave my review for this advanced copy received from Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton

As always Mike Gayle captured my heart with this beautiful story of love, grief and kindness, full of believable quirky characters who live and breathe on every page. Who does not possess sentimental, priceless but useless items that no longer merit house room? Who wouldn’t love to find a museum with endless storage and space to house and display them, complete with the story of their meaning and existence? An engaging and delightful book, highly recommended.

This book is such a conversation piece for the dinner table or out in a bar with friends. If you were to die what object would you want people to keep that represents your character and your life and the memories you made with others?

A beautiful book that really touches on what it feel like to lose someone and entirely relatable.

Mike Gayle's latest is a heart tugging novel, simultaneously full of hope and the heartbreak of grief, Jess Baxter grew up in Northampton, close to her single mother, with her best friend, Lucy 'Luce' Smith living across the road. Jess is plunged into the harrowing abyss of grief when out of the blue her beloved mum dies. She turns down every offer of help when it comes to clearing out her mum's house, she wants to do it on her own over the period of a week. The house and every possession in it is steeped in precious memories of her mum, it had been just the two of them against the world. It is not easy to clear the house, it tests her to her emotional limits, but it has to be done, and there is little she can save, she has nowhere to store anything. She returns home to London where she is living with her boyfriend, Guy, with a set of well used and tatty encyclopaedias, the 1974 edition, symbolising the hopes and dreams that her mother had for her future. Jess struggles through the year, feeling exhausted laden down by her grief.

With the imminent sale of her mother's house, Guy suggests they buy a large family house together to secure their future together. With his exclusive apartment put on the market and people coming to view the property, Jess has no choice but get rid of the encyclopaedias, and by chance she hears of The Museum of Ordinary People where people have been able to donate beloved items that they are no longer in a position to keep. Jess's dream had alway been to become a museum curator, and although she was well qualified, her plans went up in smoke when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She meets Alex who has just inherited the late Thomas Barclay's house clearing business and his quirky 'museum' with a warehouse full of items representing the lives of ordinary people, rather than those of the privileged and powerful elites in society.

Jess spots an opportunity to realise her lost dreams of becoming a museum curator, a challenge into which she pours her heart and soul, as she is helped by a growing group of wonderful people, including Alex and Luce. In a narrative that goes back and forth in time, Gayle depicts how lives and families can be messy, complicated and chaotic in the real world, with unexpected secrets, lies and hidden deceptions, all which Jess has to find a way to handle. This is a captivating story of love, loss, grief, memories, friends, family, community and forgiveness that I adored, and I think many readers will love this novel too. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

Mike Gayle is an absolute master storyteller, and his books never fail to emotionally touch me. And this beautiful story is no exception.
‘The Museum of Ordinary People’ is the story of Jess Baxter who struggles to find her path and come to terms with the sudden death of her much beloved mother. All her life it has been Jess and her strong and hard-working mother. Her passing throws everything in the air and Jess starts to question her choices and her future.
Jess lives in London with her boyfriend, Guy. After cleaning up her mum’s house she decides to keep something as a memento, but Guy does not want these items cluttering the flat as they are trying to sell and move to a bigger place. Jess does not want to throw these things as they link her to her mum and remind her of who she is and what her path was. Luce, her best friend, comes to the rescue and mentioned this unique place that takes such special items and looks after them. Jess goes to Peckham the next day and meets Alex. And her arrival at this location really gets the story going.
I adored this book and its characters. I loved how real they felt, and how strongly their worries and anxieties affected me. I disliked Guy and it felt he wanted Jess to fit in his life and give up on her ambitions in order to prop his career up and help realize his vision of their future.
I felt so sad about poor Alex and all he had to ensure in his life because of his otherness. I felt angry alongside Jess when people treated him differently or made stupid comments.
The twists and turns kept coming and kept me turning pages. The writing is as always beautiful, and I became very involved in the story and in the future of these characters.

So great to be back into the writing and world that Mike Gayle creates. This has everything I love about his other books, the whole of cast of characters that you adore, the warm feeling, the twists, turns and surprises and that feel good feeling when you finish it. Adored this story, thought it so cleverly covered grief and loss, and of keeping memories alive.

I always enjoy Mike Gayle's books and this latest one didn't disappoint. Jess has just lost her mum and in the process of clearing out her house she meets Alex and they end up becoming custodians of what they call the museum of ordinary people which is a collection of items that people can no longer keep but don't want to throw away. Sounds strange, but go with it! This a lovely story of loss, friendship and family secrets. I really recommend it as a good read. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
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Mike Gayle is the master of warm books, where people come together in the unlikeliest of circumstance to bring hope & kindness - this, his latest, is no exception. A sweet story about love and grief in their many forms - how all-consuming they can be and how joy can be found through human connection. Very lovely!