With thanks to netgalley for an early copy in return for an honest opinion
First time reading this author and had heard so much about this book its was a good easy read I enjoyed it but was just OK.

I received a copy of this book to review from Netgalley and all opinions are my own.
This book is a page turning, read it in one sitting roller-coaster of a book. I was hooked from the first page and could not stop until I reached the end, only to wish I could read it again for the first time. I adored how the author featured the themes of the library and reading throughout the book and I enjoyed identifying the various book recommendations scattered throughout the book. The characters are diverse and well written to the extent that they feel like close friends by the end of the story. I particularly liked the inclusion of South Asian MCs which gave an added layer to this well crafted story. I look froward to reading more from this author and in the meantime, recommending this book to everyone I meet.

A truly delightful read, heartfelt and warming to its core. Gorgeous characters with strong stories, in a lovely tale brought together effortlessly. Recommend.

After seeing author Sara Nisha Adams talk so passionately about The Reading List at a local library event, I started it immediately and LOVED it. It’s been a while since I’ve found myself crying at the end of a book but that’s what The Reading List did to me.

Packed full of emotion, (my heart was bursting!) while also falling into one of my favourite niche genres – books about how great books are. (There’s a whole section on them on my Book List page if you happen to like this genre too…) What The Reading List particularly does so well is celebrate the true redemptive power of reading the right book at the right time in your life.

Widowed and retired Mukesh and 17-year-old Aleisha are an unlikely duo that end up becoming friends after they meet in their local library. They are both lonely and suffering their fair share of heartbreak and neither would call themselves an avid reader, despite Aleisha having a summer job at the library and Mukesh’s late wife, Naina being a huge bookworm.

Mukesh turns to his local library as a way to reconnect with his wife and his granddaughter Priya, who has inherited her grandmother’s love of reading.

The intriguing plot centres around a mystery reading list that Aleisha finds and how it subtly affects the lives of so many people.

I just love how author Sara Nisha Adams weaves the key messages from each book on the list into the lives of her characters. She obviously has a deep affection for all eight books (not forgetting about The Time Traveller’s Wife too which also has a special place in the book) and has totally sold them to me; I am now determined to read them all (time to admit I’ve never read Little Women – I know, the shame!)

Mukesh immigrated to London from Kenya and is part of a Hindu community in Wembley, North West London, where the book is set. It actually brought back some nice memories for me as I lived near this area for a little while in my uni days. Alongside the story, I loved how The Reading List gave me a glimpse into this community, the descriptions of food were particularly delicious and made my mouth water.

From the way something as simple as a list of books touches so many people’s lives to the way Mukesh and Aleisha use the books to cement their friendship, The Reading List is a comforting, warming read that’s a true love letter to kindness, community, books and libraries – adored it!

Sometimes you need a book that you know will cheer the soul and lift you up a little. The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams is that book. I found it a charming read, and I loved the interplay between the different characters. It's heartwarming and a tender and kind book and one that shows us we don't always know what's really going on behind the scenes in relation to the people we come into contact with.

It also highlights the importance of books in people's lives and what can be gained from reading as well as being a reminder of the connections that can form through libraries. It's a lovely book and one which made me ponder over what I might include on my own personal reading list, and I was intrigued to read the author's own list. It would be a great read for book clubs and getting people to share their reading lists and why they've chosen the books selected.

Loved the reading list! This was a delightful read, full of interesting characters and a heartwarming story, precisely what I needed right now. I’d recommend this book as a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I liked this book - the disparate group of characters and how they were all drawn together by the reading list.

A charming story set around a library and some classic novels. The story features Mukesh, a recently widowed father and grandfather and Aleisha, a teenage girl having to deal with her ailing mother. Despite the age difference, the two main characters build a relationship around a reading list that has been left lying around.
I really wanted to love this story ; it appeared to have all the right ingredients, books, a library, feel-good vibes. However, I found that as hard as I tried, I just couldn't find the book particularly good.
The opening chapters of the book were confusing as it flitted between 2017 and 2019. It was difficult to work out how the minor characters fitted into the story until much later on.
The only character I found interesting was Mukesh. Compared to the other characters he leapt off the page as a well-drawn individual. The other characters just didn't appear fully-formed.
Overall the plot of the story was very contrived and a bit disappointing for me.

A wonderful treasure of a book.
This story starts as a slow-burner, introducing Aleisha and Mukesh navigating their lives and then they meet in the library in Wembley and a chance discovery of a reading list sets off a chain of events that changes both of their lives & those around them.
This story combines humour and absolute charm with devastating sadness & anguish. It rips out your heart but there's also a hope there and a way of showing how love endures.
The stories of the books in the reading list reflect some of the happenings within the lives of those following the recommendations; it is such a clever premise, and it was joyful to revisit the plots and beauty of some favourite books featured.
I absolutely loved this book, its characters and its message.

‘The Reading List’ by Sara Nisha Adams is a beautiful, poignant 5 star read. I found myself falling in love with the character of Mukesh as he learned to find the beauty in life, and to reconnect with his granddaughter again after the death of his wife, Naina. As for Aleisha, her anxiety and fears of fitting in, while also trying to be part of her family are feelings that many teenagers will be able to identify with.
There is colour, variety, culture and contrasts all clashing and combining together is this tale as people learn of how a love of books can cross any boundary of society or age and bring people together.
I hope you read this book and love it as much as I do.

This was such a delightful book!

I loved each and every character and how they all came together via the reading list and I never guessed who curated the reading list till the end but it all fit and made sense.

What I also loved was that the author did not shy away from difficult topics like mental health, suicide, grief and even moving on after the death of a spouse.

All the characters were incredibly realistic and I felt like Wembley itself was a character in the book which I’ve never read about till now!

What a beautifully written book so full of love and joy which captured the heart of a book reader. I loved how the author uses well known books from a library as her narrative to the story, weaving her characters into the storyline.
Its a reminder of how books transport us all as we read them and how timeless classics affect us all in different ways.
A wonderful engaging book.
Highly recommended.

I read the first eight chapters then felt it was too soapy. I’d lost interest as the style of the writing lacked any flair. However, I did go to the end chapters to see what happened to Aidan, Aleisha and Mukesh; so it’s clear the author has created characters readers will care about.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the library and reading. They were spot on, but overall the style of the book just wasn’t for me. I’m sure others will enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC.

This is a exquisite debut from Sara Nisha Adams that will resonate with anyone who loves books, their power to impart wisdom, open our eyes to the world and the lives of others, and the priceless role played by libraries in our communities. Set in Wembley in London with all its variety, colour, cultures, contrasts and contradictions, the still grieving Mukesh lost his beloved wife, Naina, 2 years ago. He has withdrawn into himself, a lonely man ruled by routines, with his protective daughters playing an organising and protective role through the phone although failing to communicate with him, busy with their own lives. Mukesh is not a reader, but Naina was, and when he finds a library copy of The Time Traveler's Wife taken out from the Harrow Road Library, he reads it and finds it a revelation, discovering Naina within it, the story speaks to him about his love for Naina and the heartrending experience of losing her to cancer.

This has Mukesh making his way to the library, where he has a problematic encounter with 17 year old Aleisha, not a reader either, working temporarily at the library on the recommendation of her book loving brother, Aiden. The two of them are bearing the heavy responsibility of caring for their mother, Leilah, round the clock, with no support for her mental health issues. Along with other people in the book, Aleisha discovers a crumpled reading list that begins with Just in case you need it. The list comprises of To Kill a Mockingbird, Rebecca, Life of Pi, The Kite Runner, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, A Suitable Boy and Beloved, a selection that serendipitously I have read. Aleisha reads the books prior to recommending them to Mukesh, leading to the two of developing a close relationship that begins with their discussions over the books, and the surprising impact they make on their lives, with ghosts of the characters appearing in Mukesh's life.

Mukesh becomes far more outgoing, letting in others into his life, getting close to his young granddaughter, Priya, as reading becomes an integral part of his life, feeling closer to Naina as a result. This is a beautiful and enthralling read, totally riveting, paying homage to books, libraries, readers and communities, a life affirming novel amidst the grief, death, loneliness and challenging circumstances that the characters find themselves in. I would like to suggest that anyone who has plans to read any of the books on the reading list that they do so before reading this, as there are major spoilers in it. I highly recommend this incredible debut to any and every reader. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

What a great idea for a novel! I loved this book. It’s about life, community, libraries, favourite books... and characters struggling to find a place in the world. I found it captivating. It’s full of joy but also heartbreak, which makes it a poignant and memorable read. I love the way the author weaves in books and characters from the reading list. The friendship between widower Mukesh, a grandfather, and 17 year old Aleisha, doesn’t get off to the best start but it’s lovely to see how they and their families are ultimately united by reading. Five stars!

This was quite a nice story but a bit over-sentimental for me. It was hard to believe that the list of books made so much difference to people's lives and that it worked exactly as planned. There are a lot of characters and I got confused in places. I approve of the book choices on the list (except Beloved which I have not read), but Jane Austen fans will be offended by the dismissal of P&P! I am a bit cynical I know, but the cosy community coming together is totally unrealistic.

Great book. The characters really came to life in my mind and made me smile. A lovely light read to unwind with after a long day.

This was a delightful read, full of interesting characters and a heartwarming story, precisely what I needed right now.

This book was worth a read. Loved reading it and learning more about the characters within on the story too. The writer has done really well.

I absolutely loved this book. A book about a reading list, a library and some amazing people. It takes you on a little journey through each book, but also through its character’s worlds. It covers heart break, family and friends; whilst also taking a peek in to a special community - the library. One thing I came away form this book certain of, is library’s are so important to our communities. They should be developed and made even better, never closed.