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The Reading List cover art

The Reading List

By: Sara Nisha Adams, Paul Panting
Narrated by: Sagar Arya, Tara Divina, Paul Panting
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Summary

A new chapter is just beginning....

A finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards for Fiction 2021!

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 heart-warming, 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....

©2021 Sara Nisha Adams (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

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)

What listeners say about The Reading List

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Beautiful and Heartwarming

I love the two main characters in the book Mukesh and Aleisha and how the books helped them cope with and understand grief , isolation and loss. Their unlikely friendship is touching and heartwarming. It was lovely to see Mukesh's journey back from pain and grief and into the community again.

I now want to read all the books on the Reading List

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Joy in a book 💛💛💛💛

This book is everything I could have possibly asked for. Hearing it was like being wrapped in a warm hug the whole time. The writing is beautiful – so warm and utterly pulls you in. It made me grin, it made me laugh and it also made me cry along the way. Told with such tenderness, it’s a story I’m recommending to everyone I know!

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4 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Returned

The book may have been good but the narrators were so unengaging that i found myself getting easily distracted resulting in me not having a clue what was going on.

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3 people found this helpful

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Most enjoyable

Cleverly written. A good read. Covers so many issues sensitively but also has a very sad section.
The chapters jump about and it can be ‘off the main thread’ and so confusing making you wonder what is it’s significance . However all is explained at the end.

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2 people found this helpful

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loved it

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

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2 people found this helpful

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Beautiful and poignant

The performances are excellent bringing to life each character. A beautiful, and gentle story about life and love from the perspective of an elderly man and a teenage girl. Loved it.

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Wonderful

The whole story is absolutely gorgeous.
Characterisation is wonderful.
Narration is perfect.
Listen indulgently; simply perfect
albeit moving and emotional.

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2 people found this helpful

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Pure delight

I read (/listened) to this as slowly as possible because it was a world I did not want to leave. An unexpected delight was exploring books I've loved in the past with the characters. Reading it felt like the best possible hug and I think we all need those.

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2 people found this helpful

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Gorgeous book

Beautifully written and I loved all the characters. Made me want to pick up some classics!

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2 people found this helpful

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Beautiful

Lovely, moving and original story. I disagree with a previous review saying it assumes you’ve read all the books on the reading list; I hadn’t and you don’t need to have; it makes a point of sharing parts of the stories that are relevant. Some of them are on my wish list now though! I love Mr Patel’s character; he has some very funny and unexpected lines! 😃

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1 person found this helpful