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The Reading List

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What to expect

A new chapter is just beginning…

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

‘The story is an absolute joy . . . A captivating and exquisitely crafted debut’Sunday Times bestseller, HEIDI SWAIN

‘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

Critics Review

  • ‘A love letter to books, reading and the power of connection – absolutely gorgeous’ Ruth Ware

    ‘A gorgeous, life-affirming novel full of moments of tenderness that will fill readers’ hearts with joy. Sara writes so beautifully about family love, loneliness and loss’ Huma Qureshi

    ‘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 bestseller, Heidi Swain

    ‘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

    ‘This is an uplifting and life-affirming novel […] it oozes charm’ Platinum

    ‘Wonderful…It’s a perfect escape for anyone who wants to be reminded (if we need to be reminded) of the power of stories’ Stephanie Butland

    ‘A beautiful and very special read, which reminded me why I love books so much and it made me miss the library even more’ Emily Koch

    ‘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’ Louise Hare

    ‘A spellbinding novel about friendship, loss, community and the power of reading. A stunning debut that broke my heart and put it back together again’ Radiya Hafiza

    ‘Compassion, humour and intelligence shine through on every page of this wonderful novel … Sara Adams finds hope in abundance, and in the most wonderful, unexpected of places’ Rosie Price

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