Books

Catalogue



cover
2 

Title: Last Chance Library, The
Authors: Sampson, Freya
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 322
Year: 2021
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Language: English
Description: When austerity rears its ugly head and Chalcot Library is for the chop, it is a wake-up call for twenty-eight-year-old library assistant June Jones. Chalcot Library has always been at the centre of her life and its threatened closure forces her out of her sheltered existence and into joining her library patrons in their campaign of resistance.

Quirky characters, an English village, and a library under threat guarantee a heart-warming, light read, and a thought-provoking reminder of the value of libraries and the importance of community.

Categories: Fiction, Community, Grief/loss, Literature oriented, Love story, Relationships, England, UK, Light read, 2024 Titles

Reviews

[Please log in to write a review]
By: LEITH 001 2025-05-19 10:08:08
3 
We enjoyed the read but it was a little light.

By: CHCH 508 2025-03-31 10:04:42
3 
Readable, light, topical - we are happy our library system is so much better.

By: AUCK 166 2025-02-17 12:31:15
3 
Pleasant easy read, not challenging, predictable, main character irritating to some, but we enjoyed the descriptions of community characters.

By: INVER 017 2025-01-29 15:00:04
4.5 
All enjoyed the book. Just what we needed for the holidays. Good discussion from group on how we each tap into the resources available at our local library.

By: WAIKA 014 2024-12-18 12:21:31
4.5 
This book was a refreshing change to some of the heavy topics we have read this year. It felt like a town we may know.

By: GOVER 003 2024-12-02 14:57:54
4 
This was an easy read, on the lighter side, which we all enjoyed. Good characterisation, with a number of quirky souls, and a heartwarming outcome. Did create good discussion on the importance of libraries, and the books we remember reading as children.

By: DUNED 044 2024-10-17 14:40:26
4 
Mixed reviews - we either enjoyed a "nice story", or "found it boring".

By: DRUM 001 2024-06-26 12:17:04
4.5 
All the members that were in attendance really enjoyed this book. The book created a lot of conversation and the subject was most interesting. Lots of discussion about libraries, librarians and how they affected ours and other communities.

By: TAUR 023 2024-06-25 11:47:52
4.5 
Most of us enjoyed it as an easy light read.

By: CHCH 145 2024-05-09 10:19:23
4 
Overall a quick light read. Important issues covered re importance of libraries as being so much more than books. We enjoyed the characters and issues covered such as grief, justice, isolation, and inequality.

By: ASHB 003 2024-05-08 12:46:25
3 
All enjoyed the book but found it a bit "light".

By: TIMAR 020 2024-04-29 11:36:01
5 
Well-written. An easy, warm read with very good character development. We could relate to the characters. Everyone enjoyed the book.

By: AUCK 271 2024-04-22 12:04:38
4 
Quick easy read; somewhat predictable, but the majority of us enjoyed it nonetheless. Light and uplifting, but generated some robust discussion about libraries and our shared love of books.

By: AUCK 056 2024-03-07 12:19:58
4.5 
The majority of our group found this book to be a "delightful" read.

By: CHCH 395 2024-02-22 10:28:59
4.5 
A lovely summer read.

By: PALMN 004 2024-01-11 14:45:28
4 
This was an easy read. It was so sweet. This could be made into a movie.

By: AUCK 234 2023-10-30 10:20:03
4 
Slow start - light, easy to read. A bit predictable but easy to persevere with.

By: MOTUE 003 2023-09-11 13:43:37
4 
Most said it was good light read - a bit predictable.

By: NAP 005 2023-06-09 16:01:10
3 
Most of our group enjoyed reading this novel. It was an easy read and perhaps a bit light on content. However, here in Napier, our main public library has been in temporary premises for a few years now and planning for a new build is underway, with several of us following developments closely. Having been a secondary school librarian for many years, I could relate to many parts of the book.

By: WANAK 008 2023-06-07 10:18:20
2.5 
Generally an 'alright' easy read. Predictable. June Jones really annoyed a number of us - bullied by Marjorie, yet even going to her 'hen' do.

By: PARAPA 001 2023-05-08 13:40:13
2 
Rather predictable and light. Characters stereotyped and not well developed.

 
The Book Discussion 
Scheme is a member of the Federation of Workers Educational Associations in Aotearoa New Zealand
BDS is a member of the Federation of Workers Educational Associations
Top