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The Memory Library
For forty-two years, Sally Harrison has been building a library.
Each year, on her daughter’s birthday, she adds a new book to her shelves – with a note in the front dedicated to her own greatest work.
But Ella – Sally’s only child – fled to Australia twenty-two years ago after a heated exchange, and never looked back. And though Sally still dutifully adds a new paperback to the shelves every time the clock strikes midnight on July 11th, her hopes of her daughter ever thumbing through the pages are starting to dwindle.
Then disaster strikes and Ella is forced to return to the home she once knew.
She is soon to discover that when one chapter ends, another will soon follow…
All you have to do is turn the page…
Journey through the pages of this heartwarming novel, where hope, friendship and second changes are written in the margins.
Each year, on her daughter’s birthday, she adds a new book to her shelves – with a note in the front dedicated to her own greatest work.
But Ella – Sally’s only child – fled to Australia twenty-two years ago after a heated exchange, and never looked back. And though Sally still dutifully adds a new paperback to the shelves every time the clock strikes midnight on July 11th, her hopes of her daughter ever thumbing through the pages are starting to dwindle.
Then disaster strikes and Ella is forced to return to the home she once knew.
She is soon to discover that when one chapter ends, another will soon follow…
All you have to do is turn the page…
Journey through the pages of this heartwarming novel, where hope, friendship and second changes are written in the margins.
336 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2024
3,112 people are currently reading
15.3k people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,210 reviews
November 25, 2023
This is being billed as a debut voice but it really isn't...it is by author Lisa Timoney and I loved it. This book is about parental relationships and how we perceive them versus what the reality is. I loved how Sally protected her daughter even though it took a toll on the mother-daughter relationship. And despite the fact that they aren't on the best of terms Ella flies halfway around the world when her mother has a fall and injures herself.
Ella learns a lot about her mum while helping out and it makes her reflect on her own marriage and eight-year-old daughter. The story is told in a very realistic way and I learned to love these characters so much I would have liked to have been friends with them. Not only is this a book about a mother and daughter but it is also a book about community. Remember the saying "it takes a village"? That's not just for children everyone can use a community, and that's a lesson Ella learns.
The Memory Library delivers on its promise of a heartwarming read about hope, friendship and second chances. I should note that this book is also a love letter to the written word.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
Ella learns a lot about her mum while helping out and it makes her reflect on her own marriage and eight-year-old daughter. The story is told in a very realistic way and I learned to love these characters so much I would have liked to have been friends with them. Not only is this a book about a mother and daughter but it is also a book about community. Remember the saying "it takes a village"? That's not just for children everyone can use a community, and that's a lesson Ella learns.
The Memory Library delivers on its promise of a heartwarming read about hope, friendship and second chances. I should note that this book is also a love letter to the written word.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
November 14, 2023
This book combines several of my favorite themes. The power of books, caring communities and healing relationships.
It`s the story of Ella and Sally who became estranged without ever getting reconciled. When Sally falls and is injured, Ella travels to England from Australia to be with her, and she gets to know her mother agian. At first I didn`t like Ella, since she made materlistic choices that didn`t sit well with me. Slowly I learnt why she carved out a life for herself where she avioded thinking and feeling deeply, and I loved how she developed as she learnt more about her mother`s choices. The best parts of the book was how she became a part of a lovely community. There were many wonderful moments. When she got the idea to do something for her mother, the books stood out from others. It was creative and interesting, and it made my heart swell.
The ending was absolutely lovely.
If you want a heartwarming novel to keep your spirits up, this one will be a safe pick.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc
It`s the story of Ella and Sally who became estranged without ever getting reconciled. When Sally falls and is injured, Ella travels to England from Australia to be with her, and she gets to know her mother agian. At first I didn`t like Ella, since she made materlistic choices that didn`t sit well with me. Slowly I learnt why she carved out a life for herself where she avioded thinking and feeling deeply, and I loved how she developed as she learnt more about her mother`s choices. The best parts of the book was how she became a part of a lovely community. There were many wonderful moments. When she got the idea to do something for her mother, the books stood out from others. It was creative and interesting, and it made my heart swell.
The ending was absolutely lovely.
If you want a heartwarming novel to keep your spirits up, this one will be a safe pick.
Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc
March 8, 2024
In a Nutshell: A feel-good contemporary novel about second chances, the power of friendship and the magic of books. Works pretty much as expected. No surprises herein. Unlikeable main character though, so be prepared with tons of patience to tolerate her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
💐 Sally – loving, sacrificing, friendly, forgiving. And on top of that, a bibliophile. Sally’s character saves the book from being a thundercloud, courtesy Ella.
💐 The secondary characters, who include a drag queen and a Black young man with a wild Afro and a wilder fashion sense. Ella’s husband Charlie has a limited role but still leaves a mark.
💐 Hadron Collider the cat: With such a name, you can expect Hadron to be amazing, and he is. He also dislikes Ella, which proves what an excellent judge of character he is.
💐 The eponymous memory library, which comes out of a beautiful sentiment, and the actual public library in the book, which shows why libraries are the best!
💐 The ode to books, with various books being not just mentioned but also discussed. Some parts reminded me of Sara Nisha Adams’ “The Reading List”, but the bookish points are much better handled here.
💐 The community spirit, amply depicted in the close bond and the mutual assistance across the characters. These offer plenty of old-world vibes.
💐 The parenting related topics, especially the different standards applied to mothers and fathers and the problem of watching aging parents going through a health issue alone. The mother-daughter relationship between Sally and Ella also is beautiful once fixed.
💐 Plenty of quotable quotes and thought-provoking lines.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🌹 Several themes are explored well: friendship, acceptance, family, found family, social support. But one annoying theme was that of miscommunication – too frequent and overused.
🌹 The prologue set on Ella’s eighth birthday provides a beautiful introduction to the story, but also provides a spoiler to the cause of the rift.
🌹 The pacing is on the slower side, and the plot also gets a bit repetitive in between. But it somehow works for the story as the emotions come out well.
Bookish Nays:
🌵 Ella – When I tell you that Ella’s routine habit is to play the game of 'If I was [sic] queen of the world’, you will understand what a self-centred and judgmental woman she is. We all know at least one such person, the kind sees only trouble in their lives and considers everyone else trouble makers. As a major chunk of the story comes to us from her third person perspective, it takes every iota of patience to tolerate her behaviour. I don’t mind unlikeable characters in fiction as long as their arc is realistic. The problem is that Ella’s turnaround becomes unconvincing because she isn’t presented with any redeeming qualities before.
🌵 I didn’t get why Ella counted uppity Prudence time and again as Sally’s friend even when it was clear that there was no love lost between them. This inclusion felt very forced.
🌵 “I want a man who writes me love letters.” – Never a fan of such idealised and over-romanticised requirements of what counts as love, especially for a couple married more than a decade. Love is so much more than material gestures.
🌵 The sappy ending (prior to the epilogue) didn’t work for me. It felt too neat. I get that this is what most readers would want from this genre – a picture-perfect finale, but it doesn’t work for me. I prefer more realistic endings.
Basically, there was nothing much to hate in this novel (except perhaps for Ella, but she too, as expected, improves by the end.) But there was nothing that blew me away as well. Except for the inclusion of the drag queen character (which I loved!!), there was nothing out of the ordinary here. It’s a nice read, but not a memorable one.
Recommended to those looking for a story of second chances with family and the power of books. It ought to work well for book club discussions because of the characters, the bookish chats, and the themes.
3.5 stars, rounding up because it will work better for the right reader. This is a heart-read, not a head-read.
My thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Memory Library”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Forty-two-year-old Ella has been in Australia for more than half of her life, having left Greenwich two decades ago after a major argument with her mother Sally, who now lives alone in Ella’s childhood home.
When Sally falls at home, Ella is forced to return to take care of her mother, not out of love but out of duty. However, once back home, she discovers something special that her mum has been working on all these years. But is one gesture enough to forgive the hurts of the past?
The story comes to us in the limited third person perspective of the key characters, mostly from the present timeline.
Bookish Yays:
💐 Sally – loving, sacrificing, friendly, forgiving. And on top of that, a bibliophile. Sally’s character saves the book from being a thundercloud, courtesy Ella.
💐 The secondary characters, who include a drag queen and a Black young man with a wild Afro and a wilder fashion sense. Ella’s husband Charlie has a limited role but still leaves a mark.
💐 Hadron Collider the cat: With such a name, you can expect Hadron to be amazing, and he is. He also dislikes Ella, which proves what an excellent judge of character he is.
💐 The eponymous memory library, which comes out of a beautiful sentiment, and the actual public library in the book, which shows why libraries are the best!
💐 The ode to books, with various books being not just mentioned but also discussed. Some parts reminded me of Sara Nisha Adams’ “The Reading List”, but the bookish points are much better handled here.
💐 The community spirit, amply depicted in the close bond and the mutual assistance across the characters. These offer plenty of old-world vibes.
💐 The parenting related topics, especially the different standards applied to mothers and fathers and the problem of watching aging parents going through a health issue alone. The mother-daughter relationship between Sally and Ella also is beautiful once fixed.
💐 Plenty of quotable quotes and thought-provoking lines.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🌹 Several themes are explored well: friendship, acceptance, family, found family, social support. But one annoying theme was that of miscommunication – too frequent and overused.
🌹 The prologue set on Ella’s eighth birthday provides a beautiful introduction to the story, but also provides a spoiler to the cause of the rift.
🌹 The pacing is on the slower side, and the plot also gets a bit repetitive in between. But it somehow works for the story as the emotions come out well.
Bookish Nays:
🌵 Ella – When I tell you that Ella’s routine habit is to play the game of 'If I was [sic] queen of the world’, you will understand what a self-centred and judgmental woman she is. We all know at least one such person, the kind sees only trouble in their lives and considers everyone else trouble makers. As a major chunk of the story comes to us from her third person perspective, it takes every iota of patience to tolerate her behaviour. I don’t mind unlikeable characters in fiction as long as their arc is realistic. The problem is that Ella’s turnaround becomes unconvincing because she isn’t presented with any redeeming qualities before.
🌵 I didn’t get why Ella counted uppity Prudence time and again as Sally’s friend even when it was clear that there was no love lost between them. This inclusion felt very forced.
🌵 “I want a man who writes me love letters.” – Never a fan of such idealised and over-romanticised requirements of what counts as love, especially for a couple married more than a decade. Love is so much more than material gestures.
🌵 The sappy ending (prior to the epilogue) didn’t work for me. It felt too neat. I get that this is what most readers would want from this genre – a picture-perfect finale, but it doesn’t work for me. I prefer more realistic endings.
Basically, there was nothing much to hate in this novel (except perhaps for Ella, but she too, as expected, improves by the end.) But there was nothing that blew me away as well. Except for the inclusion of the drag queen character (which I loved!!), there was nothing out of the ordinary here. It’s a nice read, but not a memorable one.
Recommended to those looking for a story of second chances with family and the power of books. It ought to work well for book club discussions because of the characters, the bookish chats, and the themes.
3.5 stars, rounding up because it will work better for the right reader. This is a heart-read, not a head-read.
My thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Memory Library”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
January 11, 2024
Sally Harrison lives in Greenwich, England, she's been estranged from her only daughter Ella, who moved to Sydney, Australia over twenty years ago. Each year, on her daughter’s birthday July the 11th at midnight, she adds a new book, with a personal inscription and dedication to Ella and keeps in a library she’s created in her house.
After Ella’s dad suddenly passed away and she was really upset and this caused her to jump to the wrong conclusion and she felt betrayed by her mum and they had a big argument. Ella’s married to Charlie and she has an eight year old daughter Willow and Sally has never met her granddaughter.
When Ella receives a call from her mum's neighbour, she tells her Sally has had a fall, and she reluctantly travels back to England. Ella feels all kinds of emotions returning to her childhood home on Circus Street, when she sees her mum in hospital she’s shocked by how much she’s aged and how frail she is, after she returns home Ella notices her mum isn’t right and is it due to her fall or something else?
Sally has had a positive impact in many people’s lives, she’s provided friendship, a hug when needed and someone who they could share their problems with and without judgement. So how did her relationship with Ella fall apart, she starts looking at her mum from a different perspective, by doing this she not only discovers things about Sally she didn’t know, but herself, and is she following in her father’s footsteps and putting work before family?
I received a copy of The Memory Library by Kate Storey from Avon Books UK and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the author’s debut novel in the book club space, what an incredible story and one that will really make you think long after you finished it. A narrative about the power of books, reading and the joy they bring, how they connect and impact people, libraries, friendship, family, love, community and hope. Sally and Ella story is off to a new start, like the beginning of a chapter and five stars from me.
After Ella’s dad suddenly passed away and she was really upset and this caused her to jump to the wrong conclusion and she felt betrayed by her mum and they had a big argument. Ella’s married to Charlie and she has an eight year old daughter Willow and Sally has never met her granddaughter.
When Ella receives a call from her mum's neighbour, she tells her Sally has had a fall, and she reluctantly travels back to England. Ella feels all kinds of emotions returning to her childhood home on Circus Street, when she sees her mum in hospital she’s shocked by how much she’s aged and how frail she is, after she returns home Ella notices her mum isn’t right and is it due to her fall or something else?
Sally has had a positive impact in many people’s lives, she’s provided friendship, a hug when needed and someone who they could share their problems with and without judgement. So how did her relationship with Ella fall apart, she starts looking at her mum from a different perspective, by doing this she not only discovers things about Sally she didn’t know, but herself, and is she following in her father’s footsteps and putting work before family?
I received a copy of The Memory Library by Kate Storey from Avon Books UK and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the author’s debut novel in the book club space, what an incredible story and one that will really make you think long after you finished it. A narrative about the power of books, reading and the joy they bring, how they connect and impact people, libraries, friendship, family, love, community and hope. Sally and Ella story is off to a new start, like the beginning of a chapter and five stars from me.
December 5, 2023
“We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with us.”
This is one of those books that I’ll cherish; it’s a 𝙝𝙪𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨 and it’s a 𝙢𝙞𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙧 that allows readers to see themselves. Storey’s novel is a gift because it shows us a part of ourselves that we might not have seen before - perhaps we’re too wrapped up in our own little world or challenges, perhaps we’ve allowed ourselves to harbour bitterness or self-righteousness, perhaps we’ve rationalized our excuses. Regardless, many of us haven’t made enough time for those we love. For those of us who still have our parents and/or grandparents, this is a 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 them as they age.
Twenty-one years ago, Ella Harrison left home and never looked back. Fuelled by misplaced bitterness and self-righteousness, she wraps herself up in her own little world and doesn’t make space for anyone; her marriage suffers, her daughter suffers, and her mother suffers. It takes a call from her mom’s neighbour to give Ella the wake-up call she needs. Returning home, Ella discovers that she’s lost 21 years of loving and being loved and she needs to make it right. She’s lonely at the top and she has time and opportunity to fix her challenges. Her husband was correct - “Some things aren’t easy, Ella. It doesn’t mean you don’t face up to them. Maybe it’s time to stop running away.”
This is the perfect book to read as we enter a fresh new year full of opportunities to correct our past mistakes.
I loved the 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲! I want to live in a world where there are Jakubs, Minas, Hannahs, Veritys, Prus and Nathans. I want to value them and appreciate what my community can do when it comes together. They are already all around me, I just need to take my eyes off myself and reach out.
I loved all the 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 and without giving too much away - I LOVED Ella’s library! If you are going to read one ‘bookish’ book this year, make it this one. I loved my time in Whoville, I mean Circus Street, and had my heart stretched three times as big.
I appreciated the reminder about the importance of having a purpose, smiled at the times Ella said, “If I was Queen of the World ….”, loved Hadron Collider, the one-eyed cat, and was teary reading about all the things Sally had given up in the hopes that her daughter would forgive her.
🛒What you’re going to get:
𝙖 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠, 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙙𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥, 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨.
My takeaways:
❤️ "Check your privilege and remember that who you are is more important than what you have.”
❤️ “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
❤️ “We can’t rewrite the past.”
❤️ “Unfamiliar glow of selflessness.”
I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This is one of those books that I’ll cherish; it’s a 𝙝𝙪𝙜 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨 and it’s a 𝙢𝙞𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙧 that allows readers to see themselves. Storey’s novel is a gift because it shows us a part of ourselves that we might not have seen before - perhaps we’re too wrapped up in our own little world or challenges, perhaps we’ve allowed ourselves to harbour bitterness or self-righteousness, perhaps we’ve rationalized our excuses. Regardless, many of us haven’t made enough time for those we love. For those of us who still have our parents and/or grandparents, this is a 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 them as they age.
Twenty-one years ago, Ella Harrison left home and never looked back. Fuelled by misplaced bitterness and self-righteousness, she wraps herself up in her own little world and doesn’t make space for anyone; her marriage suffers, her daughter suffers, and her mother suffers. It takes a call from her mom’s neighbour to give Ella the wake-up call she needs. Returning home, Ella discovers that she’s lost 21 years of loving and being loved and she needs to make it right. She’s lonely at the top and she has time and opportunity to fix her challenges. Her husband was correct - “Some things aren’t easy, Ella. It doesn’t mean you don’t face up to them. Maybe it’s time to stop running away.”
This is the perfect book to read as we enter a fresh new year full of opportunities to correct our past mistakes.
I loved the 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲! I want to live in a world where there are Jakubs, Minas, Hannahs, Veritys, Prus and Nathans. I want to value them and appreciate what my community can do when it comes together. They are already all around me, I just need to take my eyes off myself and reach out.
I loved all the 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 and without giving too much away - I LOVED Ella’s library! If you are going to read one ‘bookish’ book this year, make it this one. I loved my time in Whoville, I mean Circus Street, and had my heart stretched three times as big.
I appreciated the reminder about the importance of having a purpose, smiled at the times Ella said, “If I was Queen of the World ….”, loved Hadron Collider, the one-eyed cat, and was teary reading about all the things Sally had given up in the hopes that her daughter would forgive her.
🛒What you’re going to get:
𝙖 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠, 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙙𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥, 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨.
My takeaways:
❤️ "Check your privilege and remember that who you are is more important than what you have.”
❤️ “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
❤️ “We can’t rewrite the past.”
❤️ “Unfamiliar glow of selflessness.”
I was gifted this copy by Avon Books UK and was under no obligation to provide a review.
January 15, 2025
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
~
This was such a beautiful book! It was such a lovely story and hit me right in the chest. This book really was a breathtaking story and portrayed such celebration and love for words, books and libraries. The characters and story were amazing and so well written, just such a lovely heartwarming story and I really struggle to pick out a fault with this one. Read in one sitting and highly recommend! Please read this like right now 😭
~
This was such a beautiful book! It was such a lovely story and hit me right in the chest. This book really was a breathtaking story and portrayed such celebration and love for words, books and libraries. The characters and story were amazing and so well written, just such a lovely heartwarming story and I really struggle to pick out a fault with this one. Read in one sitting and highly recommend! Please read this like right now 😭
November 28, 2024
Peel back the surface of most mother daughter relationships and the complexities bubble up. In the case of Sally and her daughter Ella their relationship has been strained by past mistakes resulting in an incomplete view of the present and uncertainty hovering over their futures.
The audiobook is voiced by an excellent duo of narrators Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde who brought Sally and Ella to life. The narrators captured the emotions the characters experienced and listening to this was quite engaging. The story is presented in a dual timeline format. The themes of forgiveness, empathy, community, and books are a path towards healing. I enjoyed this thought provoking compassionate novel and would recommend it to those who like to explore the gravity of real life situations through fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the Advance Listening Copy
The audiobook is voiced by an excellent duo of narrators Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde who brought Sally and Ella to life. The narrators captured the emotions the characters experienced and listening to this was quite engaging. The story is presented in a dual timeline format. The themes of forgiveness, empathy, community, and books are a path towards healing. I enjoyed this thought provoking compassionate novel and would recommend it to those who like to explore the gravity of real life situations through fiction.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for the Advance Listening Copy
December 4, 2024
This was a very sweet story about a mother and daughter who have become distant reconnecting. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow closer over a few weeks in the story.
There isn't much that happens in the story that you won't see coming. Certain parts are repetitive as characters figure things out. In fairness, they need to be repetitive or the actions would be dismissed. That may sound a little vague, but I don't want to give away any plot points unintentionally.
The story is mostly set in the current day, with just a few flashbacks chapters included. I enjoyed the cast of characters.
I listened to the audio narrated by Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde. It was very well done and enjoyable.
3.5★
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult | Harper360 for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
There isn't much that happens in the story that you won't see coming. Certain parts are repetitive as characters figure things out. In fairness, they need to be repetitive or the actions would be dismissed. That may sound a little vague, but I don't want to give away any plot points unintentionally.
The story is mostly set in the current day, with just a few flashbacks chapters included. I enjoyed the cast of characters.
I listened to the audio narrated by Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde. It was very well done and enjoyable.
3.5★
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult | Harper360 for providing me with a complimentary electronic copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 4, 2025
Cheesy, predictable... Did I mind? Not a jot.
This was gorgeous. Such a lovely idea for a mother to give her daughter a book on her birthday, with a little inscription, and add it to their library room at home. I would so do this if I had a daughter!
It brings out a real love of literature. The book mentions so many novels- contemporary as well as classics, and it made me want to read the ones I hadn't already.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde. Both actors were excellent, but I truly adored Imogen Wilde's voice. I couldn't stop listening.
A wonderful audiobook, that I am now sad I read it too quickly.
This was gorgeous. Such a lovely idea for a mother to give her daughter a book on her birthday, with a little inscription, and add it to their library room at home. I would so do this if I had a daughter!
It brings out a real love of literature. The book mentions so many novels- contemporary as well as classics, and it made me want to read the ones I hadn't already.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde. Both actors were excellent, but I truly adored Imogen Wilde's voice. I couldn't stop listening.
A wonderful audiobook, that I am now sad I read it too quickly.
May 4, 2024
Such a lovely story.
Sometimes the path between Mother and daughter can reach a crevice where the relationship can break down.
At times it is difficult to be a parent and we get it wrong. At times too, the daughter may handle things not quite right.
But one sure thing remains, love. Maybe just not understanding.
Each year this Mom adds a relevant book onto her shelf for her daughter and inside she rights a meaningful inscription. She faithfully does this although her daughter left home and she has a new life. Later with a family of her own.
She lives abroad but has to return home as her Mother has had an accident. She’s needed.
From there on the story unfolds.
It’s a reawakening of love, relationships, understandings, faults and complications which I was totally invested in.
I “read” this by listening on audio from Netgalley and the time just slipped away from me.
I think this author is new to me so I’m going to see if she has back listed books. Love her way of telling this relationship it just flowed so fluently.
If you like family type stories with complicated and complex dynamics you may enjoy this one.
Sometimes the path between Mother and daughter can reach a crevice where the relationship can break down.
At times it is difficult to be a parent and we get it wrong. At times too, the daughter may handle things not quite right.
But one sure thing remains, love. Maybe just not understanding.
Each year this Mom adds a relevant book onto her shelf for her daughter and inside she rights a meaningful inscription. She faithfully does this although her daughter left home and she has a new life. Later with a family of her own.
She lives abroad but has to return home as her Mother has had an accident. She’s needed.
From there on the story unfolds.
It’s a reawakening of love, relationships, understandings, faults and complications which I was totally invested in.
I “read” this by listening on audio from Netgalley and the time just slipped away from me.
I think this author is new to me so I’m going to see if she has back listed books. Love her way of telling this relationship it just flowed so fluently.
If you like family type stories with complicated and complex dynamics you may enjoy this one.
December 3, 2023
I enjoyed this book Immensely, although some of it was very sad. Beautifully written and sensitivity done. What a great idea writing about a library full of memories. Didn't want t it to end. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
February 2, 2024
This was a wonderful book about Ella, who is in her early forties and living the life of a hardworking lawyer and mother of one in Sydney, Australia. Her husband works part time and runs the household in something of a traditional role reversal, but one which makes Ella feel resentful.
On a busy morning as Ella is preparing to dash off to work, a phone call comes through from her mother's neighbour back in London. Her mother Sally has had a fall and broken bones in both of her hands. Ella has to make a choice, manage the problem from a distance, or return home to England to assist her mother from who she has been essentially estranged for more than twenty years.
This book is about love, family and community. For me it came at the right time and gave me great pause for thought and reflection. On top of all of this it is also a celebration of reading and books! Something very, very close to my heart.
I am happy to recommend this wonderful book, have tissues handy. Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
On a busy morning as Ella is preparing to dash off to work, a phone call comes through from her mother's neighbour back in London. Her mother Sally has had a fall and broken bones in both of her hands. Ella has to make a choice, manage the problem from a distance, or return home to England to assist her mother from who she has been essentially estranged for more than twenty years.
This book is about love, family and community. For me it came at the right time and gave me great pause for thought and reflection. On top of all of this it is also a celebration of reading and books! Something very, very close to my heart.
I am happy to recommend this wonderful book, have tissues handy. Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
Read
March 24, 2024Another disappointment of 2024. Sometimes I feel like I should stop reading contemporary books entirely.
August 20, 2024
Sally bouwt al sinds de geboorte van haar dochter Ella aan een bijzondere bibliotheek. Ieder jaar, op Ella’s verjaardag, krijgt ze een nieuw boek met daarin een persoonlijke boodschap van haar moeder, zorgvuldig en met liefde uitgezocht, speciaal voor haar. Hun hechte band is echter verwaterd na een verhitte ruzie en nu Ella al 21 jaar in Australië woont, is hun contact nog slechts oppervlakkig, mist Sally haar kind en hoewel ze boeken aan de bibliotheek blijft toevoegen, vervliegt de hoop dat alles nog goed zal komen ieder jaar een beetje meer. Maar dan krijgt Sally een ongeluk, zet Ella haar drukke leven op pauze en vliegt ze de wereld over om voor haar moeder te zorgen. Is er ruimte voor een nieuw begin?
Gedurende haar tijd in Londen maakt Ella niet alleen opnieuw kennis met haar moeder, ze leert ook de geweldige gemeenschap kennen die Sally om zich heen heeft verzameld en ontdekt welke invloed Sally op hun levens heeft gehad, ze denkt na over haar relaties, haar keuzes en de wijze waarop ze in het leven staat, en terwijl de vrouwen langzaam nader tot elkaar komen, zorgen belangrijke levenslessen uit verhalen voor reflectie, verandering en een nieuwe band. Ze kunnen het verleden niet herschrijven, maar zodra Ella realiseert wat ze heeft verloren, waarom ze weg blijft rennen, in zichzelf gekeerd is en anderen niet makkelijk toelaat, verschijnt er een barst in haar harde buitenkant, ziet ze haar moeder in een ander licht, leert ze wat er al die jaren geleden écht is gebeurd en verschuiven haar prioriteiten.
In haar warme en vlotte schrijfstijl neemt Kate Storey je moeiteloos mee in het verhaal van deze vrouwen, dat zich hoofdzakelijk in het heden afspeelt, met enkele flashbacks om de gebeurtenissen uit het verleden beter te duiden. Ze geeft niet alle geheimen meteen prijs maar bouwt het geheel mooi op, en terwijl je je soms afvraagt waarom de vervreemding zo lang heeft moeten duren omdat enkele inzichten ineens wel vrij gemakkelijk komen en sommige ontwikkelingen snel gaan, zijn grote misverstanden in het echte leven natuurlijk ook niet met één gesprek opgelost en begrijp je door realistische en emotionele passages de hele situatie.
Dit is een gelaagd verhaal waarin de personages een groei doormaken, en hoewel ik had verwacht dat de boeken uit de speciale bibliotheek een grotere rol zou spelen, worden de verhalen die worden besproken mooi verweven in dit bijzondere verhaal over de complexiteit van relaties, vooroordelen, veerkracht en verlies, de kracht van liefde, vriendschap en boeken en het belang van gemeenschap. Het is een meeslepend verhaal vol kleine verrassingen en een hartverwarmend verhaal dat je bijblijft. Pure feelgood!
3.5-4⭐
Gedurende haar tijd in Londen maakt Ella niet alleen opnieuw kennis met haar moeder, ze leert ook de geweldige gemeenschap kennen die Sally om zich heen heeft verzameld en ontdekt welke invloed Sally op hun levens heeft gehad, ze denkt na over haar relaties, haar keuzes en de wijze waarop ze in het leven staat, en terwijl de vrouwen langzaam nader tot elkaar komen, zorgen belangrijke levenslessen uit verhalen voor reflectie, verandering en een nieuwe band. Ze kunnen het verleden niet herschrijven, maar zodra Ella realiseert wat ze heeft verloren, waarom ze weg blijft rennen, in zichzelf gekeerd is en anderen niet makkelijk toelaat, verschijnt er een barst in haar harde buitenkant, ziet ze haar moeder in een ander licht, leert ze wat er al die jaren geleden écht is gebeurd en verschuiven haar prioriteiten.
In haar warme en vlotte schrijfstijl neemt Kate Storey je moeiteloos mee in het verhaal van deze vrouwen, dat zich hoofdzakelijk in het heden afspeelt, met enkele flashbacks om de gebeurtenissen uit het verleden beter te duiden. Ze geeft niet alle geheimen meteen prijs maar bouwt het geheel mooi op, en terwijl je je soms afvraagt waarom de vervreemding zo lang heeft moeten duren omdat enkele inzichten ineens wel vrij gemakkelijk komen en sommige ontwikkelingen snel gaan, zijn grote misverstanden in het echte leven natuurlijk ook niet met één gesprek opgelost en begrijp je door realistische en emotionele passages de hele situatie.
Dit is een gelaagd verhaal waarin de personages een groei doormaken, en hoewel ik had verwacht dat de boeken uit de speciale bibliotheek een grotere rol zou spelen, worden de verhalen die worden besproken mooi verweven in dit bijzondere verhaal over de complexiteit van relaties, vooroordelen, veerkracht en verlies, de kracht van liefde, vriendschap en boeken en het belang van gemeenschap. Het is een meeslepend verhaal vol kleine verrassingen en een hartverwarmend verhaal dat je bijblijft. Pure feelgood!
3.5-4⭐
July 30, 2024
This was a fast and easy read with potential that eventually crashed and burned.
I was terribly annoyed by Ella who was a 40 year old teenager with no communication skills or emotional intelligence. She mistreated everyone in her life and had some big terrible event that caused her to cut off her mother for 21 years. This big terrible thing ended up being so silly and ridiculous.
Sally’s character wasn’t great either. She was a pointless martyr who also had no communication skills. Everything in this book was solved within two sentences but somehow it has to make sense that it took 21 years to utter those sentences.
The characters were thin and devoid of unique characteristics. The story was even thinner and devoid of any spark or logic.
It could have used a major developmental edit and rewrite.
I was terribly annoyed by Ella who was a 40 year old teenager with no communication skills or emotional intelligence. She mistreated everyone in her life and had some big terrible event that caused her to cut off her mother for 21 years. This big terrible thing ended up being so silly and ridiculous.
Sally’s character wasn’t great either. She was a pointless martyr who also had no communication skills. Everything in this book was solved within two sentences but somehow it has to make sense that it took 21 years to utter those sentences.
The characters were thin and devoid of unique characteristics. The story was even thinner and devoid of any spark or logic.
It could have used a major developmental edit and rewrite.
May 12, 2024
An absolute incredible read loved it right from reading the first page!
December 30, 2024
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. I felt it was an unrealistic, feel-good, happily-ever-after fantasy. Guess I'm getting jaded in my old age.
January 19, 2025
Worth reading.
I did love this book it was easy to read, and the words just flowed. The main characters, Sally and her daughter Ella have been estranged for many years. Ella carries a lot of bitterness on her shoulders, which affects her own home life and in particular, her marriage. I loved the public library and how everyone interacted with each other.
The Memory Library is a beautiful story, and I recommend it.
I did love this book it was easy to read, and the words just flowed. The main characters, Sally and her daughter Ella have been estranged for many years. Ella carries a lot of bitterness on her shoulders, which affects her own home life and in particular, her marriage. I loved the public library and how everyone interacted with each other.
The Memory Library is a beautiful story, and I recommend it.
September 13, 2024
In 'The Memory Library' by Kate Story, readers are treated to a heartwarming narrative that skillfully weaves together beloved themes of storytelling, the transformative power of books, and the enduring nature of love and friendship. Kate Story's narrative effortlessly draws readers into a world where the simple act of storytelling becomes a beacon of hope and healing.
At its core, 'The Memory Library' is a poignant exploration of love's myriad forms, from the profound bond between a mother and her daughter to the enduring friendships that shape our lives. Through the lens of protagonist Sally's journey, Story masterfully illuminates the complexities of perception and the profound impact of unspoken sacrifices made in the name of love.
While the narrative unfolds with a simplicity that belies its depth, 'The Memory Library' is anything but ordinary. Its pages are imbued with a quiet power that resonates long after the final chapter has been read. This is a story that reminds us of the timeless truths found within the pages of a well-loved book, and the profound connections that bind us all.
In 'The Memory Library,' Kate Story invites readers on a journey of introspection and discovery, offering a gentle reminder of the enduring power of love, hope, and the written word.
I hope you read and share your perception!
At its core, 'The Memory Library' is a poignant exploration of love's myriad forms, from the profound bond between a mother and her daughter to the enduring friendships that shape our lives. Through the lens of protagonist Sally's journey, Story masterfully illuminates the complexities of perception and the profound impact of unspoken sacrifices made in the name of love.
While the narrative unfolds with a simplicity that belies its depth, 'The Memory Library' is anything but ordinary. Its pages are imbued with a quiet power that resonates long after the final chapter has been read. This is a story that reminds us of the timeless truths found within the pages of a well-loved book, and the profound connections that bind us all.
In 'The Memory Library,' Kate Story invites readers on a journey of introspection and discovery, offering a gentle reminder of the enduring power of love, hope, and the written word.
I hope you read and share your perception!
March 23, 2025
The Memory Library by Kate Storey, is a beautifully heartwarming, slower-paced story that highlights the power of books.
Told from the perspective of Sally (ageing mother) and Ella (adult daughter), this story beautifully explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, the power of second chances and community connections.
I was fortunate enough to listen the audiobook of this story and found the narration by Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde brilliant for the characters and worked well with the storyline.
What a wonderful debut. I am looking forward to reading what Kate Storey creates next.
Format: Audiobook, accessed via Borrowbox
Listen time: 8 hours, 21 minutes
Told from the perspective of Sally (ageing mother) and Ella (adult daughter), this story beautifully explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships, the power of second chances and community connections.
I was fortunate enough to listen the audiobook of this story and found the narration by Jilly Bond and Imogen Wilde brilliant for the characters and worked well with the storyline.
What a wonderful debut. I am looking forward to reading what Kate Storey creates next.
Format: Audiobook, accessed via Borrowbox
Listen time: 8 hours, 21 minutes
Read
May 14, 2024Can't rate it because I have to DNF it because too much swearing 🤬 and I am just barely into character 3! Oh well...onto better books 📚😄
June 5, 2024
Captivating story of family drama and books. Great ending.
July 16, 2024
Love the cover. The blurb seemed promising, but the book fell short of being heartwarming. The plot felt predictable and spanned 337 long pages. I found it difficult to connect with 40 year old Ella’s anger and distant attitude toward her mother. Sally, in contrast, appears martyr-like for not addressing Ella’s intolerance based on a misunderstanding 21 long years ago. I didn’t care for either Ella or Sally’s characters or behavior.
However, the author effectively illustrated how misunderstandings, especially between family members, can take root and profoundly affect our lives. I agree with the author that books, regardless of their quality, have the power to illuminate our perspectives. 2/5
However, the author effectively illustrated how misunderstandings, especially between family members, can take root and profoundly affect our lives. I agree with the author that books, regardless of their quality, have the power to illuminate our perspectives. 2/5
November 3, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook of The Memory Library by Kate Storey.
To be honest I wasn't the biggest fan in the beginning of this book. As the book progressed I enjoyed it more and more. This is a story about being young and reading into things and not finding out the truth. About running away from your problems and starting over. About torn apart families. About a group of friends that are willing to help each other in good times and hard times. About coming home and peeling aways those preconceived notions of how things were and realizing that things have changed.
It was a beautiful story of getting older and mending fences in your life. It is definitely worth reading or listening to.
To be honest I wasn't the biggest fan in the beginning of this book. As the book progressed I enjoyed it more and more. This is a story about being young and reading into things and not finding out the truth. About running away from your problems and starting over. About torn apart families. About a group of friends that are willing to help each other in good times and hard times. About coming home and peeling aways those preconceived notions of how things were and realizing that things have changed.
It was a beautiful story of getting older and mending fences in your life. It is definitely worth reading or listening to.
February 27, 2024
A resounding, heartwarming 5 stars! More to come.
April 1, 2025
If I was queen of the world I would…
I absolutely loved this part because it was just something fun. When I first started this book I was struggling to get into it because I felt it was kind of slow but as I kept reading I ended up really enjoying it. The mother daughter relationship building then breaking then building again was very realistic and something a lot of people go through. I was also happy to see Ella go on a journey of really re-discovering herself and getting to her roots again. I feel like it really benefited the story and helped me enjoy that much more. Also the idea of Sally giving her daughter a book with an inscription every year on her birthday is genius and I definitely want to do that as well. I recommend the feel good book especially if you just read a sad one!!
I absolutely loved this part because it was just something fun. When I first started this book I was struggling to get into it because I felt it was kind of slow but as I kept reading I ended up really enjoying it. The mother daughter relationship building then breaking then building again was very realistic and something a lot of people go through. I was also happy to see Ella go on a journey of really re-discovering herself and getting to her roots again. I feel like it really benefited the story and helped me enjoy that much more. Also the idea of Sally giving her daughter a book with an inscription every year on her birthday is genius and I definitely want to do that as well. I recommend the feel good book especially if you just read a sad one!!
July 30, 2024
Een prachtig boek met een belangrijke boodschap, mooie personages en een hele sterke ontwikkeling. Zeker een aanrader! Al helemaal als je van de klassiekere boeken of boeken in het algemeen houdt.
Ik twijfel enorm tussen 3,5 en 4 sterren, dus ik maak een uitzondering en geef dit boek 3,75 sterren.
Ik twijfel enorm tussen 3,5 en 4 sterren, dus ik maak een uitzondering en geef dit boek 3,75 sterren.
December 31, 2024
(Luisterboek). Ella heeft al jaren een slechte relatie met haar moeder Sally. Wanneer haar moeder uitglijdt in haar badkamer en door de val een aantal botten breekt, vertrekt Ella met tegenzin vanuit Australië naar het Verenigd Koninkrijk om haar moeder te helpen. Wanneer blijkt dat een groot deel van het ouderlijk huis is beschadigd doordat de badkamer is overstroomt, besluit Ella de beschadigingen te laten herstellen. Er is echter één kamer in het huis die op slot blijkt te zitten. De kamer blijkt de persoonlijke bibliotheek van Sally te zijn, bestaande uit talloze boeken met voorin een persoonlijke boodschap voor haar dochter.
Ik mocht meedoen aan de 50ste(!) boekenclub van @ilonaslevenbijls en wat was dit weer een mooi en hartverwarmend verhaal. De liefde was voelbaar op elke pagina. Het verhaal wisselt tussen het heden en het verleden, waardoor je er geleidelijk achterkomt waarom de band tussen moeder en dochter lange tijd zo slecht is geweest. Ik vond het dan ook prachtig om te lezen hoe de band toch stukje bij beetje weer wordt opgebouwd. Daarnaast kon ik de persoonlijke ontwikkelingen en zelfreflectie van Ella erg waarderen. De bijpersonages uit de gemeenschap waar moeder Sally deel van uitmaakt waren ook stuk voor stuk een mooie toevoeging aan het verhaal.
De fijne schrijfstijl van Kate Storey en het feit dat het boek niet mega dik was, maakte dat ik hem erg snel heb gelezen. Het luisterboek, ingesproken door Irene Moors, is trouwens ook een grote aanrader!
Kortom: een boek om snel op je lijstje te zetten dus!
Heel erg bedankt voor deze mooie leesclub @lsuitgeverij @ilonaslevenbijls!
Ik mocht meedoen aan de 50ste(!) boekenclub van @ilonaslevenbijls en wat was dit weer een mooi en hartverwarmend verhaal. De liefde was voelbaar op elke pagina. Het verhaal wisselt tussen het heden en het verleden, waardoor je er geleidelijk achterkomt waarom de band tussen moeder en dochter lange tijd zo slecht is geweest. Ik vond het dan ook prachtig om te lezen hoe de band toch stukje bij beetje weer wordt opgebouwd. Daarnaast kon ik de persoonlijke ontwikkelingen en zelfreflectie van Ella erg waarderen. De bijpersonages uit de gemeenschap waar moeder Sally deel van uitmaakt waren ook stuk voor stuk een mooie toevoeging aan het verhaal.
De fijne schrijfstijl van Kate Storey en het feit dat het boek niet mega dik was, maakte dat ik hem erg snel heb gelezen. Het luisterboek, ingesproken door Irene Moors, is trouwens ook een grote aanrader!
Kortom: een boek om snel op je lijstje te zetten dus!
Heel erg bedankt voor deze mooie leesclub @lsuitgeverij @ilonaslevenbijls!
May 2, 2024
A heartwarming story about the power of books to inspire, connect people and enrich lives. Wonderful.
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