LoveReading Says
LoveReading Says
June Jones is a library assistant who has not moved much further than her fiction section. It’s where she grew up and it feels like home. She picks up the role after her mum passes away, and what tough shoes they are to fill.
Incredibly shy and socially awkward June is forced to come out of her comfort zone and fight for what she believes in when the library is forced with closure.
It’s such a warm and uplifting story of community, of kindness, of love and libraries. And along the way you really come to care for the characters who frequent the library: from Stanley Phelps, the Wodehouse-like gentleman who enjoys WWII historical fiction to the irascible Mrs B who complains about every book, to romance lover Linda.
This heart-warming tale takes you on a journey through books and characters, reminding you of everything you’ve ever read since you were a child. It’s a story of personal growth, of finding strength, the importance of friendships and love. I devoured it.
The LoveReading LitFest invited Freya Sampson to the festival to talk about The Last Library.
The digitally native, all year round, online literature and books festival, with new content released every week is a free-for-all-users festival.
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Deborah Maclaren
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The Last Library Synopsis
You can tell a lot about a person from the library books they borrow
Library assistant June knows a lot about the regulars at Chalcot Library, yet they know very little about her. When her mum - the beloved local librarian - passed away eight years ago, June stepped into her shoes. But despite their shared love of books, shy June has never felt she can live up to the village's memory of her mum. Instead, she's retreated into herself and her memories, surviving on Chinese takeaways-for-one and rereading their favourite books at home.
When the library is threatened with closure, a ragtag band of eccentric locals establish the Friends of Chalcot Library campaign. There's gentlemanly pensioner Stanley, who visits the library for the computers and the crosswords, cantankerous Mrs B, who is yet to find a book she approves of, and teenager Chantal, who just wants a quiet place to study away from home. But can they compel reclusive June to join their cause?
If June wants to save the library, she finally has to make some changes to her life: opening up her heart to friendship, opportunities and maybe even more . . .
About This Edition
Press Reviews
Freya Sampson Press Reviews
I've spent the last few days asking myself what Matilda would do, and I'm totally in love with Mrs B. A wonderfully warm and uplifting story of kindness, community, love and libraries. The Last Library made me laugh, cry, cheer and want to champion all of our fabulous libraries - Clare Pooley
A powerful reminder about the importance of community, kindness and friendship. Beautifully nostalgic, with a gorgeous cast of characters you are set to fall in love with, this is a truly stunning debut - Hannah Tovey
Such an uplifting story with a cast of characters I fell head over heels in love with. A heartwarming portrayal of the vital role libraries have in our communities and I adored every page - Jessica Ryn
The Last Library is sheer joy from the first page - a story of love, loss, self-discovery and courage. Funny, poignant and a celebration of books, libraries, stories and everything that makes us human. Unmissable - Katie Marsh
June stepped into her Mum's shoes at Chalcot Library but has felt she's been living in her shadow for the last eight years. Now the library is threatened with closure will she find the confidence to fight it and realise it's ok to let go of the past. With an array of fabulous characters this is a truly lovely and endearing read - Nina Pottell, Prima
I really loved this from start to finish. The premise is a library threatened with closure and community coming together to campaign to save it, but with a lovely light touch. A brilliant first novel. - Katie Fforde
A gentle, heart-warming story and a love letter to libraries everywhere. When the world is grim, The Last Library is just the book to soothe your soul - Jenny Bayliss
