The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey- Reshelved Books

**The Library of Lost Things by Laura Taylor Namey was sent to me by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

For anyone who has been patiently waiting a new YA book review from me, look no further than this post!

The Library of Lost Things introduces us to Darcy Wells, a 17 year old girl who's been hiding the fact that her mother is a hoarder. With a new building superintendent, the secret that Darcy has worked so hard to hide is threatening to be exposed.  In a few weeks from when the author introduces the reader to Darcy, she will be 18, no longer at worry for CPS to take her away but fueled by the prospect that her home might be taken away from her and her mother. 

I didn't find there was as much focus on Darcy and her mom's relationship. I kinda thought that it could have been more involved? Yes, we knew that there was a shopping addiction and that her mother had other shortcomings but that was kinda it.  (Maybe the lack of her mother's appearance was to show that she was somewhat absent?! Update: I think it was totally intentional!)

Book Cover was copied from Amazon- linked above

Other than that, I felt like everything that Darcy was going through was relatable.  Having a fear of being out in front of an audience on a stage: normal.  Being on that stage and having to have your first kiss at the same time: terribly mortifying and yet a totally relatable feeling.  Having strong feelings for someone who you know can only be your friend and nothing else: also a normal thing. 

Darcy as a character was just bland.  There wasn't anything that made her stand out in my mind. 

My final feelings on this book are the following: it fell a little flat for me.  I found it to be very slow going for a good amount of the book.  It wasn't until the last 3 or 4 chapters that the story picked up from me. 

I would give this book 3 coffee beans out of 5 coffee beans.  

This book will be available for purchase on October 8, 2019.

~ Jillian 

Save the Date by Morgan Matson - Reshelved Books

Hi all!

Save the Date by Morgan Matson was suggested by one of the Spine Breakers as our book for July. 

Unfortunately, it was beaten out by Elin Hilderbrand’s The Perfect Couple. (On a side note, that book was fantastic! Definitely a fabulous beach read!)

I figured “What the heck!” and placed the book on hold with my local library. 

Now. I wasn’t expecting this book to be over 400 pages!  
But it was: 

1. YA fiction  

2. There was an adorable beagle on the cover. 

And, I mean... what other criteria would you possibly need? 

Save the Date takes place over 3 days. Matson invites the reader allow for the ride with Charlie, as she helping her family with the catastrophes that are seemingly arising left and right before, during AND after Linnie's Wedding to Rodney. 

(If Morgan Matson happens to be reading this review, I have one question... was Linnie’s character named after botanist Carl Linnea? Jeffrey, the father to the Grant brood, is a college professor specializing in botany.)

Not only is there a wedding included during this whirlwind weekend but there is also a museum exhibit showcasing Eleanor Grant's syndicated cartoon strip, "Grant Central Station" AND an interview with Good Morning America. (Is that an action packed weekend or what??)

In the beginning, I was laughing with the antics that were going on between the Grant Family.  In some ways, they reminded me of my mom's side of the family and how shenanigans are always happening. 

As the book went on, I was starting to get annoyed at the Grant Family, I felt like they were starting to become a bit much and it was becoming obnoxious.  

I felt bad for Danny’s girlfriend, Brooke. If Danny didn’t want her to be there, he should have been upfront about it. Not allow her to go, just for him not to introduce her to the family and basically ignore her the entire time. I felt that Charlie’s behavior toward Brooke was very juvenile and not necessary. I got the vibe that Charlie’s character was quite jealous. 

Charlie's character does say that she realized how projected how you think someone will be or act, does cloud your abilities to see them.  Charlie always had the vision for Jesse but when she actually got the chance to pay attention to him, interact with him and learn things about him; the person who was in front of her, was not the person she thought. 

This notion can be seen with how Charlie sees her family at the end of the novel.  Before and during the wedding, Charlie holds her family on a pedestal.  She feels that they can do no wrong (I mean, they're her family- so it makes sense that she would feel this way.  I'm not knocking that.)

The book was definitely focused more on the family dynamic than it was Charlie trying to find love.

I can see why Eleanor synadicated a comic strip after her family... they have terrible luck! The reader read about the craziest thing happening that short three day period! I couldn’t imagine living everyday like that.

I will says that I was surprised with the ending.  I wasn’t accepting what was announced to have happened. 

I give this book 3.5 coffee beans out of 5. 

Charlie and her family became too much for me and with there being over 400 pages in this book, that was a long time to have that feeling. 

I have like 3 other drafts sitting in the queue that I need to finish. So you’ll be seeing more of my reviews this week! I’ll get them out ASAP. Jess says I, clogging the queue... I beg to differ...

See ya later!

- Jillian