The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

Lynnie

contemporary fiction

The Library of Lost and Found was a sweet book, with a lovely idea, but the execution was a bit clunky.  Martha is a volunteer librarian and people pleaser, who is routinely taken advantage of by those around her. When a book of fairy tales inscribed to her from her presumed dead grandmother arrives on her doorstep, she is determined to discover the truth about her grandmother, regardless of the cost.

I wanted to cheer for Martha from the beginning, but it's hard to get behind someone who is such a sad sack. I was glad to see her grow throughout the novel, though, and with each victory I found myself liking her more and more. I was often frustrated by Martha's journey to find out what happened to her grandmother- so many of the interactions did not seem realistic to me.

The revelations in this story were all quite predictable, but I was glad to see them, even if things seemed more drawn out than necessary. My other quibble with this book is that there is no gray area- all of Phaedra Patrick's supporting characters are either fairly horrible and narcissistic or so overly kind and generous that in some areas it made me roll my eyes; like I said above- clunky.

Still, it's a quick, easy read, good for those times when you just want to read something that will make you smile and that you don't have to think too hard about.