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An Uncommon Reader

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255 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

4 people are currently reading
95 people want to read

About the author

Amos H. Hawley

12 books1 follower

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5 stars
23 (21%)
4 stars
35 (33%)
3 stars
41 (38%)
2 stars
6 (5%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
241 reviews12 followers
January 27, 2020
Listed in “1000 books to read before you die”. So I did. It was amusing but I wouldn’t put it as one I needed to read.
Profile Image for Elaine.
Author 10 books49 followers
October 22, 2025
This is a wonderfully clever novella - only 120 pages long. The story is about Queen Elizabeth of England, suddenly becoming an avid reader rather by chance. It is full of dry British humor as she ponders her new found love of reading and all the worlds being opened up to her through these pages. It pushes her to revaluate her own life and perceptions of the world. Any one who loves books and reading will enjoy this story.
Profile Image for Kimberly.
752 reviews
December 19, 2022
Cute short read about the queen finding a bookmobile at the palace and deciding to check out a book. Awesome results.
Profile Image for Katie.
545 reviews8 followers
November 2, 2012
This little book's red cover caught my eye as I walked by a shelf at my library. I'm glad I picked it up because it turned out to be an incredibly enjoyable quick read and I wouldn't normally have chosen it.

It's a fictional story about what could happen if the Queen of England became a reader. As a lover of books myself, I was caught up in the Queen's growing delight in and hunger for books. The middle of the book gets a bit slow as the story focuses more on the Queen's internal growth, but it finishes fantastically!
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186 reviews5 followers
March 15, 2012
Hysterically imagines the potential implications of the Queen of England becoming a devoted reader. I devoured this slim satire in a single transcontinental flight and, if I hadn't promised my friend that I would return her copy, I would have pressed it into the hands of another reader immediately.
Profile Image for Lori.
30 reviews3 followers
July 25, 2012
An interesting look at the Queen of England who starts neglicting her royal work to read after being introduced to a mobile book library. Rather clever but also rather short. I felt like I just got into it and then it (rather abruptly) ended.
Profile Image for Coin.
20 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2014
Tiny red book that caught my eye while browsing in a second-hand bookshop, one of those books you read when you're not quite sure what you feel like reading...

Whets the appetite for reading, a book about reading.

Enjoyable read and can imagine HRH QE2 in this situation.
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52 reviews
November 8, 2011
Loved it! Hilarious, quick read. The Queen of England discovers the pleasures of reading...
Profile Image for Cheryl.
393 reviews
January 19, 2014
Cute quick read about the queen discovering reading then writing. Loved the ending.
4 reviews2 followers
January 18, 2011
only into a few pages but will read thru in a very short time. I love it!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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