Малката коледна библиотека

by David M. Barnett, Дейвид М. Барнет, Цветана Генчева (Translator)

„Малката коледна библиотека“ е чудна история за малък град, големи сърца и една библиотека на колела…

Моли Макгинли е уморена от Лондон – от шума, от бързането, от усещането, че животът ѝ се разпада. С натежало сърце и без надежда за коледно чудо тя се прибира у дома в обикновеното северно градче Мери-ле-Мурс, за да прекара празниците с баща си Джак.

Джак още страда по загубата на съпругата си, но не е изгубил вярата си в хората. Решен да ободри дъщеря си, той я кани да му помогне в работата – той е шофьор на стария автобус, в който се помещава градската мобилна библиотека.

Гордостта на Джак е, че в нея хората не идват само да си вземат книги – в библиотеката влизат тези, които сякаш са изгубили пътя си, и намират утеха не само сред страниците, но и в компанията на сродни души. Всеки търси нещо различно – приятелство, надежда, любов – а библиобусът се оказва точното място, където се случват малки делнични чудеса.

Докато навън снежинките бавно покриват града, между хората се зараждат нови приятелства, топли чувства и вълшебство с аромат на горещ шоколад и коледни сладки. Но над празничното настроение надвисва мрачна сянка – библиотеката е застрашена, а с нея и крехките връзки, които приютява.

И все пак... Коледа е.

А по Коледа, когато сърцата са отворени, магията – както и любовта – може да бъде открита на най-неочакваните места.

От автора на „Земята вика Майор Том“!

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2024

About the author

Librarian's note: There is more than one author with this name

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

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This book brought me so much joy. A book about a mobile library at Christmas? Sign me up, stat! I remember going to the bookmobile as a kid it was always a treat to be able to get a book and all I had to do was show a little card.

I loved Jack and Molly's father/daughter relationship, it was loving and kind without being too over the top. Always there for each other. I loved the message too…you have to look for happiness because it won't find you. The best part? The romance was secondary to the story. This is really a book about community, being there for your fellow man and how libraries are important to that. Books bring people together in a myriad of ways. All walks of life, ages, sexes and race. This book shows how you shouldn't judge someone at first glance and to always be kind because you never know what someone is going through.

This book also teaches us that not everyone has good feelings towards Christmas and the holidays for various reasons and I liked how the community came together. The author wrote about each community member in a way that we got to know them well.

This book is like a warm cup of cocoa in front of the fire on a cold night. If you love small-town holiday reads this is the book for you! There Is a Light That Never Goes Out is another book by this author that I have had on my to-be-read pile for a while and I'm going to have to get to it this year.

There is also a touch of magic in the story, we shouldn't be surprised because as Steven King says “Books are a uniquely portable magic.”

Merry Christmas Everyone! 🎄🎅 🎁

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A character-oriented contemporary fiction with a strong Christmas spirit and a dash of Christmas magic. Excellent characters and a well-connected narrative linking them all. True to contemporary times in every way. Might get a bit too sugary, but works well for the genre. A fabulous and heartwarming option for the festive season.

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Plot Preview:

When Molly McGinley moves from London to her Northern hometown of Merry-le-Moors, she feels like an utter failure. Ten years in the big city, and all she has to show is a broken relationship and no job. Her widower dad Jack is more than happy to have his daughter home, especially as he is still missing his wife who passed away a decade back. Jack now whiles away his time driving the town’s mobile library and he insists that Molly accompany him on his rounds instead of moping alone at home.
As the two take the library bus to various locations within the small town, we meet many townspeople, whether library patrons or not. We see their frustrations and their struggles, and we learn more about what drives them onward. We also see a threat coming the way of the library, which might throw the new friendships in jeopardy.
The story comes to us from the point of view of an omniscient narrator, with each chapter focussing on one specific character.

Bookish Yays:
📚 The fabulous prologue that gives us a lovely intro to the location of Merry-le-Moors and also offers an excellent glimpse of the attitude of its denizens. What a great way of knowing the setting!

📚 The storyline, which is much more complicated than that cute cover suggests. Though the book is quite heartwarming and humorous, it isn’t the usual light-romance kind of Christmas fare. That’s what makes it stand apart from the clutter of similarly-themed books.

📚 The narration by the apparently omniscient narrator, whose identity we don’t learn for most of the book. The approach gives us a close perspective of various characters, thereby helping us know every character intimately.

📚 Varied characters with varied personalities, thus ensuring a nicely heterogenous crowd in this story. The book is not about any individual character and it is still about all of them. Almost every character deserves a separate Yay, but that would be too many to list out. But I do want to mention Jack, Molly's father. What a wonderful human being! The star of the whole show! 😍

📚 It is fitting that in a book that begins with info about the town, Merry-le-Moors is almost like a character. Its locations as well as its culture and beliefs are as vital to the story as the attitude of its residents.

📚 The mobile library and all things connected to it. Shouldn’t be a surprise that everything bookish is wonderful!

📚 The multitude of themes, thanks to the multi-character arc. The emotions range from happy to sad to infuriating. The story even includes the troubles of a small community such as financial troubles, remoteness, and loneliness. Most of the subplots are handled well. The best is the found-family angle.

📚 The Christmas content is perfect for the season. This is how Christmas stories should be written, focussing more on giving and sharing than on commercialised splurging and partying. The book is festive in spirit than in material things such as decorations and gifts.

📚 I don’t like chapter titles in adult fiction, but this book has some really interesting chapter titles that immediately enhance the reader’s curiosity.

📚 I'll be honest: there were many moments when I could feel my rating slipping. But every single time this happened, the story twisted and brought forth an event that spiked my feelings as well as the rating.

📚 The big reveal. If you read the book, you know what I mean. I didn't see it coming and I loved it!


Bookish Mixed Bags:
📖 While I do love character-oriented fiction, there are too many characters in this book, and it gets tough to keep track of who’s who. My Kindle Search feature was put to a lot of use while reading this novel. If you have the physical or the audio copy, it would be better to take notes on the characters as many pop up randomly throughout the story.

📖 Each chapter comes from a separate character’s perspective. There are some key characters (like Molly and Jack) who get multiple chapters, some characters get at least a few, and a couple of the characters get just one-two chapters. There are even a couple of chapters from canine characters. So you need to be ready for a lot of character-hopping. Thankfully, as the viewpoint changes only with every chapter, it is easy to pay attention to the shift in narration. Going with the flow also helps.

📖 There are a few new romantic relationships in the book. While one of them was almost insta-love (a trope I always hate), it was written well in this book. However, another relationship went into insta territory without even being insta-love – that was awkward to read. There are closed-door intimate scenes, but again, one of them came out of nowhere and didn’t seem plausible. One person’s relationship-related decision towards the end felt out of character. Basically, very mixed feelings about the handling of romance in this novel! On the positive side, the romance doesn’t dominate the core storyline.

📖 The start of the book is slow, partly due to the writing style. It is almost like a raconteurial kind of storytelling, with a cosy casualness to the flow. It took me a while to get used to the style, but once I was accustomed to it, I found the pacing a bit quicker.


Bookish Nays:
📕 While I liked almost all the characters’ stories, one specific character’s arc was very unsatisfactory to me. The turnaround in the person’s behaviour was almost instant and hence unbelievable. It is not that easy to overcome years of conditioning. Plus, the reason for that commitment is never clarified.


All in all, I mostly enjoyed this quaint novel. Combining two favourite topics of readers – Christmas and books – into a character-focussed cosy read isn’t an easy task, but the author handles it well. Certain scenes and event timings might seem too good to be true, and the story also becomes too sappy at times. But this is feel-good fiction after all. Suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride.

Definitely recommended to readers of contemporary fiction with a dash of Christmas magic and bookish magic. It would work better for those who enjoy character-oriented narratives.

4.25 stars.


My thanks to The Book Club Reviewer Group and Orion Publishing Group for providing the DRC of “The Little Christmas Library”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, The Little Christmas Library, by David M. Barnett, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Molly McGinley moves back home to Merry-le-Moors, from London. Her mother has been gone for a decade, but her dad Jack still mourns her. I did not care for Harry at all. The other characters were all right. This is not a happy read for me.

[Галина Ганова · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐
Истинска история за истински хора.

Тази книга изненадва с начина, по който отказва да бъде това, което заглавието и корицата ѝ обещават. „Малката коледна библиотека“ не е подсладена празнична история, нито типично уютно четиво. Коледа и библиотеката тук са по-скоро теренът, върху който се развива разказът, а не неговата същност.
Романът залага на нестандартна структура и присъствието на особен, почти незабележим разказвач, чиято роля остава загадка до самия край. Този похват създава дистанция от класическото емоционално манипулиране и подсилва усещането, че наблюдаваме реални хора с реални несъвършенства, а не литературни конструкции.
Най-силната страна на книгата са човешките взаимоотношения. Тук няма клиширани образи или лесни решения. Героите са изгубени, колебаещи се, понякога уморени от живота, но именно чрез взаимодействията помежду си започват да намират смисъл. Историята не обещава чудеса — тя говори за малките, тихи промени, които се случват, когато хората се свържат истински.
Емоционално книгата не предлага безусловен уют. Тя е по-скоро топла на места, но и честна, понякога неудобна. Това не е история, която те гали, а такава, която те кара да се разпознаеш. Именно в това се крие нейната сила.
„Малката коледна библиотека“ е искрена и човешка. Прочетена в правилния момент — и особено по време на празниците — тя може да се окаже тихо, но запомнящо се преживяване.

[Eleonora Staykova-Misheva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ето това е коледен роман! Прекарах си много хубави часове с тази книжка.

Аз, може би като повечето четящи, съм пристрастна към библиотеките. И много се радвам, че библиотека получи главната роля в тази книга.

Тук библиотеката бе представена като място, което събира хората. Туптящото сърце на общността в това малко английско градче. Книгите събират хората и променят животи. А за онези, които са в по-неизгодна финансова позиция, библиотеката е буквално убежище - за ума, да, но и чисто физическо, когато нямаш възможност да си платиш отоплението.

Ако ви се чете нещо уютно и разказ за хора, събрани от книгите - тази книга е ся вас.

Коледният дух също е налице с типичната надежда, душевна топлина, и души, които откриват пътя един към друг.

Препоръчвам ви я.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have developed a love for stories set in small towns, especially around festive occasions. This one fits the bill and includes a mobile library, lots of books and a found family which is another of my favourite things to read about. I enjoyed the book for all of this. It was a feel good read.

Molly Mcginley is back in the town of Merry_le_Moors where she grew up, having been away in London for ten years. Feeling like a failure after being cheated on, she struggles to cope. Her dad Jack is struggling too, missing her mom who has been gone for a decade. He's keeping himself busy driving a mobile library around the town and ropes in Molly to come with him. As they drive around, a diverse set of people enter the library and their lives, each of them lonely in one way or the other. Together they form a friendship that gives them hope until the future of the library is threatened. With Christmas around the corner, they have to hope for a miracle.

I liked the different characters who find solace in the library and the idea that books can bring people together is one that I am very convinced of. The relationship Jack and Molly shared as father and daughter was wonderful and I loved that they were so caring and supportive of each other. The way they drew in everyone else and influenced other lives was very comforting to read too. People who have opposing and sometimes unpalatable ideas can also change in the right company, is the message that comes across.

The romance was a little too quick to blossom but since it wasn't the main focus, I was okay with that. I wish the author had refrained from giving out a spoiler for a book at the very beginning as it may be one many readers of this book are yet to read. These were the quibbles I had with an otherwise enjoyable read.

Just like the cover, this was a soothing and cozy read that packed in a lot of emotion.

[cherry’s books Kremena Marinova · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Малката коледна библиотека“ е книга за душата. Човешка книга, разказваща истории за хора, които са изгубили нещо. Мечти, надежда, близки хора. Чрез книгите и общността на мобилната библиотека запълват тази празнота. Намират начин да започнат отначало, да открият сродни души, разговор и подкрепа.
Това не е „сладка коледна приказка“. Тук има истински човешки истории – за загуба, самота, нужда от приемане, възможност за промяна. Идеята на „мобилната библиотека“ е не само за удобство на хората да достигнат до книгите, но и се превръща като дом за хора, които търсят човешка близост, разбиране и уют. За това се грижат главната героиня Моли и нейният баща Джак.
Моли се връща от Лондон в малкото си родно градче, с чувството, че се е провалила в идеята си за блестящ и безгрижен живот в големия град, но работата й в мобилната библиотека на баща й й връща смисъла и желанието за живот, да помага на хората и да ги сплотява.
Хареса ми връзката на баща и дъщеря. Описана съвсем деликатно. Не прекалено, но винаги заедно, силно подкрепящи се.
Хареса ми и това, че тази книга е доказателство за това, че книгите обединяват хората по безброй начини. Всички възрасти, полове и раси. Тази книга показва как не бива да съдиш хората от пръв поглед и винаги да бъдеш добър, защото никога не знаеш през какво преминават и каква е тяхната история.
Книгата ми напомни, че не всички имат желанието за празнуване на Коледа, заради ред причини, но сплотеността и разбирането могат да вазвърнат надеждата у сърцата на хората.
В началото книгата не ми вървеше особено добре и ми беше трудно да я разбера, но с четенето нещата се промениха. Ще я оценя по-високо, заради отношенията на хората вътре и за това, че добротата и обичта са смисъла на живота. Все още не разбирам и не ми допаднаха особено главите и разговорите от името на кучетата. И все още не разбирам как Моли и Джак успяха да поберат толкова много неща в това малко пространство.
„Малката коледна библиотека“ е топла, човешка и обнадеждаваша история, която е тук, за да напомни за силата на приятелството, малките жестове и добротата. Съвсем способна да ни стопли отвътре в студен зимен ден.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il primo libro a tema natalizio.
Una chicca scovata per caso tra gli scaffali di una libreria super carina a Lecco.

Una storia molto attuale di un gruppo di persone che non ci azzeccano nulla l’uno con l’altro, ma che partecipano alla vita di una libreria su un van.
Un vedovo e sua figlia disoccupata, un ex musicista, una divorziata, una lesbica, un anziano solo e un ex ska. Non gli daresti un euro, ma alla fine ne vale la pena.

Sensazioni contrastanti e un finale che un po di aspetti.
Belli i commenti del autore qua e la.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. A light festive read set in an old mining village that is still living in misery following the collapse of the only substantial source of employment decades before, the local coal mine.

We commence on a negative tone with the main character, Molly’s, return to the village where she grew up, having turned her back on London after not only being made redundant but finding her partner had been having an affair.

She’s drafted in by her father to help him at the local library… a mobile library! The library attracts a wide variety of local residents who, on the face of it, couldn’t be any more different from each other but they soon realise they have something in common… loneliness.

The library acts as a focal point for much needed community spirit and some damn right therapy… as is often the case, we never truly know what’s going on in people’s lives or in their minds.

Just when the community is finding itself again, and the residents are establishing some much needed social connections, the library is threatened by cuts to the public purse. Can it be saved and the positivity maintained?

I found myself focusing on some important lessons whilst reading this book:

1) the heavy weight of loneliness

2) that friendships can form from the most unlikely of sources

3) the importance of not casting assumptions on the character or intentions of others; and

4) the therapeutic side of libraries and what a shame it is that their importance are becoming less and less in the face of cuts in public spend.

This represents a great read if you’re looking for something light over the festive period but still looking for some content to reflect upon, thereafter.

“I discovered me in the library. I went to find me in the library.” 📚

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was miles away from my usual genre but I fancied a quick Christmas read and this delivered! It's not often I laugh at books and this book tickled me for sure. There are definitely bleak parts, it's a true reflection of the state of things in the UK these days with the need for warm spaces and lack of funding for votallresources, but at it's heart it was a festive tale with a sprinkle of Christmas magic.


The "Publife" chapter was genius and I've had the Blur song in my ear all afternoon now 😂.


Santa, for Christmas can I have a magic mobile library please?


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to Netgalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author.

[L Powers (Bookish_Mum) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Little Christmas Library is the Small Town Christmas Romance We're All Low-Key Craving!

Listen, there's just something about a small-town Christmas story that hits different. It's like the literary equivalent of your favourite cozy oversized sweater and a glass of wine after a long day of adulting. Add in the nostalgic magic of the holiday season, and I'm absolutely here for it.

Meet Molly McGinley - she's basically all of us in our early thirties who've hit a bit of a rough patch. After what feels like a spectacular failure in London, she's doing the ultimate millennial retreat: moving back in with her dad and licking her wounds in her hometown of Merry-le-Moors. Real talk? We all know exactly what that feels like.

Her dad Jack is basically the ultimate boomer dad goals. Still processing the loss of his wife (Molly's mom) from a decade ago, he's somehow managed to keep his spirit intact and refuses to let his daughter wallow. His solution? Dragging Molly along on his daily mobile library routes - because nothing says "let's fix your life" like spending time in a tiny moving library.

Here's where it gets good. The mobile library becomes this unexpected community hub. An elderly guy named Cliff starts showing up, initially just to warm up, but soon he's part of this totally wholesome found family. Jack and Molly become these low-key community heroes, creating this safe space where all the town's lost and lonely souls can gather, share stories, and maybe find a bit of connection.

As Christmas approaches, there's a classic small-town drama brewing - the library is under threat. Because of course it is. It's like that moment in every rom-com where everything seems like it might fall apart, but you just know something magical is going to happen.

And yeah, there are hints of romance brewing, unexpected connections forming, and that special kind of holiday magic that makes you believe everything might just work out after all. It's the kind of story that reminds you that sometimes, when life throws you off track, the most unexpected places can become home.

For anyone feeling a bit lost in their thirties, stuck in a career rut, or just needing a warm literary hug, this book is basically bibliotherapy. It's got all the feels of coming home, finding yourself, and rediscovering hope - with a festive bow on top.

So grab a peppermint latte, curl up under a blanket, and dive into this totally charming slice of Christmas magic. Trust me, it's exactly the kind of escape we all need right now.

[Mojca Rudolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eno provokativno vprašanje za začetek: menite, da je romantična zgodba z žensko v glavni vlogi drugačna, če ji napiše pisatelj ali če jo napiše pisateljica?
Medtem, ko v sebi že meljete mnenje na to vprašanje: no, Molly ni edina junakinja romantičnega romana Mala božična knjižnica. Pravzaprav je njen oče Jack tisti, ki živi v mestu Merry-Le-Moors. Mestu, kjer ljudje hitro obupajo, kakor nam pisatelj pove čisto na začetku knjige, ko opiše nastanek tega mesta. Jackova hči Molly se v predbožičnem času vrne iz Londona. Po neuspeli zvezi se ji povratek v rojstno mesto zdi kot neuspeh. Toda mala potujoča knjižnica, ki jo vozi Jack, prav v tem času združi nekaj ljudi in jim celo spremeni življenja. Seveda, je le božični čas in seveda, beremo romantično knjigo.
Zanimivo, a sedanjik, ki je uporabljen v tej knjigi, me niti malo ni motil. Prav nasprotno, zelo mu ustreza. Še bolj pisateljevi vložki sem ter tja, ki so pisani v drugačni pisavi: od knjige, ki sploh ni bila napisana in ne obstaja (razen v tem romanu), do tega, da prostodušno prizna, da bi se knjiga tule, po vseh merilih srečne romantične knjige, morala zaključiti. A se ne in se nadaljuje.
Skratka: če že iščete predloge za branje v božičnem času: prav ta knjiga je tako zelo topla, prisrčna (in prikupna, kot piše na naslovnici). Če si odkrito priznam, se zelo strinjam z naslednjimi pisateljevimi besedami: - Z leti se je nekaj naučil o knjigah. Ve, da ko beremo zgodbo, stopimo k junakom na ključni točki v njihovem življenju in jih nato izpustimo, ko je sprejeta neka odločitev. Ampak te zgodbe se nadaljujejo naprej, tudi ko se platnice zaprejo in je knjiga odložena nazaj na polico. In včasih, če imate srečo, se znova srečate s temi junaki in ugotovite, kaj se jim je zgodilo in kaj so potem naredili. -
V tej knjigi k junakom pristopimo v čarobnem božičnem času. V mestu, na skrajnem severu Anglije, kjer je življenje težko, delovnih mest je malo, prihodnosti ni; se spletajo usode nekaterih in božič poskrbi za čudeže. Zelo simpatična knjiga, malce drugačna, za vse, ki imajo radi romantične zgodbe z ravno prav sladkorja.
In še moj odgovor na prvo vprašanje: ne, ker mi je važno le to, ali me knjiga pritegne ali ne. In ta me je.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a delightful story. A wonderful tale of love and finding happiness. A little bit of Christmas magic for everyone.
The story centres around Molly and her father, Jack, who runs the mobile library in Merry-le-Moors in the cold north. After her boyfriend in London cheats on her, Molly moves back with her widowed father in the village she grew up in. In between jobs, she helps him out with the mobile library and find themselves in a group of unlikely friends who all have a story to tell.
The characters in this book are so loveable and I was happy and sad for them all the way through. A big 5⭐️ from me.

Description
Molly McGinley has had enough of London and, feeling like a failure, heads home to the unremarkable Northern town of Merry-le-Moors, to move back in with dad Jack for Christmas.

Jack, still mourning the loss of his wife and Molly's mum ten years ago, nevertheless maintains a positive outlook on life, and to lift Molly from her slump insists she goes out with him on his daily rounds driving the town's mobile library.

When an elderly man, Cliff, starts coming into the library for warmth and companionship, Jack and Molly provide tea and sympathy... and begin to attract the lost, lonely and jaded people of Merry-le-Moors, who gather each day at the mobile library to talk about books, life and love. Each of them is searching for something in life, and Jack and Molly know just how to find it in the library.

As friendships - and more - begin to form, Christmas approaches... and so does a dark cloud on the horizon. The library is under threat, and so too the fragile friendships that have been formed.

But this is Christmas, after all, and magic - like love - can be found in the most unlikely places.

[Vasilena Vladimirova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Стилът на писане ми се стори малко странен в началото, но книгата ми хареса наистина много. Толкова много и различни човешки истории са преплетени тук.
Животът е толкова непредсказуем и понякога дори на вид най-дребните и безобидни действия могат да доведат до огромни обрати в животите на толкова много хора, че човек да си помисли, че наистина се случва магия. Героите в книгата са толкова пъстри и различни един от друг и въпреки това успяват да се сплотят и тяхната уж случайна дружба ги променя толкова много. Независимо на каква възраст си, винаги може да ти се случи голямата промяна и да е към по-добро.
А всичко започна от една съвсем обикновена мобилна библиотека...

[Claire-Louise Armstrong-Brealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having not read this author before, nor a huge lover of cosy reads, I thought I would give this a go. Try something different.

I am so glad I did. It was that good that I read it in one sitting!

It is not sicky-sweet, but very charming. If you fancy something a bit different to your norm and a break from horror, give this a go! If you like cosy, you can't go wrong, give it a go!

[Stiliyana Angelieva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Малката коледна библиотека“ – Дейвид М. Барнет

✨

Има книги, които не просто четеш – те те прегръщат.
„Малката коледна библиотека“ е точно такава история – онзи тип топлина, която идва като първата светлина от коледните лампички в зимна вечер, или като аромат на прясно изпечени курабийки в дом, пълен със спомени.

Дейвид М. Барнет ни поднася една нежна, сърдечна и малко чудата приказка за втората възможност, за смелостта да започнеш отначало и за магията, която книгите носят в живота ни.
Мобилната библиотека – червеното автобусче, превърнато в малък книжeн свят – е символ на това, че понякога чудото идва под най-неочакваната форма. Както и хората, които срещаме.

Главната героиня е жена, която се опитва да събере парчетата на живота си, но го прави така естествено и човешки, че няма как да не се припознаем.
Тя се слива с читателя – със съмненията ни, с тъгите, с тихите надежди, които носим, без да ги казваме на глас.

Това не е просто роман, а малко убежище, където страниците ухаят на сняг, канела и нежност.
Книга, която ти напомня, че най-големите жестове понякога са най-малките – една усмивка, една книга, една подадена ръка.

А финалът… той оставя онова усещане за пълнота, сякаш си загърнат в меко одеяло пред прозорец, по който тихо вали.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading The Little Christmas Library feels like getting a warm hug from a good friend you’ve not seen in some time. It’s warm, uplifting with engaging characters and community.

After a failed relationship, Molly leaves London and returns home to live with her father Jack in Merry-le-Moors, a small northern town. Jack’s a widower who drives the mobile library bus. Soon Molly joins him on his rounds. Together they draw a wonderful collection of characters to the library, all coming together to share tea and cakes, books and caring companionship.

This book made me laugh, made me cry. Most of all it made me wish I’d be joining the Merry-le-Moors Book Club Friendship Society on the library bus for Christmas dinner this year.

[Louise Galluzzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice little feel good book, whilst there were parts of it I could predict what was going to happen, that didn’t detract from my enjoyment.
It’s not my typical genre, but I’m always open to trying new things. Bear this in mind with my rating, I’m going by the similar style of books I’ve previously read.
I liked how people from different walks of life were brought together, with prejudices and stereotypes being addressed.

All in all, a pleasant quick read, but didn’t grip me.

Edit: I forgot to add something which irked me throughout: the author using the ful names of some of the characters constantly, doing the sane with the name of the village/town the story was set in. Using occasionally for emphasis is one thing, but this was consistent throughout, and unnecessary in my humble opinion.

[Salvatore Russotto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un libro d'esordio ben scritto e scorrevole. I personaggi sono descritti bene senza pesanti cumuli di informazioni. Lo stesso vale per le scene e i luoghi.
I personaggi sono persone comuni e sono estremamente realistici.
La storia è bella e originale, non vi sono troppi colpi di scena, anzi, verso il finale qualcosa in più ci sarebbe stato.
Di fatto c'è un elemento che accompagna tutto il libro e che alla fine diventa più presente ma... a mio avviso troppo. E in maniera un po' troppo facilistica.

[Sophie Patriti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ottimo livro sulla rinacita e la scoperta della felicita per la gente que frequentano il bibliobus.

[Preslava Peneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

𖠰❅* "Малката коледна библиотека", Дейвид М. Бърнет

𖠰❅* Моли Макгинли заминава от Лондон с пречупени мечти и провалена връзка, а малкото ѝ родно градче Мери-ле-Мурс е готово да я приеме обратно в обятията на безвремието си.
𖠰❅* Баща ѝ, Джак Макгинли, все още скърбящ по починалата си преди десет години съпруга, намира утеха единствено в един стар автобус, обзаведен с полици и съхраняващ в себе си цели вселени. Мобилната библиотека на градчето.
𖠰❅* Неуморен в своето човеколюбие, Джак шофира книжния си автобус всеки ден, доставяйки утеха под формата на хартия и мастило на жителите на Мери-ле-Мурс.
𖠰❅* Когато дъщеря му се завръща съкрушена от Лондон, единственото убежище, което той може да ѝ предложи, е библиотеката. И така тя се озовава в сърцето на този читателски рай на колела, обикалящ малкото градче и разнасящ слово по домовете.
𖠰❅* Неусетно автобусът се превръща в дом - не само за Джак и Моли, но и за всяка безпризорна душа в градчето им: самотните, различните, бедните, отхвърлените, забравените. Всички, които си нямат никого, намират своето ново семейство под покрива на мобилната библиотека.
𖠰❅* Във всяка райска градина обаче все някога пропълзява змия - библиотеката е в опасност, а новоскрепените връзки между кварталните самотници може и да се окажат далеч по-крехки, отколкото изглеждат.
𖠰❅* Но пък идва Коледа - сезонът, в който магията е повече от възможна.

𖠰❅* Първо, да си кажа: ако очаквате това да е поредният плитък романс с банален сюжет тип "любов в малкия град", поръсен с щипка захаросано коледно очарование - честито, корицата е успяла да ви излъже.
𖠰❅* Това е книга за убежищата. За местата, в които търсим пристан, когато домът се е превърнал в затвор, когато обществото ни казва, че нещо е сбъркано в нас, когато скръбта ни държи щастието в плен, когато мечтите изглеждат разбити, когато сме гневни, отчаяни, непоправимо сами.
𖠰❅* И като всяка книга за убежища, това също е книга за книгите. Нима има по-сигурни убежища от тях?

𖠰❅* В центъра на сюжета стои любимата ми банална тема за малкия град - столицата те е изморила, полетът към успеха се е сгромолясал, принцът на бял кон се е оказал просто... кон. И нямаш накъде да побегнеш, освен назад към малкия си роден град.
𖠰❅* Знаем си го всичко това от любимите ни междупразнични филми, ще кажете. Да, ама не. Тук малкият град функционира като сцена, под чиито прожектори са осветени проблемите на малкия човек - фалиращите магазинчета, затворените библиотеки, липсата на средства за отопление вкъщи, дискриминацията към тези с различна сексуална ориентация, расизма, домашното насилие.
𖠰❅* С изключително тънка (и непоправимо британска) ирония авторът рисува портрет на съвр��менното общество, засмивайки се (но без да осмива!) на различните типажи странни самотници, които го обитават.
𖠰❅* А всички герои са изключително колоритни, изтъкани от емоция и травми, но и от порив да намерят мястото, където истински ще принадлежат.
𖠰❅* Стилът на писане е нетипичен, да. Отнема малко време да се свикне с него (и да се схване, че ефектът е нарочно търсен). Според мен обаче именно в него се крие огромният чар на книгата, очарователно семпъл и бързо поглъщащ.
𖠰❅* А историята е една прекрасна заигравка с клишето, превръщаща очакваното захарно коледно романсче в изящна приказка за борбата на обикновения човек срещу скръбта, предразсъдъците, инерцията и институциите, преценили, че културата не е нещо, в което си струва да се инвестира.
𖠰❅* Да, има невероятно сладка любовна история (няколко!) Да, има дежурната доза лековат хумор. Да, има обещаната коледна атмосфера, гарантираща вълшебства (буквално!)
𖠰❅* В същността си обаче това е книга-бунт срещу всяко затваряне на библиотека. Книга-химн за всеки, който между страниците е намерил топлината, отказана му от света. И книга-утеха, обещание, че дори в трудното, добри хора (и добри книги!) винаги ще има.

[Rachel Bridgeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOD I LOVED THIS BOOK!

There, is that enough of a review?

Crikey, you want more?

Well, alright then....

I do not know how David does it-he creates these masterpieces of folk horror, and with his David M Barnett hat on, he creates these wonderful worlds of character and story that are just so satisfying.

Molly, the protagonist of the story, has returned home without any of the things which she, and many others would expect to find in a city like London-ambitions being met, partnerships occurring, a vivid social life.

She went with nothing and returned to her home town with less, and for a girl from a place whose claim to fame is being known for giving up, is this really where she can go to like her wounds?

In a synchronous fashion she is back with her dad, supporting each other as they run the local mobile library.

As well as a story of human endurance against a world which sees you as a failure if you aren't partnered by a certain age, are happy in a small home and have a job delivering books , when so many seem not enjoy them anymore, Molly definitely has her work cut out for her.

She delivers books, but receives stories, from the regulars who visit the van and it brought back such fond memories of our Moby, it was such a red letter day when it arrived in our street!
Still a mystery to me how they fit so much in such a small space.

Christmas and winter time are perfect for sharing stories, reaching out, and starting over like a fresh blanket of snow on the ground-no one can see the broken pot holes beneath and it is a moment of beauty, tranquillity and eveness.

This is what any good author does-they take you away and transport you to another world with characters which you care about deeply and want the best for. Molly and her dad, Jack, are the loveliest couple, I was smitten by their relationship from the very start and continued to be invested in the library users and the library owners alike, all looking for their perfect ending.

Very enjoyable, highly recommended and PLEASE write the little Garlic Bread Shop by the sea!

[Audrey Haylins · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a self-confessed grinch when it comes to the ‘festive reads’ mania that takes over Bookstagram every year from November onwards, I may have inwardly shuddered at the cutesie title and cover of this book.

Then my eyes alighted on the name of the author: David M Barnett, creator of the marvellous Calling Major Tom, one of my all-time favorite novels, and instantly my curiosity was aroused. To me, Barnett and the words ‘Little Christmas Library’ don’t belong in the same room, let alone on the same page. But, hey ho and a Ho! Ho! Ho! I just had to investigate.

And, oh my, what a delightful dose of Christmas cheer it turned out to be! And with nary a cinnamon bun nor pumpkin spiced latte in sight! Yes, it’s a small-town setting, and yes, there’s romance (three, in fact), but this is so much more than tinsel, fairy lights and horse-drawn carriages in the snow.

The Little Christmas Library is a heartwarming, found-family tale about a ragtag band of misfits, outcasts and downtrodden, who are brought together by the mobile library run by widower Jack and his daughter Molly.

Variously lonely, angry, or misunderstood, this motley crew finds itself forming the Merry-le-Moors Mobile Library Friendship Society, as it transforms the ramshackle old bus and its bookshelves into a welcoming café cum community center. The strength of their bond and resolve is tested when the library comes under threat of closure by the local council.

Barnett is a wizard at creating quirky yet authentic characters and at giving animals and even inanimate objects a voice. He infuses his narratives with humor, emotion and poignancy, all of which are in evidence here. His writing is thoughtful, on the surface light and airy but capable too of probing important social issues.

Here, he also treats us to an unknown fourth-wall narrator, a device that doesn’t always work for me, but one that Barnett masters with aplomb and no small amount of cheek. Let’s just say there’s a little bit of Christmas magic at work. I loved it!

[Anwai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was lovely - a heartwarming story of books, romance, community, kindness, finding happiness and sticking it to the patriarchy, all wrapped up in Christmas twinkle.
I read this because I read an article in The Independent by David Barnett, bemoaning (politely and respectfully) how easy it is for celebrities to become published authors, because they want another string to their bow. As someone who has written children's stories that publishers did not want, I have always been disappointed that celebrities, who are already successful at acting, singing, sport or whatever can get their children's stories published so easily. I find it slightly offensive that people think that they can write for children as if it's easy, and that children are reading books written by authors who want more renown or publicity. Children should read books by people who are passionate about stories and believe they have stories to tell. Fortunately, our school's library shelves are still full of Michael Morpurgo, Geraldine McCaughrean and Malorie Blackman long after the sparkly covered celebrity books have fallen apart and not been replaced.
Anyway, I agreed with David Barnett, liked his restraint in his criticism and thought I'd give his books a go. I was rewarded with a feel good experience that made me both laugh out loud and shed a few tears. I feel I'm also just the right age for this book because I got just about all of the references from Mr Ben to Ghost Town by The Specials.
I'm going to recommend this to my book club, so maybe Mr Barnett will sell a few more copies of his book even though he's not a celebrity.

[Jamie Garwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Barnett is a writer this reader has followed for several years, he is a writer of genuine warmth and kindness, always showcasing the good of his characters writing stories about generosity of spirit and positivity in this age of shaming and blaming.

It is only fitting then that Barnett has written a Christmas story about community, reminiscent of such Capra-corn (Frank Capra films where the good wills out).

The story revolves around our feisty independent female lead, Molly, who returns to her small Northern settlement, Merry-le-Moors, after a bad year in the big smoke of London. She has lost her job and just gone through a heartbreaking end to a promising relationship. She moves back in with her Dad, Jack, who runs the local village mobile library. A source of comfort to many in the town who come in for the warmth of the vehicle as much as the friendly nature Jack dispenses.

Molly jumps in with both feet, helping to organise the books and soon the library has a new lease of life owing to the influx of youth. There follows funny entanglements about the letters left in books and mistaken identities which is a mainstay of British humour stemming back to Wodehouse and up to date with Richard Curtis.

Molly falls for a council officer, Harry Pink, who threatens the closure of the library and the service it provides the community. This leads to a will-they, won't-they romance culminating in life changing decisions for all.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this brings all the memories of my childhood back. I was introduced to libraries at a very young age and still love to go to them today.
One of the libraries I went to was a mobile library just like in The Little Christmas Library, it was called a bookmobile, and we still have them here in the rural area where I lived. Oh, the nostalgia has a lot to do with helping people connect with certain books. This was such a lovely read set at Christmas time. I felt right at home amongst the shelves of books on the bus.
Jack, the bus librarian loves suggesting books from the shelves for patrons though he may not always know what a book is about to make the best suggestion his heart is still in the right place. I enjoyed Jack's character.
His daughter Molly moves back home to Merry-le-Moors after a relationship breakup for Christmas. Molly soon finds herself going with her father on his daily mobile library bus runs. These runs are beneficial not only to Molly and her father but the companionship they bring to some down on their luck folks whose spirits are lifted in friendship by daily talks about books and life in general. When there is a threat to the continuation of the library itself will this holiday spirit ring true for these folks who need it so much? Just lovely, I enjoyed the book so much.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Little Christmas Library

Small town cosy Christmas vibes - loved the northern setting and characterisations! This was done so well and made me feel right at home.

I really enjoyed how each chapter focused on a different character - the narrator was giving us the info and insight we needed to get a a good sense of the character in that chapter. This really added to the small town cosy feel and enabled me to get to know the characters well.

What I loved most about this book is how it’s so reflective of how life actually is - it’s perfectly encapsulated small village community coming together to help those in need. From an elderly man who can’t afford to help his home, to widows who just want some company and helping small local businesses so they don’t go under. There’s just something about this book that I found so special.

The way everyone’s stories interconnect, yet the book still flows really well. Even though the omniscient narrator takes us through the story from the perspectives of multiple characters, swapping each chapter to focus on a different person, the story fits together well.

Overall a really cute holiday read that I would highly recommend!

ARC copy provided by Orion & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Piper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molly is thrilled to return to Merry-le-Moors from London this Christmas, especially after her recent break-up. Her dad, Jack, has done an incredible job transforming their mobile library into a cosy haven for the community, providing warmth and companionship for the elderly during this chilly season. How amazing does this library sound? I absolutely loved the vibrant atmosphere, the rich descriptions, and the well-developed characters. While I occasionally found myself needing to catch up with the story, the storytelling is truly top-notch, and the plot is both engaging and tightly woven. I can't wait to dive into more works by this talented author! This book is both heartwarming and deeply moving. With cosy tables, comfy chairs, hot drinks, and mobile heaters, the library has blossomed into the Merry-le-Moors Mobile Library Friendship Society. It’s so inspiring to see how they're nurturing connections and spreading joy in their charming little town!


#ChristmasReads #MobileLibrary #HeartwarmingStory #CommunitySpirit #CozyVibes #BookLovers #CharmingTowns #GiftedAuthors #JoyfulConnections #ElderlyCare

[Patrice Gotting - #prdgreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts: you’re definitely going to get more than you think from this book, is it Christmassy? absolutely. Does it have a romance? Yes.. some of which you won’t see coming! but it’s also so much more than that!

It’s about a community coming together, and the determination of one man and his daughter to just make sure no one feels alone when life does everything to prove the opposite.

And it’s all centred around books, which for me is just the best message, books became my escape from life and my happy place, so it was lovely to read a book about how the magic of books did the same for the characters in here.

It’s not all warm and fuzzy, the book details with some really hard subjects which some may feel don’t have a place in a book like this, but for me personally I thought they were an important element of the story & helped you understand some of the characters on a deeper level.

Every now and again you read a book that when you finish you instantly wish you could experience it again for the first time & this is one of those books for me.

It gets you ready for Christmas whilst also helping you remember what’a actually important at this time of year.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was such a lovely, easy to read festive read. The story was really good and I really liked the characters.

Molly McGinley had broken up with her boyfriend and was fed up of London. She moved back home to Merry-Le-Moor to be with her dad. Molly’s mum had passed away so her dad Jack lived on his own in the village. Jack drove the mobile library
which provided a library service to the village after the local library had shut down due to council cuts.

Jack loved his job and having Molly on the library bus with him every day was a real treat for him. Day by day they had more regular customers and Jack added a table and chairs and provided coffee and cake with some help from some of the customers. A lovely group forms and the group all help and support each other.

Running alongside this the future of the library is under review at the council but Jack and the others are unfortunately not aware of this so they plan to have Christmas dinner on the bus.

I would definitely recommend this book as it’s an easy read and a lovely story. I loved the chapter names and that we got a bit of back story for all of the group.