J. V. Stanley author of the award winning books, "Chasing The Red" and "Faces In Still Waters" brings her literary talents to bear in this all new novelette, "The Library". Join her as she takes you through a unique look at the world beyond life, death, and the judgments therein. When James fell asleep, he woke up to find himself at an otherworldly library with two other strangers. Upon entering, they learn that they can read the lives and thoughts of those who have died. The catch? They have to review each story but aren't allowed to read their own. When James befriends Penelope, they both realize that the library isn't what it seems. Can James and Penelope unravel the secrets of the afterlife before the afterlife unravels them?
J. V. Stanley earned her BA in English and Communication through the University of Phoenix and is currently working on her MA in Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University. Before that, she won many awards for her poetry, including a Presidential Award for Literary Excellence. She has had over 50 articles published along with her poetry collection, 'Fire and Water'. Her poetry collection, 'Chasing The Red' and debut novel, 'Faces In Still Waters' won second and first place in the 2016 Summer Indie Book Awards hosted by Metamorph Publishing. Her books are also currently nominated for Reader's Choice Awards through The Book Awards 2018. Her work has appeared in Miracle E-zine and her work has appeared in quite a few anthologies by Enchanted Anthologies including "Christmas Nightmares Anthology", "Falling For Crazy", "Mirror", and the forthcoming "Siren's Lullaby" and "Forest Of The Dark".
She is currently working on her first series, 'The Wordsmith' pending publication in late 2018. She has worked as an editor, cover designer, and the Development and Marketing Director for Miracle E-zine. She currently lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with her son and spends an unquantifiable amount of time writing while drinking copious amounts of coffee and tea.
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How much of what each of us thinks we understand or know about ourselves is actually true? That's the question that confronts James and Penelope when they discover The Library.
This is a fascinating and very thought-provoking story which challenges the assumptions we tend to make about our own lives and about other people. The reader is reminded that things are very often not what they seem, and that the truth can be very uncomfortable thing to confront, even though we think we know what the truth is.
Through their discussions and responses to different situations and experiences, the reader develops considerable empathy with James and Penelope, but also with their companion, an elderly man named Walter. By the end of the story, the reader finds themselves not only admiring the characters, but also cheering them on in the decisions and actions they take.
'The Library' is a great read that can be enjoyed in less than an hour.
This is one of the best books/novellas that I have read so far in 2018!!! When I picked up the story and read the blurb, I thought I knew where J.V. Stanley was going with this story. I was so WRONG!!! She took me on an emotional rollercoaster that I did not expect. The story made me think and do some self reflections.
The start to this story was a little slow for me, but once I got over the proverbial hump..I was sucked into the world that J.V. Stanley created for her readers!!! I did not want this story to end and still want to know what comes next for all the souls that I read about.
I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good read!! I plan on reading more from J.V. Stanley in the very near future. She is a very talented author and definitely one to keep your eyes on!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It takes the afterlife and shows a grim side to it you follow james, Penelope , and Walter into "the library" where they are instructed to read and review the lives of other people. The other readers in the library are shadow people, only James,Penelope and Walter are still visually human. They discover that the library isn't what it seems when one of the shadows kills itself. As I write this review, I wonder if I'm going to turn into one of the many readers of the library. I highly recommend this one!
This is different. I'm not sure what exactly the library in this story is, but I don't want to go. This could probably be looked at in many different ways, but I think this is an imaginative way of day "don't judge". Well written and original. The only thing I didn't like about it, was the ending.
A very original story from this indie author! James dies and ends up in what he believes to be purgatory- a library filled with each persons book with their entire existence inside, from their happiest moments to darkest secrets. Tasked with writing reviews, he is told that once a soul had enough reviews, they are sent to The Almighty for judgement. But will he ever make it out?
This story was beautifully written and well executed. The author really knows how to draw you into her story, and make you feel like you are a part of it.
I really loved this story from start to finish. The swerve at the end was a perfect finish. I will definitely recommend this story to others.
This started out slow, but I was hooked by the third page. It's creative and entertaining and perfect if you want a short, powerful tale. Talent like Ms. Stanley's comes around once in a blue moon.