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Preloved
Gwen’s life has stalled. She’s in her mid-thirties, perpetually single, her friends are busy procreating in the country and conversations with her parents seem to revolve entirely around herbaceous borders and the council’s wheelie-bin timetable. Above all she’s lonely. But then, isn’t everyone?
When Gwen’s made redundant from a job she drifted into a decade ago and never left, she realises it’s time to make a change. Over what might be the best – and most solitary – meal she’s ever eaten, Gwen vows to find something meaningful to do with her life, reconnect with her family and friends – and finally book herself a dentist appointment.
Her search for meaning soon leads her to volunteer in a local charity shop where she both literally and metaphorically unloads her emotional baggage. With the help of the weird and wonderful people she meets in the shop and the donated items bursting with untold stories that pass through its doors, Gwen must finally address the events and choices that led her to this point and find a way to move forward with bravery, humanity and more regular dental care.
Brimming with life, love and the stories bound up in even the most everyday items, Preloved is a tale about friendship, loss, being true to oneself no matter the expectations – and the enduring power and joy of charity shops.
When Gwen’s made redundant from a job she drifted into a decade ago and never left, she realises it’s time to make a change. Over what might be the best – and most solitary – meal she’s ever eaten, Gwen vows to find something meaningful to do with her life, reconnect with her family and friends – and finally book herself a dentist appointment.
Her search for meaning soon leads her to volunteer in a local charity shop where she both literally and metaphorically unloads her emotional baggage. With the help of the weird and wonderful people she meets in the shop and the donated items bursting with untold stories that pass through its doors, Gwen must finally address the events and choices that led her to this point and find a way to move forward with bravery, humanity and more regular dental care.
Brimming with life, love and the stories bound up in even the most everyday items, Preloved is a tale about friendship, loss, being true to oneself no matter the expectations – and the enduring power and joy of charity shops.
445 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2023
375 people are currently reading
12784 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 586 reviews
July 10, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up. Ultimately really uplifting and meaningful.
Gwen is floundering. She is let go from her job and had recently broken things off with her fiancé. Her relationship with her parents is somewhat estranged, and her close friends are all paired off. She decides to clean out her apartment and takes her unwanted items to a second hand store, and while there she decides to volunteer at the store while she lives off of her severance and contemplates what to do as a next step.
The book alternates between chapters involving items that find their way to the second hand store and Gwen's narrative about her life and learning how to move forward. About midway through, the pieces slotted together and I realized the significance of many of the "item" chapters. This is when the story began to take on more meaning for me and the flow felt more natural.
This novel is a bit melancholy at times, but if you stick with it until the end there is so much redemption and healing that takes place. Having been in a similar situation, I could relate to what the characters had experienced and realize that there is no one path through something like this. I enjoyed Gwen's co-workers at the shop and how the friendships developed and fizzled as Gwen learned and grew.
This is a lovely contemplative novel about healing and moving on.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Gwen is floundering. She is let go from her job and had recently broken things off with her fiancé. Her relationship with her parents is somewhat estranged, and her close friends are all paired off. She decides to clean out her apartment and takes her unwanted items to a second hand store, and while there she decides to volunteer at the store while she lives off of her severance and contemplates what to do as a next step.
The book alternates between chapters involving items that find their way to the second hand store and Gwen's narrative about her life and learning how to move forward. About midway through, the pieces slotted together and I realized the significance of many of the "item" chapters. This is when the story began to take on more meaning for me and the flow felt more natural.
This novel is a bit melancholy at times, but if you stick with it until the end there is so much redemption and healing that takes place. Having been in a similar situation, I could relate to what the characters had experienced and realize that there is no one path through something like this. I enjoyed Gwen's co-workers at the shop and how the friendships developed and fizzled as Gwen learned and grew.
This is a lovely contemplative novel about healing and moving on.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
January 26, 2023
Preloved is a cup of tea and two (read: three) biscuits in book form. Gwen’s story is warming, funny, heartfelt and painfully relatable in lots of ways, but the last third-or-so really pulled the rug out from underneath me. It choked me up many times with its small, understated, beautiful details about feeling lost, family grief and the meandering friendships of your thirties. The snippets of short stories about items in the charity shop were so special. Everything about this book was just lovely.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for a review.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for a review.
June 21, 2023
* A Touch Underwhelming*
This is a tale about Gwen the main character who is in her late thirties. She cuts quite a lonely figure as most of her friends were coupling up. She has been made redundant and seems to be floating through life with no real direction.
With her redundancy money she decides that it will buy her time for a few months whilst she looks for something else. She decides to volunteer at a charity shop.
The author inserts random characters and stories behind some of the items in the charity shop. There are some moments that made me laugh and giggle but to be honest I spent most of the time wondering where the story was going and it did not do anything for me, the characters were mostly likeable but although easy to read it dragged. I also felt it could have been condensed and made shorter.
This is a tale about Gwen the main character who is in her late thirties. She cuts quite a lonely figure as most of her friends were coupling up. She has been made redundant and seems to be floating through life with no real direction.
With her redundancy money she decides that it will buy her time for a few months whilst she looks for something else. She decides to volunteer at a charity shop.
The author inserts random characters and stories behind some of the items in the charity shop. There are some moments that made me laugh and giggle but to be honest I spent most of the time wondering where the story was going and it did not do anything for me, the characters were mostly likeable but although easy to read it dragged. I also felt it could have been condensed and made shorter.
December 12, 2023
3.25 stars
The author came up with a clever idea for a story but I had so many issues with how it was executed and it really brought down the reading experience. My main issue was too many scenes that didn't involve the main character and it was extremely challenging to get into a good reading flow with all the back and forth chapters. So yeah, a disappointing read because it had potential. Some more time spent in the editing process would have done wonders in my opinion.
Nothing like doing the right thing but getting fired over it. Gwen has some time on her hands now that she's lost her job and she decides to volunteer at a charity second hand store for a few months until her lack of finances force her to look for a paying gig. Maybe this is the jump start Gwen needs to making some positive changes in her life.
Gwen is an interesting character and I did like the arc of her story. The side stories weren't bad either but when the chapters keep alternating between these two things, it becomes a jumbled mess. Too much to keep track of and it needed to be reeled in. More Gwen, and less of the scenes that aren't completely relevant to the overarching story.
There's heart to this story so if you can be patient there's a good message here.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a free copy. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
The author came up with a clever idea for a story but I had so many issues with how it was executed and it really brought down the reading experience. My main issue was too many scenes that didn't involve the main character and it was extremely challenging to get into a good reading flow with all the back and forth chapters. So yeah, a disappointing read because it had potential. Some more time spent in the editing process would have done wonders in my opinion.
Nothing like doing the right thing but getting fired over it. Gwen has some time on her hands now that she's lost her job and she decides to volunteer at a charity second hand store for a few months until her lack of finances force her to look for a paying gig. Maybe this is the jump start Gwen needs to making some positive changes in her life.
Gwen is an interesting character and I did like the arc of her story. The side stories weren't bad either but when the chapters keep alternating between these two things, it becomes a jumbled mess. Too much to keep track of and it needed to be reeled in. More Gwen, and less of the scenes that aren't completely relevant to the overarching story.
There's heart to this story so if you can be patient there's a good message here.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a free copy. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
November 30, 2022
This was a relatable, slow, simple read. Lauren Bravo is witty and thoughtful in her exploration of our relationship with objects and trends. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.
February 5, 2023
For a book about stuff, The Second Chance Store is very moving, thought-provoking and human.
If you've ever wandered into a thrift store and wondered what the story was behind all that stuff, Lauren Bravo's moving and touching novel answers that question. The Second Chance Store is a charming tale of why people (and things) deserve a second (or third or fourth) chance to get it right when it comes to loss, love and life. I loved this book filled with humor, humanity, and hope.
If you've ever wandered into a thrift store and wondered what the story was behind all that stuff, Lauren Bravo's moving and touching novel answers that question. The Second Chance Store is a charming tale of why people (and things) deserve a second (or third or fourth) chance to get it right when it comes to loss, love and life. I loved this book filled with humor, humanity, and hope.
April 14, 2023
Preloved by Lauren Bravo is a captivating book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. The main character, Gwen, is relatable and likeable, even though she has her own issues that can be frustrating at times. However, this only adds to her character's believability and realism. Although I felt like I didn't get to know her fully, her story was still enjoyable to read.
The book follows Gwen as she struggles to come to terms with sudden unemployment and decides to volunteer at a local charity shop. There, she meets a fantastic cast of characters that make the book a joy to read. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of Haringey, an area of London that I currently reside in but rarely see in literature. Gwen's shrewd observations of life as a 30-something in London were also entertaining and relatable.
The plot focuses on Gwen's journey as she comes to terms with her breakup with Ryan many years ago, and separately, addresses the grief she and her parents have had to deal with. The final third of the book was particularly moving and highlighted the different ways people process grief.
The short chapters that intersperse the main Gwen chapters tell the story of different people who use the charity shop for various reasons. The author's skillful observations of people and their idiosyncrasies add to the book's charm. As the story progresses, it becomes clear how these people link to Gwen and other characters in the book. This added an extra layer of satisfaction every time I recognised a character from the short interludes.
Overall, Preloved is a heartwarming and humorous novel with great characters that I would recommend to anyone. I eagerly await Lauren Bravo's future releases.
4.5 stars bumped to 5/5
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest review.
The book follows Gwen as she struggles to come to terms with sudden unemployment and decides to volunteer at a local charity shop. There, she meets a fantastic cast of characters that make the book a joy to read. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of Haringey, an area of London that I currently reside in but rarely see in literature. Gwen's shrewd observations of life as a 30-something in London were also entertaining and relatable.
The plot focuses on Gwen's journey as she comes to terms with her breakup with Ryan many years ago, and separately, addresses the grief she and her parents have had to deal with. The final third of the book was particularly moving and highlighted the different ways people process grief.
The short chapters that intersperse the main Gwen chapters tell the story of different people who use the charity shop for various reasons. The author's skillful observations of people and their idiosyncrasies add to the book's charm. As the story progresses, it becomes clear how these people link to Gwen and other characters in the book. This added an extra layer of satisfaction every time I recognised a character from the short interludes.
Overall, Preloved is a heartwarming and humorous novel with great characters that I would recommend to anyone. I eagerly await Lauren Bravo's future releases.
4.5 stars bumped to 5/5
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest review.
August 30, 2024
Η Γκουεν, εχει μόλις χάσει τη δουλειά της, είναι στα 30κατι της, χωρίς σχέση, με λίγους έως καθόλου φίλους και με μια τυπική έως αδιάφορη θα λέγαμε σχέση με τους γονείς της. Ξεκινά να δουλεύει εθελοντικά σε ένα κατάστημα μεταχειρισμένων, ψάχνοντας να βρει ίσως τι συνέβη στη ζωή της.
Η ηρωίδα μοιάζει να θέλει να μάθει τι πάει στραβά στη ζωή της, αλλά να μην το προσπαθεί ουσιαστικά. Αυτή η μεμψιμοιρία της, προσωπικά με κούρασε κι ήταν ίσως αυτό που με έκανε να μην απολαύσω το βιβλίο όπως περίμενα αρχικά. Οι εμβόλιμες ιστορίες των πραγμάτων ήταν ενδιαφέρουσες αλλά από ένα σημείο και μετά ίσως ήταν πάρα πολλές? δεν ξέρω. Προσωπικά, δύσκολα θα αποχωριζομουν ένα αγαπημένο μου πράγμα. Αν και τα κεφάλαια είναι μικρά, αισθάνθηκα ότι πλατίαζε αρκετά.
Ενδεχομένως, η συγγραφέας να ήθελε να μιλήσει για τις σχέσεις των ανθρώπων και πόσο εύκολα μπορούν να έλθουν σε τέλμα όταν χαθεί η επικοινωνία, για τον εθελοντισμό, αλλά σαν κάπου να βγει εκτός πορείας.
Αν ήταν μικρότερο σε έκταση και οι εμβόλιμες ιστορίες λιγότερες ίσως να το είχα απολαύσει περισσότερο.
2,5 αστέρια
June 17, 2024
Η ζωή σίγουρα δεν τελειώνει στα δεύτερα άντα, αλλά κάπως έτσι νιώθει η Γκουέν τώρα που την απέλυσαν απ’ τη δουλειά της και πάλι καλά η αποζημίωση φτάνει να την κρατήσει μέχρι την επόμενη επαγγελματική ανασυγκρότηση.
Κρίση μέσης ηλικίας, όχι feelgood καταστάσεις, όχι έρωτες, γενικά μια ακατάστατη ιδέα σαν αποθήκη καταστήματος με μεταχειρισμένα. Σε ένα τέτοιο προσφέρεται να κάνει εθελοντισμό όσο παραμένει άνεργη με την ελπίδα να νιώσει κάτι.
Είναι όμως κλεισμένη στο καβούκι της, η-ζωή-πέρασε-και-τι-έχω-κάνει-τίποτα, μηδέν social skills σαν ξαφνικά να έχει ξεχάσει πως λειτουργούσε κάποτε, κι ένα λυπητερό backstory που κουβαλάει σα βάρος στο στήθος της. Με τη βοήθεια των ανθρώπων γύρω της, θα μπει σε ένα διαφορετικό δρόμο σκέψης για το πως να αξιοποιήσει τη ζωή της από ‘δω και πέρα, ποιες πόρτες πρέπει να κλείσουν, ποιες πρέπει να ανοίξουν, ποιες συγγνώμη πρέπει να ειπωθούν και ποια μηνύματα πρέπει να σταλθούν.
Παράλληλα με τη δική της super flat ιστορία, θα συναντήσουμε και ιστορίες για τις αφετηρίες secondhand ρούχων κι αντικειμένων, όπως ένα scrabble χωρισμού, γραβάτες επιτυχίας, αμέτρητους αντικαταθλιπτικούς ταξιδιωτικούς οδηγούς, τζιν έκτακτης ανάγκης. Πώς αγαπήθηκαν ή μισήθηκαν, τι πρόσφεραν, πώς κατέληξαν. Ενδιαφέρον, το μόνο.
Μια φλύαρη, μονότονη, άνευρη αφήγηση - τόσο άνευρη όσο και η Γκουέν, που απ’ τη μία δε θέλω να κρίνω αυστηρά γιατί το καθένα μας κουβαλάει το ψυχολογικό του, αλλά βρε γλυκούλα μου, κανένας δε σε μισεί και δε σε βαριέται στα κρυφά. Ο κόσμος ποτέ δεν ενδιαφέρεται τόσο όσο εμείς νομίζουμε για τις παραξενιές μας. Το να αναλύεις τις σκέψεις μιας γυναίκας, την ίδια λούπα κάθε μέρα και να μου περνάς και ‘μενα τη μιζέρια, τη βαρεμάρα και τη μουντάδα της, φαντάζομαι δεν ήταν ο σκοπός σου, που έχασε το δρόμο του και κατέληξε σαν ένα ελαφρώς κιτρινισμένο μπλουζάκι στην κρεμάστρα των μεταχειρισμένων, με αυτήν την κιτρινίλα που δε βγαίνει με τίποτα. Προσπάθησα να τη βγάλω για να του δώσω μια ευκαιρία να αγαπηθεί εκ νέου, αλλά δεν.
Ευχαριστώ θερμά τις εκδόσεις Μεταίχμιο για το αντίτυπο.
Κρίση μέσης ηλικίας, όχι feelgood καταστάσεις, όχι έρωτες, γενικά μια ακατάστατη ιδέα σαν αποθήκη καταστήματος με μεταχειρισμένα. Σε ένα τέτοιο προσφέρεται να κάνει εθελοντισμό όσο παραμένει άνεργη με την ελπίδα να νιώσει κάτι.
Είναι όμως κλεισμένη στο καβούκι της, η-ζωή-πέρασε-και-τι-έχω-κάνει-τίποτα, μηδέν social skills σαν ξαφνικά να έχει ξεχάσει πως λειτουργούσε κάποτε, κι ένα λυπητερό backstory που κουβαλάει σα βάρος στο στήθος της. Με τη βοήθεια των ανθρώπων γύρω της, θα μπει σε ένα διαφορετικό δρόμο σκέψης για το πως να αξιοποιήσει τη ζωή της από ‘δω και πέρα, ποιες πόρτες πρέπει να κλείσουν, ποιες πρέπει να ανοίξουν, ποιες συγγνώμη πρέπει να ειπωθούν και ποια μηνύματα πρέπει να σταλθούν.
Παράλληλα με τη δική της super flat ιστορία, θα συναντήσουμε και ιστορίες για τις αφετηρίες secondhand ρούχων κι αντικειμένων, όπως ένα scrabble χωρισμού, γραβάτες επιτυχίας, αμέτρητους αντικαταθλιπτικούς ταξιδιωτικούς οδηγούς, τζιν έκτακτης ανάγκης. Πώς αγαπήθηκαν ή μισήθηκαν, τι πρόσφεραν, πώς κατέληξαν. Ενδιαφέρον, το μόνο.
Μια φλύαρη, μονότονη, άνευρη αφήγηση - τόσο άνευρη όσο και η Γκουέν, που απ’ τη μία δε θέλω να κρίνω αυστηρά γιατί το καθένα μας κουβαλάει το ψυχολογικό του, αλλά βρε γλυκούλα μου, κανένας δε σε μισεί και δε σε βαριέται στα κρυφά. Ο κόσμος ποτέ δεν ενδιαφέρεται τόσο όσο εμείς νομίζουμε για τις παραξενιές μας. Το να αναλύεις τις σκέψεις μιας γυναίκας, την ίδια λούπα κάθε μέρα και να μου περνάς και ‘μενα τη μιζέρια, τη βαρεμάρα και τη μουντάδα της, φαντάζομαι δεν ήταν ο σκοπός σου, που έχασε το δρόμο του και κατέληξε σαν ένα ελαφρώς κιτρινισμένο μπλουζάκι στην κρεμάστρα των μεταχειρισμένων, με αυτήν την κιτρινίλα που δε βγαίνει με τίποτα. Προσπάθησα να τη βγάλω για να του δώσω μια ευκαιρία να αγαπηθεί εκ νέου, αλλά δεν.
Ευχαριστώ θερμά τις εκδόσεις Μεταίχμιο για το αντίτυπο.
September 21, 2024
Το μυθιστόρημα "Αγαπημένα Πράγματα" της Lauren Bravo ήταν ένα από τα πιο ιδιαίτερα αναγνώσματα, αφού ένιωθα πως διάβαζα δύο βιβλία σε ένα. Το πρώτο ήταν η βασική ιστορία της Γκουέν και το δεύτερο ήταν μικρά διηγήματα σχετικά με την ιστορία των αντικειμένων που μπορεί να βρει κανείς σε ένα κατάστημα με μεταχειρισμένα είδη. Και εξηγώ,γιατί μάλλον σας μπέρδεψα. Η Γκουέν λίγο πριν τα 40 της χρόνια βρέθηκε να ζει μια ζωή χωρίς κατεύθυνση και στόχους, αφού μόλις έχασε τη δουλειά της, χώρισε, απομακρύνθηκε από τους φίλους της και κλείστηκε στο καβούκι της. Αποφασίζει, λοιπόν, να εργαστεί εθελοντικά σε κατάστημα με μεταχειρισμένα αντικείμενα και εκεί γνωρίζει ανθρώπους που θα τη βοηθήσουν να πάρει τη ζωή στα χέρια της.
Ενδιάμεσα παρεμβάλλονται οι ιστορίες των αντικειμένων που βρέθηκαν να πωλούνται στο κατάστημα. Ποιος ήταν ο αρχικός τους ιδιοκτήτης και πώς κατέληξαν εκεί; Εντάξει, αυτές οι ιστορίες θα μπορούσαν να είναι και λιγότερες, κάπου ένιωσα να κουράζομαι με τόσα μεταχειρισμένα τζιν (ήταν και 652 οι σελίδες). Επίσης δεν μου αρέσουν τα αντικείμενα από δεύτερο χέρι,προσωπικά με "τρομάζει" η ιστορία τους και η "κακή ενέργεια" που κουβαλούν από τον προηγούμενο ιδιοκτήτη τους. Στα βιβλία κάνω εξαίρεση, στείλτε βιβλία και ξεσκισμένα να είναι τα διαβάζω! Ωστόσο αυτό που με κέρδισε στο βιβλίο ήταν η ίδια η Γκουέν. Ναι,ναι το ξέρω οι περισσότεροι την θεωρείτε βαρετή ,αδιάφορη κτλ. κτλ. Λυπάμαι που θα σας το χαλάσω αλλά that's life! Φτάνει πια με τις τέλειες ζωές των ηρώων στα feel good μυθιστορήματα! Θέλουμε να ταυτιστούμε κι εμείς που στη ζωή τα κάναμε σκατά. Επίσης λυπάμαι που θα σας το χαλάσω αλλά δεν ζουν όλες οι σχεδόν 40ρες τη ζωή της Carrie Bradshaw από το Sex & the city. Ούτε είναι εύκολο να παλέψεις με όλες τις δυυσκολίες της ζωής.Έρχονται φορές που θες να τα παρατήσεις, που λες "δεν αντέχω άλλο" που είσαι στο κατώφλι της κατάθλιψης και νιώθεις ότι δεν αξίζει να το παλέψεις! Για όλες αυτές τις γυναίκες λοιπόν η Γκουέν είναι μια δικαίωση, μια φίλη , μια feel good νότα!
Αυτό που χρειάζεται βελτίωση είναι η γραφή της Bravo. Ισως και ένας καλός επιμελητής που θα της έκοβε τα περιττά; Λέω εγώ τωρα! Η ιδέα ήταν πολύ καλή, η εκτέλεση την υποβάθμισε. Εγώ πάντως την προσέγγισα με μεγάλη ενσυναίσθηση και συμπόνια. Άλλωστε δεν χρειάζεται να έχουμε ζήσει ακριβώς τις ίδιες καταστάσεις για να μπορέσουμε να κατανοήσουμε τη συμπεριφορά ενός ανθρώπου. Αρκεί να μην είμαστε σκληροί κριτές και να μπαίνουμε στα παπούτσια του άλλου.
Ενδιάμεσα παρεμβάλλονται οι ιστορίες των αντικειμένων που βρέθηκαν να πωλούνται στο κατάστημα. Ποιος ήταν ο αρχικός τους ιδιοκτήτης και πώς κατέληξαν εκεί; Εντάξει, αυτές οι ιστορίες θα μπορούσαν να είναι και λιγότερες, κάπου ένιωσα να κουράζομαι με τόσα μεταχειρισμένα τζιν (ήταν και 652 οι σελίδες). Επίσης δεν μου αρέσουν τα αντικείμενα από δεύτερο χέρι,προσωπικά με "τρομάζει" η ιστορία τους και η "κακή ενέργεια" που κουβαλούν από τον προηγούμενο ιδιοκτήτη τους. Στα βιβλία κάνω εξαίρεση, στείλτε βιβλία και ξεσκισμένα να είναι τα διαβάζω! Ωστόσο αυτό που με κέρδισε στο βιβλίο ήταν η ίδια η Γκουέν. Ναι,ναι το ξέρω οι περισσότεροι την θεωρείτε βαρετή ,αδιάφορη κτλ. κτλ. Λυπάμαι που θα σας το χαλάσω αλλά that's life! Φτάνει πια με τις τέλειες ζωές των ηρώων στα feel good μυθιστορήματα! Θέλουμε να ταυτιστούμε κι εμείς που στη ζωή τα κάναμε σκατά. Επίσης λυπάμαι που θα σας το χαλάσω αλλά δεν ζουν όλες οι σχεδόν 40ρες τη ζωή της Carrie Bradshaw από το Sex & the city. Ούτε είναι εύκολο να παλέψεις με όλες τις δυυσκολίες της ζωής.Έρχονται φορές που θες να τα παρατήσεις, που λες "δεν αντέχω άλλο" που είσαι στο κατώφλι της κατάθλιψης και νιώθεις ότι δεν αξίζει να το παλέψεις! Για όλες αυτές τις γυναίκες λοιπόν η Γκουέν είναι μια δικαίωση, μια φίλη , μια feel good νότα!
Αυτό που χρειάζεται βελτίωση είναι η γραφή της Bravo. Ισως και ένας καλός επιμελητής που θα της έκοβε τα περιττά; Λέω εγώ τωρα! Η ιδέα ήταν πολύ καλή, η εκτέλεση την υποβάθμισε. Εγώ πάντως την προσέγγισα με μεγάλη ενσυναίσθηση και συμπόνια. Άλλωστε δεν χρειάζεται να έχουμε ζήσει ακριβώς τις ίδιες καταστάσεις για να μπορέσουμε να κατανοήσουμε τη συμπεριφορά ενός ανθρώπου. Αρκεί να μην είμαστε σκληροί κριτές και να μπαίνουμε στα παπούτσια του άλλου.
March 16, 2024
Snoozefest
February 9, 2024
This book is so incredibly "London 30-somethings bookclub"-ish. It reminds me so much of the type of books I also read as part of a book club and wouldn't have picked up otherwise... Think The Peculiar Sadness of Lemon Cake, or Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead. I can imagine a group of late 20s - 30s women sitting around discussing this book, with glasses of chardonnay in hand, saying "yeah she's just like me fr".
Which if that sounds disparaging, it isn't meant to be. Because for all my big ergodic literature books, and foreign sci-fi, I am also a late-20s woman from London, and sometimes I too just want to drink a glass of chardonnay with my friends and say "yeah she just like me fr".
Because hey, I did enjoy it. It's so relatable. I loved that I knew every single street she mentioned, and I loved that I could almost figure out exactly where it's set too. All the characters are like people I know in my life. But I think it's not just relatable to me, the story Lauren Bravo tells is relatable to many, many people. It's about personal growth, it's about burnout, it's about friendship. It's about a lot of things I love.
Another review on Goodreads mentions being disappointed it wasn't a romance, but gosh I'm so thrilled it wasn't a romance because I think this book is the perfect anti-romance. Nobody 'finds' themselves in a whirlwind romance. All the personal growth of the characters comes from within, and that's great.
So why only 4 stars? Well, it really isn't the kind of book I normally read. So I really never know how to mark these. Is it a good example of this book, or is bad? I have no idea. It's just warm, heartfelt, uncomplex. Its book club ish. And for some reason I can't articulate, the full title on Everand (the app I listened to the book on) annoyed me every time I read it: "Preloved: A sparklingly witty and relatable debut novel" (I get it, everyone on the app is competing for SEO and to be noticed, and I'm sure it's some PR team's decision not the author).
Which if that sounds disparaging, it isn't meant to be. Because for all my big ergodic literature books, and foreign sci-fi, I am also a late-20s woman from London, and sometimes I too just want to drink a glass of chardonnay with my friends and say "yeah she just like me fr".
Because hey, I did enjoy it. It's so relatable. I loved that I knew every single street she mentioned, and I loved that I could almost figure out exactly where it's set too. All the characters are like people I know in my life. But I think it's not just relatable to me, the story Lauren Bravo tells is relatable to many, many people. It's about personal growth, it's about burnout, it's about friendship. It's about a lot of things I love.
Another review on Goodreads mentions being disappointed it wasn't a romance, but gosh I'm so thrilled it wasn't a romance because I think this book is the perfect anti-romance. Nobody 'finds' themselves in a whirlwind romance. All the personal growth of the characters comes from within, and that's great.
So why only 4 stars? Well, it really isn't the kind of book I normally read. So I really never know how to mark these. Is it a good example of this book, or is bad? I have no idea. It's just warm, heartfelt, uncomplex. Its book club ish. And for some reason I can't articulate, the full title on Everand (the app I listened to the book on) annoyed me every time I read it: "Preloved: A sparklingly witty and relatable debut novel" (I get it, everyone on the app is competing for SEO and to be noticed, and I'm sure it's some PR team's decision not the author).
June 17, 2023
I really enjoyed that the chapters went from the people working & shopping in the second chance store, to the stories about items that were on the shelves in the second chance store.
just-say-no
July 26, 2023No HEA so it’s not a romance but being marketed as one 🤦🏻♀️
April 29, 2023
It's a book that I had so much fun reading!
I didn't want to put it down it was so good!
This is definitely a feel-good book that you'll enjoy til the end.
With sweet characters and a cool plot, I found myself turning the pages quickly to see what happened next.
Such a cute cover, and quite honestly, it's why I chose the story. I wasn't disappointed at all.
Gwen is the character that stole my heart for right now, I am just like her.
I need to find my way and figure out what God truly needs for me to do.
If you like a second chance story, then this is a must-read read.
5 stars for a job well done!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I didn't want to put it down it was so good!
This is definitely a feel-good book that you'll enjoy til the end.
With sweet characters and a cool plot, I found myself turning the pages quickly to see what happened next.
Such a cute cover, and quite honestly, it's why I chose the story. I wasn't disappointed at all.
Gwen is the character that stole my heart for right now, I am just like her.
I need to find my way and figure out what God truly needs for me to do.
If you like a second chance story, then this is a must-read read.
5 stars for a job well done!
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 4, 2023
I've been thinking a lot about the current cultural zeitgeist and how it is shaping up around stories from disillusioned twenty-somethings who have lost sight of what they really want from life. I do really appreciate it, this new-fangled openness to the reassuring fact that many of us – seemingly most of us – are navigating our worlds feeling a little lost, a lot untethered. At the same time, the literary landscape seems rather saturated with these stories of anger, hunger, and youthful languishing, and I often find myself comparing it to how having lived through the worst of the pandemic, I feel no motivation to read fictional narratives about it. What I haven't yet lived through are my late-thirties, and I suspect that even those who are already there will find detaching from that tide and picking up this debut novel – which features the mid-life shambles of a 38-year-old Gwen – somewhat refreshing.
We first meet Gwen at her birthday dinner-by-herself, making a To-Do list while assessing the deliciousness of the sticky toffee pudding she is finishing off the night with. Newly made redundant from her PR job after having stuck out for her clients at a meeting, she feels quite a bit redundant herself – what with her fading friendships, her lack of a love life, and an increasingly strained, standoffish relationship with her parents, which, if I may add, wouldn't see any improvements with this new development.
Plagued with the standard milennial package of unhappy, tortuous questions – Should she have stayed in that long-ago long-term relationship? Can people see through her loneliness and consider it a failure? Are all her friends (married, cooped-up, privy to a life she doesn't care for or have access to) secretly having fun without her? – and overly conscious of all this time she now has on her hands, Gwen finds herself inclined to do some spring cleaning, to pack up the sad reminders of her unfulfilling life-so-far and drop them all off to a place where they can begin again. But the empty hours continue to stretch out ahead of her as she drops her donations off at the local charity shop, and so she – surprisingly, unexpectedly – signs up to volunteer there instead. What she hitherto perceived as a place where cast-offs turn to fly soon becomes a point of renewal, a space bereft of judgement where the hidden lives of other volunteers and preloved objects reveal themselves to her in all their richness, and where she, too, can find herself beginning to transform.
Engagingly written with sensitivity and humour, Preloved is a love letter to the so-called 'second-chance saloons' of London, and an honest exploration of that nagging state of rejection that comes with being aimless and alone. Here, Gwen's personal developments (which are, in a case of considerable annoyance to me, written in the third-to-first person point of view), are interspersed with vignettes about the stories behind the various items that find their way into charity shops, and the deeply personal histories that lead them there. Though touched, I initially found these stories rather gimmicky, stand-alone snippets that were mere emotional punctuations for Gwen's story. However, reading on, the delicate, poignant connections between the objects, their donors, and the characters in the book revealed themselves to me, bringing a sense of cohesion to the narrative and strengthening its message of the inherent connectedness of our lives, which I greatly admired.
I also presumed that this book was going in the realm of light-reading, and was pleasantly surprised to see how meaningfully it engaged with trauma, the anxieties of ageing, and the way these often tie together with a growing alienation from friends and family. I felt like I saw some of the more emotional aspects of the plot– such as the likelihood of Gwen was suppressing grief from a big personal loss – coming from miles away, but I was stunned by how smoothly and beautifully the author arrived at those points, revealed them to us, and engaged her characters with them. The resolution of the book was staggered and brilliant – less like the feel-good, made-for-TV-movie vibe I had been pinning it as, but more of a gentle, realistic story made memorable by its ostensible simplicity and tactfully revealed layers, and its well-crafted, multidimensional characters whose arcs played out against the backdrop of an accurately observed and authentic portrait of present-day London.
Overall, I quite enjoyed this book. It did not shake up my world, but not every novel has to. I was content to be living within its pages for a while.
We first meet Gwen at her birthday dinner-by-herself, making a To-Do list while assessing the deliciousness of the sticky toffee pudding she is finishing off the night with. Newly made redundant from her PR job after having stuck out for her clients at a meeting, she feels quite a bit redundant herself – what with her fading friendships, her lack of a love life, and an increasingly strained, standoffish relationship with her parents, which, if I may add, wouldn't see any improvements with this new development.
Plagued with the standard milennial package of unhappy, tortuous questions – Should she have stayed in that long-ago long-term relationship? Can people see through her loneliness and consider it a failure? Are all her friends (married, cooped-up, privy to a life she doesn't care for or have access to) secretly having fun without her? – and overly conscious of all this time she now has on her hands, Gwen finds herself inclined to do some spring cleaning, to pack up the sad reminders of her unfulfilling life-so-far and drop them all off to a place where they can begin again. But the empty hours continue to stretch out ahead of her as she drops her donations off at the local charity shop, and so she – surprisingly, unexpectedly – signs up to volunteer there instead. What she hitherto perceived as a place where cast-offs turn to fly soon becomes a point of renewal, a space bereft of judgement where the hidden lives of other volunteers and preloved objects reveal themselves to her in all their richness, and where she, too, can find herself beginning to transform.
Engagingly written with sensitivity and humour, Preloved is a love letter to the so-called 'second-chance saloons' of London, and an honest exploration of that nagging state of rejection that comes with being aimless and alone. Here, Gwen's personal developments (which are, in a case of considerable annoyance to me, written in the third-to-first person point of view), are interspersed with vignettes about the stories behind the various items that find their way into charity shops, and the deeply personal histories that lead them there. Though touched, I initially found these stories rather gimmicky, stand-alone snippets that were mere emotional punctuations for Gwen's story. However, reading on, the delicate, poignant connections between the objects, their donors, and the characters in the book revealed themselves to me, bringing a sense of cohesion to the narrative and strengthening its message of the inherent connectedness of our lives, which I greatly admired.
I also presumed that this book was going in the realm of light-reading, and was pleasantly surprised to see how meaningfully it engaged with trauma, the anxieties of ageing, and the way these often tie together with a growing alienation from friends and family. I felt like I saw some of the more emotional aspects of the plot– such as the likelihood of Gwen was suppressing grief from a big personal loss – coming from miles away, but I was stunned by how smoothly and beautifully the author arrived at those points, revealed them to us, and engaged her characters with them. The resolution of the book was staggered and brilliant – less like the feel-good, made-for-TV-movie vibe I had been pinning it as, but more of a gentle, realistic story made memorable by its ostensible simplicity and tactfully revealed layers, and its well-crafted, multidimensional characters whose arcs played out against the backdrop of an accurately observed and authentic portrait of present-day London.
Overall, I quite enjoyed this book. It did not shake up my world, but not every novel has to. I was content to be living within its pages for a while.
April 23, 2023
I definitely have mixed feelings on this book. First, what I liked. I loved the concept. I really like charity shops/thrift stores so I really liked that part of it. And, I really liked the story.
What didn't work for me was that it was just too long. And, it alternated between the story and items brought to the charity shop, so the constant stopping and starting made it a little choppy and made it seem even longer.
All in all, I enjoyed the read and am looking forward to my next thrift store visit. I will probably see it in a different light.
What didn't work for me was that it was just too long. And, it alternated between the story and items brought to the charity shop, so the constant stopping and starting made it a little choppy and made it seem even longer.
All in all, I enjoyed the read and am looking forward to my next thrift store visit. I will probably see it in a different light.
April 17, 2023
I couldn't even finish this book, and I rarely don't finish. It just didn't seem to have a point and was all over the place. Very long-winded and felt like rambling. Unfortunately, it was not my cup of tea, and I couldn't get through it.
February 26, 2024
3.5*. I enjoyed the second half more than the first.
November 30, 2024
Βιβλίο feel good χωρίς κανένα νόημα.
Ούτε feel ούτε good.
Αδιάφορο. Ούτε μια φορά σκέφτηκα την Γκουέν, από όταν το τελείωσα.
650 σελίδες φλυαρίας, περί μεταχειρισμένων αντικειμένων και παραλληλισμούς με τη ζωή 😒
Το μόνο ενδιαφέρον ήταν η οικογένεια της Γκουέν και το ψυχικό τραύμα που κουβαλούσαν, το οποίο έδωσε μερικά συγκινητικά κεφάλαια.
That 's all!
Ούτε feel ούτε good.
Αδιάφορο. Ούτε μια φορά σκέφτηκα την Γκουέν, από όταν το τελείωσα.
650 σελίδες φλυαρίας, περί μεταχειρισμένων αντικειμένων και παραλληλισμούς με τη ζωή 😒
Το μόνο ενδιαφέρον ήταν η οικογένεια της Γκουέν και το ψυχικό τραύμα που κουβαλούσαν, το οποίο έδωσε μερικά συγκινητικά κεφάλαια.
That 's all!
February 23, 2025
Frankly, I don't have much to say here. Without the whole secondhand shop spin, with all the chapters about how the items arrived at the shop along with stories of the owners/ how they got bought again, this would be a run of the mill contemporary; entertaining enough, but nothing you haven't read before. Protagonist who's trying to find their way in life, navigating relationships (romantic, friendly, parental), dealing with grief.
The book hit the spot while I was reading it, because I wanted something 'simple' enough, but it's not a must-read-now-I'll-recommend-this-to-everyone masterpiece or anything.
The book hit the spot while I was reading it, because I wanted something 'simple' enough, but it's not a must-read-now-I'll-recommend-this-to-everyone masterpiece or anything.
March 13, 2023
This offbeat novel hits the zetgeist notes of "reduce, re-use, recycle" within a charity shop where recently redundant Gwen volunteers after dropping off her own relics. We then follow Gwen as she haphazardly adopts the perhaps/maybe trope and applies the preloved way as to lead her own re-direction.
The novel alternates between the background stories of abandoned items (loved by someone at some point) as they cross paths with Gwen's chaotic, unfulfilled, rocky life. At first this seemed an interesting angle on lifestyle choices at one of those fork in the road moments. However, the endless self deprecation "humour" alongside a cast of neuro-diverse volunteers wore thin fairly quickly for me. The crossover between donors/donations and their stories alongside Gwen and other volunteers' narratives sang for a while and then morphed from quirky to prosaic for me.
The less is more approach might have tightened the book and given it more spark. Instead I found the early promise lost in a way-too-long ramblings.
With thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for the opportunity to read and review. Perhaps I am not the target audience for Preloved.
The novel alternates between the background stories of abandoned items (loved by someone at some point) as they cross paths with Gwen's chaotic, unfulfilled, rocky life. At first this seemed an interesting angle on lifestyle choices at one of those fork in the road moments. However, the endless self deprecation "humour" alongside a cast of neuro-diverse volunteers wore thin fairly quickly for me. The crossover between donors/donations and their stories alongside Gwen and other volunteers' narratives sang for a while and then morphed from quirky to prosaic for me.
The less is more approach might have tightened the book and given it more spark. Instead I found the early promise lost in a way-too-long ramblings.
With thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for the opportunity to read and review. Perhaps I am not the target audience for Preloved.
March 15, 2025
3,5 Sterne
Dem Cover nach zu urteilen hatte ich mich auf eine leichte Kost eingestellt. Immerhin wird er ja als "Wohlfühl-Roman" beschrieben. Doch schon nach den ersten Kapiteln merkte ich, dass die Hauptperson Gwen in einer melancholischen, fast schon depressiven Stimmung ist. Dabei wird lange Zeit jedoch nicht wirklich klar, wieso das so ist. Dadurch hat sich die erste Hälfte des Buches für mich ein bisschen wie Kaugummi gezogen. Es ging wenig voran in der Geschichte, und die immer wieder eingeschobenen Anekdoten über Dinge, die dann im Sozialkaufhaus enden, hatten auch schon bald ihren Reiz für mich verloren. Fast wollte ich die schon ganz skippen, bevor irgendwann mal eine vorkam, die dann doch relevant zu sein schien. Stück für Stück gab es mehr Puzzleteile zum zusammensetzen, es wurde einiges klarer für mich und damit dann auch wieder interessanter.
Denn das Grundgerüst der Geschichte und eigentlich auch der Schreibstil der Autorin fand ich durchaus gut. Nur dauerte es eben viel zu lange, bis es Sinn machte.
Dem Cover nach zu urteilen hatte ich mich auf eine leichte Kost eingestellt. Immerhin wird er ja als "Wohlfühl-Roman" beschrieben. Doch schon nach den ersten Kapiteln merkte ich, dass die Hauptperson Gwen in einer melancholischen, fast schon depressiven Stimmung ist. Dabei wird lange Zeit jedoch nicht wirklich klar, wieso das so ist. Dadurch hat sich die erste Hälfte des Buches für mich ein bisschen wie Kaugummi gezogen. Es ging wenig voran in der Geschichte, und die immer wieder eingeschobenen Anekdoten über Dinge, die dann im Sozialkaufhaus enden, hatten auch schon bald ihren Reiz für mich verloren. Fast wollte ich die schon ganz skippen, bevor irgendwann mal eine vorkam, die dann doch relevant zu sein schien. Stück für Stück gab es mehr Puzzleteile zum zusammensetzen, es wurde einiges klarer für mich und damit dann auch wieder interessanter.
Denn das Grundgerüst der Geschichte und eigentlich auch der Schreibstil der Autorin fand ich durchaus gut. Nur dauerte es eben viel zu lange, bis es Sinn machte.
March 6, 2024
THE SECOND CHANCE STORE
Lauren Bravo
Gwene has been made redundant at her job. They did it quite nicely and gave her about 5 months of salary to find herself. She sort of rolls through life and ends up in a Second Chance Store where she fits in rather nicely. She is redundant and lands in a place with lots of redundant things.
But life also has another side for things redundant, it is repurposed. Redundant things can be repurposed and find useful and fulfilling lives. The book points out that this is how life works. One man's treasure is another man's junk. One man's ex-wife is the love of another man's life.
I just hummed along with the first, rather long like 2/3's of the book, and then all of a sudden it made sense. I did like the chapters and the things that showed up at the shop what they were and how they got there. But overall I thought the book was rather melancholy and at timesin places it just rambled on.
3 Stars
Happy Reading!
Lauren Bravo
Gwene has been made redundant at her job. They did it quite nicely and gave her about 5 months of salary to find herself. She sort of rolls through life and ends up in a Second Chance Store where she fits in rather nicely. She is redundant and lands in a place with lots of redundant things.
But life also has another side for things redundant, it is repurposed. Redundant things can be repurposed and find useful and fulfilling lives. The book points out that this is how life works. One man's treasure is another man's junk. One man's ex-wife is the love of another man's life.
I just hummed along with the first, rather long like 2/3's of the book, and then all of a sudden it made sense. I did like the chapters and the things that showed up at the shop what they were and how they got there. But overall I thought the book was rather melancholy and at timesin places it just rambled on.
3 Stars
Happy Reading!
March 17, 2024
I wish I’d written this book. It’s exactly the book I would want to write.
This book is fantastic but in a quiet, modest way. It creeps up on you.
The layout of Gwen’s story mingled with short stories about items is such fantastic. There’s so much to discover that I fear I missed some, like Easter eggs in a film.
Fabulous read.
This book is fantastic but in a quiet, modest way. It creeps up on you.
The layout of Gwen’s story mingled with short stories about items is such fantastic. There’s so much to discover that I fear I missed some, like Easter eggs in a film.
Fabulous read.
June 22, 2023
A great premise but too long. The stories about each item were endearing at the start but a distraction come the end.
November 15, 2025
Didn’t like it at the start, got better by the end though
July 13, 2024
Δείτε επίσης και στο Chill and read
Πράγματα που αγαπήθηκαν, πράγματα που μισήθηκαν, πράγματα που αποκτήθηκαν για κάποιο σκοπό και έχασαν το σκοπό τους, πράγματα που δίνουν νόημα στη ζωή κάποιου. Όλα αυτά είναι ή μάλλον καλύτερα ήταν ή θα γίνουν, τα αγαπημένα πράγματα κάποιου που είτε θα τα αφήσει στο μαγαζί μεταχειρισμένων για πώληση, είτε θα τα αποκτήσει από εκεί!
Η Γκουέν είναι μια γυναίκα που κοντεύει τα 40. Έχει μια δουλειά που την ικανοποιεί. Μάλλον; Μπορεί; Ποιος ξέρει; Έχει και τους δυο της γονείς, αν και βρίσκονται λιγάκι μακριά και έχουν αποξενωθεί. Τώρα που το σκέφτεται, το ίδιο συμβαίνει και με την καλή της φίλη Σουζ. Όμως αυτά τα σκέφτεται όλα τώρα. Τώρα που έχασε τη δουλειά της και χωρίς καλά καλά να το καταλάβει, προσφέρεται να δουλέψει εθελοντικά σε ένα κατάστημα με μεταχειρισμένα αντικείμενα. Το ίδιο κατάστημα στο οποίο πήγε επιτέλους να δωρίσει τα πράγματα που ο πρώην της είχε αφήσει σπίτι της. Πριν έξι χρόνια. Της πήρε λίγο καιρό, αλλά επιτέλους το έκανε.
Στο μαγαζί αυτό, η Γκουέν θα έρθει σε επαφή με πολλά αντικείμενα αλλά και με πολλούς και διαφορετικούς ανθρώπους. Με άλλους θα ταιριάξει, ή έστω έτσι θα νομίσει, και με άλλους δε θα έχει πολλές επαφές. Έχοντας πλέον αρκετό χρόνο και νέες εμπειρίες, η Γκουέν θα αναζητήσει τι πήγε στραβά στη ζωή της. Γιατί η σχέση της με τους γονείς της δεν είναι τόσο ζεστή; Αν και ξέρει ουσιαστικά πότε άλλαξαν οι σταθερές στις ζωές τους, δεν είναι σίγουρη ότι γνωρίζει τον πραγματικό λόγο που έγινε αυτό. Και δυστυχώς, δε θα το μάθει παρά όταν θα πλησιάζει το τέλος του βιβλίου. Όπως θα καταφέρει να μιλήσει επιτέλους με τη φίλη της και να λύσουν τις παρεξηγήσεις που τις κρατούσαν τόσο καιρό μακριά τη μία από την άλλη.
Τα «Αγαπημένα πράγματα» δεν είναι ένα βιβλίο γεμάτο έρωτες και πάθη και η Γκουέν δεν είναι ένα άτομο που θα λατρέψεις. Είναι όμως ένα βιβλίο που θα σε κάνει να αναρωτηθείς πόσο πολύ μοιάζεις στη Γκουέν, στους άλλους εθελοντές, ή ακόμα και σε κάποιον από τους ανθρώπους που επισκέπτεται το μαγαζί με τα μεταχειρισμένα. Όσο κι αν δε θέλουμε να το παραδεχτούμε, στις μεγάλες πόλεις συναντά κανείς πολλή μοναξιά. Ανθρώπους που δεν έχουν φίλους, που έχουν απομακρυνθεί από αυτούς και που δυσκολεύονται είτε να αναθερμάνουν τις παλιές τους σχέσεις είτε να δημιουργήσουν καινούριες φιλίες. Κάτι τέτοιο απαιτεί δουλειά και πολλοί άνθρωποι, δυστυχώς, δεν έχουν είτε το κουράγιο, είτε το χρόνο, είτε τη θέληση για κάτι τέτοιο.
Η Γκουέν είναι ένας άνθρωπος που έχει αφεθεί. Φοβάται να προσπαθήσει. Πιστεύει πως δεν ανήκει πλέον στις νέες ζωές των φίλων της, μιας και η δική της ζωή δεν έχει την ίδια πορεία με τη δική τους, όμως, αν δεν προσπαθήσει λιγάκι δε θα καταλάβει ποτέ πως δεν μπορεί να περιμένει από τους άλλους να προσπαθούν, θα πρέπει να κάνει κι αυτή κάτι. Όπως θα πρέπει να καταλάβει ότι όταν η ίδια δε δίνει σημάδια ότι θέλει να συνεχίσει να βλέπει τους παλιούς της φίλους, εκείνοι μπορεί να νομίζουν ότι είναι επιλογή της να μην τους θέλει στη ζωή της.
Πρόκειται για ένα βιβλίο που μιλάει για τις ανθρώπινες σχέσεις, την προσπάθεια που χρειάζονται για να ανθίσουν, αλλά και για το πόσο σημαντικό είναι να μιλάμε για όσα μας απασχολούν με τους αγαπημένους μας ανθρώπους και να μην αφηνόμαστε να μας πάει η παλίρροια παρακάτω. Να προσπαθούμε γι’ αυτά που θέλουμε στη ζωή μας, είτε έχουν να κάνουν με την επαγγελματική μας ζωή είτε έχουν να κάνουν με την προσωπική μας ζωή.
Πράγματα που αγαπήθηκαν, πράγματα που μισήθηκαν, πράγματα που αποκτήθηκαν για κάποιο σκοπό και έχασαν το σκοπό τους, πράγματα που δίνουν νόημα στη ζωή κάποιου. Όλα αυτά είναι ή μάλλον καλύτερα ήταν ή θα γίνουν, τα αγαπημένα πράγματα κάποιου που είτε θα τα αφήσει στο μαγαζί μεταχειρισμένων για πώληση, είτε θα τα αποκτήσει από εκεί!
Η Γκουέν είναι μια γυναίκα που κοντεύει τα 40. Έχει μια δουλειά που την ικανοποιεί. Μάλλον; Μπορεί; Ποιος ξέρει; Έχει και τους δυο της γονείς, αν και βρίσκονται λιγάκι μακριά και έχουν αποξενωθεί. Τώρα που το σκέφτεται, το ίδιο συμβαίνει και με την καλή της φίλη Σουζ. Όμως αυτά τα σκέφτεται όλα τώρα. Τώρα που έχασε τη δουλειά της και χωρίς καλά καλά να το καταλάβει, προσφέρεται να δουλέψει εθελοντικά σε ένα κατάστημα με μεταχειρισμένα αντικείμενα. Το ίδιο κατάστημα στο οποίο πήγε επιτέλους να δωρίσει τα πράγματα που ο πρώην της είχε αφήσει σπίτι της. Πριν έξι χρόνια. Της πήρε λίγο καιρό, αλλά επιτέλους το έκανε.
Στο μαγαζί αυτό, η Γκουέν θα έρθει σε επαφή με πολλά αντικείμενα αλλά και με πολλούς και διαφορετικούς ανθρώπους. Με άλλους θα ταιριάξει, ή έστω έτσι θα νομίσει, και με άλλους δε θα έχει πολλές επαφές. Έχοντας πλέον αρκετό χρόνο και νέες εμπειρίες, η Γκουέν θα αναζητήσει τι πήγε στραβά στη ζωή της. Γιατί η σχέση της με τους γονείς της δεν είναι τόσο ζεστή; Αν και ξέρει ουσιαστικά πότε άλλαξαν οι σταθερές στις ζωές τους, δεν είναι σίγουρη ότι γνωρίζει τον πραγματικό λόγο που έγινε αυτό. Και δυστυχώς, δε θα το μάθει παρά όταν θα πλησιάζει το τέλος του βιβλίου. Όπως θα καταφέρει να μιλήσει επιτέλους με τη φίλη της και να λύσουν τις παρεξηγήσεις που τις κρατούσαν τόσο καιρό μακριά τη μία από την άλλη.
Τα «Αγαπημένα πράγματα» δεν είναι ένα βιβλίο γεμάτο έρωτες και πάθη και η Γκουέν δεν είναι ένα άτομο που θα λατρέψεις. Είναι όμως ένα βιβλίο που θα σε κάνει να αναρωτηθείς πόσο πολύ μοιάζεις στη Γκουέν, στους άλλους εθελοντές, ή ακόμα και σε κάποιον από τους ανθρώπους που επισκέπτεται το μαγαζί με τα μεταχειρισμένα. Όσο κι αν δε θέλουμε να το παραδεχτούμε, στις μεγάλες πόλεις συναντά κανείς πολλή μοναξιά. Ανθρώπους που δεν έχουν φίλους, που έχουν απομακρυνθεί από αυτούς και που δυσκολεύονται είτε να αναθερμάνουν τις παλιές τους σχέσεις είτε να δημιουργήσουν καινούριες φιλίες. Κάτι τέτοιο απαιτεί δουλειά και πολλοί άνθρωποι, δυστυχώς, δεν έχουν είτε το κουράγιο, είτε το χρόνο, είτε τη θέληση για κάτι τέτοιο.
Η Γκουέν είναι ένας άνθρωπος που έχει αφεθεί. Φοβάται να προσπαθήσει. Πιστεύει πως δεν ανήκει πλέον στις νέες ζωές των φίλων της, μιας και η δική της ζωή δεν έχει την ίδια πορεία με τη δική τους, όμως, αν δεν προσπαθήσει λιγάκι δε θα καταλάβει ποτέ πως δεν μπορεί να περιμένει από τους άλλους να προσπαθούν, θα πρέπει να κάνει κι αυτή κάτι. Όπως θα πρέπει να καταλάβει ότι όταν η ίδια δε δίνει σημάδια ότι θέλει να συνεχίσει να βλέπει τους παλιούς της φίλους, εκείνοι μπορεί να νομίζουν ότι είναι επιλογή της να μην τους θέλει στη ζωή της.
Πρόκειται για ένα βιβλίο που μιλάει για τις ανθρώπινες σχέσεις, την προσπάθεια που χρειάζονται για να ανθίσουν, αλλά και για το πόσο σημαντικό είναι να μιλάμε για όσα μας απασχολούν με τους αγαπημένους μας ανθρώπους και να μην αφηνόμαστε να μας πάει η παλίρροια παρακάτω. Να προσπαθούμε γι’ αυτά που θέλουμε στη ζωή μας, είτε έχουν να κάνουν με την επαγγελματική μας ζωή είτε έχουν να κάνουν με την προσωπική μας ζωή.
April 27, 2025
Healing. Funny, lovely and tear jerking. Really enjoyed this book, I'm sure it'll become one of those books I wish I could read for the first time again.
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