The Last Chance Library

This debut caught my eye with its title, cover and its numerous mentions on Bookstagram. As a Library Assistant myself, I enjoyed all the biblio love in this story that follows a fellow Library Assistant and a group of villagers when they band together to save their public library from closing.

This was a sweet but predictable read. It's got a good cast of small-town characters, but the main focus is on June Jones, a library worker who is socially anxious, unassertive and as unlike to the similarly named literary character June B Jones as you could get. Truth be told, June was a bit dull for a main character, but levity and energy are provided by a few of the secondary characters who are quite memorable.

The charm and emotional punch in this story come from the themes of loneliness, loss and seeing this community come together to save the library - a place that connects this motley group of villagers. I enjoyed witnessing June's transformation from her lonely, anxious, and solitary life to finding her voice and her important place in her community. But my favourite part of the story is how Sampson illustrates the importance of public libraries, the many ways they serve their communities and the impact of closures on individuals and the public. Libraries are about people, not books. 

This is a good read if you're looking for a cozy, simple, feel-good story about a woman's personal journey that also illustrates the importance of public libraries, connection, and community.

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Author: Freya Sampson

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Type and Source: Hardcover from public library

Publisher: Berkley Books

First Published: August 31, 2021

Opening Line: You can tell a lot about a person 

from the library books they borrow.

Book Description from GoodReads: June Jones emerges from her shell to fight for her beloved local library, and through the efforts and support of an eclectic group of library patrons, she discovers life-changing friendships along the way.

Lonely librarian June Jones has never left the sleepy English village where she grew up. Shy and reclusive, the thirty-year-old would rather spend her time buried in books than venture out into the world. But when her library is threatened with closure, June is forced to emerge from behind the shelves to save the heart of her community and the place that holds the dearest memories of her mother.

Joining a band of eccentric yet dedicated locals in a campaign to keep the library, June opens herself up to other people for the first time since her mother died. It just so happens that her old school friend Alex Chen is back in town and willing to lend a helping hand. The kindhearted lawyer's feelings for her are obvious to everyone but June, who won't believe that anyone could ever care for her in that way.

To save the place and the books that mean so much to her, June must finally make some changes to her life. For once, she's determined not to go down without a fight. And maybe, in fighting for her cherished library, June can save herself, too.