Phil answers “Okay, I loved this. I really did - but I...”

Jackie Robinson asked this question about The Reading List:

Okay, I loved this. I really did - but I have two things that I wish to discuss about this novel. - Did it bother anyone else that Aleisha would be called a librarian with no librarian qualification? I'm a library assistant studying to become a librarian and it bothered me like crazy. - Was anyone else perplexed that they didn't give a reason or follow up why Aidan committed suicide?

Phil Yes, I found Aleisha's role one of the most unbelievable things in the novel. I could believe that those coming in to the library might think she was …moreYes, I found Aleisha's role one of the most unbelievable things in the novel. I could believe that those coming in to the library might think she was a librarian, but what I couldn't believe is that a 17-year-old with no experience or training would be left in sole charge of the library, which happened on more than one occasion.

Regarding the suicide, I wasn't expecting it, but I did think the author made it clear that he was struggling to cope and starting to fall apart beforehand. And suicides tend to leave a lot of unanswered questions, so that was realistic - for those left behind, there is never a 'why' that justifies what has happened. What I did find hard to deal with was the way in which life seemed to get better for Aleisha and her mum after he died - that made me feel angry, because so many people struggling with suicidal thoughts feel that their loved ones would be better off without them, and this story seems to justify that feeling. I also felt it was quite irresponsible not to put any hint on the cover that the book dealt with suicide and mental illness - from the blurb, I was expecting a much 'cosier' read than I got!(less)

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The Reading List

by Sara Nisha Adams (Goodreads Author)

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