The Library of Lost Things

by Laura Taylor Namey
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Release date: October 8th 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Books about Books

Synopsis:

From the moment she first learned to read, literary genius Darcy Wells has spent most of her time living in the worlds of her books. There, she can avoid the crushing reality of her mother’s hoarding and pretend her life is simply ordinary. But when a new property manager becomes more active in the upkeep of their apartment complex, the only home Darcy has ever known outside of her books suddenly hangs in the balance.

While Darcy is struggling to survive beneath the weight of her mother’s compulsive shopping, Asher Fleet, a former teen pilot with an unexpectedly shattered future, walks into the bookstore where she works…and straight into her heart. For the first time in her life, Darcy can’t seem to find the right words. Fairy tales are one thing, but real love makes her want to hide inside her carefully constructed ink-and-paper bomb shelter.

Still, after spending her whole life keeping people out, something about Asher makes Darcy want to open up. But securing her own happily-ever-after will mean she’ll need to stop hiding and start living her own truth—even if it’s messy.

REVIEW

I typically love any books with mental health themes–when they’re done well!–and this was no exception. I found Darcy’s story to be moving and you felt her pain and emotions right along with her. It was heartbreaking at times and it was important to see the side of how family is affected by mental illness, just as much as the person who is suffering. I feel like that side of the story isn’t always told and it shows just how much the family needs therapy to mend and cope with the differences in their lives. You see how Darcy struggles to even invite people over the house because she is embarrassed with how it looks due to her mother’s hoarding and compulsive shopping. I feel like this particular mental illness hasn’t been touched on much before in books–that I’ve seen–and I appreciated how the author handled it and explained it.

Darcy was a relatable main character that I felt attached and connected to. She absolutely loves books and reading so that was totally up my alley, of course! She has to grow up quickly and realize that she is the one that has to deal with many ‘real life’ issues due to her mother suffering so deeply in her illness at times. That catches your breath and makes you hold it, as well as has you rooting for Darcy the whole time. Oh and she also works at a bookstore which is truly any reader’s dream! I have so much admiration for her resilience as a character as well as the things she discovers along the way. Her development is fantastic and I am in awe of her writing.

And, of course, there is a romance included. While it is a large part of the book and a push for Darcy to be true to herself, I didn’t find it to be overwhelming or overpoweringly sweet. It was well-done and balanced with the rest of the story, so I can’t say it was a huge main part of the book that overtook the arching message. I will absolutely be reading more of this author’s books and I am so excited to see what she writes next!

Laura is a Cuban-American Californian who can be found haunting her favorite coffee shops, drooling over leather jackets, and wishing she was in London or Paris. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two superstar children.

This former teacher writes young adult novels about quirky teens learning to navigate life and love. Her debut, THE LIBRARY OF LOST THINGS will be published 10/08/19 from Inkyard Press/HarperCollins. Her #ownvoices sophomore project, A CUBAN GIRL’S GUIDE TO SWEATERS AND STARS is coming fall 2020 from Atheneum Simon and Schuster.