Phenomenal Audiobook!
Whispers in the Reading Room by Shelley Gray
Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels
Chicago World’s Fair has ended and Reading Room librarian, Lydia Bancroft, is drawn to an attractive bibliophile who regularly visits yet doesn't speak with her. He often leaves an unfinished book behind on a table and Lydia saves it for his next visit. Meanwhile, Sebastian Marks, a wealthy club owner from an impoverished and low background, has become interested in Lydia--not enough to chat with her, though, until she's hurt at the hotel where he lives.
Everyone seems to know Sebastian and either fear or respect him. Lydia has retreated into a world dominated by her stories and the library where she works. After her father's death, she and her mother have been left in reduced circumstances. When Sebastian saves Lydia from her fiance, their relationship is broken. Ms. Gray indicates at the beginning of the audiobook that this is a story about friendship. Lydia and Sebastian certainly need to learn how to be friends, including with each other.
When Lydia makes some poor decisions and she is later entangled in a murder investigation, the plot truly thickens! Can Sebastian overcome his childhood traumas? Can Lydia begin to engage in real life, including real life relationships and all that entails? Their budding friendship and fledgling romance is beautiful and the Christian spiritual arc for Sebastian was woven well into the story.
A secondary romance between two of Sebastian's employee's is simply stunning and very moving!!!
Highly recommend. I loved listening to this book! This is on my Best Audiobooks of 2015 list!! Upcoming soon!
Thanks for the enticing review, CARRIE! This is one I wanted to read last year, but didn't have the time. I love Shelley's books and have a 4 book series of hers awaiting me as soon as I can slip them in. The 2016s are rolling in, and it promises to be another fantastic year for books!
ReplyDeleteOh Diana, you have to read this book by Shelley Gray, it is so wonderful. This audiobook was so beautifully done!
DeleteWell you've got me hooked, CARRIE, with that intriguing review!! :-) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou have got to listen to this one Aussie Angel (or read it!!!) Blessings!
DeleteO Carrie! I love Shelley's Whispers in the Reading Room! Just simply great! I had so much fun reading it. Love your review and how you added the "secondary romance." I loved that too!
ReplyDeleteIt's a must-read and now with Carrie's review, a must-listen too!
Wasn't that a great romance for Bridgett? So sweet, Annie!!! Did you already read it? So wonderful to listen to!
DeleteWow, Carrie your review certainly has me wanting to read Whispers in the Reading Room even more now.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Tina
Just do it Tina!!! You'll love Whispers in the Reading Room!
DeleteThere should be more librarians in stories.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny because I have a librarian in Lilacs for Juliana, and I was looking around for other librarian stories and had trouble finding any. Glad you enjoy them, Mary!
DeleteI love librarians in stories. Didn't Karen Witemeyer have a book with one in it?
DeleteAwesome review, CARRIE! I think I'm going to have start trying out more audio books. It's just the last one I tried the narrator was awful. But I would be willing to try again. :) Ever since I hear Shelley was writing this one, I have been on pins and needles waiting to read it. I can't check it out from the library here because I don't have a VA driver license. :(
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Anne! Shelley's book was SO good it ended up tying with Julie Klassen's for top spot on my audiobooks of 2015!
DeleteCarrie, thank you so much for your review of Whispers! I'm so thrilled that you enjoyed the book.
ReplyDeleteHi Shelley! I enjoyed it so much that Whispers in the Reading Room has tied with Julie Klassen's for Top Spot on my Audiobooks of the Year!
DeleteWonderful review, Carrie - thank you!!
ReplyDelete"Whispers in the Reading Room" has such an interesting, unusual story line, and has numerous elements I enjoy in a book: mystery/suspense, romance, and dysfunction. Putting it on my TBR list!!