Title: The Last Library
Author: Freya Sampson
Publisher: Zaffre
Publication date: 2 September 2021
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Pages: 384

Are you lucky enough to have a local library? If so, do you use it?

I love visiting the library near to me and their 'click and collect' service during the pandemic brought some much-needed joy. Reading The Last Library gave me an even greater appreciation of the work libraries do, especially in the face of budget cuts and the threat of closure.

This book is the story of library assistant June, a shy and reserved character who knows far more about the regulars at Chalcot Library than they know about her. But when the library is threatened with closure, an unexpected group of locals come together and establish the Friends of Chalcot Library campaign. There's Mrs B who hates every book but always comes back for more, pensioner Stanley who always needs assistance to log onto his email account despite doing it everyday, and teenager Chantal who has no space to revise at home but dreams of escaping Chalcot and going to university. But will June have the confidence to stand up and be counted among them, opening her heart to their friendship and taking a chance to save the library that meant so much to her mum before she died?

Exploring loneliness, grief, friendship and community, this book is bursting with love for libraries, librarians and the life-changing and life-saving work they do. I loved the eccentric cast of characters and seeing June develop and grow throughout the book, gaining the independence and confidence that she lost after her mum's death. I also enjoyed the quiet love story in the book; it never takes centre stage but it is just as heartwarming as the love the characters have for their local library!

The Last Library was a quick read for me and I loved escaping to Chalcot when I was feeling stressed! There were some sad moments, but it is a real love letter to libraries and communities which made it a joy to read.

The Last Library is available in ebook and audiobook now and publishes in hardback on 2 September. You can check out the rest of the blog tour posts below:

I received this book free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Zaffre!

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