Suggested Reading

by David Connis

[Sam@WLABB]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Clara lived and breathed books. 😉 She had this unbridled passion for the written word and the power it possessed. Therefore, when she inadvertently learned that many of her favorite books were being placed on a "prohibited" media list, she decided to fight back, and created an underground library. However, as word of the Unlib spread, Clara found herself wondering if the rewards outweighed the risks.

This was a book about a rabid reader, which celebrated the power of books. How could I not love it!

Connis created one of my favorite bibliophiles to date - Clara. She oozed book joy, and I just about hung on her every word, when she waxed poetic about her favorites. The opening chapter, immediately embedded her in my heart, and I held her there until the very last page.

The basis of this story was the banning of books, and Connis featured many amazing examples of challenged works, but he also used that a springboard to show the different ways we connect to books, and how they can connect us to each other.

Though, the author was clearly on the side of not banning books, he did allow Clara to see both sides of the issue. There was one point in particular that comes to mind, where Clara shared a book that made her feel many positive things, but was rather damaging to another reader. It clearly depicted how powerful a story can be, but also how differently it could impact someone else.

This story was not just about books, it was also about the readers, and how their lives were changed from this assault on their freedom. The whole experience of running a renegade library allowed Clara to interact with peers she never imagined spending time with, and that in turn allowed her to grow quite a bit. She had spent many years automatically discounting the "star stars", those wealthy students, who were descendants of the academy's founders, by interacting with them on a different level, she realized there was more to them than their socioeconomic status.

I was actually a big fan of the cast of characters Connis assembled. From Clara's bestie, LiQui, to king of the star stars, Jack, each character was well developed. No matter how big or small their role, they each played a meaningful part in this tale, and I really enjoyed getting to meet each and every one of them.

Between the fantastic book quotes, the humor, and the raw passion for books displayed throughout, I couldn't help but love this book. An absolutely entertaining and thought provoking read.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.