I was drawn into the description of the novel as one of the positions held as a librarian was at a public library in the heart of a county seat and in the winter months I had an overnight case and a spare set of clothing in my vehicle in case of winter storm conditions that would make driving the long distance to my home perilous. As so many of our patrons walked to the library it really started my mind whirling to think of taking care of stranded patrons which hastened my selection to read the story of Nora Martinez and her patrons.

In reading the "Author’s Note" I learned about The Brautigan Library, a library that I was not aware existed. It was fascinating to learn how the author learned about the unique library on a snow day stimulating her creativity for this extraordinary novel.

Over the course of time many have given pause to reflect on the meaning of public libraries. The beauty of this novel is how libraries are not only described but depicted through the tale of a librarian, a security guard, and three (3) individuals with library cards not all who consider themselves library patrons. The group is of different backgrounds and ages but all are seeking refuge. As the hours pass through the snowstorm each person’s story unfolds and assumptions about one another also unravel. It’s not always easy to reveal worries and fears or any kind of personal struggle. It’s not always easy to make an opportunity or accept an opportunity for a new beginning. I was riveted to learn if the group would survive the storm and curious of the impact (if any) that might follow their exposure to one another.

Some of my favorite library/librarian descriptions and thoughts woven into the story are:

"…that libraries were one of the last places someone could go where they didn’t have to buy or believe in anything to come in."

"The library had been like finding cool water in the midst of a desert, a refuge, and the books inside, her escape."

"So library was the perfect escape; its quiet, her sanctuary; the books, her refuge; and Mrs. Washington, the one adult in her world who seemed to both understand and not judge."

"Is there a better place to be stranded than inside a library?"

This novel reminds us that every person that we meet on our life journey has their own unique story. Whether a person is smiling or is brusque, happy or crabby, doesn’t always reflect genuine feelings but may be a protective covering. I hope the story will open the possibilities to be kind and encouraging to one another.

My sincere thanks to Melissa Payne, and Lake Union Publishing for my complimentary digital copy of this title, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

#TheNightofManyEndings #NetGalley

This was a intense book. It revolves around several people who are stuck one night in the library during a huge snow storm. Each one battling an inner demon. Stories and thoughts are shared during that night and things change in the light of a new day.
This book wasn’t quite what I was expecting but it ended up being pretty good
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I loved the description of this story - 5 people huddled in a library waiting out a savage storm. But sadly, I found the main character bleak and stressful to read because she was so lost in trying to save everyone else that she seemed empty. I had hoped for more redemption and perhaps even hope. But I know there are readers for whom stories of addiction and survival are compelling even without light shining through, so I would say to anyone who is curious, give it a try.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A night nobody will forget!
A giant, crippling blizzard and five people, so very different; that are trapped in an ancient library with no power or way to get out!
Wow! This story has so much between these pages and words!
Lessons to be learned, friendships to be made and a time to "let go" and move forward!
This is definitely a different type of book!
This novel has heartbreak, hope, despair, torture, love and friendship!
I enjoyed each of these remarkable characters and Charlie too! I could smell the library books, the pine trees and the blizzard as it approached!
It is good!! Try it!

I received an advance copy of, The Night of Many Endings, by Melissa Payne. I found this book to be boring and blah.

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me an advance copy of Melissa Payne’s latest novel, The Night of Many Endings, in exchange for an honest review.

#TheNightofManyEndings is an aptly titled contemporary fiction novel about five characters (Nora, Marlene, Jasmine, Lewis, and Vlado) from different walks of life who get stranded in their community library during a huge snowstorm in Silver Ridge, Colorado. The story is essentially modeled on a locked-room mystery novel sans the mystery; though I guess if you really wanted to, you could make a case for Mario being the “mystery” here.

I was intrigued by the rave reviews that the author received for her previously published works and the fact that so many readers commented on her beautiful prose. After reading this novel, I agree that the author can write and that the book is easy to read. I also think the characters are very well developed.

The writing and characters, however, were not enough to hold my attention the entire journey. At times, I felt myself drifting off and struggling to maintain focus. There are many redundancies throughout the chapters that could benefit from some sharp editing. Also, while a snowstorm is the perfect backdrop for the bleak material, I did not find it as uplifting or redeeming as other readers did. Additionally, I thought the protagonist’s story (i.e., Nora) lacked a proper ending when compared to the other characters like Marlene and Lewis.

Since the plot is primarily driven by the characters’ backstories and takes place in mainly one setting, the town library, I find there is not much to discuss without spoiling anything and am left answering two basic questions for readers: Is the author a good storyteller? For the most part, yes. Is this a book that anyone can read? Not necessarily. I do not recommend reading if you cannot tolerate or are not in the mood for the following subjects: addiction, death of a loved one or family members, chronic pain/illnesses, and loneliness. If you enjoy character studies, especially those for despondent and bitter characters, then I would say go for it.

A quick and wholesome read (nothing in here would offend my grandma). Trigger warnings for drug use, thoughts about suicide, and parent deaths should be noted. I wanted more of Vlado's story as I felt like he had an interesting background, but his character's main role was just to have a thing for Nora.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Life hasn’t been kind to librarian Nora Martinez, but she looks at the world through rose colored glasses. finding hope and joy in the smallest things. She pours her heart into making her small library in Colorado a gathering place for her community while she waits for the chance to be reunited with her troubled brother. Nora takes in all those who need hope and a second chance, making her little library a beacon of light and hope in a dark world. Culminating in a blizzard that strands a group of misfits inside Nora’s library, this book is a beautiful tribute to the power of libraries and the people entrusted to share them with the world. Truly a book to make believers of all of us