"The Museum of Ordinary People is, then, exactly what it says it is: a museum about and for ordinary men and women like you and me, and the extraordinarily ordinary lives they lead. Perhaps none of us is in line to the throne, perhaps none of us will ever win an Academy Award or walk on the moon but that doesn't mean we haven't made a difference while we're here to the people who love us."
The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle
I so looked forward to reading The Museum of Ordinary People after loving Gayle's previous book, All the Lonely People, so much. Unfortunately, this one fell completely flat for me.
It all started with incredibly flat characters and one of the most boring plots I've ever read. Every single solitary element of this story is predictable, often making it painful and cringey to read.
And don't even get me started on the incredibly abrupt ending. I honestly hate saying this because of the context of the ending that I don't want to spoil here, but everything surrounding that one element was completely ridiculous. Everything was based around an element of the story that is easily forgotten, making such a big "reveal" seem almost laughable.
And again, I feel bad even saying that because of what the reveal is, exactly, but even that doesn't excuse how poorly executed this conclusion is. It's honestly baffling to me.
Given all of that, there were a few elements of the story that I did enjoy and even brought a few tears to my eye. Alas, it was not enough for me to give this book a higher rating than 2 stars.

"The Museum of Ordinary People" by Mike Gayle is a heartwarming and introspective novel that celebrates the beauty of everyday lives. Gayle's storytelling prowess shines as he crafts a narrative that revolves around a community project collecting and showcasing the stories of regular individuals. Through a collection of diverse characters and their anecdotes, the book delves into the small moments and experiences that make up the tapestry of our lives. The author's empathy and keen observation bring depth to each character, making them relatable and endearing. Gayle's exploration of the human condition, relationships, and personal growth is both touching and thought-provoking. This novel reminds us that every individual's story is worth cherishing, and that within the seemingly ordinary lies a world of extraordinary emotions and connections. "The Museum of Ordinary People" is a literary gem that invites readers to reflect on their own lives while appreciating the extraordinary within the ordinary. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book hit home for me because within the past few years, I have lost both my parents, and I was particularly close to my mom, who went first. Trying to get rid of her things was so painful and heartbreaking and seven years later, I wish every day that I could see her and have a laugh together.

The whole idea of having a "museum" of things people don't want to, or can't, have but don't want to throw them out, but to have someone see the items and remember people or a certain time was just so comforting. What a wonderful museum it would be!

There's a little twist that was very unexpected and it was interesting to see how Jess dealt with it. Overall, I was happy with the ending. This is a sweet, light book that is entertaining. I will be looking forward to more books by this author.

I read and loved All the Lonely People so this was top of my list, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s both heartwarming and heartbreaking, full of characters that will stick with you, and a story about moving on after loss, managing hardship, and finding community. It made me want to move to London and becoming friends with every single person in this book. Gayle is now an auto-buy author for me and I can't wait to dig into his backlist.

What a moving novel.

Gayle does grief so well. Aside from exploring the complexities of grief, Gayle also creates humor, love, and leaves you with a sense of hope.

The characters are well developed, and even the character that you aren't meant to like, is well developed.

Thank you to Net Galley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This was an enjoyable read about people, memories of the past, and how to move forward when dealing with loss and grieving. Jess has just lost her mother and need to empty out her childhood home so it can me sold. There are so many items that have memory but she's just not able to let go of a set of encyclopedias she received as a child. They are priceless even though they just look old and are out of date. In trying to figure out what to do we them, Jess discovers the Museum of Ordinary people a warehouse filled with an archive of letters, photographs and unusual items large and small. The museum has a new owner who was willed the museum yet doesn't know who willed it to him. Jess becomes the unofficial custodian and curator of the space for limited time. This read was like a big hug.

While the story was nice, it didn’t wow me like the authors first book. It also felt a little long at times. I liked it but didn’t love it. 3.5 stars

"The Museum of Ordinary People" by Alice Ash is a poignant and charming novel that celebrates the beauty of everyday lives. Through a collection of heartfelt stories from ordinary individuals, Ash weaves a tapestry of human experiences, struggles, and triumphs. This book is a touching reminder that every person has a unique and meaningful story to share, making it a captivating and uplifting read that leaves a lasting impact on its readers.

Many years ago I read My Legendary Girlfriend and loved it. The following year I read Mr. Commitment and was equally delighted. In fact, I liked it so much, I gave it to my sister Joanne so that she could read it and that book ignited her love of reading. For this reason alone, I will be forever grateful to Mike Gayle. Joanne and I talked about books right up to the week before her accident.

Mr. Commitment was also responsible for me going down the rabbit hole of what was then know as "lad lit." For a while I also read everything Gayle published: Turning Thirty, Dinner for Two, His 'N' Hers, Brand New Friend; the list can keep going. However for a while I had not heard about new works by him. I'd look for him in bookstores and could not find him so I stopped reading him.

One day I went to Netgalley and saw his name as author of this book. I had to double-check that this was the same Mike Gayle who had not let me astray for years. He was! I requested the books and the ARC gods smiled down upon me and here I am, with the mildest of book hangovers and a heart full of joy ready to tell you about this delightful tome.

This book is very wholesome. It stars two people who are dealing with the lingering aftermath of trauma. Two people who have had to deal with situations that derailed them in life and made them suppress their dreams. Two people who did not know that a set of Encyclopædia Brittanica was going to lead them to find joy and purpose in their lives.

The book is not all sunshines and rainbows, but you are rooting for these characters and the support network they found as a result of the endeavor that was getting the Museum of Ordinary people up and running. I was geared up for an unconventional (non-Hollywood) ending, and I would have given the book a five-star rating regardless, but in the epilogue the author gave us glimpses about the happiness that is to come.

I loved this unique story of the importance of everyday objects and what they mean to us. The characters were charming but I felt like the infidelity storyline was unnecessary. It didn’t add to the story. I felt like so much was thrown at Jess and Alex in the last quarter of the book and it seemed like overkill.

For anyone who has ever lived the power of objects and the memories they hold, this book is a lovely story about finding yourself amongst the stories. Jess is at a crossroads, and her discovery of a makeshift museum of ordinary objects spurs her to reach for her dream of museum curator- even if it’s a museum of her own making. It’s a very rocky ride as she discovers truths and struggles to succeed. Her journey is engaging and you are rooting for her along the way!

This will be in my top books of the year! My heart was completely wrapped up in this story. Mike Gayle has become an auto buy author.

What is ordinary? What is the one item that you just can't throw away when it comes to remembering a loved one? Jess finds herself asking these questions as she does the tough work of cleaning out her mother's flat after her mother's unexpected death. When she is introduced to the Museum of Ordinary People housed in a warehouse with a reclusive owner she ends up being drawn to the stories behind the items and becomes the curator of the collection. As she tries to engage people to come and see the museum her life starts to transform as she becomes more aware of who she is, what she wants, and who she wants to spend the rest of her life with. A wonderful, heartwarming story about grief, community, and self-discovery this book is a joy to read and will leave you pondering life.

Mike Gayle is one of those authors who writes stories that highlight the human connection in such a gallant way. The Museum of Ordinary People is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that takes readers on an emotional journey through the life of its protagonist, Jess. This book explores themes of loss and grief but also of self-discovery, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships.

After Jess's mom died, she couldn't bear to part with a few items she found while clearing the house for sale. She doesn't have the space in her home so when her friend told her about a Museum that could store these items, it was a "blessing in disguise."

One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its well developed characters. Jess is a multi-dimensional protagonist who is both relatable and authentic. Her struggles and growth throughout the story make her a compelling and sympathetic character. The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, each playing a significant role in Jess's journey and adding depth to the narrative.

While "The Museum of Ordinary People" is a captivating read, some readers may find certain aspects of the plot a tad predictable. Also, the pacing felt slow in the beginning of the story. That said, these minor shortcomings do not detract from the overall impact of the book. It's definitely one that I would wholeheartedly recommend.

Many thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book.

Thank you to Net Galley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle!

The Museum of Ordinary People is a definite feel good book, coming of age story and original idea to boot. Jess has a Masters in Museum Studies, but life got in the way of her pursuing a career. Now, a year after her mother's death, she's living with Guy, who isn't quite right for her and trying to figure out what to do with a sentimental set of encyclopedias that was a prized gift from her mother. We all know how useful the old shelf-long sets of encyclopedias are these days. Jess realizes it makes no sense to keep them and she's in Guys apartment where everything is according to his taste.

That's when her friend Luce tells her about the Museum of Ordinary People, where sentimental pieces of no intrinsic value go to rest. Jess finds the address, but the owner, Alex, doesn't seem to know what she's talking about. Turns out, he unaccountably inherited the large warehouse/moving enterprise from a man he did not know. And the staff hasn't told him about the museum. A huge area of the warehouse is devoted to letters and photos and objects and furniture that someone had special attachments to or someone found in a thrift store or a trash bin and saved. Because they are so intimately connected to someone's humanity, the things there have a terrific pull and Jess gets caught up in that and with the people at Barclay's Warehouse. Gayle does a really nice job, developing backstories and discoveries that evolve into a great ensemble cast of characters. Jess is pulled into organizing the material as if it were a functioning museum and trying to engage interest in it as the most ordinary items become "museum quality."

Well worth the read.

I love Mike Gayle's stories so much! I love his characters, messaging, how uplifting and heartwarming they can be. This feels like part coming of age story and part found family. Jess is such an endearing character. I loved seeing her growth, seeing her come into her own, gain a bit more self confidence and loved seeing her friendship with Alex develop. I do wish she made a few different choices and communicated differently at times, but she does need a bit more direction and support in her life. Jess is also managing her grief and trying to find inner strength to heal and move forward after losing a loved one.

I love seeing the beauty in the ordinary and learning more about the stories of people's belongings. There is great messaging about loving your life and being appreciative of your life.

The Museum of Ordinary People is a moving love letter to the people and memories that we hold dear and the things they leave behind after they're gone.

Jess is stuck. Stuck with a boyfriend she's not sure she wants a future with. Stuck with a job she's not passionate about. Stuck with processing the loss of her mother and the physical reminders she left behind. When Jess can't bear to trash the antique encyclopedia set her mother gave her as a child, she scrambles to find them a new home. Enter The Museum of Ordinary People, a mishmash collection of loved and lost objects from ordinary people saved from the landfill by an eclectic antiquities dealer. With the help of the reluctant new owner of the museum, Jess becomes the unofficial curator and strives to celebrate the magic in the mundane.

This novel was thoughtful and honest in the way it handled how we tend to re-evaluate our lives in the aftermath of loss. I felt intensely invested in Jess' journey to build up the museum to something great and examine the areas of her life she's not happy with. This is the perfect book to remind you it's never too late to start again and savor the bitter with the sweet. This has easily become my top fiction pick of 2023!

"While it might be true that some things are thrown away for good reason, it's equally true that some things are saved for a purpose."

Simply put, Gayle writes books that feel like a breath of fresh air. "The Museum of Ordinary People" was absolutely beautiful. It captured grief and finding your inner strength to heal and move forward after losing a loved one in a way that also mixed in healthy doses of humor and sarcasm so not to weigh the reader down. I loved Gayle's previous book "All the Lonely People" as well for this exact reason so I was THRILLED at the opportunity to receive a Galley version of his latest read.

The book's main focus, the museum for ordinary people, is a museum that takes people's everyday trinkets and provides a home for items that would otherwise end up donated and left to collect dust on a shelf or simply tossed in the trash. It's such an intimate concept of allowing your loved ones belongings (whether monetary or emotional value) to live on and be housed somewhere instead of tossed aside. If you've ever lost a loved one and had to deal with organizing and removing their belongings, you'll completely understand the hardship faced in a time where grief overrides all other emotions.

The characters are that breath of fresh air I mentioned previously. You'll find yourself rooting hard for Jess's success. Although the romance portion is easily detected from the beginning and you can see where things may be heading, it was still so refreshing and wholesome to watch things play out.

I may be biased, but I truly do not believe that Gayle can write a bad book and I will be first in line for the next!! Thank you SO much for the advanced e-Galley copy to read and enjoy.

What prompted me to request this arc on NetGalley was that Mike Gayle was the author. Without reading the synopsis, all I knew was that the title was interesting, and that the author was beloved by many. What could go wrong? Answer: absolutely nothing.

The Museum of Ordinary People has quickly become one of my favorite reads of 2023. It has everything you could ask for in terms of sweet without too much saccharine, heartfelt without the heaviness, and a sprinkling of intrigue. A perfect book for every reader.

Synopsis:
Upon the passing of her mother, Jess returns to her childhood home to thoroughly assess what’s staying and what’s going. With much consideration and a very heavy heart, she realizes she can only take a few small items and.... a full set of encyclopedias.

In time, her living situation changes, leaving the encyclopedias bound for rubbish heaven. Maybe it’s a sign from her mom, maybe not, but let’s just say the encyclopedias activate a set of events that will change Jess’ life. The most important of them all is being introduced to the Museum of Ordinary People. A place where everyday people leave behind sentimental items for safekeeping.

In this warehouse filled with interesting characters amongst an array of other people's priceless memories, the span of time within one's heart beats eternal.