What an amazing story. I loved every second of it. The voice of Olivetti was unique yet relatable. Ernest was an amazing MC and I loved the friendship that came about between him and Quinn.

This story is every bit as magical as its stunning cover. But the gorgeous flowers and magical typewriter don’t quite prepare you for how heart-wrenching this book is.

I love a good heart-wrenching story.

A mom’s disappearance. A magical typewriter breaking his ethical code and divulging the secrets that had been typed to him so she can be found. An anxious 12-year-old on a mission.

This moving story is told from two perspectives: 12-year-old Ernest and Olivetti the typewriter.

You feel Olivetti’s heartbreak as he’s become more obsolete in the age of computers. You feel the son’s deep sense of being misunderstood and forgotten. And you feel caught up in their important mission.

This is a middle grade novel with real substance. The audio is absolutely fantastic, but I want to purchase a print copy so I can have that beautiful cover on my shelves.

For an incredible description of this book, look up Tom Hanks’ review in the New York Times.

Notable quotes:
“They stopped playing make-believe, but they still pretended everyday.”

“Memories are like heartbeats. They keep things alive. They make us who we are.”

TW for parent with cancer

Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher for sharing a complimentary review copy with me!

The idea of a sentient typewriter was way more intriguing than I first thought it would be and I really enjoyed it overall.

"Olivetti" was a nice read with a really interesting concept, so I'm sure younger readers will enjoy it a lot, but for me it felt more juvenile than I'd expected so I didn't end up loving it.

A charming story of an introverted young boy and an Olivetti typewriter that can communicate with him. This is aimed at middle graders, but I found it a sweet story and not at all childlike.
I must admit that I was drawn in by the pretty cover (I know, I know. Don't judge a book...blah, blah, blah. But how could I not?!). But also, the idea of a typewriter being able to communicate with humans was intriguing.

When 12 yr old Ernest's mother goes missing, he didn't think an old typewriter could possibly help him find her. Not only find her but help him and his family face up to The Everything That Happened. Aided by a quirky pawn shop girl, the local librarian and the building janitor, the mystery of his mother becomes a wonderful adventure. Exploring memories long forgotten with the help of Olivetti reminds them of things they have forgotten and brings the family closer. There are many topics explored throughout the book and seeing them all working through things is lovely.

Thank you to #netgalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful story.

" If you scream and no one around can hear it, does it even make a sound?"

What a beautiful middle grade story told by an introverted boy named Ernest and a typewriter named Olivetti. They journey together as Olivetti reveals memories within him, to find Ernest's mom, Beatrice who left suddenly. Told through both POVS, this is a heartfelt story of what we leave behind and what memories are worth holding onto.

Thanks to Netgalley for the Audio ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

Do you ever start a book excited about what you think it will be and then it turns out to not be that at all??? Olivetti was much heavier and more emotional than I was anticipating and dealt with a topic that is difficult for me to read about but it is a beautiful, imaginative, sad, lovely debut k that may tear at your tear ducts.

I enjoyed:

... the unique POV of an old typewriter, but will a middle grade child even know what a typewriter is?
... Ernest's love of words and character growth
... the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe references
... the beautiful cover
... the engaging audiobook (4.5 hours) wonderfully narrated by Simon Vance and Christopher Gebauer
... that it has a hopeful, heartwarming ending because if it ended differently I may have thrown in across the room!

📖 Favorite Quotes

"Memories are like heartbeats. They keep things alive. They make us who we are.”

"Together is the only way through."

"Strength isn't about what you can do...It's about what you can endure. "

Without giving away too much of the plot, this story would be very helpful to open discussions and give hope, strength and courage to a family facing the same thing Ernest and his family are walking through but for others it may cause a bit more pain and sadness than they are able to deal with and they may want to save it to read at a later time.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Summary: As a typewriter for the Brindles, Olivetti has witnessed their ups and downs. And when Beatrice ('Mom') left suddenly, Olivetti decided to help Ernest, the shy Brindle boy who prefers to spend his time reading dictionaries, find her.

I don't usually do audiobooks, but I saw this on Netgalley and decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised!

The story, told through the alternating POVs of Olivetti and Ernest, brings us through a series of clues linked to Beatrice's disappearance. For instance, why did Beatrice sell Olivetti for a specific amount of $126?

Since this book is aimed at middle graders, I am certainly not the target reader. However, I like the depth of Olivetti's insights about human behaviours, including what we perceive to be 'art', featured in a rather horrifying segment. I also like how the story covers the different coping mechanisms among the Brindles in the aftermath of Beatrice's disappearance.

Another thing I enjoyed: the narration for Olivetti, which came in a rhythm reminiscent of the clacks of typewriter keys. His wit and his remarks about human absurdity were perfectly conveyed, so kudos to the wonderful narration!

Unfortunately, I do think the story is lacking in certain aspects. For one, I wished that the ending was given more attention. After all the trouble the characters went through to locate Beatrice, the final few chapters was tied up too neatly, too quickly. As a result, the resolution felt unearned.

I also think that the inclusion of Beatrice's friends hurts the story. They don't really serve a purpose, in my opinion, and I wish their spaces were used to further flesh out the Brindles (or more of Olivetti!).

All in all, this audiobook was a good experience for me. Would love to see more stories of this sort!

Thank you to @netgalley and RB Media for the audiobook.

#reading #readinggoals #audiobook #typewriter #mentalhealth #middlegradebooks

This was such an intriguing concept to read. When Earnest's mother goes missing he finds help in the most unlikely ways. Writing from the perspective of Olivetti, the Brindle family's typewritter, is a neat way to give objective glimpses of the hardships the family has endured as well as the mothers memories. Having his home life completely shaken up we see Earnest get help not just from Olivetti but from a girl who befriends him in this difficult time. Considering Earnest seems to be a loner type who has never had a genuine friend, it is nice to see him have someone to rely on when his family is falling apart. With help from his new friends can Earnest find his mother in time? Olivetti was well worth the read. I will be recommending this to everyone I know.

What a heart wrenching tale that is spread across these pages. I truly felt for Earnest and the troubles he has felt, alongside his family. The story is deep and goes through themes of grief, love, acceptance, friendship and overcoming your own personal fears. I do wish that a little more attention was focused on their family dynamics, as well as some more character growth for each family member. It seems that they were each given a personality trait and that’s what they were stuck with in each interaction.

I loved the *life* given to Olivetti and his importance in the story (and the slight jabs to being called antique and old!) Overall, the story was great and covered a rough subject area. I would definitely recommend!

I'm glad I listened to the audiobook because the narrators really brought the characters to life in this middle grade novel. Olivetti is told in alternating POV first, the curmudgeonly Olivetti, who is a typewriter and Ernest who is an unhappy middle school boy. The story is lyrically written, especially Ernest's use of lists of words to describe how he's feeling at pivotal points. I like the overall message of sticking together in hard times. I also thought that much of the search for Oliver's mother was told in a fun ,engaging way. However, there were sections of the novel that felt dark and sad and were written with a heavy hand. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

Olivetti by Allie Millington is a heartfelt and adventurous debut told from the perspective of an Olivetti typewriter and an introverted boy named Ernest. Ernest’s mother goes missing so Olivetti breaks the ‘typewriterly code’ by typing back to Ernest, sharing everything his mother’s ever typed. Together they set out to solve the mystery of her disappearance, and while doing so, Ernest learns to make friends and puts his family back together.

The novel touches on so many messages for young readers, from learning to express your emotions, coping with grief, and trusting your community.

The narrators did a wonderful job! I really like the dual narration, it really gave the characters their own distinct voice and personalities.

I love personification! I also love old typewriters! That made this a delightful endearing book for me! Olivetti by Allie Millington is a middle grade mystery with a fun twist! The book is narrated by Christopher Gebauer and Simon Vance and I think reading it this way was an absolute joy! I loved hearing the word plays and great use of vocabulary words! This book hit all the feels!
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The story centers around a close family that has had some tragedy in the past that rocked their world and they have never quite found their footing again. Through a series of events that involve their typewriter, who surprisingly can communicate thoughts, the mystery they are dealing with comes to a huggable conclusion!
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This is the only book I read for Middle Grade March and it was a winner all around! I want to get a copy for my keeper shelves. In spite of it being a middle grade book, I highly recommend it for any reader who loves a story about family that tugs on the heart strings.
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Thanks to @netgalley and @recorded books for the gifted ALC. My thoughts are my own and not influenced by the gifted book.

This is a sweet, emotional story. The magical realism adds a unique touch. Narration was was very good. I especially liked the voce of Olivetti.

Thank you NetGalley and RB Media for allowing me early access to the ARC audiobook edition of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review the audiobook version of Olivetti.
A story narrated by Ernest and Olivetti. Ernest is the son of Beatrice who owns the typewriter, Olivetti. Olivetti’s voice was done so well and definitely reminded me of Marcellus in Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.

This story deals with a mother diagnosed with cancer for the second time and how she and the family deals with that. Olivetti explains how he is the keeper of her stories and breaks the rule that all typewriters have that they aren’t allowed to talk to humans in order to help Ernest and his friend Quinn discover what has happened to Ernest’s mum.

Quinn is a great character and is a great balance for Ernest.

I really enjoyed listening to Olivetti on audio, both narrators did an excellent job in bringing each character to life.

But, be warned! You will definitely want to go out and buy a vintage typewriter after you’ve finished reading this book.

Highly recommend for upper middle grade + readers.

SYNOPSIS: Olivetti is a typewriter, a machine who captures “tapestries” written by the fingers who tap his keys. He keeps the memories and is especially fond of his owners, the Brindle family. Beatrice has long forgotten the days when she would spend hours with Olivetti. Now she is a busy mom with kids who become busy with sports, books, school, and everything in between. When Beatrice leaves Olivetti at a pawn shop and heads away without explanation, it is up to Olivetti and her son, Earnest, to solve the mystery of where she has gone. Olivetti decides to break the rules and types back and forth with Earnest in order to help him and his family find their beloved mom.

MY THOUGHTS: The Olivetti chapters where we have the chance to hear from the point of view of a typewriter are beyond creative. They are heartwarming, laugh out loud hilarious, and I never thought I could imagine an old-timey machine as endearing. Allie Millington’s debut middle grade book will undoubtedly be an international hit for all ages. She masterfully writes what turns out to be a sad and heartbreaking story with characters who we will remember for many years to come. The vocabulary will be studied, Earnest and Quinn will be some of this generation's favorite bookish kids, and the love of a family in desperate times will be cherished when the Brindle family, partnered with their treasured typewriter, reminds us that doing the right thing sometimes means we may need to break the rules.

Olivetti is a debut middle grade novel told simultaneously from the perspectives of both a boy and a typewriter. I loved the idea of a typewriter remembering all the words that are typed into it and having a “speaking part” in a novel, which is why I was initially drawn to this book.

The story here is cute and enjoyable with some funny and adventurous moments while also discussing some more serious topics such as grief, parental absence, prolonged sickness, and ostracized friends in a way that is gentle enough to be accessible for young readers while still communicating a powerful message.

Ernest is searching for his missing mother, and his only clue is the typewriter she left behind that remembers every word she typed into it over the years. He unexpectedly teams up with Quinn, a quirky and outgoing girl who was a sort of comedic relief to the more serious nature of Ernest. The two of them, along with Olivetti the typewriter, go on a journey of solving clues and confronting difficult truths while learning about the power of friendship along the way.

One thing I loved about this novel is that it’s very clever and for “word nerds” as Ernest loves reading the dictionary and learning new words. He copes with stressful situations by citing words from the dictionary in alphabetical order that relate to his current situation. I thought that was a unique but fun hobby for a 12-year-old boy to have, and readers who love words (like myself) will really identify with him.

Overall, I thought Olivetti was a delightful novel that was highly enjoyable for an adult like myself but also perfectly written for the middle grade target audience. I would recommend checking out this story, and I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

Thanks to Net Galley for the Arc of this quick, but emotionally gut punchy middle-reader book. The magical realism isn't explained, nor should it be. Magic just is and I am OK with that. Be sure you approach this book with the intended audience in mind.

🎧OLIVETTI by Allie Millington is beautifully read by Christopher Gebauer & Simon Vance.

I rarely read middle grade books, but how could I resist this cover, not to mention the description of a sentient typewriter!

Earnest is a young boy, the youngest of his siblings and a bit peculiar to their standards. He is often reading the dictionary alone. After all, stories are also made of just words. Olivetti is the silent, forgotten observer of the family and is shocked to find himself taken off to pawn shop one day by Earnest's mother. When Earnest discovers him and reveals that his mother is missing, Olivetti must reveal his secret abilities and together they might just discover where Earnest's mom went and why.

This was such an enchanting tale. Olivetti brings the outside perspective of this family and the quirks of humans in a witty and wise way. Earnest is grappling with a lot of big emotions and hard family news. Together they show how beautiful memories are and how important each of our own stories can be, intertwined with each other. I loved it.

The narration was superb. Olivetti was an older wizened voice and Earnest was a perfect 12-year-old boy. I was lost in the story and the narration was perfect.

Clearly I recommend this book, and even if you, like me, don't read much of this age genre. I am happy to have had this offered by @recordedbooks and @netgalley. This published on March 26th, so it is available now and it is very much worth listening to.

This was such a beautiful story, and I even found myself tearing up at times. Olivetti is a typewriter gone sentient, who reveals himself for what he is to help navigate a family crisis. Told in the dual point of view of Olivetti, the typewriter, and Ernest, a struggling 12-year-old, this story follows a family as they search for their missing mom and try to figure out why she left. Ernest feels like the black sheep of the family and appears to be experiencing some intense anxiety and possibly be neurodivergent as well. He is determined to find his mom and is plagued by the knowledge the last words he spoke to her were unkind. Olivetti has a much better grasp of what is happening within the family than they realize and feels compelled to help the family fill in the missing pieces.

Great audio narration. Simon Vance is a master.