By Karen Kelly | Special to the Times Vedette
“The right book in the hands of the right person at exactly the right moment can change their life forever” is a quotation from “This Book Made Me Think of You” by Libby Page, and this book proves it.
Last week, one of my book club members plopped a new release down on the counter and announced that it was so good that we needed to use it in our book club. So, I thought I would give it a read. “This Book Made Me Think of You” by Libby Page is indeed a book that would be great for book club.
Tilly Nightengale, a book editor, gets a call from the local bookstore notifying her that she has a package to pick up, except that Tilly hasn’t ordered anything from the bookstore. Upon her arrival, Alfie, the owner of the bookstore, explains that before his death, Tilly’s late husband, Joe, planned a special birthday gift for her — a year of books. The first book was ready on her birthday in January. Each subsequent month, Tilly stops in the bookstore to collect her new book of the month. Each book is accompanied by a brief letter that Joe had written to explain his selection to Tilly.
With each month and each new book, Tilly begins to try new things that “the books made her do.” The books challenge her out of her comfort zone, pushing her to move her life in a new direction. “This Book Made Me Think of You” is a celebration of books and the way that a good book can delight and challenge the reader. Book lovers will enjoy all the bookish references and the book recommendations that accompany each book of the month selection.
As Tilly works through her year of books, the books she reads, the experiences she has, and the people she meets help her face her grief in a productive and healing way. Tilly’s story is relatable because her grief is raw, messy and often catches her off guard.
Despite a predictable ending, I couldn’t stop reading. “This Book Made Me Think of You” felt like a warm hug on a lonely day. As someone who has spent her life turning to books — either for answers or to escape — I could appreciate Tilly’s journey through her year of books.
Though it was a book about love, it wasn’t a conventional romance novel. Wise, realistic and emotional, the book felt healing to me. As I followed Tilly through her pain, I was forced to think about my own experiences.
The universality of the experiences of the characters makes the book particularly relatable. Who hasn’t dealt with loss? One of my favorite passages was a moment when Tilly was speaking with an older Italian widow. She reassures Tilly that she doesn’t need to bury her sadness. “My grief is “un regalo” — a gift. He gave it to me. It is our memories. Our love. I don’t want to put it down. I carry it gently.”
“This Book Made Me Think of You” by Libby Page might be a little too sappy for the most cynical readers, but it smacked me right in the feels. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a hopeful, feel-good story. It is available for check out at the MJB Library. Readers can go online at the library website to reserve the book.
Card lovers, MJB Library has programs for you. On each Monday, from 9-11 a.m. cribbage players meet in the Taylor Meeting Room. Bridge Class meets each Wednesday from 9-11 a.m. also in the Taylor Meeting Room.
Because of the resurgence in popularity of Canasta, the library is offering a Canasta class that will be Tuesday, April 7 and April 21, from 1- 3 p.m. in the Taylor Meeting Room. Participants will be learning Hand, Knee and Foot Canasta. Canasta is a card game where players form open teams to score points by melding cards of the same rank, aiming to create “canastas” (melds of seven cards). This is an adult class for participants age 19 and older.
Youth of all ages are invited to LEGO Mania Day on Wednesday, April 15 and Creation Corner on Wednesday, April 29; both events take place at 2 p.m. Preregistration is appreciated. Story Hour is each Friday at 10 a.m. for preschoolers of all ages and their caretakers.
Craft and Connect is each Monday afternoon from 4-6 p.m. Bring a project and join other creative individuals for time to talk and create.
Friends of the Guthrie Center Library will have its regular meeting on Monday, April 6 at 6:15 p.m. Library patrons are reminded that the Friends of the Library are having a membership drive. For those who enjoy the programs and services the library provides, please consider signing up.
Books are available to check out for each of the book clubs. “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” by Jesse Q. Sutanto is the selection for the afternoon club, Between the Covers. Reads Well With Others evening book club will be reading “Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk” by Kathleen Rooney.