From the author of Rise and Shine Benedict Stone, soon to be a an original movie on Hallmark. “Sweet and resonant.” –People, “Best New Books” Pick A librarian’s discovery of a mysterious book sparks the journey of a lifetime. Librarian Martha Storm has always found it easier to connect with books than people–though not for lack of trying. She keeps careful lists of how to help others … trying. She keeps careful lists of how to help others in her superhero-themed notebook. And yet, sometimes it feels like she’s invisible.
All of that changes when a book of fairy tales arrives on her doorstep. Inside, Martha finds a dedication written to her by her best friend–her grandmother Zelda–who died under mysterious circumstances years earlier. When Martha discovers a clue within the book that her grandmother may still be alive, she becomes determined to discover the truth. As she delves deeper into Zelda’s past, she unwittingly reveals a family secret that will change her life forever.
Filled with Phaedra Patrick’s signature charm and vivid characters, The Library of Lost and Found is a heartwarming and poignant tale of how one woman must take control of her destiny to write her own happy ending.
Check out these other heartwarming stories from Phaedra Patrick.
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone
The Secrets of Love Story Bridge
Book People
more
Dishointed
Favorite Quotes:
Martha’s cheeks began to burn. If she touched them with a wet finger they might hiss.
“He said he liked your traumatic reading.” Martha hoped she meant dramatic reading.
“Is it true he was on board that fishing boat, that cat’s-eyed?” “Capsized?”
“We’ll just do a little trim,” Suki said. The bells on her ankle bracelet jingled as she circled Martha, peering into her hair as if she was looking for eggs in a large bird’s nest.
“Sometimes putting things to rest from your past can be catholic.” “Do you mean cathartic?”
I’m having a crustacean section next week.” “A cesarean?” … “The baby is lying in a beach position.” “Do you mean breach?”
My Review:
Ms. Patrick taunted me with her cunning and maddeningly paced story, I reviled this family – they were simply heinous. I enjoyed the cleverly placed use of the levity the amusing quirk of Suki’s poor auditory discrimination and confused vocabulary skills, which helped to counteract and ease the frustrating and prevalent miasma of angst and oppression. I deeply despised the selfish and abhorrent Machiavellian father as well as the mousy mother who allowed it – which was equally as vile, as was the manipulative and favored younger sister. I wanted to administer some foot to posterior therapy to those three. Yet, despite my irritation, I could not stop reading.
I adored Zelda, the colorful and unconventional Nana, although I had no pleasant thoughts for the rest of them – as they were all conniving and disingenuous conspirators. I was taut with tension and grinding my teeth, but I was invested and entrenched, and could not leave my Kindle for more than a few minutes.
I was impatient and greatly annoyed with the spineless main character of Martha for not only rolling over and allowing her continual subjugation but extended her servitude to every Tom, Dick, and Harry she knew. She permitted herself to be treated like a doormat and willingly gave her power away, which is an issue I have very little patience with. Yet, I could not walk away and leave her story hanging.
I was frustrated, bitterly antagonized, and fully vexed; yet I had to see where this aggravating tale was going. I was hooked, intrigued, and ruthlessly curious about a deeply buried thirty-year-old secret about Nana. I am delighted and pleased with myself now for sticking with it, as the last few chapters ushered in a totally unexpected, stoical, laconic, and quietly observant hero, as well as writing so poignant that my vision was inexplicably blurred and an odd wetness seemed to be leaking from my eyes while I simultaneously experienced an uncomfortable squeezing in my chest and the sensation of several hot rocks in my throat. What madness! This was my first experience of the unpredictably wily skills of Phaedra Patrick – she is a crafty one.
The Library of Lost and Found is not what I expected from the book description. Martha Storm is a woman in her 40s (we are not given her exact age) who cannot say no. It seems that all the locals take advantage of Martha by unloading various tasks they do not wish to do on her (fixing papier mache dragon head for school, cleaning chandeliers, doing Nora’s endless bags of laundry because her machine is broken, storing items, fish sitting, hemming her nephew’s pants) for which she gets nothing in return (rarely even a thank you). It does not help that Martha feels unworthy thanks to her father and his controlling nature. The story also takes us back to Betty Storm, Martha’s mother, and her life with Thomas Storm. We see how Zelda affected their lives and finally what happened to Zelda. The special book left for Martha is what prompts change in Martha’s life. We follow Martha’s journey for the truth. While others may see The Library of Lost and Found as a feel good story, I found it depressing. The author is a verbose descriptive writer (i.e.—long winded and detailed) which leads to a slow paced story. There is a slight uptick in the pace towards the end of the book. I thought it was a predictable story, and I wanted something more. Two phrases I liked from the book are “I take each page and chapter as they come” which is from Zelda and the other is “You should always make time for books” (very true) from Owen. Owen wore a shirt that had “Booksellers—great between the sheets” on the front (makes me smile). For readers who like to read women’s lit, you will find this story appealing. The Story of Lost and Found is about letting go of the past so you can move forward towards a brighter future.
Wonderful book. No fairy tale scenes but true life. Took a short while to get into but when I did I knew I would finish it without a shadow of a doubt. Going to try to read her other books.
Phaedra Patrick has written a hymn to books and how they can bring love—even miracles—into your life.
Once in a great while, a character like Arthur Pepper comes along and quietly steals your heart. Arthur might make you cry — but he’ll also make you laugh, think, and feel grateful that you came along on his fantastical journey.
Need a respite from the negative news cycle? Step into Phaedra Patrick’s world. You’ll find a protagonist you can cheer for, a family mystery, a seaside English town (you can smell the sea spray) all wrapped up in imaginative writing. Do yourself a favor. Unplug for a while and immerse yourself in this book. You’ll be glad you did!
The Library of Lost and Found is such an interesting read. The reader follows the life of Martha Storm, who in the beginning is kind of a doormat, doing everything for everyone without any compensation. She is constantly worried about whose projects she still needs to work on and it seems like her life is pretty humdrum and not much fun.
That all changes when she is given a book of fairy tales. Her life really changes and so much for the better! I loved watching her story unfold and her discovering that she’s just as important as everyone else.
I loved the fairy tales that were part of the book also.
This is a delightful, light read that will probably make you smile (it did me) and have you cheering for a woman who is finally finding her spot in life.
Thank you to the author, publishers and Netgalley for permitting me an ARC at my request. My thoughts in this review are my own.
A package for Martha? What a nice surprise.
Could it really be for her? No one does things for her. She is the one who never says no and does things for everyone else.
When Martha sees what is in the package, she can’t stop asking herself questions about it.
Does this book actually have copies of Martha’s stories that she would write because of her Grandmother’s prompting?
Martha always was interested in writing stories because her grandmother encouraged her to write them. Her hopes went up, but then went down again thinking it couldn’t be possible that she found a book with her stories in it.
What about the note scribbled on the front page that was dated years after her grandmother had died? Could her grandmother have written that note in hopes that Martha would eventually see the book and see that the childhood stories had been published?
Could Grandma really be alive after her parents told her she passed away 30 years ago? If so, what made them say that?
We meet lovable, helpful, selfless Martha who works in a library and only has her critical sister left so she can’t ask her about the book or Grandmother because Lilian’s answer will be completely negative about Martha’s findings and her questions just like her father.
Martha finds out that Owen a book store owner found the book and the note and left the book for her because she was the only Martha Storm that he knew of.
We follow Martha on her quest to find about the book, her grandmother, and how all of this could be possible.
We also find out how she changed her life, trusted people, tried to forget her father’s negativity, and came out of her shell.
THE LIBRARY OF LOST AND FOUND is another heartwarming GEM by Phaedra Patrick with lovable characters you would want to have in your life and is a book you won’t want to end.
The cover is very welcoming as well.
Absolutely LOVED this book. Be sure to add it to your to-be-read stack. 5/5
This book was given to me as an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The library was/is always a magical place for me. I remember my Mom taking my sister and I during the summer and we could pick out as many books as we could carry. Martha has always loved the library. She has been volunteering there for years hoping for a paid position. She always puts everyone else above her own needs. A mysterious package shows up at the library for Martha. As she is searching for answers, she finds strength. I loved Martha and I could see her being my very best friend. It was quite an enjoyable. I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Harlequin Park Row. All opinions are my own.