Review: Summer Hours at the Robbers Library, by Sue Halpern

Summer Hours at the Robbers Library, by Sue Halpern

HarperAudio - 2018
General Fiction
Audiobook
Narrated by Josh Bloomberg and Dara Rosenberg

10 Hours, 15 Minutes

My Rating (out of 5)

⭐⭐⭐ 1/2

A library can be the heart of a community.  This book is like a love letter to that all important institution.

The story primarily follows three characters in the library of a small town called Riverton.  

First there is Kit the librarian, who has suffered personal trauma and chose to escape the big city,  now living in the small town of Riverton trying to shut out her past, and the world with it.  Then there is Rusty, who has lost his career in finance and its accompanying big spender lifestyle, and finds himself in Riverton flat broke and desperate, following a potential inheritance in hopes of restarting his career. Finally we have Sunny. Sunny is being raised by parents who live "off the grid" and believe in "no-schooling", which leaves Sunny feeling isolated and desperate for human contact beyond her parents. Sunny gets caught shoplifting a dictionary of all things and is sentenced by the judge to perform community service at the library. Sunny doesn't see it as punishment though. She is happy to have a chance to interact with people. 

The library is the heart of Riverton, but the building is just bricks and mortar.  What makes the library so special is the people. 

This is one of those stories that warms the heart. Where the characters learn about the power of human contact, and compassion.. While feel good stories may not be for everyone, I myself enjoy one once in  a while. 

Narration was provided by  Josh Bloomberg and Dara Rosenberg.  It was clear and with a pleasant tone and cadence, and had a good range of character and emotion.  

A pleasant feel-good story for anyone who loves a library. 

Happy Reading,

Christine