The Book That Matters Most

I really expected to love Ann Hood's The Book That Matters Most. I simply liked it. It's the story of Ava. Her husband has left her, her kids have flown the coop, so she joins her best friend librarian at the library book club. Ava used to love to read and she needs the companionship so figures a book club will be perfect for her. I love reading. I love the companionship of a book club. That wasn't enough.

The book club picks a theme for each year. The year that Ava joins, the theme is "the book that matters most." Each member picks a book that matters most to them. Ava picks an obscure book, one from her childhood. One she considered her salvation after the death of her sister.

This novel was too neat and tidy for me. Too many connections that didn't really make sense. I also felt the character development was weaker than it should have been for a storyline such as this. Yes, we did see Ava grow a little bit, but I wanted more to the story of why she changed. I also had a difficult time with the story of Ava's daughter, Maggie. Her storyline was also wrapped up too neat and tidy.

The Book That Matters Most was a pleasant enough read, but not one that I'd  recommend.