The Library of Lost Things 
Author: Laura Taylor Namey
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Release date: October 8, 2019
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
My Rating: ★★★★


From the moment she first learned to read, literary genius Darcy Wells has spent most of her time living in the worlds of her books. There, she can avoid the crushing reality of her mother’s hoarding and pretend her life is simply ordinary. But when a new property manager becomes more active in the upkeep of their apartment complex, the only home Darcy has ever known outside of her books suddenly hangs in the balance. While Darcy is struggling to survive beneath the weight of her mother’s compulsive shopping, Asher Fleet, a former teen pilot with an unexpectedly shattered future, walks into the bookstore where she works…and straight into her heart. For the first time in her life, Darcy can’t seem to find the right words. Fairy tales are one thing, but real love makes her want to hide inside her carefully constructed ink-and-paper bomb shelter. Still, after spending her whole life keeping people out, something about Asher makes Darcy want to open up. But securing her own happily-ever-after will mean she’ll need to stop hiding and start living her own truth—even if it’s messy.
Darcy is living with her mother that has a hoarding problem.
The Library of Lost Things is a hidden gem. This is the first young adult novel that I have seen with the disease of hoarding being represented. It made for a very interesting story. The effects it has on the family as a whole is greatly shown. Our main character, Darcy is dealing with her mentally ill mother. At times, it's heart-wrenching to read. I felt for Darcy's mother so much and all her struggles. The novel was extremely deep and thought-provoking. Mother-daughter relationships are already tough but add on a hoarding mother and it's something like I have almost never read before. 

Darcy has a best friend Marisol, who ended up being my favorite character. She's unbelievably supportive and is everything you would want out of a loyal best friend, unjudging and helpful. Darcy's day to day life is anything but easy and she chooses to live within her books instead. Living in a fictional world to escape reality was extremely relatable. After all, this is why I read. 

The difficulties with living situations and money are shown when it comes to hoarding. Darcy tries to do everything she can in order to protect her mother from the outside world. She is constantly afraid of triggering her mother, even more, when it comes to her hoarding. However, things with Darcy's mom start to become unmanageable and she doesn't know what to do. At the same time, Darcy would give anything to have a normal household and be able to bring more friends over. Darcy faces troubles not only with her mom but with growing up and first love situations. 

I loved how Darcy was a reader and a book lover. I felt such a huge connection to her. This is the most connected to a character that I have felt in a while. How she felt unlike most of her friends and awkward. Growing up, I often felt awkward myself. This is a book about finding yourself. Darcy is forced to grow up. I wish growing up that I could have worked in a book store. 

The only reason I did not give this book five stars is because it became kind of slow in the romance department. It dragged on at times. I almost wish there wasn't even a romance in the book and more of just a young girl and her personal development. The mental illness could have been more of a focus too. I wanted to see even more of Darcy's mom.

I loved how Darcy loved her mother but hated her illness. Mental illness was represented so beautifully in this story. How it not only is hard for the person suffering but to everyone around the sick person as well. I cannot believe this was the author's debut novel! WOW is all I have to say. It was brilliant and very engaging. The language was beautiful. I enjoyed all the literary quotes before each new chapter. If you want a fast read but with some substance... then you for sure have to pick this awesome book up! 

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Laura is a Cuban-American Californian who can be found haunting her favorite coffee shops, drooling over leather jackets, and wishing she was in London or Paris. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two superstar children. This former teacher writes young adult novels about quirky teens learning to navigate life and love. Her debut, THE LIBRARY OF LOST THINGS will be published 10/08/19 from Inkyard Press/HarperCollins. Her #ownvoices sophomore project, A CUBAN GIRL'S GUIDE TO SWEATERS AND STARS is coming fall 2020 from Atheneum Simon and Schuster.
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Starts: October 8, 2019
Ends: October 22, 2019

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