Book Recommendations – This Book Made Me Think of You

This is one of those books that the title caught my attention.

When I read what it was about, the premise peaked my interest. Before I go on, here is the Goodreads synopsis:

Twelve stories. Twelve months. Once chance to heal her heart…

When Tilly Nightingale receives a call telling her there’s a birthday gift from her husband waiting for her at her local bookshop, it couldn’t come as more of a shock. Partly because she can’t remember the last time she read a book for pleasure. Mainly because Joe died five months ago…

The gift is simple – twelve carefully-chosen books from Joe, one for each month, to help her turn the page on her first year without him.

Tilly sets out on a series of reading-inspired adventures that take her around the world. But as she begins to vlog her journey, her story becomes more than her own. With help from Alfie, the bookshop owner, her budding new following and her friends and family, can Tilly’s year of books show her how to love again?

“This song made me think of you …,” “I saw this and thought of you…,” “This book made me think of you…” There are certain things that we come across on a daily basis that cause us to remember someone or some thing. I guess that is why the title caught my eye.

I don’t believe the following thoughts will offer any spoilers, but just expand a bit on the synopsis.

I imagine Joe stopping by this little book shop and handing a list of books to the bookseller and arranging for his wife to receive them one at a time every month. He knows that the books are selected to help Tilly move forward after his death. Each book also contains a note from Joe stating why he picked the particular book and what he hopes it will do for her. Each note offers encouragement, direction, and an accompanying memory.

When I told my wife I was reading this book, she said, “I heard that it is sad and makes you cry the whole time.” I admit that there are some very moving parts in the book, but I never cried. If anything, each month had me pulling for Tilly as she navigates through her grief.

I think anyone who has lost a loved one or someone close to them can relate to Tilly. When someone passes away, life moves on for everyone. For the person experiencing the loss, it takes time to grieve and to process things. No one can tell you when you are ready to move on, and that is just one thing that she has to deal with.

I would not call the book sad. I’m not sure that I’d call it a romance novel either, although some reviews call it that. The phrase is perhaps overused, but I would call this a heartwarming story. It is one where we find the main character at a very low point in her life, and with each chapter you root for her and what comes next. You begin to anticipate the book of the month and start to wonder what it will be, too.

They say that books are magical and have the power to take you places you have never been. The power of books is exemplified in this one.

I enjoyed it. It isn’t necessarily a “manly” book, but I know that I walked away from it with some things that will stay with me for a long time.

4.5 out of 5 stars