The Last Chance Library

　　為了心愛的圖書館，孤僻的她決定站出來與這世界好好碰撞！
 
　　「這本寫著人性之善，溝通與愛，振奮人心的故事，著實讓我又哭又笑。」
 
　　圖書館員June Jones從未離開過這個乏味的英國偏鄉小鎮，這個對她而言從小生活的舒適圈。生性害羞、離群索居的這位30歲女人，寧願將自己餘生都送予圖書館，也不願冒險走出一步和這世界有任何瓜葛。然而這世界的莫非定律就是這樣產生的，這個乘載著她母親記憶，作為她自身也同時是小鎮生活中心的圖書館，卻因預算縮減將被迫閉館。為了圖書館的生存，她只好站到聚光燈底下，與其對抗。
 
　　June自母親過世後，第一次真正接觸外界人群，加入了為這個小鎮盡心盡力，卻有點怪怪的樂團。同時，學生時代的老友Alex Chen突然返鄉，對June伸出了救援之手。這位熱心善良的律師，對June的心意眾人皆知，除了主角自己渾然不覺之外，畢竟她從不認為會有哪個外人能對自己如此關心。為了這個對她最重要的地點以及書籍，June做出了改變，而這改變除了能拯救圖書館，或許也能拯救她自己的人生。

　　(文∕博客來外文館)

　　A Library Reads Pick

　　June Jones emerges from her shell to fight for her beloved local library, and through the efforts and support of an eclectic group of library patrons, she discovers life-changing friendships along the way.
 
　　Lonely librarian June Jones has never left the sleepy English village where she grew up. Shy and reclusive, the thirty-year-old would rather spend her time buried in books than venture out into the world. But when her library is threatened with closure, June is forced to emerge from behind the shelves to save the heart of her community and the place that holds the dearest memories of her mother.

　　Joining a band of eccentric yet dedicated locals in a campaign to keep the library, June opens herself up to other people for the first time since her mother died. It just so happens that her old school friend Alex Chen is back in town and willing to lend a helping hand. The kindhearted lawyer’s feelings for her are obvious to everyone but June, who won’t believe that anyone could ever care for her in that way.

　　To save the place and the books that mean so much to her, June must finally make some changes to her life. For once, she’s determined not to go down without a fight. And maybe, in fighting for her cherished library, June can save herself, too.

Freya Sampson works in television as a creator and Executive Producer. Her credits include two documentary series for the BBC about the British Royal Family, and a number of factual and entertainment series. She studied History at Cambridge University and in 2018 was shortlisted for the Exeter Novel Prize. She lives in London with her husband, two young children and an antisocial cat. The Last Chance Library is her debut novel.