Standalone Sunday is a weekly feature created by Megan at Bookslayer Reads which aims to showcase standalone books which you loved or would recommend.
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mourns the death of his mother, with only the books on his shelf for company. But those books have begun to whisper to him in the darkness. Angry and alone, he takes refuge in his imagination and soon finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. While his family falls apart around him, David is violently propelled into a world that is a strange reflection of his own—populated by heroes and monsters and ruled by a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysterious book, The Book of Lost Things.
Taking readers on a vivid journey through the loss of innocence into adulthood and beyond, New York Times bestselling author John Connolly tells a dark and compelling tale that reminds us of the enduring power of stories in our lives.
Once again for this week’s Standalone Sunday I’m featuring a book that I haven’t read yet, but that I’m very excited to get around to and that I’ve heard some great things about so far. A little while ago I posted a discussion on fairytale retellings, one of my favourite fantasy subgenres, and one of the books someone mentioned in the comments was The Book of Lost Things.
I was curious enough to check it out on Goodreads – partly because of the way it was described to me and partly because it’s a fairytale retelling and I always want more of them to read – and I fell in love. The Book of Lost Things immediately went on my to-read list and I can’t wait to get started on it now.
“Stories wanted to be read, David’s mother would whisper. They needed it. It was the reason they forced themselves from their world into ours. They wanted us to give them life.”
What did you think of The Book of Lost Things? Have you read it yet or is it still on your to-read list? Let me know in the comments and let me know if you took part in this week’s Standalone Sunday as well.
Reading Every Night 
I have been really wanting to read this book!! I’m gonna have to bump it up on the TBR list!
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It sounds amazing doesn’t it? I hope you manage to get around to it soon Megan, and I hope you enjoy it as well! 🙂
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I just started it!! It has such an intriguing and beautiful beginning!!
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Oh I hope you enjoy it, and that the ending will be just as intriguing and beautiful. 😀
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I actually got this on my TBR hahaha It really does sound pretty good, so hopefully when I get the chance to try it out, I’ll be greatly amazed! 😀
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Oh I hope you manage to get around to it soon in that case. It does sound really good, so yeah hopefully we’ll both find the story is even better than it sounds. I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for that outcome either way. 😀
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I’ve seen this book years ago and I was curious about it, but sadly it isn’t on the bookstore anymore 😦 I hope it won’t dissapoint you!
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Oh that’s a real shame, is there any way they could maybe order it in for you? That’s what I’ve done in the past if it’s a book I’ve really want to read.
Thanks, I hope so too. 😀
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I read The Book of Lost Things some years ago. I remember enjoying it, but I didn’t end up loving it. I remember that the world was very unique and it had many dark elements that I liked. Though there were times that I found the book boring. I hope you end up enjoying it, whenever you get around to it! 😀
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Oh that’s a shame, but I’ve heard a few comments from people who read this book and enjoyed it but didn’t love it. I still have high hopes for this book, I feel like I’ve wanted to read it for a while that nothing could really make me not-excited for it you know? But thanks Anna, I hope so too. 😀
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Hello Beth!
This sounds like such an amazing story. I like the idea of the boy who finds escape in books and then becomes engulfed in an adventure. It sounds like it can get dark at times. Hope you like this book and I am looking forward to your review 🙂
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It really does, and in a way this book already reminds me of other stories with a similar concept (the only one I can think of off the top of my head is the Neverending Story). After all in a way it’s something we all dream about, getting transported into our favourite stories.
Thanks so much Sophie, I have high hopes for this one so I can’t wait to get started. 🙂
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Fairtytale retelling wil lalways get to me 😀 PLUS, the book cover looks amazing !
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You’ve literally hit on the two reasons I added this to my to-read list; the fact that it’s a fairytale retelling and that it has a gorgeous cover! 😀
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OH it’s so funny you should mention this book – I read it a little while ago and, if I enjoyed the originality and the world, I wasn’t blown away by it all. I’m eager to hear your thoughts about that one,whenever you get around to reading i 🙂
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Oh this one has been on my radar for a while now, ever since someone recommended it in the comments of one of my discussions. The originality is what drew me in to be honest and it sounds amazing so I hope so too. Thanks Marie. 🙂 ❤
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I read this book awhile and enjoyed it but didn’t love it. I thought it was a little boring in parts but maybe wasn’t in the mood to read it at the time. However it was super magical! 🙂 i hope you love it!
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Oh that’s a shame, but I guess at least you enjoyed it overall even if it wasn’t what you hoped it would be. Maybe this is one I should wait until I’m in the mood to read then. It sounds good so I hope so too. Thanks Amber. 🙂
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