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The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend

By: Katarina Bivald
Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham, Lorelei King
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Summary

A debut novel to charm all listeners, that shows beyond all doubt that it's books, along with love, that make the world go round.

It all began with a correspondence between two quite different women: 28-year-old Sara from Haninge, Sweden, and 65-year-old Amy from the small town of Broken Wheel, Iowa. After years of exchanging books, letters and thoughts on the meaning of literature and life, Sara, mousy, disheveled, who has never been anywhere in her life--has really lived only for her work in a beloved bookshop, which has just closed its doors for the last time--bravely decides to accept her unknown friend's invitation to visit. But when she arrives, she finds her house empty, the funeral guests just heading home. . .

Sara finds herself alone. And what choice do the inhabitants of Broken Wheel have but to take care of their bewildered tourist? And what choice does Sara have, faced with a town where nobody reads and her desire to honour her friend, but to set up the perfect bookshop with all the books she and Amy shared--from Yann Martel's Life of Pi to Iris Murdoch and Jo Nesbo, to Bridget Jones and Doug Coupland's All Families Are Psychotic to Little House on the Prairie? And then watch as the townsfolk are, one by one, transformed in unexpected ways. . .

In the glorious tradition of 84 Charing Cross Road, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, Will Schwalbe's The End of Your Life Book Club, Jane Austen, and movies such as You've Got Mail and Love Actually, The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend is a big-hearted, witty book about books, friendship, love--and always being open to the unexpected.

©2016 Katarina Bivald (P)2016 Random House Audio
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What listeners say about The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Sweet and lovely

Oh, what a sweet story! I really enjoyed listening to this. Uncomplicated, peppered with curious characters, The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend is a great testament of the power of books and friendships.

I did not always agree with the main character, Sara, but I could relate to her as a foreigner in a new place. It reminded me of what it takes to turn a random name on a map into the place you belong. I was very sad she didn’t get to see Amy, her American friend, and the reason she left Sweden for her trip to Iowa, but I enjoyed the postcards read by Lorelei King, my favorite narrator and the voice that kept Amy alive.

The audiobook is perfect to spend lovely hours in great company!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a story of belonging! so BRILLIANT! recommended!

lived it and loved it! definitely one I'll re-listen to :) totally recommend and know I'll miss the amazing interesting and varied characters I've come to love

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

a totally lovely tale

Not one I would've picked but went on a . what a story showing how the human spirit & change can turn a bad situation around, with a gentle smattering of romance for good measure

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

So enjoyed this booky book

Would you listen to The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend again? Why?

Yes. Love all the reference to books - many I have read. As a children's librarian love the notion of trying to find the right book for the right person.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sara - for her love of books and trying to find a book for everyone.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Setting up her bookstore.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes but tend to listen in car so took me about a week.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Easy read

This is an easy comfortable read that feels inclusive of all. It is author's debut novel translated from Swedish. I had never heard of book or author and chose it as on Richard and Judy bestseller list.
Sara (the heroine) like the author Bivald is a total bookworm. Bivald used to work in a bookshop and lives surrounded by books in her native Sweden.
Sara is 29 years old and this is her first trip out of Sweden. Sara has enjoyed a 'pen-pal' relationship with Amy Harris an intellectual and bookish older person living in 'Broken Wheel' Iowa.
The name 'Broken' suits the town as it has lost its way but its people are kind and welcoming. Amy invites Sara to visit.
Sara arrives to find out Amy has died but the townspeople rally to support her. Sara finds a library of books in Amy's bedroom.
Sara with help of towns people opens a bookstore in Amy's old shop and immediately begins matching people with books very successfully. She endears herself with local people and they come up with an ingenious way to keep her.
There is friendship love plus shared understanding acceptance, inclusion of difference in this book. The narrative was good and added to the enjoyment. I would recommend it.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

a narrator with a listhp!

the story was whimsical and totally unbelievable, but somehow captivating because of it. the narrator was blxxdy awful! if you're going to be a professional narrator, at least be able to prounouced the letters of the alphabet correctly!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Dull

Nicey nicey. Nothing happens, the characters are pleasant, significant lack of drama, humour and wit.

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