July Book of the Month

By FPL_SamU

Book Pick: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Author: V.E. Schwab

Staff Name: RyanC

Job Title: Adult Services Librarian

Why I chose this book: This book is a great exploration of connection and how loneliness can affect us. The characters are extremely complex and interesting with fascinating connections. Schwab’s writing is impeccable, and you can truly tell this story means a lot to her.  

Synopsis:

In 18^th century France, Adeline is frustrated with the state of her life. She worries about her short time on earth and her impact on the world. She wants to live a full life, but her circumstances keep her from achieving this. She is confronted by a demon figure that offers her immortality, but at the cost of people forgetting her. When someone loses sight of her, they completely forget her existence and treat her as if they have never met. The story unfolds over 300 years as we follow Adeline (now going by Addie) as she tries to navigate a world of complete loneliness and disconnection to any community. Then one day, she meets Henry, a man who remembers her and her world is changed.

Character Spotlight: Addie LaRue

Likes: Books, stories, Henry

Dislikes: Being left behind or forgotten, the demon ("the darkness")

3 Facts About Me:

1. 1. I want to live a full life. I don’t want to be trapped and I want to be remembered.
   2. I can’t even eat at a restaurant because the waiter will forget me when they turn around.
   3. Can’t you just leave me alone, demon, you’ve been stalking me for 300 years now.

Favorite Quotes:

“I remember you. Three words, large enough to tip the world.”

“Stories are a way to preserve one’s self. To be remembered. And to forget.”

“Stories come in so many forms: in charcoal, and in song, in paintings, poems, films. And books.”

“Books, she has found, are a way to live a thousand lives – or to find strength in a very long one.”

If you liked this book, here are some other books you may also enjoy:

View Full List