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Sue Halpern
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Summer Hours at the Robbers Library: A Novel Paperback – February 27, 2018

by Sue Halpern (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars 1,244 ratings
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“Sometimes the best stories in the library aren’t found on its shelves; they’re walking through its doors and congregating by the reference desk. Sue Halpern knows this and mines the setting for comic and tragicomic gold.”—Marilyn Johnson, author of This Book Is Overdue! and The Deadbeat

From journalist and author Sue Halpern comes a wry, observant look at contemporary life and its refugees. Halpern’s novel is an unforgettable tale of family. . . the kind you come from and the kind you create.

People are drawn to libraries for all kinds of reasons. Most come for the books themselves, of course; some come to borrow companionship. For head librarian Kit, the public library in Riverton, New Hampshire, offers what she craves most: peace. Here, no one expects Kit to talk about the calamitous events that catapulted her out of what she thought was a settled, suburban life. She can simply submerge herself in her beloved books and try to forget her problems.

But that changes when fifteen-year-old, home-schooled Sunny gets arrested for shoplifting a dictionary. The judge throws the book at Sunny—literally—assigning her to do community service at the library for the summer. Bright, curious, and eager to connect with someone other than her off-the-grid hippie parents, Sunny coaxes Kit out of her self-imposed isolation. They’re joined by Rusty, a Wall Street high-flyer suddenly crashed to earth.  

In this little library that has become the heart of this small town, Kit, Sunny, and Rusty are drawn to each other, and to a cast of other offbeat regulars. As they come to terms with how their lives have unraveled, they also discover how they might knit them together again and finally reclaim their stories.

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  1. Print length
    384 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    February 27, 2018
  4. Dimensions
    5.31 x 0.86 x 8 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    0062678965
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0062678966
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  1. People who don’t think the rules apply to them, Kit was beginning to learn, are surprised and offended when others don’t recognize and honor their exemption.
    Highlighted by 151 Kindle readers
  2. “But it’s a little like that children’s book, The Velveteen Rabbit, but in reverse: if you’re not loved for who you are, you cease to be real. Definitely for the other person, and maybe for yourself, too.”
    Highlighted by 116 Kindle readers
  3. I think it’s possible that when you think that the future might bring great sadness, you become more generous than you ever had been before, so you can carry other people’s happiness with you.
    Highlighted by 80 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Finely choreographed and lucidly told, Halpern infuses this tale of derailments and second chances with free-ranging empathy, lithe humor, and penetrating insights into the human psyche. [Halpern is] a discerning and sensitive novelist.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Sometimes the best stories in the library aren’t found on its shelves; they’re walking through its doors and congregating by the reference desk. Sue Halpern knows this and mines the setting for comic and tragicomic gold.” — Marilyn Johnson, author of This Book Is Overdue! and The Deadbeat

“This novel presents a full cast of intriguing, complex characters and a heart-warming message about how our losses are often what allow us to connect with each other.” — Julia Alvarez, New York Times bestselling author of In the Time of the Butterflies

“Summer Hours at The Robbers Library is whip-smart, funny and moving all at once. A rare combination.” — Maggie Gyllenhaal, Academy Award-nominated actress

From the Back Cover

People are drawn to libraries for all kinds of reasons. Most come for the books themselves, of course; some come to borrow companionship. For head librarian Kit, the public library in Riverton, New Hampshire, offers what she craves most: peace. Here, no one expects Kit to talk about the calamitous events that catapulted her out of what she thought was a settled, suburban life. She can simply submerge herself in her beloved books and try to forget her problems.

But that changes when fifteen-year-old, homeschooled Sunny gets arrested for shoplifting a dictionary. The judge throws the book at Sunny—literally—assigning her to do community service at the library for the summer. Bright, curious, and eager to connect with someone other than her off-the-grid hippie parents, Sunny coaxes Kit out of her self-imposed isolation. They’re joined by Rusty, a Wall Street highflyer suddenly crashed to earth.

In this little library that has become the heart of this small town, Kit, Sunny, and Rusty are drawn to one another, and to a cast of other offbeat regulars. As they come to terms with how their lives have unraveled, they also discover how they might knit them together again and finally reclaim their stories.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Perennial (February 27, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062678965
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062678966
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.31 x 0.86 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 1,244 ratings

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Sue Halpern

Sue Halpern

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,244 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a great summer read with engaging writing style and story that keeps them interested to the end. They appreciate the wonderful characters, with one review noting how the narrative is put together from alternating perspectives. Customers describe the book as uplifting, with one review highlighting how it explores human flaws and redemption. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some customers noting it starts slowly.

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47 customers mention "Readability"39 positive8 negative

Customers find the book engaging and hold their interest, making it a great summer read.

"...I thought the story ended a bit too abruptly, but it was a good one nevertheless. I enjoyed it." Read more

"...It is definitely worth reading." Read more

"I liked this book immensely. I consider myself well read,but the author gave me quite a few new words to learn...." Read more

"...It's light and fun and easy." Read more

33 customers mention "Character development"31 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one noting how the story is put together from alternating perspectives of key characters, and another highlighting how the protagonist is a true bibliophile.

"Such a good story. Characters are well developed and it is a smooth read. You want put it down. Has little romance, mystery, conflict and sadness." Read more

"...Sunny and Rusty are interesting characters, as are The Four, a group of retired men who have coffee and read the paper every morning...." Read more

"...If you're looking for a nice series of character studies featuring real people just trying to get along in a challenging world I can absolutely..." Read more

"...The character development was enticing and I felt myself being drawn into the relationships...." Read more

33 customers mention "Story quality"26 positive7 negative

Customers love the story of this novel, which features unexpected turns and keeps readers engaged until the very end.

"Such a good story. Characters are well developed and it is a smooth read. You want put it down. Has little romance, mystery, conflict and sadness." Read more

"...'page turner', and it's also not a typical beach read, this IS a well told story that unfolds at a reasonable pace and suddenly you realize that you..." Read more

"...I didn’t see where the plot was going and enjoyed some unexpected turns. It is definitely worth reading." Read more

"...All in all,a well told tale that kept me interested to the very end." Read more

20 customers mention "Writing quality"16 positive4 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, finding it engaging and easy to read without excessive drama, while also being believable.

"Such a good story. Characters are well developed and it is a smooth read. You want put it down. Has little romance, mystery, conflict and sadness." Read more

"What a wonderfully told story. It is my opinion that no matter the subject matter if a story is well written it draws you in...." Read more

"...how we deal with feelings, goals and obstacles in our lives in an authentic way. It's light and fun and easy." Read more

"...to what we would expect, as in a suspenseful build-up, these sections are bland, dull, practically non-eventful. What the heck?..." Read more

5 customers mention "Uplifting"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book uplifting, with one review noting how it explores human flaws and redemption through flawed characters who find each other.

"...Reading this book for me was time well spent as it explored the human condition and how we deal with feelings, goals and obstacles in our lives in..." Read more

"...I would recommend for those who want an uplifting, entertaining story." Read more

"...This story makes you feel sympathy, empathy and hope. The characters have life and personality, showing human flaws and redemption." Read more

"Easy reading without a lot of drama. Flawed people that find each other, which is believable. I loved the ending." Read more

3 customers mention "Creativity"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's creativity, describing it as original and unique.

"...It is just a delightful book! All the characters are well-developed, unique, and likeable...." Read more

"I liked this book. It was original and the characters were likable." Read more

"Excellent Novel - Creative and Well Written..." Read more

6 customers mention "Pace"3 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with several noting that it starts slowly, while one customer mentions it unfolds at a reasonable pace.

"A fun, quick read..." Read more

"...I came close to putting this book down at first, because it was developing so slowly, and the characters all seemed so damaged and difficult to get..." Read more

"Excellent Pacing..." Read more

"I enjoyed this book although I felt it started out slowly...." Read more

An wonderful read!
5 out of 5 stars
An wonderful read!
I loved this book! Summer Hours at the Robbers Library is a love story, but not the conventional girl-meets-boy-and-they-live-happily ever-after. It’s a love story about accepting oneself and loving oneself. It’s about accepting the frailties of others that we love, and even though we know they have failed us, loving them anyway. And it’s even about being willing to love people who came into our lives—unexpectedly, unbidden—even though there is no guarantee of a happily ever after. But there might be—and that is what makes Summer Hours at the Robbers Library such a magical, wonderful read. It offers hope that things will work out if you just take that leap of faith or open that door or, at the very least, stand still long enough so happiness can find you.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Dale K.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
    Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Such a good story. Characters are well developed and it is a smooth read. You want put it down. Has little romance, mystery, conflict and sadness.
    Helpful
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  • Lynne M. Spreen
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good character development
    Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Kit, nearing middle age, changes her name and moves to a dumpy little house in a dying town in Connecticut. She gets a job at a library and vegetates. Something has happened to jar her, to wound her, in her previous life. She works and keeps to herself until a strange teenager shows up to do community service. Sunny is nearly feral, having been raised by a dad and mother who are on the run from something. Her guileless and happy attitude begins to work on Kit. The third oddball in this story is Rusty, a former investment banker who lost his job and is in Riverton pursuing a forgotten bank account that will fund his return to the normal world. He thinks. As these three become allies (Kit is too wary to have friends), we see in flashbacks the trauma that so damaged Kit, and it's pretty significant.

    This is a story of Kit's learning to trust and care for humankind again. And for herself. The trauma she described is horrific, and the growth and recovery slow but satisfying. Sunny and Rusty are interesting characters, as are The Four, a group of retired men who have coffee and read the paper every morning. I thought the story ended a bit too abruptly, but it was a good one nevertheless. I enjoyed it.
    16 people found this helpful
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  • Aunt Peggy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Slow start with a Strong Finish
    Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I don't recall reading any of Ms. Halpern's work before this, so I don't know if the long set up, and introduction of her characters, is typical of her style. I'll admit that I came close to putting this book down at first, because it was developing so slowly, and the characters all seemed so damaged and difficult to get close to.

    But there were so many positive reviews that I kept going, and I'm glad that I did.

    While it's not at all what I'd call a 'page turner', and it's also not a typical beach read, this IS a well told story that unfolds at a reasonable pace and suddenly you realize that you care about these people and you want to know what's happening with them.

    The events that take place to move the tale along aren't things that happen to all of us and, while it's also hard to imagine each of the three main characters having one such life-altering dramatic experience, none of it is at all unbelievable. There's no sudden turn of events that makes you sit back and think 'now, where in the world did THAT come from?' (which always annoys me and takes me out of the story).

    If you're looking for a nice series of character studies featuring real people just trying to get along in a challenging world I can absolutely recommend Summer Hours at the Robbers Library.
    55 people found this helpful
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  • pib
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting characters
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this book although I felt it started out slowly. The character development was enticing and I felt myself being drawn into the relationships. I didn’t see where the plot was going and enjoyed some unexpected turns. It is definitely worth reading.
    Helpful
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  • Imlilyroses
    4.0 out of 5 stars Bring your dictionary
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I liked this book immensely. I consider myself well read,but the author gave me quite a few new words to learn.To me,reading without learning anything new or getting anything out of it is pointless;I am grateful for new challenges.
    Hit a few nerves with secrets unfolding along the way,as good stories do.All in all,a well told tale that kept me interested to the very end.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Joyce
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great read, i want more!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    What a wonderfully told story. It is my opinion that no matter the subject matter if a story is well written it draws you in. This story does just that. Simply told by two people it uncovers their life story in a compelling manner. I didn't want to put the book down.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Michael Coop
    4.0 out of 5 stars A fun, quick read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Halpern does a good job with character creation, creating a cast that feels real and relatable. While a bit slow at first, I found myself really invested a third of the way through and it was a furious read from there.

    Reading this book for me was time well spent as it explored the human condition and how we deal with feelings, goals and obstacles in our lives in an authentic way. It's light and fun and easy.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Patricia A Orr
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely one of the best books I’ve ever read!!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    OMG! This book is fantastic! The characters are so memorable, fresh and flawed. My friends and family are so tired of me calling or texting them and telling them to run out and pick up this book ASAP!!
    Thank you so much Sue Halpern for writing one of the books that I will never forget!
    4 people found this helpful
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