This book is simultaneously a coming of age story and a love letter to reading, libraries, and reproductive choice. Throw in a love story involving Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of the Scarlet letter, and you’ve got The Invisible Hour. (Weirdly the second recent read to have Hawthorne as a love interest… I may need to re-read The Scarlet Letter)

There’s no spice, though a bit of swooniness in the second part. 

There is no racial diversity to speak of, though there is a queer couple who are prominent secondary characters. 

And if you were coming here after having read the practical magic books, be prepared for a bit of a wait as the narrative takes quite a while to get to anything magical.

Even so, it was an enjoyable listen. Many among us might recognize the way in which reading can save someone’s life. There is a bit of whimsy here and there, but ultimately it’s a sad tale with themes of loss and sacrifice pitted against the magical power of asserting one’s agency. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 💖💖