By Patrick deWitt – Ecco, 2023
Bob Comet is a retired librarian and lifelong introvert. We meet Bob in his 70s, living a solitary life in Portland, Oregon. He is divorced and has no close friends or family. His only real passion is books and he spends his days reading, rereading and organizing his vast collection.
When Bob encounters a confused older woman, lost in a market, he helps her find her way home, a senior center. Inspired by the sense of community at the center, he begins volunteering there. Through his interactions with the residents, Bob starts to heal from his past and find a new sense of purpose in his life. He also learns the importance of friendship, community and the power of stories.
This is a hopeful story about the power of books to connect us with others and to help us find meaning in our lives.
