The Forgotten Book Club by Kate Storey is a quiet gem for anyone who finds comfort in gentle stories, silent companionship, and the kind of book club where talking isn’t required — but feeling is.
Grace, a widow still reeling from loss, stumbles into her late husband’s old silent reading group and, with the help of quirky newcomers and loyal old-timers (including a cat named Earnest who absolutely steals the show), slowly rebuilds her world. What follows is a tender exploration of grief, second chances, and neurodiversity—with ADHD gently woven into the cast’s experiences.
The prose is simple, the chapters short, but there’s a real emotional payoff here. It’s not perfect—some of the neurodivergence messaging might feel slightly heavy-handed — but the spirit of inclusion is clear and heartfelt.
What stayed with me most? That books don’t need to be dissected aloud to bring us together. Sometimes, the act of reading beside someone is the quiet magic we need. A comforting, cat-approved read.
