When I first embarked on this book,

I initially found it to be a little lackluster and uninteresting.

However, as I progressed towards the three-fourths mark of the book,

it suddenly began to gain momentum and become truly exciting.

Although it may not exactly be the type of book that I would typically gravitate towards,

it is indeed a worthwhile read.

The story takes unexpected turns and keeps the reader engaged,

even if it doesn't immediately capture one's attention from the very beginning.

Overall, it's a book that has its own charm and can offer an enjoyable reading experience.

Another book club pick,

this one was a slow burn, yet an enjoyable read overall.

There are certain relationships within the book that I consider to be rather problematic.

Even after finishing the narrative, I still have many questions lingering in my mind.

However, on the whole, this book managed to hold my attention and spark my intrigue with its unique premise and interesting main characters.

It had a fairly satisfying ending, which was a nice touch.

I would definitely recommend this book to others who are looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read.

It may not be perfect, but it has enough strengths to make it worth the time and effort.

Whether you're a fan of slow-paced stories or just looking for something different, this book is definitely worth checking out.

A separate book.

But one that I have really enjoyed.

Just because it is such an extraordinary story.

It has something of a fantasy, a genre that I don't usually like.

Yet I don't find it disturbing in this story.

This is because the story mainly takes place in this world.

And the perspective - that there is a place where all lost things/missing people go - I find really original.

It's not your typical fantasy that takes you to a completely different realm.

Instead, it combines elements of the real world with this unique concept.

The author has done a great job of creating a captivating narrative that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Even though it has some fantasy elements, it still feels relatable and believable.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a different kind of read.

Whether you're a fan of fantasy or not, this story has something to offer.

It will make you think about the things we lose in life and where they might end up.

Overall, it's been a great reading experience for me.

A truly astonishing and rather unusual story, even more so, it seems almost unreal. I just can't envision this place called "Here" or fully understand the events that unfold within the book. This book simply didn't sit well with me.

It's as if the author has created a world that is so far removed from my own experience and perception. The descriptions are vivid, yet they fail to draw me in and make me believe in the authenticity of the story. Maybe it's because the concepts presented are too abstract or the pacing is off.

Whatever the reason, I find myself struggling to connect with the narrative. I keep turning the pages, hoping for a breakthrough, but it never quite comes. In the end, I'm left with a sense of disappointment and a feeling that this book just wasn't for me.

As Ahern always is, delightful.

There is a touch of magical realism, a smattering of romance, and even a bit of mystery in this story.

Sandy is truly unique and incredibly interesting. She is different from anyone the narrator has ever met.

The question of why it is so important for her to know what happened to her neighbor who went missing at 10 years old lingers.

Her obsession with missing things is unusual, yet it is familiar to anyone who has found themselves fixated on something.

And then there's Jack, the person Sandy is currently trying to assist in finding a missing loved one. He is drawn in such a way that the reader truly feels his loss.

When Sandy stumbles into the place where many missing items and people have gone, she thinks she's found a lot of answers. However, it really just prompts a whole host of more questions.

This story does require a little patience as it takes some time to learn who Sandy is. Her history is revealed in bits and bobs throughout a novel that isn't filled with non-stop action.

But meeting Sandy and Jack and imagining what might have happened to all those things and people we've lost over the years is completely worth it.

It's a journey that engages the reader's imagination and emotions, making it a truly enjoyable read.

Sandy Shortt, an ex-Garda hailing from Leitrim, now manages a missing persons agency. Ever since a classmate vanished at the age of 10, she has been fixated on locating missing things and people. Sandy has dedicated her life to this pursuit. However, the question arises: when Sandy herself disappears, who will seek her out?

I strive to reduce my cynicism when delving into Cecelia's books. I turn to them after a few intense reads, desiring something lighter. But this particular one was not to my liking. I had the American version titled "There's No Place Like Here", while I'm aware the European version is called "A Place Called Here". I'm uncertain if the description of the invention of Irish Coffee, the mention of changing a "diaper", or the account of correctly pouring Guinness were in the European version or were exclusive to the US market. Nevertheless, all three irked me.

Sandy, in herself, was innately unlikable. I couldn't care less about her fate. She was obnoxious, obsessive, rude, and mean. She treated a little child horribly and was even worse towards her family. I found her "relationship" with Gregory entirely inappropriate and wasn't rooting for them. Her obsessions seemed unbelievable and irritating.

Growing up in Leitrim, I found certain parts absurd. Especially the reference to "Leitrim Town" (as there is no such town; it's Leitrim Village) and "Leitrim National School", which implies there's only one National School in the entire county.

The ending was nonsensical. Sandy was extremely grateful to Jack, yet he had absolutely nothing to do with the conclusion. Not a thing.

The premise held promise, but the place Sandy went to lacked atmosphere, and the book felt拖沓 to me. I didn't enjoy it, and I'm beginning to think that this author simply isn't for me.

We all experience being lost at some point in our lives.

Sometimes, it is a conscious choice we make, perhaps seeking new experiences or trying to break free from the ordinary.

Other times, it is due to circumstances and forces that are beyond our control, leaving us feeling disoriented and adrift.

However, when we are able to tune in and understand what it is that our soul truly needs to learn, a path begins to emerge.

There are instances when we clearly see the way out, but for some reason, we still choose to wander farther and deeper into the unknown.

Fears, anger, or sadness may hold us back, preventing us from taking that step towards returning to a sense of clarity and purpose.

At times, we might even prefer the state of being lost and wandering.

It can seem easier than facing the challenges and responsibilities that come with finding our way.

But eventually, in one way or another, we always manage to find our way back.

It's been a long time since I've read something that really spoke to me.

This particular piece had a certain charm that was perfect for me at this moment.

It had elements similar to Alice in Wonderland and a touch of the magic from The Wizard of Oz.

The theme of searching to find and be found left quite an impression on me.

The writer's ability to capture these complex emotions and ideas in such a unique way was truly remarkable.

The loss of our belongings often occurs due to forgetting parts of our memories. However, sometimes we lose more important things than our possessions, such as a caress, a fragrance, a person's face, or the precious voices of our loved ones. People don't deliberately forget their memories. Of course, sometimes we prefer to forget. But it's impossible to keep everything in our minds, and it doesn't matter how hard we try to hold on.

Sometimes people disappear right in front of our eyes. Sometimes, even though we are always in front of others, we disappear and are found again. Sometimes, we can't even find ourselves, which is exactly when we become oblivious to ourselves.

After losing a classmate from childhood (twenty years before the start of the story), a person becomes obsessed with finding the lost items. This obsession causes him to gradually lose his family and friends. They also lose him after a while.

Note: There was sadness in the story. The fictional feelings about the land of "here," the sense of loss, forgetting, and being forgotten were vividly expressed. Families who, after several years, still hoped that their lost ones would return and kept the light in the courtyard of their house on until their lost ones found their way back. Especially the feelings of the father and his mother. A mother who forgot her son's laughter after years. And the sadness that the father felt from this forgetfulness.

Dedicated to all the missing! May their friends and acquaintances gain more perseverance and hope by seeing this memorial.

Re-read - just as good as the first time!

When we re-read a book, it's like embarking on a familiar yet全新的 journey. The words that we once devoured with excitement still hold the same魔力. We might notice details that we missed the first time around, or gain a deeper understanding of the story and its characters.

Re-reading allows us to沉浸 in the world created by the author, to experience the emotions and thoughts that the book evokes. It's a chance to reconnect with a beloved story and to discover new layers of meaning. Whether it's a classic novel or a favorite childhood book, re-reading can bring us joy, comfort, and inspiration.

So, the next time you pick up a book that you've read before, don't be afraid to do it again. You might be surprised at how much you still have to learn and how good it feels to revisit an old friend.

Did the breech of the patient/therapist relationship bother anyone else? This is a question that lingers in my mind. The dynamic between the patient and the therapist is crucial for a successful therapeutic process. When there is a breech, it can have significant implications. In this case, Helene comes off as bossy and pushy. This kind of behavior might make some people uncomfortable. However, Sandy seems to be drawn to her. Why is that? Is it because Sandy is desperate for help and is willing to overlook Helene's flaws? Or is there something else going on? I'm not sure. While this story wasn't my favorite, I did read the whole thing. It kept my interest, even though I had my reservations about some of the characters and their actions.

I truly wish the ending of this story was a little bit better and more fully developed.

It gives the impression that we were in desperate need of a couple of additional closing chapters to make it feel truly complete and satisfying.

So many of the characters simply didn't seem to receive the endings that they rightfully deserved.

And, as much as I have an affinity for Gregory, I am rather concerned about the fact that he was blatantly interested in his teenage counselling patient throughout the entire duration.

Their relationship appears to be somewhat...........unethical and morally ambiguous :/.

On a different note, it does serve as a rather good example of a communist society, though? However, that aspect is not particularly relevant to the overall plot.

Perhaps in a future iteration or continuation, the author could address these issues and provide a more fulfilling conclusion for both the characters and the readers.

Unlike Sandy, I have no problem with missing items. I lose pens, socks, books, thoughts, and memories all the time. Sometimes during the day, I recall that I threw away that sock or gave that pen to someone.

The worst is when I'm in bed, attempting to fall asleep, and I remember something I completely forgot, whether good or bad. I'll spend the next days - weeks if it goes badly - trying not to think of that memory, only to have the result of imprinting it for much longer. All of this ceases when I remember something new, and most of the time I lose hours of sleep.

But nothing can compare to dealing with a missing person. And God knows how much I hate this terminology.

In Italy, we have a TV show that discusses missing people and those whom no one is seeking because they're not important enough or there isn't sufficient proof for a case. It's an extremely important program as, even if they don't find the person you're looking for, they never stop searching for the truth. But I hate it.

It makes me feel like a bad person, but that program gives me the weekly dose of anxiety in two and a half hours on a normal Wednesday evening.

And, honestly, how can a person be missing? It's the 21st century: there are cameras on every street corner, everyone has a cell phone, and there are TV programs and sometimes even the national news. For me, it's inconceivable that someone can go for a walk one day and then disappear for fifty or more years.

So yes, this book didn't cure my anxiety. At first, I thought the author was attempting to use a metaphor: “some people vanish with no reason but, in reality, it’s because they lose themselves first” or something similar. But perhaps I read too much into it from the start. There's no profound message beneath Sandy’s story, only a poor explanation and shoddy editing for the tragedy of having a beloved person missing.

I’m a little disappointed, but Cecelia Ahern has written so many books and not all of them can be bestsellers.

But it's not a bad story, you know. If you read it with a light heart and less expectation than I had, I bet you'll enjoy it even more than I did.

↠ 3 stars