Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Uncommon Reader
The Uncommon Reader: A Novella | Alan Bennett
From the author of The History Boys and The Clothes They Stood Up In A deliciously funny novella that celebrates the pleasure of reading. When the Queen in pursuit of her wandering corgis stumbles upon a mobile library she feels duty bound to borrow a book. Aided by Norman, a young man from the palace kitchen who frequents the library, Bennett describes the Queen's transformation as she discovers the liberating pleasures of the written word. With the poignant and mischievous wit of The History Boys, England's best loved author revels in the power of literature to change even the most uncommon reader's life.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
Darklunarose
post image
Pickpick

I really loved this quick read. It‘s not my normal genre but I loved the humour in it and the ending was perfect!

Ruthiella Yay! 😃 4mo
Teresereading I enjoyed it too 4mo
Carlie_Burden i love this book so more like i read it all the time when i have free time 4mo
Darklunarose @Carlie_Burden it really is a book that leaves you feeling good about what your rad. 4mo
65 likes2 stack adds4 comments
blurb
Darklunarose
post image

My reading buddy. Keeping me company this morning. She loves sitting on her humans laps

Ruthiella 😻😻😻 4mo
Graywacke Gorgeous! 🐈‍⬛ 4mo
AnnCrystal Eyes 👀 like gold 🐈‍⬛. Beautiful❕. 4mo
See All 8 Comments
Darklunarose @AnnCrystal that she does. And a heart of gold too. She is such a sweet and loving girl! 4mo
Leftcoastzen 😻 4mo
AnnCrystal @Darklunarose 💕 adorable 🐈‍⬛💛💝. 4mo
dabbe What a beautiful face! 🖤🐾🖤 4mo
Gissy 😻🖤🖤🖤 4mo
78 likes1 stack add8 comments
blurb
Darklunarose
post image

Will start reading this ebook tonight.

BkClubCare Fun! 4mo
jlhammar Love this book! 4mo
Ruthiella This book is delightful! 4mo
Darklunarose @Ruthiella I‘m looking forward to it! Not my normal genre! 4mo
48 likes4 comments
review
fredthemoose
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A quick and delightful little book. Queens Elizabeth stumbles on a lending library while walking her corgis and that initial library loan kindles a passion for reading and changes to how she sees the world and herself. A great book for people who love books! 📚

Ruthiella Yes! I loved this little book too! ❤️ 8mo
53 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
BBooks
Uncommon Reader | Alan Bennett
post image

Was a good vacation read, short and fun. 👑📚

6 likes1 stack add
blurb
AvidReader25
Uncommon Reader | Alan Bennett
post image

Above all I‘m always prepared! You never know when you‘ll need a book. I keep an emergency one in my car in case my car ever breaks down. My husband saw that and asked, “Wouldn‘t it make more sense to keep road flares or something in your car?” 😆

review
rwmg
post image
Pickpick

A quick read with some laugh out loud moments.

Unfortunately those who most need to hear the message that reading is good and important (but not necessarily the most important thing in life) are least likely to read the book.

I'd love to know if HM read this and what she thought.

blurb
rwmg
post image
blurb
SleepyDragon
post image

RIP, Lilibet.

This is a great book, with Queen Elizabeth as the main character in a fictional account of the discovery of reading.

vivastory I loved this one 2y
Dragon 😢💚🐉 2y
42 likes3 stack adds2 comments
blurb
vivastory
post image

#AlphabetGame
Title that begins with the letter U
One of my fave books about literature is a U title: Rabih Alameddine's An Unnecessary Woman, about a reclusive unpublished translator living in Beirut, surrounded by books & haunted by her personal & social past. Then there's Darnielle's Universal Harvester, a midwestern story of psychological geography & unease. Speaking of unease, I read Faber's Under the Skin years ago & it continues to be👇

vivastory one of the most unsettling books I've ever read. I am going to choose as my U Alan Bennett's Uncommon Reader. A novella full of humor & love of reading as the Queen obtains late in life a newfound love of literature after stumbling across a bookmobile & all she wants to do afterwards is ignore her royal duties & read. This might be the single most relatable dilemma of royalty that I've encountered. 2y
Leftcoastzen Another vote for Under The Skin , must get to it! 2y
vivastory @Leftcoastzen The film adaptation is quite different but very good 2y
See All 6 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Thank you for playing 🙌🏻📚 2y
jlhammar Yes, An Unnecessary Woman! One of my favorites. I loved The Uncommon Reader too. 2y
vivastory @jlhammar Glad to find another fan of Unnecessary Woman! I really need to read more Alameddine. 2y
45 likes6 comments
blurb
rwmg
post image
Sophronisba This book is so much run, I really enjoyed it. 2y
kspenmoll Loved this book! Great choice! 2y
erzascarletbookgasm I enjoyed this too 2y
27 likes3 comments
blurb
rubyslippersreads
post image

Now we finally know what the Queen carries in her handbag! 👑👜😂

LeahBergen Well, that AND a marmalade sandwich (of course). 😊 2y
rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen Of course, because we all love a snack while we‘re reading. Tea with Paddington was the cutest thing I‘ve ever seen. 😊🐻 2y
LeahBergen It actually made me a bit teary! 2y
See All 11 Comments
CoverToCoverGirl Lol! Absolutely brilliant! 🤭🤩 2y
MicrobeMom 😂😂 2y
squirrelbrain It made me teary too @LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads - glad I‘m not the only one! 😭 2y
LeahBergen @squirrelbrain We‘re the sappy trio, I guess! 😭 2y
julesG @LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads @squirrelbrain It was so cute. I teared up, too. And my kids both said that Elizabeth must have a great sense of humour. 2y
UwannaPublishme 😍😍😍 2y
LeahBergen @julesG Yes, she must! ❤️ 2y
72 likes11 comments
blurb
IMASLOWREADER
Uncommon Reader | Alan Bennett
post image

a short charming read about the queen discovering the love of reading…. #readinggoal #audiophile #readinglife

12 likes1 stack add
blurb
Blueberry
post image

A short, fun read in a set in a castle with a #library.

#SavvySettings @Eggs
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

LeahBergen I really enjoyed this one! 2y
jlhammar Love that novella! 2y
Eggs Beautiful 2y
67 likes4 comments
review
jimfields3
Pickpick

This is a quirky little book. It didn‘t pull me in very much, but the ending made me review the whole plot. My jaw was literally left hanging open.

At only 120 pages I think it‘s worth the time, especially for fellow Anglophiles.

review
AvidReader25
post image
Pickpick

I read this years ago. I just reread it and though the story is simple, there are so many great quotes for book lovers!

“What she was finding also was how one book led to another, doors kept opening wherever she turned and the days weren‘t long enough for the reading she wanted to do.”

“Books or not about passing the time. They are about other lives. Other worlds. Far from wanting time to pass, Sir Kevin, one wishes one had more of it.”

Jinjer IS THAT YOUR GORGEOUS BEDROOM?????

I love that book. My German BFF sent me a copy for birthday or Christmas one year because she loved it so much. It's wonderful.
3y
AvidReader25 @Jinjer I wish! I stayed in the sweetest Airbnb this weekend. It was a former train depot turned cottage and that was my room! 3y
27 likes2 comments
blurb
vivastory
post image

I bought this book a couple of years ago at HPB. I sat down to finally read it & the slightly expired coupon from Honeybaked Ham fell out.

Tamra Ha! Universe must be providing you with a bookmark. 3y
Suet624 darn! 3y
LeslieO I loved this one! 3y
See All 7 Comments
saresmoore I still have yet to read this! I blame the public library. 3y
terryduncan5719 Did you like it? 3y
vivastory @saresmoore It's a quick read 👍 3y
88 likes7 comments
review
SW-T
Uncommon Reader | Alan Bennett
post image
Pickpick

Cute novella showing how anyone, including the queen, can fall under the spell of reading. It also shows how a reader‘s passion can be seen by others as odd or inconvenient.

23 likes1 stack add
review
OutAndAbout
post image
Pickpick

Lovely little novella about The Queen falling in love with reading much to the chagrin of her staff and advisors. Fun telling of how reading can open One‘s mind and experiences.

kspenmoll I so enjoyed this little gem! 3y
29 likes1 comment
quote
OutAndAbout
post image

So far this is charming. About The Queen‘s finding of a bookmobile in her backyard and how it leads her to become a reader.

“What she was finding also was how one book led to another, doors kept opening wherever she turned and the days weren‘t long enough for the reading she wanted to do.”

review
kspenmoll
post image
Pickpick

Both short books. LIGHT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE is stunning—author/poet‘s word choices, powerful simplicity, creative format, evocative message. Gut slamming, yet carries a message of hope.
The Uncommon Reader-what a juxtaposition!Delightful, imaginative tale of Queen Elizabeth II discovering the joys of reading,to the point that her voracious appetite for books precludes all else,royal duties,family.

kspenmoll The Queen‘s privilege, superiority by birth, wealth, separateness from the “commoners”, has insulated her successfully. Books crack her open ever so slightly, changing her inner world. Such a wonderful concept. Perfect book for readers! 3y
52 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
kspenmoll
Uncommon Reader | Alan Bennett
post image

#AwesomeApril #readathon #checkin

I finished the books in the first two rows, and am still reading the 3 in the last row. I was on vacation all week and it was rainy, so what else was I to do?!

Andrew65 Doing wonderfully 👏👏👏🙌 3y
52 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
kspenmoll
post image

Loving this little gem if a book. #Royals #books #travelinglibraries

LeahBergen I loved it, too. 😊 3y
Blaire Me too. We read this for one of my book clubs a number of years ago and it was such a fun read. 3y
kspenmoll @LeahBergen @Blaire Totally charmed by this book!!! 3y
57 likes2 stack adds3 comments
blurb
OutAndAbout
post image

I just discovered another #StoryGraph function. Anne Bogal at Modern Mrs. Darcy just posted 21 short books, including the tagged one. I tagged all of them in #StoryGraph, then made that tag public, and here it is!

https://app.thestorygraph.com/tags/1b3542da-1bef-4b23-91b8-810b32174cbf

How to: click on the tag to pull up the page, edit the tag (paper beside the name), click the “make public“ box, and then you can use that URL to share.

blurb
TheKidUpstairs
post image

I spent a couple months in #London back in the day. Dug up one of my old uber-touristy pics. Tagged is one of my favourite London-set odes to reading.

#LitsySpringBreak @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Magpiegem Definitely the part of London Londoners don‘t see (says the Londoner) I haven‘t been there since I laid down flower for Princess Di. It‘s a shame we really should make the effort to go and see the beautiful places on our relative doorstep. When I go to the states I always do touristy things. Even though as an air hostess I was sometimes there 10 times in a month 😂 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful my friend ❤️ 3y
Tera66 Great pic! 😍 3y
See All 6 Comments
TheKidUpstairs @Tera66 thank you! 3y
TheKidUpstairs @Magpiegem I think the same is true for most people who live in big cities/touristy areas. But it can be fun to play tourist in your own city for a day! 3y
87 likes6 comments
review
Librarybelle
post image
Mehso-so

My last review for a #24in48 read.

I felt the story was okay, and at times comical, but it just missed something, making it a so-so read for me. The Queen rediscovers her love of reading, and the Royal household and staff respond in a not so positive way. Book mentions within the narrative are interesting.

Letter U for #LitsyAtoZ

#Under150Pages for #Booked2021

Cinfhen Sorry it didn‘t live up to bookish expectations/ it sounds delightful 3y
Librarybelle @Cinfhen It was humorous to see the Queen focus more on her book than other queenly obligations. 3y
76 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Allylu
post image

It doesn‘t look purple in this photo, but believe me, it truly is. And it‘s about the Queen, so it‘s definitely Royal. It‘s the most purple book I own. #12ColoursofDecember #RoyalPurple #WinterGames2020 #MerryReaders

15 likes1 stack add
blurb
Teresereading
post image

So true, I always love to discover a new author.

blurb
TsundokuManasi
post image

Sometimes you find amazing books in unexpected places. This is one of those amazing finds from the Old books store. Surprising and alluring...

9 likes1 stack add
blurb
Blueberry
post image
Eggs 👏🏻📚🤗❤️ 4y
49 likes1 comment
quote
GoneFishing

Books are not about passing time. They're about other lives. Other worlds. Far from wanting time to pass, one just wishes one had more of it. If one wanted to pass the time one could go to New Zealand.

Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira Profound and funny 💚😅 Thanks for sharing. 4y
annahenke Love this book 4y
37 likes2 comments
blurb
Josee.lit.a.lu.et.lira
post image

Day 10 - I am posting one book per day from my ever growing to-be-read stack. No description nor explanation on why I wish to read it 😉 Join the fun if you want. #bookstoread #tbrpile

review
Blueberry
post image
Pickpick

A short but fun read. I started it on my morning walk on audie and finished this afternoon. 4 star.

LeslieO Love this one! 4y
BookishMe 😍😍 4y
70 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
WildQuibble
post image

#magicalreadathon2020 Finished all 12 of my #owls2020 with 35 minutes to spare 😂 #owlsreadathon

blurb
emilyhaldi
post image

First quarter of #booked2020 complete! I really tried to read prompts only from the winter quarter due to my OCD, but that didn‘t work out for me 🤪 still counts, right?!

Hat/ Head covering on cover - Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine
#liveandlearn - Ghost Soldiers
#covercrush - The Dutch House
Finish in a day - The Uncommon Reader
Red, white, or blue type on cover - French Exit
Banned Book- The Country Girls

IamIamIam Whoo hoo! 4y
Cinfhen Ohhhh, I need a #BannedBook 👍🏽♥️ 4y
Cinfhen This is your #official” entry for #FirstQuarterDrawing 🎉📚😄❤️ 4y
See All 13 Comments
LeahBergen Did you like The Uncommon Reader? I did! 4y
BarbaraBB I love the cover of the Tartan cuisine 😍 4y
BarbaraBB And I do have that OCD too... 😂 4y
Nebklvr Ghost soldiers was rough! 4y
emilyhaldi Sorry to say I do not recommend my banned book 🙅🏻‍♀️ @Cinfhen I was bored to tears. But I suppose you should try it maybe since we tend to have different book tastes!! 4y
emilyhaldi @LeahBergen loved it!! The perfect read to distract myself during this wacky time 🤪 4y
Cinfhen I think I‘m gonna pass....I forgot I purchased this one for #BannedBook 👉🏾 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Great job. I read all over the seasons this quarter too. I'm #somoody about books right now ... 4y
Reviewsbylola These are really solid choices! 4y
britt_brooke The original painting that became The Dutch House cover was on display at Parnassus Books last time I stopped in. So beautiful! Did you like the book? 4y
67 likes1 stack add13 comments
quote
Linsy
post image

Don't they always?!

This novella was a lot of fun! A servant and the Queen become reading pals and her interfering staff send him away. When I looked up “down on the farm,“ one of the definitions seemed to fit his trajectory. The story is how reading can open the world, even to someone who has been seemingly everywhere.

I'm at about 11 hours now. #24b4Monday is helping me wrap up the books I've been juggling lately!

BookishMe How TRUE! and I love books that lead me to others... Oh, and this book is ABSOLUTE Delight 💝❤️💝 4y
83 likes2 comments
review
emilyhaldi
post image
Pickpick

I‘ve fallen behind a bit on #booked2020 😅 but managed to escape from reality for a bit with this lovely book that I was able to #finishinaday Now to find a quick #millenialauthor read....

BarbaraBB How are you doing? Not traveling to Europe to visit @AnnieD must be hard for all of you. Is your state in lockdown? X 4y
Cinfhen I read a book of poetry by one of those smart ass millennials but it was super quick and mildly painless xx 4y
emilyhaldi LOL @Cinfhen smart ass millenialls is right!! 4y
See All 6 Comments
emilyhaldi @BarbaraBB we were definitely bummed to have to cancel our trip ? but hoping that we can reschedule for later in the year. I'm trying to enjoy the time at home for gardening and spring cleaning! ??? I have been working from home for a week but Ohio isn't in complete lockdown...Yet? Sounds like it will be another week at home atleast but then we'll see. How long are you planning to be in "quarantine"?? 4y
emilyhaldi And what about you @Cinfhen ?? Are you guys in lockdown at the moment? I haven't heard much news about Israel! (edited) 4y
BarbaraBB We‘re not in quarantaine either... yet. Now Spring is arriving and the parks and beaches were overflown with people this weekend. No social distancing at all!! I think if many more people will be infected next week because of this, we‘ll go in lockdown too. 4y
93 likes6 comments
blurb
mrp27
post image

#magnificentmarch #crownonthecover

I read this awhile ago and I really don't remember much but I do know that I didn't like it much. Maybe a reread is due.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 📚👑🎉 I read The Breakdown and cant remember anything about it either!! 4y
mrp27 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Isn't it wild how you can remember some books and not the others? 4y
OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚👑 4y
36 likes3 comments
quote
BookishMe
post image

One more for #vivabibliophile
The Royal bookworm and her wise ruminations make great bookish #quotes
Fun #novella to #reread ??

"You don't put your life into your books. You find it there."

Congratulations @vivastory
To more delightful reading!

Cinfhen Excellent choice!!! 4y
BookishMe @Cinfhen 💐 thank yous 😍 4y
39 likes2 comments
review
Singout
Pickpick

A fun piece of English fluff for my #Booked2020 #readinaday prompt. Queen Elizabeth stumbles across a bookmobile while chasing the corgis and, guided by a kitchen servant with a preference for gay lit, falls into the world of reading addiction, to the consternation of Palace staff.

Blueberry Very good succinct review. 😀 4y
6 likes1 comment
quote
Singout

"One is meant to take an interest in things, not *be* interested in things." --Queen Elizabeth

blurb
GinaKButler
post image

Up next on audio...🎧

Come-read-with-me I love his reading of this book! I sat in my car laughing - people must have thought I was crazy! 4y
6 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
LeslieO
Uncommon Reader | Alan Bennett
post image

My year. I reread the Pilcher on Kindle last week and it was a wonderful read for the season but if I had know it was almost 700 pages I might not have done it! #2019 #myyearinbooks

LeslieO Note: my total was actually 47. 4y
34 likes1 comment
blurb
Lreads
post image

Day 4 of #GratefulReads is a book #under250pages and I went with one of my favorite fiction titles, The Uncommon Reader. It‘s such a fun, quick read about the Queen of England taking up reading and how various people react to her new hobby.
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @OriginalCyn620

ljuliel This was such a cute book. I really liked it . 👑 👜 4y
Lreads @ljuliel I love your choice of emojis! 👏☺️ 4y
OriginalCyn620 🙌🏼📚❤️ 4y
Sharpeipup What a great book choice! 4y
39 likes1 stack add4 comments
quote
Lizstarks
post image

“‘...but briefing is not reading. In fact it is the antithesis of reading. Briefing is terse, factual and to the point. Reading is untidy, discursive and perpetually inviting. Briefing closes down a subject, reading opens it up.‘” (P22)

9 likes1 stack add
blurb
mrsmarch
post image
41 likes1 stack add
review
jb72
post image
Pickpick

I snuck this short book during the #24B4Monday Readathon. It was a very good book. The Queen takes up reading and many of her subjects are against it.

BooknerdsLife This sounds like a fun read 😄 5y
27 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Jari-chan
post image

I remember I read this book in the #hammock my father gave to me as a present. It was a lovely summer and a lovely book.

#LetsTravelJuly

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️📚❤️ 5y
15 likes1 stack add1 comment
quote
Come-read-with-me
post image

“...but briefing is not reading. In fact it is the antithesis of reading. Briefing is terse, factual, and to the point. Reading is untidy, discursive, and perpetually inviting. Briefing closes down a subject, reading opens it up.”