The Museum of Ordinary People: The uplifting new novel from the bestselling author of Half a World Away

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The plot is not really anything out of the ordinary. But the way Mike Gayle has presented it, and embellished it with the wondrous collection of ordinary objects that someone loved, but couldn’t keep, makes it a stand-out novel for me. This story is about Jess who loses her mum and in the process of dealing with the practicalities following death, she comes across the ‘museum of ordinary people’. The book focuses on Jess and how her life changes after her loss but also touches on the complexities of the things we leave behind. This made it a very easy and approachable read without becoming inaccessible to those without a degree in counselling or literature. Not sure it needed the epilogue though as nice a story as it was. And although the objects themselves are no replacement for the people we ache for, they are a reminder of the fact that those people were here, and they mattered and will be missed.” We build museums for Royals and presidents and other famous people. What about the objects that pass through the lives of "ordinary" people? Are these items all destined to end up in the dump? Jess Baxter discovers an eclectic collection of things that have been saved from the trash. Little notes are attached noting date and location of recovery and a note about the original owner. Jess commits to using her museum curating knowledge to improve and expand the collection. If you have helped an older relative move out of their home or done some downsizing of your own, you can relate to the dilemma of wanting to save a special item you have no room for. Mike Gayle gives us some really good surprises at the end and it felt a bit rushed. I do think this would make a fabulous book for group discussion. The book explores relationships, adversity and triumph through the voice of Jess as she struggles with the loss of her Mum and reassesses her life and direction and does so in a thought provoking manner but still with the humour afforded to novels by Mr Gayle,.

I really enjoyed this book, it is filled with heart, humor, love, and learning how to find inner strength after loss and change. Museums are unique places to tell extraordinary stories through ‘ordinary’ objects. The various objects in museum stores across the country, many of which may be considered ‘ordinary’, may be utilised to tell real and emotionally engaging stories. These stories reflect a diverse range of audiences, engaging with the communities in which they are centred. I was also born in Birmingham — in my humble opinion the greatest city in the world with the nicest people too.I’ve been thinking about what I would add to the Museum’s collection. For me, it would be the wheelbarrow that my Grandad used to wheel me around the garden, when I was little. I used to squeal with delight as I held on tight over the bumpy pathways, heading for the rhubarb patch. It evokes beautiful, treasured Summer memories. An object that to most would be meaningless, but to me, a priceless object, full of emotion. Despite the book being centred around a museum, an unspoken secret gave a good fight to become the centre of attention. I was flabbergasted to be totally honest. I didn't know who I felt sorry for the most in the situation, yet I could also see it from the side of a mother, what with being one myself. I know this sounds like I'm speaking nonsense, however those who have read the book will understand where I am coming from. However, if you haven't read the book yet, I highly suggest you nab one as soon as you can. The Museum of Ordinary People is a heartwarming, addictive, charming story about a young museum curator and her discovery of everyday items that carry great meaning for people. Her efforts to start her museum and wade through her personal loss have the reader cheering her every move. The story also raises the interesting question about whether some truths are better left uncovered. I loved this! Highly recommend for all lovers of life. Jess takes up the mantle of the original owner in seeking to preserve these treasures and let others enjoy them. All the mysteries are solved in rather speedy fashion towards the end of the book which made it feel rushed. I can’t say I liked the characters all that much and they weren’t very well fleshed out.

I finished this audiobook in a single day. I devoured it and enjoyed every minute. Its clean as can be...I'm not sure it even says a single cuss word. It's sweet and adorable and heartbreaking and heartwarming and quirky and lovely. I loved it.

Jess is clearing out the home she shared with her mother. Being a single mother they were very close. There are things for the dumpster, things for the charity shop and things with a question mark. But a set of ratty outdated encyclopedias gifted to Jess by her mother is the one thing she can’t part with but has nowhere to keep them. When she hears about Barclay and Sons and their collection of unwanted items it seems like the answer for her encyclopedias. This is where she meets Alex. They hit it off even as Jess is startled by the fact that one side of Alex’ face is badly scarred. Filled with warmth, tenderness and character. It really made me think, too – I love that it encourages us to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. A gorgeous novel’– Beth O’Leary Many parts of the story were predictable, like Jess's relationship with her boyfriend and the new owner of the Museum, but what made the predictably tolerable was Jess'' dialogue and how she chooses to navigate those moments. While it might be true that some things are thrown away for good reason, it's equally true that some things are saved for a purpose."

After loving "All the Lonely People" by Mike Gayle I was excited to receive an early review copy of The Museum of Ordinary People.I have heard so many readers talk fondly of Mike Gayle’s writing, and despite having at least two of his books in my towering tbr, The Museum of Ordinary People is his first read for me. Having just finished, I wish it hadn’t taken me so long. In a Nutshell: Outlier opinion, sorry. I think my expectations were too high. The book met some of them, but disappointed in other ways. It's still a nice story, but could have been a memorable work with some tweaks. Long story short – she convinces Alex to allow her to put Mr. Barkley’s rubbish items on display as a Museum and Alex agrees.