Reading Adventure: "All the Lonely People" by Mike Gayle

Warning: Side effects may include texting old friends, hugging your parents, and side-eyeing your neighbors less . . .

Ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference. A reminder of the power we all hold.

In weekly phone calls to his daughter in Australia, widower Hubert Bird paints a picture of the perfect retirement, packed with fun, friendship and fulfillment.

But Hubert is lying.

Something has made him turn his back on people and the truth is, day after day drags by. And he hardly sees a soul.

So when his daughter announces she's coming to visit, Hubert faces a race against time - to make his real life resemble his fake life before he's found out! How hard can it be to make new friends?

Life is certainly beginning to happen to Hubert Bird. But with the secret of his earlier isolation lurking in the shadows, is he destined to always be one of the lonely people . . . ?

368 pgs

🎶 Playlist Pairing: Bob Marley’s "Redemption Song" (for Hubert’s arc) + The Beatles’ "All the Lonely People" (obviously).
🏆 British Book Awards - Shortlist (2021)
🏆 Romantic Novelists' Association - Outstanding Achievement Award (2021)
🏆 Audie Award Nominee (2022)