The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger

The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger

Completed January 4, 2011
Reason for Reading: Love Audrey Niffenegger

Audrey Niffenegger, the New York Times bestselling author of The Time Traveler’s Wife and Her Fearful Symmetry, has crafted her first graphic novel after the success of her two critically acclaimed “novels-in-pictures.” First serialized as a weekly column in the UK’s Guardian newspaper, The Night Bookmobile tells the story of a wistful woman who one night encounters a mysterious disappearing library on wheels that contains every book she has ever read. Seeing her history and most intimate self in this library, she embarks on a search for the bookmobile. But her search turns into an obsession, as she longs to be reunited with her own collection and memories.

I still haven't worked up the nerve to read Her Fearful Symmetry because I know it is different and I loved The Time Traveler's Wife so much. (And, yes, I still think that is a weird book choice for me.) In the meantime, I saw this on my libraries new release page and decided to see what it was like. In the beginning, I thought it was fascinating that this young woman is walking the streets of her town and stumbles across a camper trailer full of books. When she starts to recognize the books and the librarian tells her that this is every word she has ever written I was captivated. I cannot remember all that I have read, of course, so I would love to have the chance to visit a library where I could see everything. It is an amazing idea to me. It doesn't matter how many notes I make, how many reviews I write, etc; I will never remember everything that I read.

Then, the story progresses and we see the dark side of what she has discovered. It begins to take over her life in a profound way. She is determined to find the bookmobile again. She would love the chance to work at it. Reading does, in a way, control a persons' life, though. This is just the darker side of that idea. It's short, but it really packs a punch. I was glued to the pages because it was compelling, but at the same time very dark. I wanted to know how it all played out. The art is really great, too. I think ultimately, though, I just really like the idea of seeing every book you have ever read all laid out on shelves and shelves.