The Lido by Libby Page

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**INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER**

“In many ways, this meditation on community and swimming follows in the footsteps of the enormously popular A Man Called Ove… Both are charming and heartwarming.”—Kirkus Reviews

WE'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS—OR TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Rosemary Peterson has lived in Brixton, London, all her life but everything is changing.

The library where she used to work has closed. The family grocery store has become a trendy bar. And now the lido, an outdoor pool where she's swum daily since its opening, is threatened with closure by a local housing developer. It was at the lido that Rosemary escaped the devastation of World War II; here she fell in love with her husband, George; here she found community during her marriage and since George’s death.

Twentysomething Kate Matthews has moved to Brixton and feels desperately alone. A once promising writer, she now covers forgettable stories for her local paper. That is, until she’s assigned to write about the lido’s closing. Soon Kate’s portrait of the pool focuses on a singular woman: Rosemary. And as Rosemary slowly opens up to Kate, both women are nourished and transformed in ways they never thought possible.

In the tradition of Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove, The Lido is a charming, feel-good novel that captures the heart and spirit of a community across generations—an irresistible tale of love, loss, aging, and friendship. 

Source: library; audiobook borrowed from Hoopla

Note: This title is also known as "Mornings with Rosemary"

I adore stories featuring intergenerational friendships and The Lido seemed promising on that front. Basically if you want a warm fuzzy story and a good cry, look no further.

Though decades apart, Rosemary and Kate are two people looking for purpose in life. Rosemary has been a widow for a few years and finds purpose in keeping to her routine which includes swimming at the lido daily. It's where she has weathered many storms and also created beautiful memories. Rosemary reflects on her life in Brixton through the years, reminiscing on all the changes and friendships during all that time. She has seen and knows all the things, small and big, that make up the tapestry of her diverse community. Kate's been assigned to write about the potential closing of the beloved lido to the public. It's the first news story of substance she's gotten her hands on since moving to Brixton and working for the local paper. She's not ready for the likes of Rosemary when first meets her. Up until this point, she's led a rather solitary existence. Rosemary issues her a challenge at their first meeting and Kate, for some surprising reason, is up for it.  For the first time since moving to Brixton, Kate begins to see the vibrancy of the area the way Rosemary sees it. Witnessing how the lido has always been a significant part of its community's history and the personal lives of its patrons has also been good for Kate's mental well-being. After she moved here she started to experience some anxiety and panic attacks, something she's never discussed with anyone. In Rosemary's company, she finds her worldview along with her social circle broadening. She's also getting braver, going from the mousy, quiet person to someone who's slowly finding her own voice. 

I am an absolute sucker for the cuddly warm grandmotherly types. I didn't have that so Rosemary's friendliness and nurturing side was everything to me. I couldn't get enough of her and Kate's friendship that began as an interview and turned in to community action. The personal impact from that friendship was also touching. The more I listened to the story the more it reminded me of one of my other all-time favorites, A Man Called Ove. 

If you're the type who believes that certain people come in to your life when they're meant to then you will love everything about the The Lido that's told with such sincerity. Rosemary and Kate's friendship, and the way the community comes together ... it all just squeezed my heart. Seriously, this book was the hug I needed. The ending, though bittersweet, was a lovely reminder that each person has a story and each person matters.

~ Bel