Lucy Gull is 26 years old, and she ended up in the town of Hannibal by chance: Lucy chose the job of a provincial librarian in order to get away from her overly caring father, an illegally rich Russian emigrant. Lucy's everyday life is monotonous and boring, but a passion for adventure lives in her soul. In the library, the girl meets 10-year-old Ian Drake, with whom she develops a trusting relationship. More than anything else, Ian loves to read, but his oppressive mother forbids the boy to take those books that seem to her dangerous for his psyche. In addition, Ian's parents suspect he is prone to homosexuality and send him to religious seminars to set his son on the right path. Lucy empathizes with the boy: she secretly gives Ian books that he would never have read otherwise. But one morning dramatically changes the lives of both: Lucy finds Ian in the library, where he spent the night. The boy left home and asks not to give him away. Lucy doesn’t know what to do, but she understands: the fate of the child depends on her decision. “Forbidden Reading” is the first novel by American writer Rebecca McKie, which was included in the top ten best debut books, according to Booklist.