By Jenny Colgan
470 pages (Large Print)
Gentle Reads
Synopsis
When the Birmingham public library branches will be consolidated into one large multimedia “hub” in the center of town, librarian Nina Redmond learns that her position will be eliminated, and if she would like to continue to work for the library, she must interview for an entirely new position, a position which focuses less on connecting people with books and more on connecting people to the internet and “intersensory experiences.” Feeling dejected at the thought of competing with dozens of other desperate applicants for a job she doesn’t really want, Nina begins to entertain the idea of a completely new career: a mobile bookstore. As the library purges its stacks and stacks of print materials, Nina fills her car and her apartment with these valuable treasures which would otherwise be lost. She travels to Scotland to purchase a van which she hopes to transform into a bookstore on wheels, but things aren’t going exactly as planned. Her trip back to Birmingham proves dangerous, her roommate is fed up with Nina’s book hoarding and wants her to move out, and the town of Birmingham will not permit Nina to park her large van on its city streets. At 29-years-old, Nina wonders if it’s possible to start her life over someplace else. With an inner determination and encouragement from a few unlikely sources, Nina returns to Scotland to open her business and to make a life in the scenic Kirrinfief countryside. Nina comes to realize her life’s purpose and what it means to enjoy life at a slower pace with people who share her appreciation of a good story.
Characteristics of Gentle Reads
Optimistic outlook: Even when she encounters conflict, there is a general awareness that Nina will overcome and/or make the most of her circumstances and eventually realize a happy ending.
Universal themes: There are several universal themes which play out in this story: love and loss, starting over, taking chances, friendship, and unlikely romance.
Interesting career and locale: Nina’s mobile bookstore business in Kirrinfief makes for a unique venture and setting which connects Nina to an array of lovable and layered characters which give the reader a greater understanding of the town and its culture.
Range in writing style: The writing style is generally conversational but becomes more poetic during descriptions of the setting and of Nina’s romantic encounters. The narrative also offers bits of poetry, love letters, and text messages.
Leisurely-paced: The slow pace of Kirrinfief is reflected in the writing. The descriptions of the land, the people, and the parties are dream-like, to be relished, and possibly to be enjoyed in a quiet room with soft lighting, a cup of coffee, and some sort of pastry or confection.
Appeal: 3 words
Leisurely, atmospheric, hopeful
Read-Alikes
The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan
The Library at the Edge of the World by Felicity Hayes-McCoy
How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs
This book sounds so much like a conversation I had with a colleague who was pushed out of her job of the library to work more with technology. I also appreciate this genre because of the optimistic outlook aspect. Sometimes it is nice to have a book that may have struggles within, but you know for a fact things will end up okay. Especially with how crazy this world has been, this idea, and this book in particular, sounds like a relaxing, uplifting read.
ReplyDeleteI love Jenny Colgan! I read her book "500 Miles From You" around Thanksgiving last year and it was such a great leisurely read. I have been listening to the audiobooks of her novels... there's just something so soothing about her writing style, mixed with British and Irish accents from the narrators, and I'm in readers' heaven. I haven't read this novel of hers yet, though I do see it circulating a bit at the library. I will have to check it out (along with your other read-a-likes... any story that takes place in a library or a bookshop, I'm all for). Thank you for your post Nicole!
ReplyDeleteAnother student also picked this same title - you are both spot on! Great job compiling the characteristics when I didn't give you much to go on. Full points!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of this book! It reminds me of The Bookshop (https://www.the-bookshop.com/) in Wigtown, Scotland. The owner, Shaun Bythell, has written a few humorous books about being a bookseller in small town Scotland. "The Lost and Found Bookshop" by Susan Wiggs has been circulating a lot at my library along with a few others. I’m glad to see there is a market for books about libraries and bookstores!
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