Joined in 2023 
82 
63 About this deal
Found in a Bookshop is the follow up to Lost for Words, but it can be read as a standalone novel as Butland subtly fills you in on Loveday’s history throughout the book. Lost for Words has made it to my TBR pile and I look forward to reading it. I really liked the characters Rosemary and George. I loved the concept of getting books as part of mental health and how they can help us through rough times. To be completely honest, I read the title and thought - yes, I want to read a book about a bookshop. I didn’t read the blurb.
I truly loved this book; it made me laugh out loud and also had me choked up a few times too' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐I started writing a very long review of this but accidentally lost it which is probably for the best as I sort of feel that if you can’t say anything nice you shouldn’t say anything at all. However, so that I can remember it myself I will say a few words. This book had me sitting up into the small hours. Such a lovely read, very relatable and touching' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Her writing is utterly engaging and this book truly moved me. Compassionate, unusual, original and full of wonderful characters' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐I loved the premise for Found in a Bookshop by Stephanie Butland. An idea borne from a customer’s letter to the Lost For Words bookshop, requesting books, Loveday and Kelly set up a book pharmacy. The idea is a success and they soon receive many letters from people requesting books to help them with the challenges they are facing during the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic. Kelly and Loveday use their knowledge and love of books to suggest novels that may help and comfort their customers. As to be expected Imogen Church’s narration was perfect! Her voice talents were amazing as he portrayed all sorts of people of varying ages. I come from Whitby and know York very well and there were countless mistakes regarding both places which really annoyed me and prevented me believing that’s where they were supposed to be. Rosemary and George have been married for fifty years. Now their time is running out. They have decided to set out on their last journey together, without ever leaving the bench at the bottom of their garden in Whitby. All they need is someone who shares their love of books.
Each reader will discover life as it was during that time, and the hope that carries us forward. The next steps. The next connections. "It’s the state of mind and heart of the person reading it that will make the book grow into something greater than the words printed in it." The novel encourages us to remember that sometimes, to move forward, there are goodbyes, and many are goodbyes that we never want to say. But as we say those goodbyes, we carry the legacy of those we loved so dearly with us. Books refresh our spirits; we carry the words we read forward in our thoughts, hearts, and actions. I work in the library and read over 100 books a year in various genres but still would not be so presumptuous as to think I could recommend books to people I don’t know. I found the recommendations clichéd and awful.
About this book
It’s not all doom and gloom though, as they are hopeful stories and of course there are the book prescriptions themselves, which I loved hearing as Loveday or Kelly responded to the customers. In between chapters the author writes lovingly about books and reading, helping to lighten the mood when there had been dark moments. At times there is humour although not as much as in the last book which is understandable given the serious nature of the times. It’s very moving and poignant with some heartbreak and it’s thought provoking too. Along the journey there is kindness and thoughtfulness, there are situations that arise that overcome preconceptions and finding commonality along with plenty of honesty. Suddenly it's clear to Loveday that she and her team can do something useful in a crisis. They can recommend books to help with the situations their customers find themselves in: fear, boredom, loneliness, the desire for laughter and escape. I read this book in one sitting, it made me smile and made me wipe a tear from my eye too' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Great Deal 
New Comment