"Cover the bookstore while I'm out." Her voice became more animated. "From August to December. You could stay with me, get away from your parents, and work at the store. You could use the time to figure out what you want to do next."
Maggie Banks is at loose ends. So when her friend, Rochelle, needs someone to work at her bookstore while she's out on maternity leave, Maggie heads to Bell River, a small town near Washington D.C. Maggie's not much of a reader; she especially doesn't like reading classic novels, which is all that the Bell Society will allow Cobblestone Books to sell.
But Maggie's never been one to follow the rules. She begins sneak-selling more modern books...first romances, then mysteries. Then, to bring in more revenue, she starts hosting literay mashup events. And she's having a lot of fun. But if the Bell Society finds out, Rochelle might lose the bookstore.
What I loved about this novel:
- Maggie learning to love books and reading...even a few of the classics.
- The banter between Maggie and Malcolm, the Bell Society's 'spy', and their slowburn friendship. (Their 'dates' are very entertaining.)
- The clever mashup events Maggie hosts with local authors who turn Moby Dick into a romance and The Great Gatsby into science fiction.
- Maggie's exuberance and ability to connect with so many people in town.
- The humor and the happy ending.
This is a very charming bookish book...perfect for Susan's Bookish Books Reading Challenge.
Happy Reading!
I would 100% attend events like this at a bookstore -- they sound like so much fun, and this books sounds like such a treat to read!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a bookstore like this near me. But at least I could read about it in this fun book. :D
DeleteI like the name of the bookstore: Cobblestone Books. And I would love to attend the mashup events. Moby Dick turns romance should be pretty hilarious!
ReplyDeleteDon't those mashup events sound like fun?
DeleteThis book is on my TBR. I'm glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun one. :D
DeleteThis does sound like a fun read!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed it. :D
DeleteThis sounds like a lot of fun! Great review, Lark! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think you'd like this book. :D
DeleteThis sounds like a fun one! I love the sound of Maggie's mash-up events. :)
ReplyDeleteThey were so clever; they made me laugh.
DeleteI love it. Regine
ReplyDelete:D Thanks, Regine!
DeleteHi Lark, This is a great idea for a bookstore novel, a bookstore banning books run by a manager who doesn't like to read. I am curious too as to why only classics are allowed. My guess this is talked about in the novel and the reasoning would be interesting.
ReplyDeleteThere's this whole crazy reason for why they aren't allowed to sell modern books which goes along with the quirky small town of Bell River. But I don't want to spoil it.
DeleteOh this sounds fun. Who wouldn't want t orun a bookstore for a while? And I love the sound of the "spy"
ReplyDeleteI would love to run a bookstore for awhile!
DeleteThis does sound like a fun read. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
ReplyDeleteIt's another fun bookish book.
DeleteBookstores are so much fun. I wouldn't mind having one.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be fun to own a bookstore?
DeleteI love the idea that books she's selling are criminalized. Its a humorous take on a subject that is all too real at the moment!
ReplyDeleteThe whole sneak-selling of mysteries and romances from the back room totally made me laugh in this one.
DeleteI love the sound of this and 'Washington State', what's not to love! Off to look it up.
ReplyDeleteAll the bookstore stuff is so great. And Maggie made me laugh.
DeleteI enjoyed this one too. Nice review, Lark
ReplyDeleteMaggie was such a fun character. :D
DeleteOh, this sounds really good! I love books with great banter.
ReplyDeleteI do, too! I really need books that make me smile right now.
DeleteThanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Lark! It sounds good!
ReplyDeleteThank you. :D
DeleteWow, sounds like a fun read!!
ReplyDeleteIt made me smile a lot.
DeleteCute! And now I'm wishing I had been able to read the Scifi version of Gatsby :)
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be awesome? Maybe even better than the original. ;D
DeleteSo, I FINALLY understand your profile picture!! I was browsing editions of Daddy Long Legs, which I am getting ready to read, and I went, that looks like Lark, LOL! I assume you love the book? I was going to start with Dr. Mr. Knightley, but since it is based off of Daddy Long Leg's I decided to start there first.
ReplyDeleteI do like the book Daddy Long Legs, but that's not where I got my profile picture from. I love art often check out art books, and saw this painting by William Samuel Henry Llewellyn in one and instantly liked it because the girl has red hair, and so do I; and she obviously likes books, too. So that's where I got it from. I just wish I was still as young as the girl in the painting! ;D
DeleteFunny, I wish I could show you the picture! Here's the Goodreads link https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1401306.Daddy_Long_Legs
DeleteIt's funny they chose that painting for the cover. But I do like it. ;D
DeleteSounds fun and probably serves as a reminder that classics are not for everyone. Nothing wrong with page turner's or genre fiction!
ReplyDeleteExactly! :D
DeleteI'm all for charming! Both you and Helen have given this one good reviews, so I'm going to give it a go. It does sound cute.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit of light-hearted fun...with books! I enjoyed it.
DeleteI have this one on my TBR and it looks like such a lovely read! I'm looking forward to getting to it.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot to like about it. And parts of it really made me laugh.
DeleteThis book sounds like a fun read!
ReplyDeleteIt was very fun. But then any book with a bookstore setting! ;D
DeleteThis sounds delightful! I love the idea of being a book rebel and sneaking in genre books.... *gasp*!
ReplyDeleteIt was so funny! Lots of things in this book made me laugh.
Delete