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Saturday, April 2, 2022

The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins...

 
First line:  On the Saturday after her seventh birthday, a book spoke to Sarah May Dove. 

Plot summary:  The small town of Dove Pond is in financial trouble. Businesses are closing, people are leaving. But Sarah Dove, Dove Pond's librarian, has hopes that things are about to change. Because Grace Wheeler has just moved to Dove Pond with her eight-year-old niece, Daisy, and her former foster mother, Mama G, who's struggling with Alzheimer's. For Grace it's a temporary move, but the books are whispering to Sarah that Grace is just what Dove Pond needs. She might be just what Sarah's gruff neighbor and best friend, Travis, needs, too.

My thoughts:  Like its title suggests, this book is a charming and heartwarming read. The town of Dove Pond is full of quirky, fun characters--I mean, who could resist a character that can speak to books, or a library full of books that know just who needs to read them but won't always say why? Grace is another easy-to-like character. I had a lot of sympathy for her as she struggled to deal with her grief over her sister's death, and be a good mom to her niece. And I loved her relationship with Mama G! And I loved how the entire town of Dove Pond turned out to help them when they needed it. Her reluctant friendship with Travis also made me smile.  There's a bit of magical realism in this one, too, which just added to the enchantment. Family and friendship, humor and heart...this book has it all. 

Happy Reading!

33 comments:

  1. It sounds like an utterly charming book, something we all need from time to time.

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  2. Sounds like a very nice read. Thanks for the review.

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    1. It was a nice change of pace from what I usually read. :)

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  3. What a great first line! This sounds like such a wonderful read. :)

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    1. I really enjoyed it. I think I was in just the right mood for this lighter and more heartwarming book. :)

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  4. Love the title and cover. Will look into this one, thanks for sharing :)

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    1. It's just a lighthearted and enjoyable read.

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  5. What a neat library. :) I like little quirky and cozy towns like that!

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    1. I really like reading about quirky towns, too. And Dove Pond certainly has its share of quirky characters. :)

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  6. I think I read this at the wrong time (for me). I really wanted to love it, and instead I had trouble staying focused as I was reading it. But I think I was struggling with a lot of anxiety at the time, and having trouble staying focused on much of anything. Your review makes me want to go back and try again.

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    1. I know what you mean about reading books at the wrong time; I just DNFed a romance that I'm sure is very cute and fun, it's just not working for me at this moment. Sometimes timing really is everything when it comes to certain books.

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  7. This sounds so heartwarming! I love the idea of book talking. Nice review, Lark

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    1. I liked the idea of the books knowing who needed to read them, too. It was fun. :)

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  8. This book sounds like the coziest of cozy reads. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. Nice review!

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    1. It's a simple, light-hearted and definitely cozy read. :)

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  9. That is an original and neat concept! It sounds like something I'd enjoy! Great review, Lark! :)

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    1. It's a great book for when you're in the mood for a lighter, heartwarming kind of read.

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  10. A fun premise. We all want those books to really speak to us!

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    1. Sarah Pond must live a very strange life having books speak to her all the time. :)

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  11. It's nice to read a book like this inbetween the mayhem described in other books!

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  12. Oooh I'm intrigued by the concept of the books talking to her and honestly, small towns, friends, families, books and a wee bit of magic sounds right up my street!

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    1. I like books set in small, quirky towns, too. And the characters in this one were very fun and likable. :)

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  13. This is way outside of my normal reading but the emphasis on books and reading is very appealing. The setting of a small Southern town made me think of Fannie Flagg, but I haven't read anything by her either.

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    1. Dove Pond is a cute small town, and I thought how the townspeople worked to put on a festival to try and save their town was fun.

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  14. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one. I really liked it too, especially the small town setting. :)

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  15. Sounds heartwarming... and I love that cover!

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  16. This sounds like something I would really like!

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