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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
For a story set in London during WWII it really had a sweet side to it despite the harrowing surroundings the characters faced with war.
Grace, a young woman who has just lost her mother, moves with her good friend Viv from the countryside to London. They are going yo temporarily stay with a friend of Grace’s mom until they get settled. Grace comes to work at a bookstore owned by a man who is a bit of a curmudgeon. Grace is not a reader and isn’t sure how it will go. When the war seems imminent, things start to change all around. Some go off to war or do their part in helping to end it, friendships are formed, lives are lost, and others become different people as war can often do.
A tender story, one I enjoyed reading.
Grace, a young woman who has just lost her mother, moves with her good friend Viv from the countryside to London. They are going yo temporarily stay with a friend of Grace’s mom until they get settled. Grace comes to work at a bookstore owned by a man who is a bit of a curmudgeon. Grace is not a reader and isn’t sure how it will go. When the war seems imminent, things start to change all around. Some go off to war or do their part in helping to end it, friendships are formed, lives are lost, and others become different people as war can often do.
A tender story, one I enjoyed reading.
A sweet story of a bookstore and the power of books to inspire, encourage, and connect people.
“Reading is like going somewhere without ever taking a train or a ship, an unveiling of new, incredible worlds. It’s living a life you weren’t born into and a chance to see everything colored by someone else’s perspective. It’s learning without having to face consequences of failures, and how best to succeed.”
You know those books with a bookshop on the cover or in the title that disappoint you when you start reading because there’s none to very little bookish content? Well, this is NOT like that. For bibliophiles like me, this is a hug that reaches from the pages. Pages saturated with bookish delights.
Inspired by WW2 history of the few bookshops to survive the Blitz, Madeline Martin’s book is a timeless tale about overcoming loss, love and the power of literature to endure wartime. Grace and Viv have come to London seeking adventure, freedom and a job. They board with Mrs. Weatherford, the neighbourhood ‘meddlesome woman’ and she, and her son, Colin, are instrumental in getting them jobs. Viv fakes her abilities and gets a glamorous job at Harrods, while Grace, unable to promote herself, takes a job at Primrose Hill owned by the neighbourhood curmudgeon, Mr. Evans.
When war breaks out, we see Martin’s well-developed characters forced out of their comfort zone and into action, exemplifying the slogan “Keep Calm And Carry On.” You’ll read how war affected bookstores; paper shortages to merchandising adjustments. I loved how Grace kept people enraptured with her reading from George Elliot’s Middlemarch. They were in the Farringdon Tube Station seeking shelter, and to keep spirits up, Grace read aloud each time prompting one to comment, “Miss Bennett, you’ll change the war yet one book at a time.”
With so many WW2 books on the market, this one stands out, not only because of its bookish content, but also because of the meticulous research. I learned about Air Raid Precautions Wardens, barrage balloons, anti-gas ointment, why bathtubs and sinks were filled with water during an air raid, why families opened windows at the sound of the siren, and about the necessity of ARP identification bracelets, to name a few. I found it interesting that because batteries were in short supply, those who read well past their bedtimes found it cheaper to buy a new flashlight than try to find batteries!
You MUST read this book to find out what prompted Jimmy to yell, “You’re the last bookshop in London!”
Like Grace, I too have deeply appreciated the power of books to transport me this year when the world around me continued to be uncertain. Joining Bookstagram 9 months ago was a life saver for me! (Add me: theliterateleprechaun)
“Books are what have brought us together. A love of stories within, the adventures they take us on, their glorious distraction in a time of strife. A reminder that we always have hope."
You know those books with a bookshop on the cover or in the title that disappoint you when you start reading because there’s none to very little bookish content? Well, this is NOT like that. For bibliophiles like me, this is a hug that reaches from the pages. Pages saturated with bookish delights.
Inspired by WW2 history of the few bookshops to survive the Blitz, Madeline Martin’s book is a timeless tale about overcoming loss, love and the power of literature to endure wartime. Grace and Viv have come to London seeking adventure, freedom and a job. They board with Mrs. Weatherford, the neighbourhood ‘meddlesome woman’ and she, and her son, Colin, are instrumental in getting them jobs. Viv fakes her abilities and gets a glamorous job at Harrods, while Grace, unable to promote herself, takes a job at Primrose Hill owned by the neighbourhood curmudgeon, Mr. Evans.
When war breaks out, we see Martin’s well-developed characters forced out of their comfort zone and into action, exemplifying the slogan “Keep Calm And Carry On.” You’ll read how war affected bookstores; paper shortages to merchandising adjustments. I loved how Grace kept people enraptured with her reading from George Elliot’s Middlemarch. They were in the Farringdon Tube Station seeking shelter, and to keep spirits up, Grace read aloud each time prompting one to comment, “Miss Bennett, you’ll change the war yet one book at a time.”
With so many WW2 books on the market, this one stands out, not only because of its bookish content, but also because of the meticulous research. I learned about Air Raid Precautions Wardens, barrage balloons, anti-gas ointment, why bathtubs and sinks were filled with water during an air raid, why families opened windows at the sound of the siren, and about the necessity of ARP identification bracelets, to name a few. I found it interesting that because batteries were in short supply, those who read well past their bedtimes found it cheaper to buy a new flashlight than try to find batteries!
You MUST read this book to find out what prompted Jimmy to yell, “You’re the last bookshop in London!”
Like Grace, I too have deeply appreciated the power of books to transport me this year when the world around me continued to be uncertain. Joining Bookstagram 9 months ago was a life saver for me! (Add me: theliterateleprechaun)
“Books are what have brought us together. A love of stories within, the adventures they take us on, their glorious distraction in a time of strife. A reminder that we always have hope."
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Five brilliant, heartwarming, lovely stars. This masterfully written novel about the power of community and stories during the Blitz hit all the emotions. Madeline Martin has a gift for painting such a realistic portrayal of wartime London, both the ugly and beautiful. I couldn’t get enough of this story, and it definitely belongs on my keeper shelf!
Beautiful story of resilience and love. As a book lover this book is especially memorable as it really drives home the power of books.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Stayed up very late to finish this and I have no regrets. This book was simply beautiful, and made me tear up multiple times. WWII London, strong female protagonist, books — what’s not to love? It’s like I conjured this book into existence with all of my favorite things.
This book was just lovely and I sped through it. Grace’s relationship with Mr. Evans will forever leave a lump in my throat. Every chapter was so vivid. I felt like I was there in the bombings, I was there in the tube station listening to Grace read aloud during the air raids, I was there in the bookshop looking at all of the colorful and creative book displays. The overarching themes of resilience and the power of community are definitely relevant in COVID times. Just a lovely, stunning, brilliant book that I enjoyed very much.
This book was just lovely and I sped through it. Grace’s relationship with Mr. Evans will forever leave a lump in my throat. Every chapter was so vivid. I felt like I was there in the bombings, I was there in the tube station listening to Grace read aloud during the air raids, I was there in the bookshop looking at all of the colorful and creative book displays. The overarching themes of resilience and the power of community are definitely relevant in COVID times. Just a lovely, stunning, brilliant book that I enjoyed very much.