Reviews

The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson

pupandpint's review against another edition

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

2.0

nhannaywaller's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad

3.5

ronimac74's review against another edition

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5.0

A great debut novel that keeps the reader interested and guessing. A story about love, loss and friendship and how we cope with all the struggles in our life.

cbrownie5209's review against another edition

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5.0

Intriguing

I enjoyed reading this thought provoking book and would recommend it It explores hopes, dreams, and our choices meeting reality

jbaldwin87's review against another edition

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3.0

This was an interesting story about life and the choices one makes. What if you could see the results of going down a different path? Would you want to leave your current life for the new one? What if you had to give up something really important for you to do so? I liked the theme of this book and it made me contemplate my choices and if I would give up certain things for the life I think I "should" have.

kitcat95's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

literatehedgehog's review against another edition

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3.0

A single bookstore owner in the 1960s has realistic dreams about the life she could have lived.

So as not to spoil any details, I'll be vague.
This book surprised me - and I usually figure out a fair amount of plot points. In that sense, the author is creative. However, some of the revelations were too sudden or overwrought, which threw me out of the story. I didn't always believe the main character or relate to her (her relationship with her parents was too intense and childlike, although I understand why). Also, for a character who sells books and wants to tutor young kids, I didn't get the impression she loved reading. Weird!

Overall - interesting book with connected story but not the best in the genre.

years_of_reading_women's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

connieaw's review against another edition

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5.0

I couldn't put this book down. I love that it's set in Denver.

sarahprandall's review against another edition

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2.0

2.5 stars | This was a quick read and a page turner that fell flat for me. The premise is interesting– a woman has one life during her waking hours & a very different life during her sleeping hours– but there were so many plot holes and things brushed under the rug that I had a hard time fully engaging.