A review by bookwyrmdancer
Found in a Bookshop by Stephanie Butland

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I adored this book. A love letter to the power of stories to help, heal or simply offer escape, and a poignant reflection on the most challenging period of our times. Stephanie Borland beautifully weaves together snippets of story from different characters lives as they navigate the Covid-19 pandemic. This book is raw, emotional and very, very human. I picked it up without looking at what it was about based purely on how much I enjoyed Lost for Words and this was not at all the story I expected. Depending on your personal experience of the pandemic, this book could be quite challenging or triggering - it does not shy away from the heartbreaking realities of the pandemic and the grief, both collective and individual, that it brought. But it is also lovely in the way it captures the best of humanity that arose during that time. It is a beautiful tapestry of ordinary lives marked by extraordinary times. It made me feel quite emotional to read it but I am so glad I did because it also felt like an important acknowledgment of what we all went through - are still coming through. It also contains a whole host of excellent book recommendations for both pandemic induced and every day ailments. I’ll definitely be revisiting the book pharmacy.
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