Wednesday, August 17, 2022

The Bookshop of Yesterdays - Fiction Review

Goodreads:  The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson

Rating: Really Liked It! (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  A woman inherits a beloved bookstore and sets forth on a journey of self-discovery in this poignant debut about family, forgiveness and a love of reading.

Miranda Brooks grew up in the stacks of her eccentric Uncle Billy’s bookstore, solving the inventive scavenger hunts he created just for her. But on Miranda’s twelfth birthday, Billy has a mysterious falling-out with her mother and suddenly disappears from Miranda’s life. She doesn’t hear from him again until sixteen years later when she receives unexpected news: Billy has died and left her Prospero Books, which is teetering on bankruptcy—and one final scavenger hunt.

Genre: Fiction

Why I Picked This Book:   Bookstores, family secrets, and journeys of discovery - how could I resist?

My Impression:  I love books about self-discovery and even more so if it involves a bookstore.  Miranda thinks she has her life figured out.  She's teaching history and has just moved in with her boyfriend but then news of her estranged uncle's death sends things spiraling.  Years ago, Miranda's uncle disappears from her life with almost no explanation leaving a hole in her life.  When she receives a mysterious package shortly before she finds out about her uncle's death she embarks on one last scavenger hunt but with much higher stakes then her childhood hunts.

I liked Miranda and sympathized with her frustration that everyone important in her life was keeping secrets from her.  I was fascinated by Prospero Books and the behind the scenes with trying to haul a failing bookstore back into the black.  The big secret was a surprise but one where I could sympathize with everyone involved.  I didn't love the romantic element but while it is important to the story it isn't central so I it didn't bother me too much.

This is my first book by this author but I will be on the lookout for more books by Meyerson.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? I will.  I really enjoyed the author's writing style and will be looking for more books by her.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy women's fiction with bookish overtones I think you'll enjoy this book.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

8 comments:

  1. Bookshops, books and secrets tend to make for an interesting story. Glad u=you enjoyed this one.

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  2. Good review! The Bookshop of Yesterdays has been on my radar, and the only reason I haven't picked it up yet is because I seem to be on a fantasy and historical kick these days, and haven't been reading much contemporary. But I'm beginning to branch out into contemporary again, and I think I'll keep an eye out for a copy.

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  3. I think I'll add this to my list, I think I'd enjoy it.

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  4. A bookstore and a scavenger hunt? Those two things alone makes me want to read this one.

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  5. I love a bookish book, especially with some family drama.

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  6. I did read this and liked it. But awhile ago now so don't remember too much about it.

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  7. This sounds like something I would like. I'll have to add it to my wishlist.

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