I've been reading Veronica Henry's delightful How to Find Love in a Bookshop compliments of the kind folks at Penguin Books. It was just recently released in paperback and when a copy was offered to me I had to snap it up. A perfect summery read, a story "in the tradition of Maeve Binchy" and a book about books and bookstores. Just the right mix for a good dose of escapism, which is always welcome.
This is the story of Emilia Nightingale and her father's bookstore Nightingale Books. Raised as an only child by a single father Emilia is working abroad when her father takes ill. After his death she decides she must take up the reins of bookshop ownership in the picturesque little Cotswolds village of Peasebrook. Julius, her father, had a love of books and bookselling in his veins, so it seems only natural that Emilia would continue the family tradition.
I am mid-read so Emilia is just taking over the bookshop, which is located in a prime area with property developers anxious to have a try and talk her into selling. She refuses knowing how much the store meant not only to her father and herself but also the loyal readers of the village. But she is already seeing signs of the struggle her father was dealing with financially. Will she be able to hold on? I am looking forward to seeing how Emilia resolves her problems and my fingers are secretly crossed that she won't sell out in the end (or be pushed out).
Penguin Books is letting me give away a copy of the book to readers here. The only hitch is only readers in the US can drop their name in the hat. I'm really enjoying it and if it sounds up your alley too (and how can a book about bookstores not appeal to readers?), just leave your name in the comment area below. If you are so inclined and have a favorite--share a good book about books, too! I'll drop all the names in a hat (or do a virtual number generator draw) and pull one out on Tuesday morning, July 24.