Hey Guys,
Books, book mobiles, quaint little towns , books, hot Scottish men, books, romance… did I mention books. Sigh. I just devoured a refreshing, lighthearted book that left me craving idyllic small town life even more then I already do. Again, sigh.
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan is a love letter to readers, wrapped in the freedom of taking a leap of faith and the fellowship of small town life.
Nina, 29, is about to lose her job as a librarian at the Birmingham Public Library (UK Birmingham) and instead of looking for something else to do, she hides behind her books. With only a few weeks left at her job, Nina’s roommate and friend pushes her to dream big, to take a risk and deal with the consequences later.
Knowing only that her life’s dream is to connect readers with the perfect books, Nina travels to a small town in Scottland to purchase a van she can turn into a mobile bookstore. But the town instills in Nina such peace, such belonging and that, paired with the difficulties and restrictions of owning a mobile bookstore in Birmingham, causes Nina to stay in Scottland and start a new chapter in her life.
Scottland changes Nina for the better and a town without books soon comes to rely on her. But something is still missing in Nina’s life. Will she be able to find her own happily-ever-after or will she move on to the next town?
This was one of those books you read when you need a break; a break from reality, a break from your usual genre, a break from anything that won’t leave you smiling. The Bookshop on the Corner, other then having a title that makes no sense, is a breath of fresh air. It is like going outside on a crisp morning and taking a deep breath. You don’t need to think, this book doesn’t make you anxious, it doesn’t require reflection or regrets, it is merely a book to enjoy in the moment.
The plot isn’t necessarily new, but that doesn’t matter. It’s a well written, lovely read that you could finish in one, two sittings at the max. Most of the characters were interesting… in fact, they all were minus Nina, she was fairly archetypal. But Marek, Lennox, Surinder and all the townsfolk were wonderful in my opinion.
I really don’t have much else to say about this one. It was a wonderful, light read and it is one I would read again with nothing to do on a cold morning, in front of the fire. Will definitely have to check out more of Colgan’s books.
That’s all for now!
-M-