Cis H. (californiadreamin) reviewed on + 279 more book reviews
Setting is London, summer of 1939. Grace and her friend Viv move from English countryside to London, expecting exciting nightlife and Big City activities. Instead, they find bomb shelters, blackout curtains, and limited activities. Grace finds work at the Primrose Hill Bookstore, owned by crotchety old Mr. Evans who doesn't want anything changed. Little by little, Grace cleans and straightens up shop, drawing in more customers.
Grace also meets a dashing man who loves books more than she does, and they enjoy one date before he's shipped out to active duty. They correspond so you know where this is going. Meanwhile, Grace volunteers for bomb shelter duty and helps victims of bombings.
Through all of the bombings, death and destruction, Grace manages to keep spirits up with readings in the bookstore and later in the bomb shelter. These readings also strengthen her relationships with Mr Evans, other booksellers, and the community.
Overall this is a surprisingly 'feel good' book, even tho story happens during London's bombing blitzes resulting in destruction of so many buildings and lives. Worth reading!
Memorable passage: The stores full of dry books were like tinder waiting for a match. Most had fire crawling across their slate roofs, dancing wickedly over their costly wood interiors and stretching out from their shattered windows, the exterior paintwork blackening with soot.
Grace also meets a dashing man who loves books more than she does, and they enjoy one date before he's shipped out to active duty. They correspond so you know where this is going. Meanwhile, Grace volunteers for bomb shelter duty and helps victims of bombings.
Through all of the bombings, death and destruction, Grace manages to keep spirits up with readings in the bookstore and later in the bomb shelter. These readings also strengthen her relationships with Mr Evans, other booksellers, and the community.
Overall this is a surprisingly 'feel good' book, even tho story happens during London's bombing blitzes resulting in destruction of so many buildings and lives. Worth reading!
Memorable passage: The stores full of dry books were like tinder waiting for a match. Most had fire crawling across their slate roofs, dancing wickedly over their costly wood interiors and stretching out from their shattered windows, the exterior paintwork blackening with soot.
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