A Great Bookclub Read

Hi Friends!

Have you ever gifted a book you haven't read?

No? Just me?

I was on my way to a writing retreat, and I needed a gift for the host. She's so generous to open her cabin to our group and I wanted something special to say thanks. So of course I ended up at… Costco.

Nothing says 'You're the best.' like a book you haven't read. (Keep in mind I didn't know her food preferences and the candles that day were not the best scent.) So I bought the book. Avoided wrapping the book. And accosted her in the hall on the way to the bathroom to give her the book.

I'm a talented gift-giver.

Needless to say, I was MOTIVATED to read this book.

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The Lost Bookshop Book Review

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods is a dual-timeline contemporary/ historical fiction novel with romance, magical realism, and mystery elements told from three perspectives. If it sounds like a lot is going on, that's because there is. It got complicated at times but stayed away from convoluted. I debated between three and four stars, but I'm feeling generous. Why not? I read it. I liked it. It was entertaining.

While it wasn't my favorite book, I do think it would make an excellent book club read.

The First Perspective

Opaline Carliel is a young woman from the 1920's English "middle-class". Her loving father has passed away. In his absence, Opaline's much older brother commands her to marry a stranger. She refuses. He threatens her. She pretends to comply and secretly sells her father's rare book to buy her way to Paris and escape her brother, for now.

The Second Perspective

Martha (no last name) is a contemporary Irish woman who has finally had enough of her husband's beatings and is also on the run. She's leaving her home, family, and little village, for anywhere else. 'Anywhere' ends up being Dublin. Where she becomes the housekeeper for an eccentric old lady and hides from her husband, for now.

She meets Henery. He's cute, like a lost puppy, and seems nice. But the last thing she's looking for is to get involved with a guy.

The Third Perspective

Last, but certainly not least, Henry Littleton. A misunderstood English bookworm who follows his passion for rare books to Dublin.

He's looking for the 'lost manuscript' and the lost bookshop along with it. It should be right next to the house Martha is living in/ employed by, but all he finds is an empty ally. If he doesn't locate the manuscript his career is over. If he does, he might not be an unlovable good-for-nothing after all.

What I'm Reading

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman. It's a solid cozy mystery, like the other three. The first one (Thursday Murder Club) is my favorite, but I'm enjoying this one too.

What I'm Watching

We just watched Lucky Logan. It was okay. Better than I expected. The premise and execution were great, almost an Ocanes 11 vibe. But the conclusion lacked satisfaction for me. They left too much open-ended.

Writing Update

HOME STRETCH! I'm working toward a conclusion. I repeat, a conclusion is in sight!

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Have you read The Lost Bookshop? What did you think?

I'd love to hear from you! Email me at Lindsay@LindsayLock.com. I read and respond to every email. xoxo – Lindsay

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