The Last Bookshop of London

 I finished another book by Madeline Martin titled The Last Bookshop in London. Although I can't say this book pulled at my heartstrings as much as the last (The Booklover’s Library), it gave a historical account of the German Blitzkrieg ( bombings) on London. 

This “sustained strategic bombing campaign” lasted from September 1940 to May 1941. The people of London saw their homes and businesses destroyed, along with a loss of 40,000 lives. 

The book tells the story of a young woman who moved to London right before the war broke out, looking for a job. She begins working at a dusty, old bookshop, where she falls in love with reading. 

It is a story of grit, determination, and love. If you want to learn more about what the British endured during World War II at their own doorstep, you will enjoy this book. From sleeping nightly in the tube (subway) to rationing of food, nightly bombings, children rehomed to the country, and the conscription and death of soldiers, you will come away with a much better understanding of this time in history. 

One of the most interesting facts I learned about was the Armed Service Editions of books distributed to American soldiers. These were pocket-sized paper books published for the troops. They could fit into uniform pockets to provide entertainment and education, with the motto: “Books are weapons in the war of ideas.”

Morning on Main

 

Well, it happened again. I began reading Morning on Main by Jodi Thomas. The book began with promise about a young woman trying to locate information about her father. She finds herself in a small Texas town whose zipcode had been scribbled in her father’s journal. Upon arriving, she meets the mayor/newspaper editor, who offers her a job at his mother’s quilt shop. 

As has happened before, I get to the middle of a book, and it begins to lose my interest, so I skim through the second half to get the gist of how it ends. I returned the book to the library, thinking I was through with it. 

But a couple of weeks later, I got to thinking about the book again. I had read just enough to become somewhat invested in the characters, and decided it needed a second chance. So off to the library I went. 

Now, can I say this was the best book I've ever read? No, but it was an enjoyable, relaxing read. As a writer, I'm finding I read books differently. I'm always on the lookout for ideas and wordcraft. I even think of ways I might have changed the story. 

I noticed that Jodi Thomas had written quite a few books while I was at the library, so I may try another one at a later date. 

Right now, I'm deep in another Madeline Martin book, which I'm loving! I'll keep you posted on that one soon. 

The Booklover’s Library

 Have you ever read a book that had you in tears by the end of the first chapter? I knew I'd happened upon a good one at that point. 

I'm still in my all-about-books phase, and I came across this book at my now-favorite bookstore, Venture No. 19 in Stephenville. I was immediately captivated by the title, The Booklover’s Library, by Madeline Martin.

The story takes place in 1939 England in the city of Nottingham (as in the sheriff of Nottingham). The Germans had already marched into Poland, and England had just entered the war. 

The protagonist, Emma, is a widow with a young daughter, struggling to make ends meet. Although this is against protocol because she is a widow with a child, she is hired to work at The Booklover’s Lending Library. 

Unlike the public libraries we are all familiar with, this was a subscription library with a concierge service for two customer levels. 

The novel tells the story of Emma having to make the heart-wrenching decision to send her eight-year-old daughter to the country away from the bombing in their town. 

The novel includes love, friendship, tragedy, and the rights of women during this time in history. 

Martin writes a beautiful story and is definitely a wordsmith. I enjoyed her writing so much that I've asked for another one of her books for Mother’s Day. 

If you are looking for an enjoyable read, I highly recommend this one!