My aunt recommended this book to me after reading it with her book group, and I'm so glad she did! Nora and Simon own a bookshop in a small English village, but unfortunately, it's looking like they might have to close. When a customer buys one of the oldest books in their shop, they're inspired to gift books to others in their community who aren't necessarily feeling the Christmas spirit. Although there are some heavy topics here (grief, depression), overall the tone of the story is uplifting and hopeful. You'll be rooting for Nora and Simon to find a solution to their problems, and you'll enjoy getting to know all the other characters in their small village. The story is infused with Christmas traditions and holiday spirit, and it'll make you feel all the warm and fuzzies. It's also a love letter to books and the power of the written word, and it's so fun to follow along with the characters as they talk about new and old favorites. 4 stars
After her grandmother passes away, Piper is unsure she wants to keep running the Alaskan family home and business. While out searching for her clients, Piper is caught in a blizzard and finds herself transported to 1945, where she meets her grandmother, now a young woman, and other family and friends. She gets to know a different side of her grandmother and maybe even meets the love of a lifetime. I really enjoyed this book - it was so different from other holiday stories I've read. Piper is at a crossroads in her life, but the time travel forces her to slow down and experience a totally different way of living. WWII is still going on, and the family is trying to make a decent Christmas, despite facing rationing, dwindling reserves, illness, and wild animals. The story is, at turns, emotional, heartwarming, and wholesome, and the time travel/magical realism elements were nicely incorporated. It truly is a story about family and legacy. The ending was a bit abrupt, but overall, I loved this holiday story. 4 stars
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I have Christmas by the Book on my TBR, and you mentioned all the words I love to hear (especially uplifting). Sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI hope you love it, Sam!
DeleteThese look like great reads. Merry Christmas!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, they both were! Merry Christmas, Greg!
DeleteBoth of these sound amazing!
ReplyDeleteThey were!
DeleteThese both seem so heartwarming! I've considered reading Christmas By The Book, but haven't yet.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it if you do read it!
DeleteThese books seem so cute and perfect for the holidays. I especially like the cover of the first one and the bookstore setting. There were so many holiday reads I didn't get to this year. I will have to add them to 2023's list!
ReplyDeleteThey were both such cozy reads! Haha, I definitely didn't get to all my holiday reads, either!
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