Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks and want avid readers to know about it.
Shauna Robinson's debut Must Love Books was a rather dark look at the publishing industry. I'm glad the tone of her second novel is lighter. It contains conflicts and challenges, but overall it's optimistic.
Maggie Banks' life is a bit of a mess. Unemployed and homeless, she eagerly accepts her friend Rochelle's offer to come to Bell River and manage Cobblestone Books while Rochelle is on maternity leave.
Bell River is a small town dominated by the legacy of the legendary author Edward Bell (think John Steinbeck) - everything from retail to dining and lodging are focused on Mr. Bell and his books, and all businesses must adhere to a strict set of rules to uphold his reputation.
Maggie doesn't adapt well to the limitations placed on the bookstore, which include selling only classics written before Edward Bell's death in the 1960s, and puts its future in jeopardy when she tries to subvert the rules. To bring much-needed revenue to Cobblestone Books, Maggie hosts secret author events with a unique theme and sells recently-published books from cartons hidden in the back room. She quickly makes friends with Bell River residents and 'accidentally' creates a revolution against the Bell restrictions.
There is much to like about this novel. The cast of characters is great - Maggie, Rochelle and her family, Maggie's new Bell River friends, the authors and attendees of the secret events, and Malcolm, who is torn between his job at the Edward Bell Society and his attraction to Maggie. It's full of bookish goodness with many titles and authors mentioned. And it has lots lovely small town charm and a thread of mystery. One storyline in particular requires some suspension of belief, but this didn't outweigh all of the positive aspects of the plot.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Imani Jade Powers who brought Maggie's big, reckless, passionate personality to life but also did well in conveying a large cast of other characters.
Many thanks to OrangeSky Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of this delightful novel.
Shauna Robinson's debut Must Love Books was a rather dark look at the publishing industry. I'm glad the tone of her second novel is lighter. It contains conflicts and challenges, but overall it's optimistic.
Maggie Banks' life is a bit of a mess. Unemployed and homeless, she eagerly accepts her friend Rochelle's offer to come to Bell River and manage Cobblestone Books while Rochelle is on maternity leave.
Bell River is a small town dominated by the legacy of the legendary author Edward Bell (think John Steinbeck) - everything from retail to dining and lodging are focused on Mr. Bell and his books, and all businesses must adhere to a strict set of rules to uphold his reputation.
Maggie doesn't adapt well to the limitations placed on the bookstore, which include selling only classics written before Edward Bell's death in the 1960s, and puts its future in jeopardy when she tries to subvert the rules. To bring much-needed revenue to Cobblestone Books, Maggie hosts secret author events with a unique theme and sells recently-published books from cartons hidden in the back room. She quickly makes friends with Bell River residents and 'accidentally' creates a revolution against the Bell restrictions.
There is much to like about this novel. The cast of characters is great - Maggie, Rochelle and her family, Maggie's new Bell River friends, the authors and attendees of the secret events, and Malcolm, who is torn between his job at the Edward Bell Society and his attraction to Maggie. It's full of bookish goodness with many titles and authors mentioned. And it has lots lovely small town charm and a thread of mystery. One storyline in particular requires some suspension of belief, but this didn't outweigh all of the positive aspects of the plot.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Imani Jade Powers who brought Maggie's big, reckless, passionate personality to life but also did well in conveying a large cast of other characters.
Many thanks to OrangeSky Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of this delightful novel.
Helpful Score: 1
Reads like a young adult novel. Too simplistic a novelistic style and approach for my taste.
