I read The Book Haters' Book Club because I enjoyed Gretchen Anthony's previous novel Evergreen Tidings from the Baumgartners, and was thrilled that overbearing Violet Baumgartner reappears as a minor character. The title is misleading - this is filled with lots of love for books and booksellers.
Over the Rainbow Bookstore was cofounded by best friends Irma and Elliott 40+ years ago. It's a fixture in its Minneapolis neighborhood with its bright yellow door and pink chandelier. That's why it's shocking when Irma announces to her adult daughters Bree and Laney and to Elliott's partner Thom that she's selling the store to developers who are leading the gentrification of the area. Bree, Laney, and Thom pledge to stop the sale, each for their own reasons and with their own methods. Bit by bit, the truth (and backstory) emerges, and in the process, the characters become more fully formed.
Gretchen Anthony incorporates a very quirky sense of humor in her writing; it works for me, but may not resonate with all readers. The plot also explores themes of family far beyond the traditional definition as well as grief caused by factors in addition to death. I resonated with a majority of the book, but one method of stopping the sale seemed very far-fetched, disconnected from the rest of the story, and unnecessary.
In addition to traditional chapters, the novel includes brief "newsletters" that feature book recommendations (from actual indie booksellers and librarians that are acknowledged at the end of the novel) as well as "intermissions" from a deceased character who's befriended by Judy Garland in the afterlife.
Thank you to Park Row and NetGalley for the review copy.
Over the Rainbow Bookstore was cofounded by best friends Irma and Elliott 40+ years ago. It's a fixture in its Minneapolis neighborhood with its bright yellow door and pink chandelier. That's why it's shocking when Irma announces to her adult daughters Bree and Laney and to Elliott's partner Thom that she's selling the store to developers who are leading the gentrification of the area. Bree, Laney, and Thom pledge to stop the sale, each for their own reasons and with their own methods. Bit by bit, the truth (and backstory) emerges, and in the process, the characters become more fully formed.
Gretchen Anthony incorporates a very quirky sense of humor in her writing; it works for me, but may not resonate with all readers. The plot also explores themes of family far beyond the traditional definition as well as grief caused by factors in addition to death. I resonated with a majority of the book, but one method of stopping the sale seemed very far-fetched, disconnected from the rest of the story, and unnecessary.
In addition to traditional chapters, the novel includes brief "newsletters" that feature book recommendations (from actual indie booksellers and librarians that are acknowledged at the end of the novel) as well as "intermissions" from a deceased character who's befriended by Judy Garland in the afterlife.
Thank you to Park Row and NetGalley for the review copy.
