It has been a difficult time in our nation and throughout the world for the past several months. Our only choice is to turn to Him. Well, not really our only choice. We can stay anxious and be miserable. As for me, I’m going to trust God to bring it all to pass. How about you?
Oh! Yes! I don’t think I told my readers, but Standoff received a starred review in the Library Journal. This.is.huge. folks! 😀 I am so excited about it.
Now for what I’ve been reading… A week or so ago, I read The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay and loved it! Here’s the backcover copy
Books. Love. Friendship. Second chances. All can be found at the Printed Letter Bookshop in the small, charming town of Winsome.
One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.
While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls.
When Madeline’s professional life falls apart, and a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. Has she been too quick to dismiss her aunt’s beloved shop? And even if she has, the women’s best combined efforts may be too little, too late.
This sweet, contemporary read is a standalone novel, though characters in this story will appear in Katherine Reay’s forthcoming book, Of Literature and Lattes.
Praise for The Printed Letter Bookshop:
“Powerful, enchanting, and spirited, this novel will delight.” —Patti Callahan, bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis
“The Printed Letter Bookshop is a captivating story of good books, a testament to the beauty of new beginnings, and a sweet reminder of the power of friendship.” —Rachel McMillan, author of Murder in the City of Liberty
My take:
I loved this story that tells about the lives of three women, Madeline, Janet, and Claire. It’s a story of friendships, and how Madeline’s Aunt Maddie used Proverbs 31 to speak to each woman. And the bookstore sounds fabulous! I would love to have a bookstore like the Printed Letter Bookshop near me!
In the beginning, Madeline seeks success over everything else, Janet is an in-your-face angry woman because of the choices she’s made, and Claire would rather smooth things over than to face any difficulty. Each woman has a story to tell and Katherine Reay draws you into their lives.
It’s not just a story for women. I believe men will enjoy it also.
You can purchase The Printed Letter Bookshop at Amazon, B&N, CBD.
Leave a comment and I’ll enter you in a June drawing for a book from my library. Would you like to have a neighborhood bookstore in your area? If so, why?
What I'm Reading Friday - The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay. #amreading Check out my review of this charming story. https://wp.me/p2e7oN-1qL Share on X Standoff, the first book in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers, received a STARRED review in the Library Journal! Check it out! https://bit.ly/2YAy9fn You can order at https://ptbradley.com/books/standoff/ Share on X
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Comments 36
Ooh, sounds fun!! I’ll add it to my TBR. Hmm, I’m broke, so a bookstore would be way too tempting… I love the local op-shops (short for opportunity shop, called a thrift store in the US), since they often have awesome classics at bargain prices. And I also really appreciate the local public library, where I can borrow books and e-books for free. I love the idea of a place to read and drink coffee or hot cocoa, though…
Author
Monique, we used to have a used-bookstore in our town, and it was fun to go over and visit with the owner. Then we got a ‘real’ bookstore and that one closed down. Now the ‘real’ bookstore is gone so we don’t have anything. :-/ Thanks for stopping by.
Aw, it sounds like a sweet story. Yes, I’d like a neighborhood book store, but then I’d probably spend too much money every month.:-) A big congratulations on Standoff’s starred review!
Author
Thank you, Priscilla. I was amazed that it was starred and I only just discovered that. 🙂 The Printed Letter Bookshop is somewhat sweet, but it also deals with three very serious problems. I loved the way Katherine Reay worked these problems out. Thanks for stopping by.
There is a neighborhood book store in a nearby town, but my budget does not let me pay their prices! When I buy books, I usually order from Christian Book Distributors. They have some good sales.
Author
I order from CBD all the time, Mary…it’s a great store. Thanks for stopping by!
Congratulations on the STAR review for “Standoff”. It’s well deserved. I’m with you that God will guide us through these troubled times. Depend on it!
I’ve never lived near a neighborhood bookstore. The closest thing to one would have been the public library when I was growing up. I’d spend hours there. These days, I don’t have the shelf space to buy physical books, and my preferred way of reading is with an e-book reader. I have a friend who’s younger than me who prefers the feel of paper, and wouldn’t even try my e-reader because it didn’t feel right. 🙂
Author
Thank you, Tim, and we went to the public library all the time when I was a kid, and I love our library here in Corinth. I’ve spent hours in their upstairs cubbyhole scanning microfilm files when I was doing a little genealogy. Always good to ‘see’ you here! Let me know when you update your train website with new pictures!
Congrats on the starred Library Journal item. Sounds wonderful.
Author
Thanks, Sally Jo! It’s good to ‘see’ you here!!
I am reading my 3rd K. Reay book this week and loving it so am glad to hear about this one, too–definitely adding to my “must read” list.
Author
I almost think this is my favorite Katherine Reay book, Delores. Then I think about Dear Mr. Knightly and I’m not so sure. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by!
Yes, I’d love to have any kind of book store near me. One of my favorite things to do is browse through a bookstore. We used to have several near here, but it seems they’ve all been put out of business. It’s very sad.
Author
It is very sad, Linda! I think Amazon put a lot of Independent book stores out of business. There’s still one in Memphis–the original one was the Davis-Kidd Booksellers, but it’s changed names now. It’s Novel. Thanks for stopping by!
I’d love to have a neighborhood bookstore near me. I like to support small businesses when I can, but sometimes that’s not an option, especially for newer books, at least where I live.
Author
My little town is a neighborhood, Megan, so just about all the small businesses are run by people I know. And I love that about living here. Thanks for stopping by!
i would like the conveince of it
Author
It would be very convenient, Lynn! Now that we no longer have a bookstore, I have to drive 50 miles to buy a book unless I purchase it online…I love browsing all the books in a bookstore! Thanks for dropping by.
I love all types of bookstores, used or new books and used to take our kids to the library for books for them and myself. There is a chain bookstore near me where I enjoy shopping for our grandchildren and my husband but I mostly read ebooks. Congrats on the starred review! It is a great book!
Author
Thanks, Gloria! There are two places I could spend hours just walking around–a bookstore and a office supply! lol. Thanks for stopping by.
I read “The Printed Letter Bookshop” and loved it, now I’m looking forward to getting my hands on “Of Literature and Lattes”….not really the second book in the series but you do go back to Winsome & characters from “Printed Letter” do appear (according to Amazon). I’m waiting to borrow it from my library 🙂
We did have a Tree of Life Christian bookstore in our small town, but it closed it doors (along with all of them I think) about 4-5 years ago. There is a bookstore in town, but it’s a general market one with just a few Christian books, those are limited stock. I would love to see a small independant bookstore with a little coffee shop attached so people could peruse the shelves and sit down with thier friends or new books an linger a while! I think that’s one reason I loved Printed Letter, because anyone coming into the shop was made to feel included & friends gathered there. Such an ideal setting! 🙂
I used to go to our local family own coffee shop with my Pastors wife, but since Covid-19 we haven’t been. Not that they aren’t open now, but it’s such a risk gathering anymore. I miss the fellowship & girl time, you know? I can’t wait for things to (prayerfully) go back to “normal” 🙁 I love the scriptures you share each week, Patricia! They are encouraging and uplifting!
Author
I think that’s why I loved it too, Trixi! And I’m really missing seeing my friends face to face. Bad enough that last weekend, I drove 85 miles to the first get together for our writers’ group since February. We wore masks and tried to social distance, and afterward went to a sandwich shop where we ate outside. It was heaven! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Book sounds good! I live in a very small mountain town so would love to have a book store especially a used one close by! Thanks for the chance to win
Author
I bet, Faith. I’ll also guess that you have to drive a good distance to any bookstore! Thanks so much for stopping by.
I loved The Printed Letter Bookshop. I wish I had a local bookshop, as I love browsing in them. Thank you. The picture and scripture verse is beautiful.
Author
Thank you, Lucy. I love that verse and recited it nights when I wake up at 2 am and can’t go back to sleep. That and start with the alphabet praising God. You know, A is for Almight…
That’s great news about Standoff! Way to go, Pat!
Now that I am retired, I am not sure I would particularly be interested in a small neighborhood bookstore. We had a Christian bookstore here for years, but it was too small to spend much time there. They also carried Bibles, gifts, and gift cards. There was no space for relaxing to peruse a book, and their stock was limited. The local library was more inviting.
Author
Edward, when I had more time, I enjoyed going to the Library here in Corinth, but alas, I have very little spare time. If we had a bookstore, I probably wouldn’t get there that often. :-/ Thanks for stopping by!
The Printed Letter Bookshop is on my TBR! I’d love to have a local bookstore in my area. Always fun to hang out with friends!
Author
It is fun to hang out with friends, Caryl. I’ll be glad when we can get together again with friends. I am planning on going to church Sunday, though. I’ll let you know how that goes. 🙂
Yes, I would like to have a neighborhood bookstore! BUT, I live in the the country, about a mile outside a little town of about 1800 people…Then there is a college, w/ a book store, about 10 miles from where I live…
Author
Wow, MS Barb, you do live in a small town. We have 15k and I thought that was small. lol Do you have a library in your small town? Thanks for stopping by!
Definitely! We do have a Christian store but they don’t have a very large selection of fiction. I know that doesn’t help authors make a living but I’d really like a used book store where you can get credit for your books!
Author
I like used bookstores, Joan. Who knows, someone who buys one of my used books might order one if they can’t find the next one in the series… 🙂 Chattanooga has a huge used bookstore where you can buy used cd’s and dvds, too. Thanks for stopping by.
Congratulations on your book’s starred review. Yes, it would be nice to have a neighborhood bookstore, more convenient.
Author
Thanks, Diana! I wish we had a bookstore in our town, Period! Good to ‘see’ you here!