I picked up The Printed Letter Bookshop after tossing aside four #DNFs in a row. Mercifully, this charming story by Katherine Reay was exactly what I needed to pull me out of my reading slump.
This novel follows three women — Madeline, Janet, and Claire — who are all lost in some way or another. One is searching for what she wants to become; one is trying to come to terms with the life she lost; and one is trying to reclaim the life she’s forgotten to live. What brings them all together is the Printed Letter Bookshop — or, more specifically, its owner, Maddie.
We never actually meet the fondly remembered Maddie since her funeral kicks off the The Printed Letter Bookshop. Nevertheless, Maddie is everywhere; her book- and people-loving spirit pervades the entire story. When she wills her bookshop, house, car, and admittedly incredibly large debt to her lawyer niece, Madeline, she plunges Madeline and her two bookshop workers, Claire and Janet, into a good deal of personal and professional upheaval.
As one would expect, much of the action in The Printed Letter Bookshop revolves around books. Maddie loved them, and she used reading to connect with people throughout her life. As a result, book titles are sprinkled with a heavy hand throughout conversations and reflections, and I was happy to see an engaging mix of perennial classics, like Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, and current bestsellers that are poised to become modern classics, like A Man Called Ove.
The Printed Letter Bookshop, above all other things, is about taking charge of your own life. Maddie suspects that her friends need a little guidance in this department, so before she passes away, she leaves letters for Madeline, Claire, and Janet containing lists of books she feels they should read. Each title invokes a different tone, a different message for the characters and reader alike. Even if you haven’t read the books yourself, you know what Maddie wants everyone to take away from her borrowed wise words.
The letters also contain numerous inspirational literary quotes, which create a fun kind of guessing game for the reader. Reay sometimes reveals where the quotes are from, but most of the time, she doesn’t. I think it’s more fun when she doesn’t, since you’re then racking your brain to figure out if you’ve read the words before, and, if so, where.
While The Printed Letter Bookshop went many places I thought it would, it went in some surprising directions, too. Madeline is your typical mid-thirties, rom-com heroine facing a professional crisis of faith, but slightly older Claire and Janet bring a more seasoned depth to the novel with their narratives. Reay spends just as much time on their stories as she does Madeline’s, and I liked seeing how their burgeoning friendship simultaneously challenges and bolsters each woman into finding her own way. I particularly enjoyed the subtle switch in one woman’s narrative toward the end of the novel. Kudos to Reay for cleverly employing this literary trick.
If you’re looking for a sweet, comforting, and engaging story, The Printed Letter Bookshop is a must-read. It practically begs you to curl up with it in a big leather armchair, covered by a comfy blanket, with a steaming cup of hot chocolate by your side. This novel about friendship, love, and finding yourself will give you all the feels. And, if you’re voracious reader, your bibliophile appetites will be masterfully fed with a delectable list of recommended books you’ll be itching to read (or, read again).
What are your favorite books about books? I feel there are so many out there, but The Printed Letter Bookshop is now one of my favorites.
Be sure to check back in for my book-inspired recipe: Turkey, Fig, and Brie Grilled Cheese.
This book sounds intriguing! I may have to give it a read! Thanks for sharing!
I really loved this one! It’s a good story all on its own, but if you love books and all things literary, it’s even better!
Sounds like a great book! I’ll have to add it to my ever-growing list. Hmm…All the Light We Cannot See had a book within a book theme. One of the main characters reads Moby Dick throughout the book. I still need to read that classic, but ATLWCS was SOOOO amazing. Such a beautiful book.