Title: The Lost and Found Bookshop
Author(s): Susan Wiggs
Published by William Morrow Paperbacks on July 7, 2020
Pages: 368
Source: Edelweiss
Format: ARC, eBook
Purchase: Amazon|B&N|Audible
Rating:
In this thought-provoking, wise and emotionally rich novel, New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs explores the meaning of happiness, trust, and faith in oneself as she asks the question, "If you had to start over, what would you do and who would you be?"
There is a book for everything . . .
Somewhere in the vast Library of the Universe, as Natalie thought of it, there was a book that embodied exactly the things she was worrying about.
In the wake of a shocking tragedy, Natalie Harper inherits her mother’s charming but financially strapped bookshop in San Francisco. She also becomes caretaker for her ailing grandfather Andrew, her only living relative—not counting her scoundrel father.
But the gruff, deeply kind Andrew has begun displaying signs of decline. Natalie thinks it’s best to move him to an assisted living facility to ensure the care he needs. To pay for it, she plans to close the bookstore and sell the derelict but valuable building on historic Perdita Street, which is in need of constant fixing. There’s only one problem–Grandpa Andrew owns the building and refuses to sell. Natalie adores her grandfather; she’ll do whatever it takes to make his final years happy. Besides, she loves the store and its books provide welcome solace for her overwhelming grief.
After she moves into the small studio apartment above the shop, Natalie carries out her grandfather’s request and hires contractor Peach Gallagher to do the necessary and ongoing repairs. His young daughter, Dorothy, also becomes a regular at the store, and she and Natalie begin reading together while Peach works.
To Natalie’s surprise, her sorrow begins to dissipate as her life becomes an unexpected journey of new connections, discoveries and revelations, from unearthing artifacts hidden in the bookshop’s walls, to discovering the truth about her family, her future, and her own heart.
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There are times when tragedy leads one to evaluate one’s life and recognize that one has been merely existing and not living up to their full potential. It also provides the opportunity to reconnect with one’s roots and see things through the eyes of the persons one has lost. Sadly, this was the situation for Natalie Harper in The Lost and Found Bookshop.
Natalie is living her best life, or so she believes. A lucrative job, with a sure promotion waiting on the wings and a loving boyfriend. Despite this she believes something is missing. She has doubts about her relationship and her job brings her no joy. A situation which worsened when she discovered her co-workers’ true feelings towards her. She recognized the need for change in her life, however tragedy struck before she could effect those changes. Natalie now finds herself saddled with a debt-ridden bookshop and the care of her beloved but ailing grandfather, Grandy.
Wiggs weaved a story about pain, loss, love and finding oneself interspersed with history. I enjoyed getting to know the characters, my favourites being Grandy and Dorothy. Dorothy, the daughter of one of Natalie’s love interest, who enjoyed reading and would play a part in help keeping the bookstore open. Grandy was a man of honour and wisdom. Suffers from dementia, but his moments of clarity aided in revealing the truths about their family history and reminded Natalie of the joy and wonders of her childhood.
Natalie proved to be a relatable character. I felt her pain and confusion that came with the unexpected changes. I loved how patient she was dealing with her grandfather’s illness. Watching her step out of her comfort zone, seizing unexpected opportunities and finding her happiness was a delightful experience.
Romance was brewing, and I kept hoping Natalie would make the right choice. Her choice had me smiling from ear to ear. The story despite moving at a leisurely pace was captivating, poignant and entertaining.
Conclusion/Recommendation
The Lost and Found Bookstore depicts how tragedy can change one’s perspective and forces one to appreciate the things they once took for granted. It’s also reminded me of the need to appreciate our loved ones, as the day will come when they will no longer be in our lives. Fans of the author will enjoy this latest offering, and if you have never tried her books before, then I recommend you give this one a try.
Wiggs weaved a story about pain, loss, love and finding oneself mixed interspersed with history, #womensfiction #newrelease Click To Tweet
About Susan Wiggs
Susan Wiggs’s life is all about family, friends…and fiction. She lives at the water’s edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers’ group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field’s End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world’s top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org) She’s been featured in the national media, including NPR’s “Talk of the Nation,” and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with “refreshingly honest emotion,” and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is “one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book.” Booklist characterizes her books as “real and true and unforgettable.” She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual “Best Of” lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- Netgalley and Edelweiss
- New Release
It’s been a minute since I’ve read a Susan Wiggs’ novel and you’ve convinced me I need to pick this one up! Great review!
This is the second time I am reading her work. I definitely need to read more of her work.
Sounds like a good read, and one that makes you examine your own life, which can be a good thing! I love books that deal with bookstores too.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
I also loved this one Nadene, great review
Thanks Debbie.
I think this one would be really touching and I love the bookstore setting and the way you describe the characters.
Thanks Sophia. I loved the bookstore setting and the historical facts surrounding it.
This one is new to me. Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful review. I am glad this left you smiling too.
This looks emotional! Thanks for sharing.
I adore this author and look forward to reading this one
Sounds really good.
Great review. I do like the sound of the book and bookshop books always intrigue me.
Such an in depth review. I love reading about anything bookish.
This sounds wonderful! It’s always a treat to be emotionally invested in a character’s choices.
Sounds like an emotional story and a book that makes you have some good thinking, I love that.
Great review, Nadene 🙂
Thanks, Silvia.
oh this one sounds so good here…I love stories that portray the value in appreciate life and the blessings we receive within it, and how precious our time is here on earth. 🙂
Great review.
It is a reminder that we should not take anything for granted.
Books that make you think are always a win for me.