Look for Amy Meyerson's new novel The Imperfects, a captivating literary page-turner. THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER Best Books of Summer 2018 Selection by Philadelphia Inquirer and Library Journal "Part mystery and part drama, Meyerson uses a complex family dynamic in The Bookshop of Yesterdays to spotlight the importance of truth and our need for forgiveness." --Associated Press A woman inherits a beloved bookstore and sets forth on a journey of self-discovery in this poignant debut about family, forgiveness and a love of reading. Miranda Brooks grew up in the stacks of her eccentric Uncle Billy's bookstore, solving the inventive scavenger hunts he created just for her. But on Miranda's twelfth birthday, Billy has a mysterious falling-out with her mother and suddenly disappears from Miranda's life. She doesn't hear from him again until sixteen years later when she receives unexpected news: Billy has died and left her Prospero Books, which is teetering on bankruptcy--and one final scavenger hunt. When Miranda returns home to Los Angeles and to Prospero Books--now as its owner--she finds clues that Billy has hidden for her inside novels on the store's shelves, in locked drawers of his apartment upstairs, in the name of the store itself. Miranda becomes determined to save Prospero Books and to solve Billy's last scavenger hunt. She soon finds herself drawn into a journey where she meets people from Billy's past, people whose stories reveal a history that Miranda's mother has kept hidden--and the terrible secret that tore her family apart. Bighearted and trenchantly observant, The Bookshop of Yesterdays is a lyrical story of family, love and the healing power of community. It's a love letter to reading and bookstores, and a testament to how our histories shape who we become.
I gave this book 4 stars...It was very good to me...a Very easy..no stress read...that I really enjoyed ..it kept me involved and intrigued throughout. It's about the strained relationship..Miranda.. ( main Character) had with her mom, and uncle Billy..who she plainly loved with all her heart. When she was younger she remembered countless trips to Uncle Billy's book store...and the very special treatment she got when she visited his shop..being told to " Pick a Book" Anybook...and when uncle Billy would leave her clues...to find in all the right spots at the shop..or any where for that matter..that always lead her to a Special Surprise. Then..on her twelfth Birthday...there was a rift between her Uncle Billy and her Mom..it happened late at night.. (Uncle Billy had not made her party) she was awoken by their yelling at each other...she couldn't figure out what it was about...but from that point on...her Uncle Billy remained out of her life and any events that took place. When she was still young..she had written to him..and received a scarce letter here and there..but even those eventually stopped. It wasen't until she was grown..living away from California...in Philadelphia...teaching History..living with her new boyfriend Jay, did she Receive a letter..informing her that her Uncle Billy had died. Also in the letter...was another letter from Uncle Billy..leaving her clues...One Last Hurrah
From him...like he did when she was a little girl.... So, of course shocked and saddened by this news...she flys out to California..attends his Funeral...and goes back to see his bookstore...and there.. she receives another letter and more clues.. that get harder and harder to work out. She stays to the end..and learns shocking information about her...her family..her Uncle Billy..that she never knew before . It changes her life..and the Relationships she's had with different people...but in the end..it leads her to where she knows she wants to be...and in her heart..she wants to make the Book store carry on its legacy. It's about Family and drama...and connection and mystery..and Love..and following and listening to your own heart. It's Fun, with a good amount of mystery thrown in ... Just a nice charming ... enjoyable read !
3 stars
Published by INKwitchery , 10 months ago
THE BOOKSHOP OF YESTERDAYS by Amy Meyerson
What I loved most about this were all the literary references to classic books/authors (of course!) and the descriptions of the eclectic neighborhoods in and around Los Angeles. The nostalgia of my childhood and hometown was strong while I was reading.
That said, I found the story itself to be incredibly slow moving. Despite the initial excitement of Miranda finding and solving the first clue, the way the next clues, new characters and revelations unfolded became tedious. While that may have been because I figured out the secret halfway through, the story itself just didn’t hold my interest.
This could have been great if it didn’t take so long to get to the point.
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️
Struggled to get through
Published by Gina , 3 years ago
Sadly I didn’t love this book. The summary sounded interesting but it was so slow and repetitive for the first half - there are a ton of literary references if you’re into that, but almost to the point of being annoying. I forced myself to finish but it’s not a book I would recommend.
A lovely adventure
Published by Andi , 4 years ago
This book includes so many elements that I enjoy: complex mother-daughter relationships, found family, bookshops, enemies becoming friends, family secrets, treasure hunts, and more. I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure, and would highly recommend giving it a read.
Good; not great
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 6 years ago
This book was a good novel but for some reason or another took me forever to get into it. To me it felt like the whole first half of the book was slow or redundant. I enjoyed the premise of the book and the scavenger hunt was intricate and delightful. The last half of the book had all the action and, at times, felt like a completely different book. There are lots of literary references as well that were enjoyable.
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