When you pull out your favorite Christmas books for rereading this year, I hope you’ll consider sampling a new title as well. Anne Marie Ryan’s Christmas by the Book is for those of us who love books, independent bookstores, and the spirit of Christmas. I don’t reread too many books during the holiday season, but I’m keeping this one, and adding it to my list to reread.
Nora and Simon Walden own the Stowford Bookshop in Stowford, England. Or, at least they own it for now. Nora’s mother, Penelope, was a single mother who owned and ran the bookstore, and Simon walked in and fell in love with Nora. Twenty-five years later, Nora and Simon face a leaky roof in their flat above the bookshop, and red ink reminding Nora they owe back taxes, and they’re in trouble financially. Even the bookshop’s best customers turn to the public library or cheaper ways to purchase books. The economy and opportunities are not great in the Cotswolds. Nora couldn’t feel any worse. Their daughter, Charlotte, is traveling through Asia in her gap year. Simon has had health issues. Nora’s about to lose her mother’s bookshop. And, she hasn’t told Simon.
When Nora sells the oldest book in the store, one she and Simon bought right after their honeymoon, the man who buys it tells her never to give up hope. The story of the purchase inspires Simon to run a contest on the shop’s website. “Do you know anyone in Stowford who could use a random act of kindness? We are giving away six books to anyone who needs a bit of hope this festive season.”
Of course this is a Christmas book and a story of hope. Readers get to know the six recipients of the gift books, books chosen with care, but given at random. As Christmas approaches, and Nora and Simon face the deadline for surrendering or selling their beloved bookshop, they decide to throw one final Christmas party at the store. It is the season of miracles, after all. And, Nora and Simon still have each other.
There are so many beloved books included in Christmas by the Book. It’s worth picking up just for the individual titles. There is the comment Nora makes about why they ran the contest after they sold the oldest book in the store. “It got my husband and me thinking about how books bring people together, and make us stronger. How even at the loneliest and most difficult times in our lives, books give us hope and remind us that we’re not alone.”
Looking for a book with a little Christmas magic? How about one about books, a bookshop, a small town in the Cotswolds, and people who become friends. Christmas by the Book is a reminder of hope. It’s my selection for this year’s Christmas book.
Christmas by the Book by Anne Marie Ryan. G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2021. ISBN 9780593331248 (paperback), 320p.
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me an ARC of the book, hoping I would review it.
This was a nice story. It was a little slow in the beginning, but well worth reading.
I loved every bit of this story. Loved the characters and all the books!
It sounds lovely, just put it on hold on it.
I hope you enjoy it, Jeannette.
Exactly the kind of book that I like to read for Christmas, want to get it. May I ask if the font size is a comfortable reading size?
I thought it was comfortable, Carolee. It wasn’t one of those small prints that I complain about.
i’m glad you reviewed it, Lesa. I’ll keep looking for it at the library. Have a lovely Monday!
Thank you, Margie. I hope they get this one!
Sold! I can’t resist a good Christmas book and this sounds lovely. Thank you!
Christmas books make for perfect re-reads on cold, wet, winter nights.
I’ll be re-reading Margaret Maron’s CORPUS CHRISTMAS and A MAGICAL NEW YORK CHRISTMAS by Anita Hughes.
It is, Kaye. I think you’ll like it. You probably won’t LOVE it like I did, but you’ll enjoy it.
You’re right about Christmas books. I re-read Craig Johnson’s The Spirit of Steamboat every year. Some years, I re-read Connie Willis. And, I hope to finally get around to Hogfather by Terry Pratchett this year.
You tempted me by saying you reread every year. I now have The Spirit of Steamboat to read on Libby. Thanks
I hope you enjoy it, MM. It is a favorite of mine.
I don’t think, with the exception of Dickens, I’ve ever read a Christmas novel. Plenty of short stories, and I have reread HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS three or four times. But if it’s not sad, I might try this.
Just moments, Rick, and they are overcome. And, if you don’t like it, try Craig Johnson’s Spirit of Steamboat. It’s a novella, and I reread it every year.
The library has a copy, so I’ve put a hold on it. I’d forgotten, I’ve read the Johnson a couple of times, it’s a good one.
It’s a special one, Rick, one of my favorites.
Thanks, Lesa, this one sounds inspired for our holiday season this year. Hope and a little Christmas Magic. And I must say, I enjoy reading your reviews as much as the books themselves!
Carole, That comment just made my day. Thank you. I hope you have the chance to pick this one up. Hope and a little Christmas Magic, along with books, is perfect for this time of year.
Now that I’ve finished it, I see how good your review is. Thank you!
Oh, Rick. Thank you! I hope you were satisfied with the book when you finished.