Found in a Bookshop

This was a beautiful read about a community in York trying to get through the pandemic, and the bookshop at the heart of it all--Lost for Words. I didn't realize this was a follow-up book but it reads well in its own.Loveday inherited the bookstore from her mentor Archie, and it's become so much more than a bookstore to people. It's a community space and safe haven for vulnerable women. When COVID hits, Loveday needs to come up with new ideas to help people, and to keep the shop afloat. Her assistant, Kelly, comes up with the idea of a book "pharmacy," where people can request book ideas for their specific issue. Of course we learn about each of these people and their back stories, but there are some great book recommendations too. Add more to my ever-growing list!

Ms. Butland has taken a horrific world event and turned it into a beautiful story. Her writing is engaging and filled with love, grief, sadness, laughter, and an array of other emotions. Very enjoyable!

I enjoyed reading this gem. The intricate plot lines, the pandemic situation, the development of the characters - a great achievement. I love it!!! I plan to read it again after I've read the prequel. By the way, you can find many book recommendations that will keep me going after I manage to pull myself out of this enchanting world.

I LOVED this book! Wasn’t sure how I’d go delving into the pandemic… yet it was a joy to read, as are all of Stephanie Butland’s magical books.A great escape, touching, funny and inspirational, grounded characters I am with all the way!Thank you, Stephanie Butland!

Found in a Bookshop is the sequel to Lost for Words bringing back familiar characters and introducing a slew of others as the residents and bookstore customers of York and Whitby. Taking place during the COVID pandemic, the bookstore is on the verge of closing when Loveday tries an idea inspired by the treatment of disease itself, “book prescriptions.” For those feeling lonely, bored, isolated, overwhelmed, or just tired, staff at the Lost for Words bookshop will put together a parcel of books to suit what ails you. It is through these requests for books submitted through a web portal, emailed, phoned in, and via physical letters that we get glimpses of various characters’ lives during the worst plague in recent memory.Well-written, the vignettes take one back to that awful time of 2020-2021, evoking the dread, fear, weariness and even love and hope that isolating and forming family “bubbles” produced. It as painful to read at times and hopeful at others, drawing you in as several characters stories began to overlap. Solid 4 stars.