#the bookshop review

[maccaccino]

where is my wife

Amazon review on this Morrow edition of "Good Omens" by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett I found this morning that left me laughing in tears right from the title.

... Actually, in hindsight, having seen the ineffable divorce™️ of Season 2, the fact that the only thing left on the cover is his glass of wine makes me so sad. It's like Crowley, having now been through all that, has left his glass of wine in the bookshop and is refusing to come back since Aziraphale is gone. Muriel doesn't really want to touch what Crowley left in the hopes he will be back soon and maybe still want his glass of "whine", whatever that is. He seemed sad last time they saw him, so that's probably what they meant by "whine".

.... Wait a minute though, did Aziraphale write this review?!? "WHERE IS MY WIFE?" ?!?!?

Okay it's time to tag him, this has gone off the rails and so have I. @neil-gaiman please explain. Thank you. (Love your work, actually. But also... What is going on here.)

Update, not even 10 hours after I originally posted this: Neil himself liked the post. I'm freaking out a normal amount about it.

PS: here's a lil thank you post for all the notes I'm getting, holy hell!!!

[readtheuniverse]

[lordkryze]

I am obsessed with Steven’s flat. Look at those stacks of books (are they all about Egypt?). It is so habitable and picturesque.

I wish I could have something like that for myself, but I do not like country I am living in. In fact, I have changed three countries in the past two years. I do not have my own space I can turn into my home.

(We found this book yesterday but I am not sure if it is worth 17€)

[godzilla-reads]

📚 Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa (trans. Eric Ozawa)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Twenty-five year old Takako breaks up with her boyfriend and quits her job, but she’s hesitant when her uncle Satoru wants her to come live above his bookshop and help him out. Things begin to change and as these two relatives are ready to move on, figures from their pasts start to resurface.

This book had the perfect pace for the story it was telling, it had such personable characters, it has an eccentric bookstore, it has so much character development and the story just moves so greatly. I really loved the bits and pieces of comedy throughout the book. At first I thought it was cheesy, but I quickly grew to love it.

If you’re looking for a low-key, reflective book then this one is perfect!

[franticvampirereads]

This was so cozy and warm that I didn’t want it to ever end! I loved the sleepy little beach town, the bookshop, the bakery, just… everything about this book made my heart so happy. Getting to see a younger Viv finding her footing in the world and planting the seeds for a far off dream was one of those things that really made this book shine. I loved getting to see Viv defying expectations and making friends and falling in love. This is the kind of book that you can curl up with a cup of tea and a snack and just get lost with in its pages for hours. Bookshops & Bonedust is getting a solid four and half stars!

[owelloxsblog]

Inst: owelox

[robinwinged]

(Good Omens Christmas fic review week!)

The Grinch Who Sold Christmas by @forineffablereasons is an elixir of the most concentrated and unbridled Christmas joy you’ve ever had, wrapped up in a gorgeous writing and ineffable feels. The story arc echoes your typical cheesy Christmas movie - big-city solicitor Crowley comes to finalize the sale of the Tadfield high street, and in the process of doing research for his proposal, falls in love with the small-town community and a certain kind-eyed angel. But regardless of how predictable the plot may sound initially, this fic is the most magnificent kind of fantasy - not because it contains any supernatural elements, but because it gives readers a taste of the ultimate dream: of unconditional love, and incandescent happiness, and being exactly where you are supposed to be and where you wholly and irrevocably belong.

This fic is so supremely soft - sticky-sweet and syrupy, but not in a cloying or overbearing way. Instead it feels like you are being enveloped in the tenderest and most comforting of hugs; like you are submerged in a torrential outpour of love that is all-consuming in its potency, leaving your fingertips all tingly and your face stretched involuntarily in a silly, dazzling smile. The romance between Crowley and Aziraphale is downright picturesque, from the flirty first-date banter to sticking with each other through thick and thin, and it’s wholesome and glorious and miraculous in its totality. I also cannot rave enough about the writing: it is some of my favourite kind of prose, flowing and melodious, with the lyrical cadence of a bedtime story and the unfettered magic of a fairy tale.

Highly recommended for anyone who wants to feel happiness, pure and simple, this lovely holiday season 💝

[areebianights]

Book : Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop

[aleapintoreverie]

days at the morisaki bookshop (2003) by satoshi yagisawa

july reads // summer vacay // rain sounds in the background

[charliejaneanders]

What happens when an elite warrior becomes the boon companion to a group of peaceful oddballs and begins to develop skills that have nothing to do with combat? Along the way to finding an answer, the hardened warriors in these stories find purpose, connection, and even love.

My latest SFF book review column for the Washington Post looks at System Collapse by Martha Wells, Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree, and A River of Golden Bones by AK Mulford (paywall-free link)

[bibliophilecats]

Read recently: Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

What I was looking for: Because I enjoyed Legends & Lattes, I had not really planned on reading this book. I was sure it could not compare. But then I saw it at my library and could not resist.

What I liked: I enjoyed the friendships in this book a lot. Especially between Viv and Fern.

What I did not like: The love story felt underdeveloped to me. I would not have noticed or minded if it had been left out. Or explored more.

Conclusion: I think if I had read this one first, I would not have liked Legends & Lattes as much as I did. While not high stakes, there is some more plot and excitement in this novel. If you are looking for a more calm fantasy novel but still with a villain to defeat but also with a focus on reading good books and eating good food, then this is the book for you.

[69constellationsinatrenchcoat]

have a couple memes

[inkliinng]

Finally finished reading this last night!!

I enjoyed Good Omens so much. It feels like it's been a while since I read a book that was willing to be silly and playful and not take itself too seriously, whilst still holding on to such earnestness and warmth at the heart of it. There's not a single solitary character in the story that I didn't either utterly adore or at least feel a vague fondness for.

Though I'm a bit sad that the adventure is over, there are some scenes that I could envision painting and posting at some future date on my art blog- so I still have that to look forward to. And, of course, the television series!

Would definitely recommend!

[ihoardwords]

snagged these gorgeous hardbacks at Waterstones last month & i’m excited to dive into a tempest of tea over break. it combines my two favourite things: vampires & tea. the other vampire book pictured here is an education in malice and it was excellent! i gave it four stars for all the queer dark academia vibes (and the inclusion of the academic rivals to lovers trope!).

i found an education in malice a little predictable sometimes like it was playing it too safe and relying on the fact that there aren’t a lot of well known queer vampire girl books (or at least i haven’t read many). but the prose was decadent & much of the language they used to discuss literature/poetry was familiar to me (since my bachelor’s was in english lit). i really liked the atmosphere and the exploration of power dynamics in a problematic teacher-student relationship - except in this case, the teacher is an older female vampire who is exploiting a younger girl’s crush on her.

what are you currently reading?

ig: @rachana_reads

[tinynavajoreads]

Okay, full honesty. I have not been able to stay invested in The City of Brass, which won my what to read next book poll a month or so back. I tried, I did try, but it just didn't keep me hooked. So, I set it aside for now and that seemed to have help still because I have read 5 other books since then. And they were good! And I enjoyed them!

Recently Finished: Book of Night by Holly Black, Blessed Water by Margot Douaihy, and The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett

Book of Night by Holly Black - 3.5 stars, interesting premise about shadows and magic and how it's all hidden behind old money. But the shadows were the most interesting thing. Not my absolute favourite, but glad to have read it.

Blessed Water by Margot Douaihy - 3.75 stars, the first book was better, the ending didn't feel fully supported by what came before it. Granted, I may need to reread to see if I can spot clues about the ending. The lyrical writing still saved it though, I love how New Orleans is described and just how Sister Holiday talks. Curious if there will be a third book.

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett - 3.75 stars, this gave me The Library Book by Susan Orlean vibes. And it did kind of give me a small collecting bug for certain books. Or at least find ways to find certain copies of books I love. Very interesting look into the world of antique/secondhand books and those who steal from that world.

Recently Finished: Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum and Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum - 5 stars, I fully fully loved this book! A slice of life in a neighborhood bookstore and how the bookstore affects not only our main character, Yeongju, and her customers and employees. It put more fuel on the small fire I have at the back of my mind about someday owning a bookshop. We shall see how that turns out though.

Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett - 3.5 stars, only my second Terry Pratchett, but I can definitely see why so many people love his books. It did have Macbeth vibes and I love the witches so much! I do need to read more of their books and learn more about their stories.

Have you read any of these? What did you think of them if you have?

[owelloxsblog]

Inst: owelox