Reviews for Christmas by the book : a novel
Library Journal
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A Hachette Children's Books editor in the UK and the pseudonymous author of several children's books, Ryan goes adult with the story of booksellers Nora and Simon, whose delightful English-village bookshop may be facing its last Christmas. Inspired when an elderly gentleman purchases a book for his ill grandson, they decide to deliver books to six residents who could use some cheering up, from an overworked single father to a retired teacher who finds living on her own difficult. And maybe the bookstore will have a Christmas miracle after all.
Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.
Snuggle in for the holidays with this heartwarming story about the power of Christmas, books, and friendship. The classic trope of a bookshop in financial trouble gets a fun twist when the shop owners in question, Nora and Simon, hold a social media contest inviting their followers to nominate someone in need of some holiday cheer, sending the random winners a book. How could they possibly have known that the books they chose would find exactly the readers who needed them, and change the lives of almost everyone in their picturesque Cotswolds village, from the retired schoolteacher to the scandalous politician down the lane. Ryan does an excellent job of building a sense of place and exploring the community relationships, and handles tough topics (depression, loss, financial uncertainty) with a light, deft hand. Whether readers love stories about quaint English bookshops, Christmas, or small towns full of quirky characters, this book will surely warm the cockles of their hearts. Perfect for fans of Jenny Colgan and Elin Hilderbrand.
Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
The Stowford Bookshop has been under the loving care of Nora and Simon Walden for 25 years. Stowford's few remaining small businesses, including the bookshop, are struggling to stay afloat. Inspired by the approaching holidays, Nora and Simon solicit anonymous nominations of locals who might need a boost of Christmas spirit. They draw six names and randomly match each with a preselected book; it's only the beginning of a magical transformation for the six individuals and soon for the entire town. Book nerds will relish the number of titles and authors referenced in Ryan's novel; some of the references are explicit, while others are oblique hints that make a fun guessing game, but all have a good chance at making it onto readers' wish lists. This close-knit town has a warm charm, with a nice touch of realism from the imperfect situations and people. VERDICT Discussion questions at the end make this a great choice for book groups looking to end the year on an upbeat note. Ryan's first novel for adults has endearing and flawed characters who are easy to root for as they navigate tough situations and find that they're stronger together than alone.—Stacey Hayman, Rocky River P.L., OH
