![Confessions of a Curious Bookseller: A Novel by [Elizabeth Green]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51aPTsr2qyL._SY346_.jpg)
(Amazon First Reads - Dec 2020.) Fawn Birchill, the Curious Bookseller in this story, is all that the editor writes about the book. She lives a totally exaggerated life through all her emails (her preferred means of communication even with her staff), blogs, journals, dating websites, etc., where she is almost constantly, but politely, "at war" with someone, be they competitor, tradesmen, customers, or her family.
My reactions have been two. (1) After finding the initial quarter of the above amusing, I soon became bored with their repetitive nature (hence some of the other reviews). I wished that Fawn would read Nick Spalding's "Logged Off", and heed the advice. I always read a book to the end so that I can effectively review the work. This leads to my second reaction. (2) In the final fifty plus pages Fawn comes to a realization that frees her. In her doing so, this reader was relieved and better saw/understood her character.
So to my rating. The idea of writing a book solely through 'social media' is creative; the writing is very clever; the character is eventually likeable. There were to me repetitive, boring parts. Because of the ending, I've upped my initial three stars to four. Many readers will love this book but if the purchaser wants adventure my advice is to check out another. Recommended for a discerning reader.
As a book lover, one of my absolute favorite things is discovering an amazing book about none other than books. And what could make an already fantastic book about books even better? How about a curmudgeonly yet loveable bookseller, in a charming if antiquated bookstore, plus a feisty cat (or five)? And...what if that delightful tale were told entirely through hilarious emails, blog posts, journal entries, online reviews, letters, and more? Well, then you’d have Elizabeth Green’s incredibly funny and smart novel, Confessions of a Curious Bookseller.
In this sparkling gem of a tale, you will meet Fawn Birchill, proud owner of the Curious Cat Book Emporium, who is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining characters I’ve ever had the pleasure to get to know. Despite her very misguided (and sometimes not-entirely-legal) efforts to save her beloved bookstore, Fawn’s big heart, quirky personality, and love of literature shine through. Her transformation may be equal parts cringey and endearing, and you may begin the journey as strangers, but my guess is you will end it with a new, beloved friend.
Perfect for fans of Where’d You Go, Bernadette and A Man Called Ove, Confessions of a Curious Bookseller is a breath of fresh air for anyone needing a little more laughter in their lives.
In this sparkling gem of a tale, you will meet Fawn Birchill, proud owner of the Curious Cat Book Emporium, who is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining characters I’ve ever had the pleasure to get to know. Despite her very misguided (and sometimes not-entirely-legal) efforts to save her beloved bookstore, Fawn’s big heart, quirky personality, and love of literature shine through. Her transformation may be equal parts cringey and endearing, and you may begin the journey as strangers, but my guess is you will end it with a new, beloved friend.
Perfect for fans of Where’d You Go, Bernadette and A Man Called Ove, Confessions of a Curious Bookseller is a breath of fresh air for anyone needing a little more laughter in their lives.
- Alicia Clancy, Editor
