Saturday, August 24, 2013

THE BOOKSTORE by Deborah Meyler (Books & Wine # 7 - ARC #review)

THE BOOKSTORE
Author: Debora Meyler
Published August 20, 2013 by Gallery Books (Simon & Schuster)
eBook, 352 pages
Genre: women's fiction, chick lit, romance, contemporary novel, New York
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Buy it on Amazon

"...the reassuring smell of paper, new paper, soft old paper, recalling each person to the first time they really did press their nose into a book."

Blurb - "A witty, sharply observed debut novel about a young woman who finds unexpected salvation while working in a quirky used bookstore in Manhattan. Impressionable and idealistic, Esme Garland is a young British woman who finds herself studying art history in New York. She loves her apartment and is passionate about the city and her boyfriend; her future couldn’t look brighter. Until she finds out that she’s pregnant. Esme’s boyfriend, Mitchell van Leuven, is old-money rich, handsome, successful, and irretrievably damaged. When he dumps Esme—just before she tries to tell him about the baby—she resolves to manage alone. She will keep the child and her scholarship, while finding a part-time job to make ends meet. But that is easier said than done, especially on a student visa. The Owl is a shabby, second-hand bookstore on the Upper West Side, an all-day, all-night haven for a colorful crew of characters: handsome and taciturn guitar player Luke; Chester, who hyperventilates at the mention of Lolita; George, the owner, who lives on protein shakes and idealism; and a motley company of the timeless, the tactless, and the homeless. The Owl becomes a nexus of good in a difficult world for Esme—but will it be enough to sustain her? Even when Mitchell, repentant and charming, comes back on the scene? A rousing celebration of books, of the shops where they are sold, and of the people who work, read, and live in them, The Bookstore is also a story about emotional discovery, the complex choices we all face, and the accidental inspirations that make a life worth the reading."

My review -  Well, I managed to do with this book something I haven't been able to achieve in a very long time...read the whole thing in one uninterrupted sitting. Yes, it was that good and engaging. And it's a debut novel, so kudos to this British author for finding her distinctive voice and her way to my 'bookworm heart' at her first release. The Bookstore had several features that appealed to my reader's sensitivity: the introspective tones, the numerous literary references, the heroine's personality (sweet, naive, and yet smart and articulate), the vivid characterization of  supporting cast (extremely likable, humane, and memorable characters, well drawn with all their quirky nuances), strong sense of space (New York City) and loving portrayal of a community (The Owl bookstore and its patrons) that shields and supports Esme throughout her heartaches and some life-altering decisions. I think that labeling Deborah Meyler's debut novel as 'fluffy chick lit' doesn't really do justice to the graceful and intelligent outpouring of emotions that the author delivered in quite an effortless way: The Bookstore reads easily and pleasantly. It's light without being fluffy, and emotionally nuanced enough to please those readers who enjoy a little bit of angst in their romantic reads. You can expect chick lit books to be 'shallow' most of the time, albeit entertaining. This one has a different caliber of quality and depth. I recommend it. Not every reader will immediately connect with Esme (those who like spunky and self-asserting heroines may not warm up to her right away), but I relate to this gentle character on a  personal level. Like her, I left my native country behind to study and work abroad; like her, I've always been fascinated to no end by books; like her, I wore my heart on my sleeves and got it broken in a way that seemed irreparable; like her, I found in myself a resiliency I had no idea I possessed...could this be the portrait of every woman? Yes, it could. Esme is an extremely relatable character. Had the author pulled the strings of her emotional resolution a little more tightly at the end, it would have been just perfect. I will certainly read more from this author. A very promising debut.

                                                             

***eGalley ARC generously offered by the publisher in return of an unbiased and honest opinion.

BOOKS & WINE 


Italian wine connoisseur Andrea Mussone blows me away every time with his wine suggestions...always spot-on. This is his "The Bookstore" wine pairing. Cheers! "A meditation, special wine balance between sweetness and bitterness is Barolo Chinato. Made in Piedmont, a region in the North-West of Italy, originally it was served warm just as mulled wine for medicinal purposes against colds and fevers, or offered to friends as a sign of hospitality. Nowadays it’s a great, superb, mediation wine, perfect after dinner, and unbeatable with bitter chocolate and chocolate desserts in general. It's produced by using Barolo DOCG wine (a Nebbiolo grape variety), infused with calissaja quinine bark, Red China root, Rhubarb root, gentian and a blend of aromatic herbs and spices (including scented cardamom seeds, cinnamon, coriander, iris flower, mint, and vanilla), aged for about one year in oak barrels and then laid down for length maturation. Every producer has a different secret recipe, but the first one to develop and promote Barolo Chinato was Giulio Cocchi, starting from 1891 in Asti, Piedmont. Honey and bitter notes with roasted orange, cloves, cherries, eucalyptus and dried figs at the nose. On the palate Barolo Chinato is definitely aromatic, smooth, a battle of bitter versus sweet characters with spices, rhubarb, date, sultana and cloves. A long, intense, unforgettable finish." (Guest blogger Andrea Mussone, Italy)

Andrea Mussone, Italy



 

16 comments:

  1. I saw this book a while ago and it looked good :) thank you for a awesum review!

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    1. Thank you, Chene! I hope you will give it a chance. It's light without being fluffy, and emotionally nuanced enough to please those readers who enjoy a little bit of angst in their romantic reads. Have a great weekend!

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  2. I am so glad I found your review right after I found this book because it superfied me that there is a book called The Bookstore. That title alone has already warmed my (as you call it) "bookworm heart". ^^ The synopsis was a little mushy for me and in a more mutual way but once it mentioned The Owl and the set of colorful people it held. That just held me. The description of heartaches included by your review and the fact that it's engaging is something I need.

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    1. Hey Delaney! You can expect chick lit books to be shallow most of the time, albeit entertaining. This one has a different caliber of quality and depth. I recommend it. Not every reader will connect with Esme (those who like spunky and self-asserting heroines may not warm up to her), but I related to her gentle character, also on a very personal level. Like her I left my native country behind to study and work abroad, like her I've always been fascinated to no end by books, like her I wore my heart on my sleeves and got it broken in a way that seemed irreparable, like her I found in myself a resiliency I had no idea I possessed...couldn't this be the portrait of every woman? In the end, Esme is an extremely relatable character. No doubt you'll like the book <3

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  3. Sounds pretty cool :) New follower via GFC and bloglovin'! I found you on goodreads, follow back? www.myviewpointonbooks.blogspot.com! Please leave a comment if you stop by.

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  4. Hey Dabin! Thank you for the follow :) Just followed your blog back and stopped by to check it out and say hi!

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  5. Sounds like a great read! Your review was fab. :)

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    1. Thank you, Celeste! I enjoyed it. It spoke to me :)

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  6. Great blog! I found you through goodreads and am now following! I love how clean and easy to navigate your blog is!

    This sounds like a great read and one I probably wouldn't have considering reading until now. Fabulous review.

    http://myguiltyobsession.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hi Kindlemom! Thank you for your kind comment and thank you for being a follower. I hope you will keep visiting my book den...I will certainly follow yours :)

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  7. What a great review and I identify with the description of the MC. So glad to see someone else who can relate. Thanks for the follow, happy to make your acquaintance. The Bookstore sounds like a great read, my fantasy has always been to own one!

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    1. Thank you so much for your comment, Yolanda! And thank you for joining the site :) The Bookstore was a very refreshing read and if you are a 'book fetishist', like I think you are, you will love the characterization of The Owl. My wish for you is that you will open your dream bookstore.

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  8. I'm not usually one for chick lit (especially the fluffy stuff), but this one looks intriguing! I love bookstores and well-developed characters, and the front cover of this book alone is almost enough of a reason to read it.

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    1. I know what you mean, Serena...to my surprise and delight THE BOOKSTORE proved to be leagues above 'cotton candy' literature. Thank you for stopping by :)

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  9. Dang Mina! Now I have to add this to my reading list too! Thanks for another well done review.

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    1. Lol! We were born with a to read list, weren't we, Monique? Thank you for stopping by. I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

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