The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay (TLC Book Tour)

The death of a beloved aunt and friend, Maddie Carter, brings together three unforgettable characters at one special book shop.  Maddie has run this Northeastern Illinois bookstore for years and is a fixture of the community.  After her death, who will run the store?  Will this important part of the community survive?

Madeline Cullen loved her Aunt Maddie, but after a family rift twenty years before, she has not spent much time with her.  Her busy career as a lawyer trying to make partner in downtown Chicago has left her with zero time for anything outside of work.  Will Madeline make partner?  Is her career the most important part of her life?

Claire is a mother, who is experiencing empty nest syndrome with her teenage kids no longer needing her and her husband always at work. She gave up a successful career to stay home with her kids, but after a marriage filled with constant moves, Claire feels like she no longer knows herself. When she gets a job at the Printed Letter Bookshop, Claire feels like she has a purpose again.  Will Claire be able to reconnect with her family?  What will the future hold with the store in peril?

Janet lost everything when she cheated on her husband which led to her divorce.  She has strained relations with her adult children and her friends are gone.  Her brusque personality did not fool Maddie Carter and Janet started to work at the book shop.  How can she put the pieces of her life back together?  Will the artist within her be able to shine through?

I loved how all three women were able to not only work on saving the store, but also found themselves in this novel. The novel was about friendship, but also about forgiving others and working through problems.  What fulfills you in life and makes you happy?  I loved that Maddie left each women a letter with book recommendations that helped her on her journey.  I loved the discussion of books and many of my favorites were discussed. There is a great list of all of the books mentioned at the end of the novel.

I really loved that Claire’s previous career had been in math.  It’s nice to see math and technical careers represented for ladies in literature.

Basically, this book is my fantasy - giving up a high-powered career path to own a beloved local bookstore.  I loved it.

Favorite Quotes:

“Crazy meant bold, daring, fearless.  It was a radiant word filled with virtue and supernatural strength.”

“But anger can be as irrational as it is visceral.”

Overall, The Printed Letter Bookshop is a wonderful book filled with great characters who all experience a life changing journey and its also filled with talk about great books.  I can’t beat that!

Book Source:  Review Copy as part of the TLC Book Tour.  Thank-you!  For more stops on this tour and information about this book, check out this link.