Welcome to Litsy!

My second #WWII for this month's #BookedInTime

I just loved how books brought people together for comfort and escape while bombs were falling around them, and the relationships that grew from one chance encounter.

"Grace Bennett had always dreamed of someday living in London."

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

Love this dedication!!

Doing another #BookedInTime #WWII read because I need to make room on my #TBR shelves since the Friends Of Library fall book sale is one month from today 😅

Absolutely loved this book! Perfect story about a young girl who had lost her family who moved to London to live with her mothers best friend. The story follows Grace as she begins working in a bookshop at the start of the war and follows her journey throughout. Books, community, love, loss and a backdrop of WWII made this story perfect and heartfelt! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#SassyBookworm😏 #HistoricalFiction #TheLastBookshopinLondon 📚

For some reason this quote in my current ready just hit a little different 🩷🌎

#SassyBookworm😏#LateNightQuotes #LateNightThoughts #CurrentlyReading

Starting my new book with my snuggle buddy Oliver asleep beside me 🥰
We‘ve got a batch of brownies in the oven, what a delicious way to end a relaxing day!

#SassyBookworm😏 #CatsofLitsy #KindlePaperwhite #Libby

At my most recent library book discussion, the librarian mentioned author Madeline Martin would be a guest speaker in August. I was trying to put WWII fiction aside for awhile. But I was pleasantly surprised how I came to truly care about these characters and their plight during the London Blitz. Next up: Martin‘s The Librarian Spy. Hoping to finish her newly released The Keeper of the Hidden Books before the event in two weeks.

#AudioWalk

As an adult child of an ELAR teacher, I have much appreciated how the love of reading & learning was instilled in me from a young age. This book shows just how powerful books can be. I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good book ❤️📖

In 2022 I read 18 books out of my goal of 10, listening to 15/18 of them. This year, I've made it a goal to read at least 5 out of my new goal of 20 as opposed to listening. And to take up an old habit of reading on my lunch break to lessen time spent scrolling social media. I'm enjoying it thus far. 😌

And with that, I have way exceed my reading expectations for the year and hit 100 books. This was a great book to finish off the year. I haven‘t read a lot of books set during WWII, but this was a really great one #winterreadathon

This book is about, friendship, love, loss and the power of books. Set at the beginning of WWII in London as night air raids drive residents every night from their home. The power of a story will become their comfort.
This story is told brilliantly. Loved how the community came together to help those in need and the characters felt real. 4⭐️

It seems odd to describe a WWII novel as both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, but this book is both. The descriptions of London during the Blitz are sometimes difficult to read. Yet, the story of how Grace discovers the wonders of reading, and how she shares her love of books, and how she reaches out and touches lives is incredibly uplifting. Definitely worth reading.

I‘d taken a break from novels set during WWII, but @tpixie triggered a reminder that this has been on my Kindle. I‘m ready to give it a try.

Reading this in prep for a big author event-
Adventures by the book Super Book 4 in San Diego in Feb.

Can you imagine lugging around gas masks 😷 in a box?! And we complain about our little masks!
#SuperBookIV

I‘ve read about ten historical fiction books this year, but so far, this one is my favorite!

All things pumpkin spice and a book that‘s quite nice…

Historical fiction WWII books are overly done, so for me, they really need to be spectacular to love them. This one was good, I loved how books brought the community together during troubled times, but the story was predictable and nothing really stood out to make it unique or have that wow factor.

Enjoyable book despite the obvious sadness of the story. The plot was a bit predictable, but the details about the life in London during the Blitz were interesting.

This was such a good book! With heart wrenching details about the London Blitz but also wonderfully-written characters that you truly come to care about, this one was a win all around.

It's been a while since I last read a historical fiction book and I'm glad it was this one. Here we follow Grace who moves to London with her friend, only to find herself working at a bookstore during WW2. We mainly focus on her character and the events that happen rather than any romance. It's the usual type of tragic of HF. I also enjoyed how much books helped the people and how Grace grew into herself #augustARC @Clwojick

My next #augustARC read, it's not my oldest ARC but it's one of them. I got it two years ago and am surprised that it's still not archived! So far it's alright, it's good in ways I wasn't expecting but let's see how it ends #historicalfiction

It is a historical fiction connected to WWII. It‘s about how British faced the war, how it affected day to day life. slow paced , predictable plot. There are no nail baiting moments of war. It is about books& benefits of reading during the hard times. The brutality of the war is vividly portrayed. it is the story of love, friendship compassion & survival. A good uplifting novel for the book lovers.uniquely charming 4⭐️ #bookspinbingo

I spent today listening to this touching story set in London during World War 2. This is a charming story so not graphic or dark. But there aredefinitely sad moments- it‘s war time- and there are tears. I think this would make a good PBS mini series.

Best friends Grace and Vivian have always dreamed of leaving their small town and moving to London. When they do make the move instead of the glamour of big city life they quickly find themselves in a city at war as WWII commences. Light historical fiction that still packs an emotional punch and features a book store and the love of reading, how could I rate this anything other than a pick?

A perfectly decent #historicalfiction novel, if not the best I've ever read. I loved Grace's transformation into a shop owner and ARP warden. Just wish the side characters had been characters, not foils for various life lessons.

“It is through books that we can find the greatest hope.”

Set during the Blitz in London, this is about a young woman who gets a job at a bookshop and falls in love with reading.

A touching book about a young lady who had just moved to London shortly before the onslaught of WW2. I highly recommend this novel for those who appreciate the love of reading

Fabulous historical fiction! Grace Bennett follows her dreams of moving to the city But London in in the late prewar1930s It's not at all what she expected. Grace is a gutsy Brit with a big heart, energy to spare, & morals that run deep. Her can-do, positive attitude has a lasting effect on those around her so softening even the most pessimistic curmudgeons she encounters. Always willing to help, always ready to find a way. (Cont in comments)

I've grown weary of WWII historical fiction because so much of it seems to romanticize war or has such rose coloured glasses on that all you can do is shake your head. So I was hesitant heading into this but Martin doesn't hold back. This is emotional and raw and blunt. If anything, the transformation of the bookshop in the early days of the war is too farfetched. This was full of wonderfully written characters and was a complete page turner.

A wonderful story about the connections books help us make. The characters were lovely. Very atmospheric.

Set in London during World War II, two young ladies ,Grace and Vivian,leave their home in another part of England and move to London, where they get caught up in the war effort as Hitler begins bombing England. Grace, looking for a job, lands one in a bookstore. Interesting historical fiction. Would recommend

This is good historical fiction that is also perfect for bibliophiles. I grabbed the audiobook and really enjoyed it. It‘s set in London at the beginning of WWII, during the Blitz. Grace gets a job at a bookstore with a slightly cranky old man and works hard to get the store in better shape. Along the way, she falls in love with books and reading, something she never really did before. It‘s like living vicariously through someone who is just ⬇️

This was a lovely, evocative, gentle read. Set right before the war and during the blitz—in a bookshop—well, that‘s right in my sweet spot. Some of the plot was predictable, but the charm of the book lies in its sweet gentleness. Goodness even. Such a soothing read in many ways, but it definitely sucked me in. Finished at 2 am this morning. And it was my #Bookspin!

Hill report picture! A splash of muted color in the oaks.

Historical fiction with an ode to classic lit, this is the story of survival as one young woman discovers her worth in the midst of WWII in London. I liked the characters but the story was 100% predictable. Nothing in this tale was surprising or particularly engaging. Instead it is as sweet as it is boring.

Beautifully written. I loved this book. I want a George. I want to know all the characters personally and go through their lives with them.

Very sweet!

21 #65 I really liked this one. You would expect the protagonist to love books from the beginning. But instead the author made her grow to love books. She turned to them as an escape… a reprieve if you will from the stark reality of war. ❤️

Rating 3.5 out of 5. Pleasant read, likable characters and interesting setting. It‘s akin to YA fiction. As a baby boomer,I grew up learning about WWII in detail from those that lived through it and fought in it, but this book dealt with it from a limited perspective. Grace , the young heroine demonstrates good character and strength. Enjoyed the themes of compassion, generosity, hard work, and “found family”. #BookSpin #DoubleSpin

Starting my 2nd book for August #BookSpin #DoubleSpin. Seems like every book I have read recently is set in a bookshop😁 which I love.

Book 99

The Last Bookshop in London is great as an audiobook. It's a WWII novel with a love story. The protagonist works in a bookstore and uses her love for reading to buoy up her community during attacks.
3.5 stars

This was terrific. Lovely and hopeful and poignant and not at all syrupy. Really enjoyed this. 4/5.

Easy to get into, hopeful and inspiring. Some bits were predictable and I wish there was more showing instead of telling. Overall a quick read and a solid pick, especially those who like World War II fiction and clean reads.

The setting of the book - WWII 1939 bombing of London. Grace Bennett is working at The Primrose Hill Bookstore. It is a sanctuary of reading in the neighborhood during the unrest of war. It is a story of love, friendship & survival. The book is well-written & the characters are memorable. The plot is interesting & makes you want to keep reading until the very end. I hope she writes more historical novels such as this one as I enjoyed it very much.

Loved this one. My favorite quote was:

"Books are what have brought us together. A love of the stories within, the adventures they take us on, their glorious distraction in a time of strife. And a reminder that we always have hope.” ❤

I love any book set in a bookshop

This is a slow pick in one of those it‘s not you it‘s me type of reads. It‘s a beautiful story of compassion and found-family during the air raids of WWII London. I read a pile of books within this setting and when I do fall, I fall hard. This one just didn‘t provide me any new-found feels.

The LBIL, which truly does become the last bookshop standing,is set in London‘s streets during the Blitz.For Grace,the experience of living with black outs,air raids,& crammed shelters is only too real.Grace works for a curmudgeon who owns the bookshop &she transform its very nature.Family, community,the power of storytelling,the quiet/active bravery of Londoners in the face of constant fear,destruction,&loss,made this such a sensory read for me.

“What do you like best about reading?... That‘s quite a question, like asking me to describe all the colors in a spinning kaleidoscope.” -Mr. Anderson‘s response to Grace‘s query.