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Bookish People
A perfect storm of comedic proportions erupts in a DC bookstore over the course of one soggy summer week—narrated by two very different women and punctuated by political turmoil, a celestial event, and a perpetually broken vacuum cleaner. Independent bookstore owner Sophie Bernstein is burned out on books. Mourning the death of her husband, the loss of her favorite manager, her only child’s lack of aspiration, and the grim state of the world, she fantasizes about going into hiding in the secret back room of her store. Meanwhile, renowned poet Raymond Chaucer has published a new collection, and rumors that he’s to blame for his wife’s suicide have led to national cancellations of his publicity tour. He intends to set the record straight—with an ultra-fine-point Sharpie—but only one shop still plans to host Sophie’s. Fearful of potential repercussions from angry customers, Sophie asks Clemi—bookstore events coordinator, aspiring novelist, and daughter of a famed literary agent—to cancel Raymond’s appearance. But Clemi suspects Raymond might be her biological father, and she can’t say no to the chance of finding out for sure. This big-hearted screwball comedy features an intergenerational cast of oblivious authors and over-qualified booksellers—as well as a Russian tortoise named Kurt Vonnegut Jr.—and captures the endearing quirks of some of the best kinds of the ones who love good books. Praise for Bookish People : “A smart, original, laugh-out-loud novel . . . If you sell, buy, or simply love books, Bookish People is for you. I wholeheartedly recommend this quirky gem.” — Sarah Pekkanen , New York Times bestselling co-author of The Golden Couple
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2022
About the author
Susan Coll
8 books131 followersSusan Coll is part of the events team at Politics and Prose bookstore, and the president of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. She is the author of the forthcoming Bookish People (Aug. 2022), as well as The Stager, Beach Week, Acceptance, Rockville Pike, and karlmarx.com. A television adaptation of Acceptance, starring Joan Cusack, aired in 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 893 reviews
March 13, 2023
Fifty-four-year-old Sophie Bernstein runs an independent bookstore in the Washington DC area. Snapshot of her current situation-Jamal, her store manager is off to law school, her events coordinator /aspiring writer Clemi just booked a controversial poet who she suspects is her biological father to speak at the store, recently fired employee Florence who fancied herself a soothsayer uttered a dire prophecy in her ear, an interested party is contacting her to buy the bookshop, her store vacuum cleaner gave out (once again) and a customer’s dog scared another customer’s baby which leads to a potential lawsuit. Sophie is at her wit's end with juggling it all.
Recently widowed, she is still grieving her loss and her college graduate son, Michael, shows no interest in the bookstore and aspires to be a yoga teacher. She has designed a small nook hidden behind the walls of the store where she would like to spend some alone time but hardly gets the chance, given the chaos that descends on her store every day. Unbeknownst to Sophie, Clemi and Noah, another employee who Clemi has a crush on, purchase a pet tortoise, Kurt Vonnegut Jr.,who they end up keeping hidden in a closet in the store as neither of them can take it home which is the source of a mysterious odor that has the rest of the staff perplexed. As the story progresses, we get to see the daily workings inside Sophie's store, customer interactions, mishaps, scheduling issues, inventory issues with unread galleys piling up, authors and publishers and aspiring authors with whom Sophie interacts and as the day of the scheduled events approaches she also has to deal with the different protest groups who camp outside her store, protesting the poet who might have driven his wife to suicide and another author whose work has animal activists enraged- both of whom are scheduled to speak at the store. In a nutshell, Sophie has a lot on her plate and it is interesting to see how she manages it all.
While Bookish People by Susan Coll has potential and an interesting premise, the execution falls short. I enjoyed the end-of-the-day emails and the camaraderie among the characters. With genuine laugh-out-loud scenarios and a likable protagonist with an interesting cast of characters- the story has its moments! That is precisely the problem. It has its moments! If I look at this novel as a collection of vignettes instead of one story, this book would rate higher. However, in the process of bringing so many moments in the novel together, the writing becomes disjointed in some places and in others, a tad repetitive. There is a lack of cohesion among the different elements in the story- too many sub-plots and the convergence of all those subplots feels forced. I find it hard to resist stories set in bookstores or libraries and while this book had promise, I could not help but feel a tad disappointed. Overall, while parts of the narrative are entertaining, I did not find it to be an engaging read and had to struggle through it.
My favorite quote from the book:
“She sometimes thinks the world divides into two types of people, those who think books are for reading when there’s nothing else to do, and those who avoid other things to do in order to read books—and unsurprisingly she’s in the latter camp, but really, is that so awful?”
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for a complimentary digital review copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Recently widowed, she is still grieving her loss and her college graduate son, Michael, shows no interest in the bookstore and aspires to be a yoga teacher. She has designed a small nook hidden behind the walls of the store where she would like to spend some alone time but hardly gets the chance, given the chaos that descends on her store every day. Unbeknownst to Sophie, Clemi and Noah, another employee who Clemi has a crush on, purchase a pet tortoise, Kurt Vonnegut Jr.,who they end up keeping hidden in a closet in the store as neither of them can take it home which is the source of a mysterious odor that has the rest of the staff perplexed. As the story progresses, we get to see the daily workings inside Sophie's store, customer interactions, mishaps, scheduling issues, inventory issues with unread galleys piling up, authors and publishers and aspiring authors with whom Sophie interacts and as the day of the scheduled events approaches she also has to deal with the different protest groups who camp outside her store, protesting the poet who might have driven his wife to suicide and another author whose work has animal activists enraged- both of whom are scheduled to speak at the store. In a nutshell, Sophie has a lot on her plate and it is interesting to see how she manages it all.
While Bookish People by Susan Coll has potential and an interesting premise, the execution falls short. I enjoyed the end-of-the-day emails and the camaraderie among the characters. With genuine laugh-out-loud scenarios and a likable protagonist with an interesting cast of characters- the story has its moments! That is precisely the problem. It has its moments! If I look at this novel as a collection of vignettes instead of one story, this book would rate higher. However, in the process of bringing so many moments in the novel together, the writing becomes disjointed in some places and in others, a tad repetitive. There is a lack of cohesion among the different elements in the story- too many sub-plots and the convergence of all those subplots feels forced. I find it hard to resist stories set in bookstores or libraries and while this book had promise, I could not help but feel a tad disappointed. Overall, while parts of the narrative are entertaining, I did not find it to be an engaging read and had to struggle through it.
My favorite quote from the book:
“She sometimes thinks the world divides into two types of people, those who think books are for reading when there’s nothing else to do, and those who avoid other things to do in order to read books—and unsurprisingly she’s in the latter camp, but really, is that so awful?”
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for a complimentary digital review copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 1, 2022
I love books about books! So, I was super excited to dive into Bookish People but unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me. The writing felt pretty amateur, and it was just an okay read. I didn’t find the storyline or the characters very interesting. I do however really like the cover, it’s super cute, and grabs your eye!
Thank you Net Galley, and Harper Muse, for an ARC in return for my honest review.
Thank you Net Galley, and Harper Muse, for an ARC in return for my honest review.
April 9, 2022
I truly had high hopes for this book. The cover is adorable, the premise seemed spot on for me. However, the book fell flat. I think mostly it's the writing style that I couldn't truly adapt to. A bit confusing with the back and forth between the character's views and then the plot plus sub-plots. I really wanted to DNF this book, but I'm not a quitter and held on through the entire book. I was hoping somehow, it would turn around and I would enjoy it. I liked the premise of it but just couldn't get past the writing style. Confusing, so many sub-plots. Just seemed like a mess in a writing style sense. Truly wanted to love this book as the summary and cover made me think it'd be GREAT!
This ARC was given to me to review from the publishers and NetGalley. All comments above are solely my true opinion after reading this book.
This ARC was given to me to review from the publishers and NetGalley. All comments above are solely my true opinion after reading this book.
December 14, 2022
Having lived in Northern Virginia (just outside of D.C.) for the past 20+ years, I found I identified with (and appreciated) many of the trials and tribulations of D.C. living which were mentioned in Bookish People. I loved the hilarious satiric spin Coll intertwined throughout the entirety of the plot. I found myself belly-laughing whenever Summer - a very bright, beautiful character whose voice made her sound ditzy - spoke. She did not take anything seriously - no matter the crazy scenario going on around her - drunk authors, cat vs bird protestors marching out front, etc. -and would respond to the owner with a "whatever" no matter the stress level going on around her. Narrator Alexa Morden did a wonderful job with not only highly dramatizing her voice, but all of the characters, and was the perfect voice to bring this sweet book, full of hilarity to life for the listener.
I love the "Politics and Prose" bookstore which Susan Coll works for in D.C., and it is evident gives that she is exceptionally knowledgeable about the plight of the independent bookstore owner and just have difficult it is to stay in business in this day and age.
Just so glad I listened to this book at this time because it was just what I needed for some light and comical relief.
I love the "Politics and Prose" bookstore which Susan Coll works for in D.C., and it is evident gives that she is exceptionally knowledgeable about the plight of the independent bookstore owner and just have difficult it is to stay in business in this day and age.
Just so glad I listened to this book at this time because it was just what I needed for some light and comical relief.
January 6, 2023
This is an entertaining, well-written, fast paced contemporary comedy novel. It describes a Washington DC independent bookstore and its interesting and diverse patrons, employees, guest speakers and owner, whose antics and drama are often hilarious. There are many laugh out loud moments. I listened to the audio version of this novel, and the narrator, Ms. Alexa Morden, does an excellent job depicting the characters and their personalities.
July 18, 2022
I picked this book up because I like bookish type people and because the cover is so cute. Also, I'm a sucker for books about books. The setting is a very busy Washington, D.C. independent bookstore. Sophie Bernstein is the owner. She has run the bookstore for a long time and it seems her heart is no longer in it. She just wants to hide. There's a hidden room in the bookstore and she wants to move all her stuff into the room and just hide away from life and the busy bookstore. Clemi is the store's events coordinator and she books a controversial poet to come and speak. There hav ebeen protests and riots at other bookstores and all the US bookstores have cancelled his appearances. Clemi thinks the man might be her father, and she doesn't want to cancel even when Sophie tells her to do so. Jamal is the bookstore manager, but he is leaving for law school shortly so they will be shorthanded and need to replace him. Florence, an ex-employee who was fired, is causing problems. And there's an interested party who wants to buy the bookstore.
There's a lot going on in this book and it's somewhat confusing as it goes back and forth between characters. There's an End-of-Day report at the end of each chapter that's chock full of strange things that happened a the bookstore. There's a pet tortoise, Kurt Vonnegut, who is owned jointly by Noah and Clemi who keeps smelling up the store. I enjoyed reading abou the tortoise. I also enjoyed the vacuum cleaner with a mind of it's own! All of the characters were quirky, and I usually really like quirky characters, but I don't know if it was too many or too much, but something about the book just didn't work for me.
Thanks to Harper Muse througth Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on September 2, 2022.
There's a lot going on in this book and it's somewhat confusing as it goes back and forth between characters. There's an End-of-Day report at the end of each chapter that's chock full of strange things that happened a the bookstore. There's a pet tortoise, Kurt Vonnegut, who is owned jointly by Noah and Clemi who keeps smelling up the store. I enjoyed reading abou the tortoise. I also enjoyed the vacuum cleaner with a mind of it's own! All of the characters were quirky, and I usually really like quirky characters, but I don't know if it was too many or too much, but something about the book just didn't work for me.
Thanks to Harper Muse througth Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on September 2, 2022.
July 27, 2022
This is one I’m going to keep short because the story didn’t live up to the idea behind this book. It felt like a lot of run on sentences/ramblings of my grampa when he started a story and ended up somewhere completely different than you would have expected it to go 😂 I think it’s meant to be an off the wall comedy, and I guess in some ways it is, but it’s more off the wall than comedy.
Sophie runs a bookstore with her employees and now that her husband has passed, she’s left feeling a bit adrift and overwhelmed. The employees are all young and have new ideas and while she knows they’re valid, she’s not sure what to make of them because they mean change. The biggest change is the Querk vacuum. There’s a lot about the vacuum. Be prepared for it. I think the highlight is the pet turtle that rides around on the roomba. There’s a sentence you don’t write very often.
Thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
Sophie runs a bookstore with her employees and now that her husband has passed, she’s left feeling a bit adrift and overwhelmed. The employees are all young and have new ideas and while she knows they’re valid, she’s not sure what to make of them because they mean change. The biggest change is the Querk vacuum. There’s a lot about the vacuum. Be prepared for it. I think the highlight is the pet turtle that rides around on the roomba. There’s a sentence you don’t write very often.
Thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.
August 2, 2022
I really, really wanted to love this book. Perhaps going into it expecting more of a romance than a women's fiction story with very little plot and a cast of quirky characters would have helped me manage my expectations. Just an okay read for me. I didn't love it or any of the characters/story line and I'm so disappointed that was the case because a story set around a DC Bookstore with a tortoise as the shop mascot just seemed so interesting. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review and Librofm for an ALC.
March 28, 2022
This had all the makings of a great read for me – a storyline about books, a bookstore and writers. Unfortunately, what was billed as a “big-hearted screwball comedy” started out very slowly in a depressing vein, evolved into a disjointed series of loosely-connected threads highlighting troubled people, and concluded in a chaotic frenzy of activity and mishaps. The one shining bit of humor for me was a tortoise named Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., who rides around on top of a Roomba vacuum cleaner.
Sophie Bernstein is the owner of a popular independent bookstore in Washington, D.C. Having just lost her husband nine months ago, she is deeply grieving and struggling to fulfill her personal and professional obligations. Her store is staffed by an eclectic group of wannabe writers and overqualified escapists from other professions. Added to this mix of characters are a variety of quirky authors invited to hold readings and sign books.
This novel was not a good match for me. The author’s style, pacing and dark humor turned this read into an endurance exercise. I could only read a few pages at a time and was on the verge of labeling this a DNF at several points. I had difficulty embracing the ongoing focus on vacuum cleaners – first as an imaginary memoir and then as a mechanical nemesis.
My biggest issue was that I never felt an emotional connection with the characters. Sophie’s struggle to deal with loss on several levels, coupled with the tumultuous political atmosphere of the times, was understandable, but she came across as a rather ditzy, unsympathetic protagonist. I did enjoy Autumn T’s “End of Day Reports,” which provided continuity and a light touch of humor.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Sophie Bernstein is the owner of a popular independent bookstore in Washington, D.C. Having just lost her husband nine months ago, she is deeply grieving and struggling to fulfill her personal and professional obligations. Her store is staffed by an eclectic group of wannabe writers and overqualified escapists from other professions. Added to this mix of characters are a variety of quirky authors invited to hold readings and sign books.
This novel was not a good match for me. The author’s style, pacing and dark humor turned this read into an endurance exercise. I could only read a few pages at a time and was on the verge of labeling this a DNF at several points. I had difficulty embracing the ongoing focus on vacuum cleaners – first as an imaginary memoir and then as a mechanical nemesis.
My biggest issue was that I never felt an emotional connection with the characters. Sophie’s struggle to deal with loss on several levels, coupled with the tumultuous political atmosphere of the times, was understandable, but she came across as a rather ditzy, unsympathetic protagonist. I did enjoy Autumn T’s “End of Day Reports,” which provided continuity and a light touch of humor.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 20, 2022
I wasn’t a fan of this one. 😬 The entire story was all over the place.
Full review to come.
Thank you to #partners Libro.fm & Knopf Publishing for a #gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review.
2 ⭐️.
Full review to come.
Thank you to #partners Libro.fm & Knopf Publishing for a #gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review.
2 ⭐️.
July 8, 2022
I’m a sucker for anything with ‘book’ in the title or a book on the cover! This whimsical cover caught my attention and the premise sounded interesting.
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I struggled with the writing style, the characterization and the many subplots. I couldn’t connect to any of the characters, didn’t love the ‘humour’ and found that Sophie Bernstein, the owner of the bookstore, was not representative of her age.
I stuck with it and was rewarded with a satisfying ending. I also appreciated the behind the scenes peek into the running of a bookstore and the challenges that accompany it.
I do hope this book finds the right reader!
I was gifted this advance copy by Susan Coll, Harper Muse, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I struggled with the writing style, the characterization and the many subplots. I couldn’t connect to any of the characters, didn’t love the ‘humour’ and found that Sophie Bernstein, the owner of the bookstore, was not representative of her age.
I stuck with it and was rewarded with a satisfying ending. I also appreciated the behind the scenes peek into the running of a bookstore and the challenges that accompany it.
I do hope this book finds the right reader!
I was gifted this advance copy by Susan Coll, Harper Muse, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
April 13, 2022
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I really had very high expectations for this book, which I guess was my own bad. I genuinely thought that a novel about the various characters you'd find working at a bookstore would make for a truly magnificent story, and this fell very flat for me by comparison. The frenetic nature of the storytelling left me often confused by where in the timeline I was, what exactly was happening, and sometimes whose POV I was reading from. I really did not find either of the two main protagonists relatable or likable, and beyond that was not particularly interested in any of the supporting characters either.
This was just one of those reads that really dragged on for me, and it felt like a chore to get through it. I'm not entirely sure still what actually took place in the book.
I really had very high expectations for this book, which I guess was my own bad. I genuinely thought that a novel about the various characters you'd find working at a bookstore would make for a truly magnificent story, and this fell very flat for me by comparison. The frenetic nature of the storytelling left me often confused by where in the timeline I was, what exactly was happening, and sometimes whose POV I was reading from. I really did not find either of the two main protagonists relatable or likable, and beyond that was not particularly interested in any of the supporting characters either.
This was just one of those reads that really dragged on for me, and it felt like a chore to get through it. I'm not entirely sure still what actually took place in the book.
August 17, 2022
Bookish People, by Susan Coll, is a cute and quirky story about the lives and interwoven relationships among the staff in a local bookshop. A character rich story that is both upbeat and humorous, while also tackling heavier topics such as grief of a spouse and the reemergence of nazism.
Thank you to @tlcbooktours and @harpermusebooks for my e-galley of Bookish People. Thank you also to @librofm for my ALC.
Thank you to @tlcbooktours and @harpermusebooks for my e-galley of Bookish People. Thank you also to @librofm for my ALC.
August 5, 2022
How I needed this book. Bookish People by Susan Coll is a humorous novel that takes place in an independent bookstore in Washington, D.C. The writing is so smooth and clear that I felt like I was sitting in a comfortable corner of the shop watching the unique and somewhat eccentric characters. They’re all book people, my kind of people.
Sophie Bernstein, owner of the bookstore, is still mourning her husband’s death, is about to lose her best employee, and is regularly frustrated with her young adult son. She yearns to hide away in a secret space behind a bookcase in the store.
The story is narrated by Sophie and by Clemi, the bookstore’s event coordinator.
I loved watching the inner-workings of a bookstore, including customers searching for books and authors hoping for a venue willing to host a reading or book signing. One of my favorite parts was reading the end-of-the-day reports. So funny.
With a variety of subplots and rare characters, this fun read holds something for everyone. Believable vacuum cleaner problems occur throughout the book, 50ish Sophie tests on-line dating, and each character has his or her own life complications. Bookish People was a much-needed change and a satisfying, momentary escape.
Sophie Bernstein, owner of the bookstore, is still mourning her husband’s death, is about to lose her best employee, and is regularly frustrated with her young adult son. She yearns to hide away in a secret space behind a bookcase in the store.
The story is narrated by Sophie and by Clemi, the bookstore’s event coordinator.
I loved watching the inner-workings of a bookstore, including customers searching for books and authors hoping for a venue willing to host a reading or book signing. One of my favorite parts was reading the end-of-the-day reports. So funny.
With a variety of subplots and rare characters, this fun read holds something for everyone. Believable vacuum cleaner problems occur throughout the book, 50ish Sophie tests on-line dating, and each character has his or her own life complications. Bookish People was a much-needed change and a satisfying, momentary escape.
September 24, 2022
This is probably one of the worst books I’ve ever read. I saw it through until the end in the hopes that it would get better and it didn’t.
The writing is a mish-mash of characters whose storylines are only thinly held together. The author is obsessed with the incidents at Charlottesville. I couldn’t figure out why until about a third through the book, when I read a paragraph from Clemi’s viewpoint about being sheltered and not realising that racism and Anti-Semitism still exists in the USA. It’s clear from that paragraph that the author herself only recently came to that same conclusion.
The main character, Sophie Bernstein, also spends a lot of time having inner monologues with herself trying to placate herself and remind herself that she is a good person. This is entirely unprompted, in fact, at one point, Sophie’s inner tirade is following along with the chain of events that she is currently experiencing and then she starts ranting about if it is wrong that she liked to prepare her husband a meal when he came home from work.
The epilogue tries to tie the story up into a neat little bow and erase the fact that the rest of the book was a mess of writing. I cannot recommend this book.
The writing is a mish-mash of characters whose storylines are only thinly held together. The author is obsessed with the incidents at Charlottesville. I couldn’t figure out why until about a third through the book, when I read a paragraph from Clemi’s viewpoint about being sheltered and not realising that racism and Anti-Semitism still exists in the USA. It’s clear from that paragraph that the author herself only recently came to that same conclusion.
The main character, Sophie Bernstein, also spends a lot of time having inner monologues with herself trying to placate herself and remind herself that she is a good person. This is entirely unprompted, in fact, at one point, Sophie’s inner tirade is following along with the chain of events that she is currently experiencing and then she starts ranting about if it is wrong that she liked to prepare her husband a meal when he came home from work.
The epilogue tries to tie the story up into a neat little bow and erase the fact that the rest of the book was a mess of writing. I cannot recommend this book.
July 26, 2022
Three Stars ⭐⭐⭐
Bookish People by Susan J. Coll is a light, humorous bookish book that takes place in a large bookstore in Washington, D.C.
Sophie Bernstein owns a large bookstore in DC and is ready to call it quits and just hide. She’s still mourning for her husband, she’s frustrated with her only son’s life choices and she’s about to lose her manager as he pursues a law degree. She just wants to hide from life, in a small hidden room in the bookstore.
Clemi, Sophie’s event coordinator for the bookstore has booked Raymond Chaucer, a controversial poet for an event in the store. Raymond has been accused in the media of killing his wife, however, he has not been charged with murder by the police. Most of his events were canceled because of security reasons, and no other bookstore wants to be associated with a possible murderer.
Sophie asks Clemi to cancel Raymond’s book event, but, Clemi can’t bring herself to cancel because she has other reasons for wanting to see the famous poet. She decides to hire extra security for the event, but that also backfires. Will Sophie find peace in her little room? Will the author event be successful?
This was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I love a bookish book, but this one was slow to get into. First of all, there was a lot going on in this book, and it was difficult to keep track of all the issues of these characters. Second was the characters themselves. I only found one character that I was rooting for, and that was a tortoise named Kurt Vonnegut Jr. The other characters all were too self-involved or just not sympathetic. I can understand that we don’t always like every character, but I would have wanted some more relatable and sympathetic characters in a book of this genre, that is marketed as a rom-com.
After a slow and somewhat confusing start, the story did pick up a bit and the ending was funny and satisfying. Kurt, the tortoise, was really the star of this book, in my opinion! I did enjoy the bookstore and the descriptions of the store and some of the customers. I’m glad I read the book, as I found it overall a good book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Bookish People by Susan J. Coll is a light, humorous bookish book that takes place in a large bookstore in Washington, D.C.
Sophie Bernstein owns a large bookstore in DC and is ready to call it quits and just hide. She’s still mourning for her husband, she’s frustrated with her only son’s life choices and she’s about to lose her manager as he pursues a law degree. She just wants to hide from life, in a small hidden room in the bookstore.
Clemi, Sophie’s event coordinator for the bookstore has booked Raymond Chaucer, a controversial poet for an event in the store. Raymond has been accused in the media of killing his wife, however, he has not been charged with murder by the police. Most of his events were canceled because of security reasons, and no other bookstore wants to be associated with a possible murderer.
Sophie asks Clemi to cancel Raymond’s book event, but, Clemi can’t bring herself to cancel because she has other reasons for wanting to see the famous poet. She decides to hire extra security for the event, but that also backfires. Will Sophie find peace in her little room? Will the author event be successful?
This was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I love a bookish book, but this one was slow to get into. First of all, there was a lot going on in this book, and it was difficult to keep track of all the issues of these characters. Second was the characters themselves. I only found one character that I was rooting for, and that was a tortoise named Kurt Vonnegut Jr. The other characters all were too self-involved or just not sympathetic. I can understand that we don’t always like every character, but I would have wanted some more relatable and sympathetic characters in a book of this genre, that is marketed as a rom-com.
After a slow and somewhat confusing start, the story did pick up a bit and the ending was funny and satisfying. Kurt, the tortoise, was really the star of this book, in my opinion! I did enjoy the bookstore and the descriptions of the store and some of the customers. I’m glad I read the book, as I found it overall a good book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 24, 2022
Read the full review on my blog!
When a book has a cover like this and the words “Bookish People”, automatically I will have high expectations from that book. However, this book was such a let-down.
Firstly, I was not immediately hooked with the story. It took me about 30% to get into the story. I was even contemplating DNFing this book but I carried on and once I got interested in the story I carried on, hoping it would get better.
The bookstore owner, Sophie Bernstein, was grieving but it didn’t feel like she was grieving. She was acting in a weird way. I mean, everyone deals with grieve in a different way but I don’t know, her actions felt off to me. Another main character was Clemi who was in her 20s but she felt like she was an old woman.
Another thing about this book was it described more about vacuum cleaners than it did about the characters and their relations. Why was there so much details about vacuum cleaners and ovens? The characters felt very two- dimensional.
Also, there is a pet turtle in the book and he was mentioned many time. So my question is why isn’t there any turtle on the cover but instead, this dog? I mean, I love dogs, but I don’t remember anyone from the book having a pet dog. It was a turtle! There should’ve been a turtle on the cover!
One of the major plot points of this book is related to a famous poet, Raymond Chaucer, who Clemi assumes is her biological father. That aspect felt kind of unresolved and what was even the point of it all?
Another thing, this book is about a BOOKSTORE!! Our most favorite place in this world. It is a magical place. The author should have been able to make the bookstore come alive but it was not properly done at all.
Overall, I did not enjoy my time reading this book as much as I wanted to. Even though this book was not that boring, it was still a bland and lukewarm story. I did not get attached to any character at all. The only character I cared about was that poor turtle who was tossed around. It deserved better caretakers. There were few funny moments here and there but unfortunately they were not enough to save this book.
When a book has a cover like this and the words “Bookish People”, automatically I will have high expectations from that book. However, this book was such a let-down.
Firstly, I was not immediately hooked with the story. It took me about 30% to get into the story. I was even contemplating DNFing this book but I carried on and once I got interested in the story I carried on, hoping it would get better.
The bookstore owner, Sophie Bernstein, was grieving but it didn’t feel like she was grieving. She was acting in a weird way. I mean, everyone deals with grieve in a different way but I don’t know, her actions felt off to me. Another main character was Clemi who was in her 20s but she felt like she was an old woman.
Another thing about this book was it described more about vacuum cleaners than it did about the characters and their relations. Why was there so much details about vacuum cleaners and ovens? The characters felt very two- dimensional.
Also, there is a pet turtle in the book and he was mentioned many time. So my question is why isn’t there any turtle on the cover but instead, this dog? I mean, I love dogs, but I don’t remember anyone from the book having a pet dog. It was a turtle! There should’ve been a turtle on the cover!
One of the major plot points of this book is related to a famous poet, Raymond Chaucer, who Clemi assumes is her biological father. That aspect felt kind of unresolved and what was even the point of it all?
Another thing, this book is about a BOOKSTORE!! Our most favorite place in this world. It is a magical place. The author should have been able to make the bookstore come alive but it was not properly done at all.
Overall, I did not enjoy my time reading this book as much as I wanted to. Even though this book was not that boring, it was still a bland and lukewarm story. I did not get attached to any character at all. The only character I cared about was that poor turtle who was tossed around. It deserved better caretakers. There were few funny moments here and there but unfortunately they were not enough to save this book.
September 9, 2022
I am a huge fan of books about books, libraries, bookstores, authors, and other bookish people or places, so had high hopes for Bookish People. I have mixed feelings about this one. This story is set in an independent bookstore owned by Sophie Bernstein, and she is burned out. She is mourning the loss of her husband, her favourite store manager is leaving, and the world looks grim. She just wants to hide, but things don't work out that way. Clemi is the bookstore's event's manager and has booked in poet Raymond Chaucer, who is rumoured to have driven his wife to suicide. All the other bookstores on the tour have cancelled, but Clemi wants to give him a chance. She actually wants to meet him as she believes her might be her biological father, and this might be her only chance to find out. Sophie is worried about the backlash from the public, but lets Clemi move forward. From there, the story is full of vignettes that might fit together, but seem to be disconnected. Will Raymond Chaucer appear? Is he Clemi's father?
I really wanted to like this book, but it was just "meh" for me. There is so much going on in this book, it was confusing. There is a broken vacuum cleaner, a pet tortoise that is kept in a closet, people protesting dressed up as cats? and more. We do see the daily workings of an independent bookstore with customer interactions and mishaps, scheduling issues, inventory issues, unread galleys piling up, authors and publishers and aspiring authors with whom Sophie interacts as well as personal issues that cause some angst. I liked the premise of this book, but it didn't deliver for me. There were parts that made me laugh out loud and some interesting characters and that is what made me continue reading until the end, but it was not a standout for me. Remember, this is just my opinion, so if the synopsis interests you, you might still want to grab a copy and give it a go.
I really wanted to like this book, but it was just "meh" for me. There is so much going on in this book, it was confusing. There is a broken vacuum cleaner, a pet tortoise that is kept in a closet, people protesting dressed up as cats? and more. We do see the daily workings of an independent bookstore with customer interactions and mishaps, scheduling issues, inventory issues, unread galleys piling up, authors and publishers and aspiring authors with whom Sophie interacts as well as personal issues that cause some angst. I liked the premise of this book, but it didn't deliver for me. There were parts that made me laugh out loud and some interesting characters and that is what made me continue reading until the end, but it was not a standout for me. Remember, this is just my opinion, so if the synopsis interests you, you might still want to grab a copy and give it a go.
August 15, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
For starters I was not a fan of the language used right from the start the main characters came off as entitled and overly knowledgeable. As a local library clerk, I thought I would be able to really relate to this, as I adore books about books. However, I could not seem to develop a connection with the two main characters. I found myself nodding off trying to finish it. I was laughing at some of the jokes, but most of them I guess I didn’t find funny or I had a hard time understanding what the point was. The POV was confusing as heck, half the time I didn’t know what character was talking. I’m sure some people will relate differently to “Bookish People” maybe people who enjoy confusing comedy with some book references, sadly it was not a good fit for me.
For starters I was not a fan of the language used right from the start the main characters came off as entitled and overly knowledgeable. As a local library clerk, I thought I would be able to really relate to this, as I adore books about books. However, I could not seem to develop a connection with the two main characters. I found myself nodding off trying to finish it. I was laughing at some of the jokes, but most of them I guess I didn’t find funny or I had a hard time understanding what the point was. The POV was confusing as heck, half the time I didn’t know what character was talking. I’m sure some people will relate differently to “Bookish People” maybe people who enjoy confusing comedy with some book references, sadly it was not a good fit for me.
August 15, 2022
I am sorry to say i dnfed at 44%. I mean this book is marketing wrong, rom com it is not, Just my opinion.
December 30, 2023
This isn't one that you can take too seriously. It's meant to be a lighter read.
I loved the antics at the bookstore, the maneuvering with readers obsessed with hot-button topics, and how they react.
I loved the end-of-the-day log and the realistic notes.
I enjoyed the characters. The depth was the bookstore.
I honestly don't get why this book is rated so lowly. It's not meant to be earth-shattering but to poke fun at the bookstore employee life.
3.5-4 Stars. I thought it was a lot of fun.
I loved the antics at the bookstore, the maneuvering with readers obsessed with hot-button topics, and how they react.
I loved the end-of-the-day log and the realistic notes.
I enjoyed the characters. The depth was the bookstore.
I honestly don't get why this book is rated so lowly. It's not meant to be earth-shattering but to poke fun at the bookstore employee life.
3.5-4 Stars. I thought it was a lot of fun.
July 9, 2022
In this chaotic world can anyone blame us for that ever-overriding desire for a room of one’s own? And so what if it’s a hidden bookstore bunker in need of an electrical outlet?
In BOOKISH PEOPLE, Susan Coll takes us on a weeklong ride that spans the horror of Charlottesville to the wonder of the solar eclipse. Written with whip smart dry humor and observation pointed at the ways of DC, there’s a loving nod to the indie booksellers in that town, who are most definitely an integral part of the fabric. Coll reminds us that while books will save us, the book business could very well do us in. And yet, as a purveyor of books, society’s sacred glue, aren’t indie bookstores the heartbeat of their respective communities? Anyway, I think so.
Special to the Roomba riding tortoise, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.: You are my new favorite literary character. Ride on!
In BOOKISH PEOPLE, Susan Coll takes us on a weeklong ride that spans the horror of Charlottesville to the wonder of the solar eclipse. Written with whip smart dry humor and observation pointed at the ways of DC, there’s a loving nod to the indie booksellers in that town, who are most definitely an integral part of the fabric. Coll reminds us that while books will save us, the book business could very well do us in. And yet, as a purveyor of books, society’s sacred glue, aren’t indie bookstores the heartbeat of their respective communities? Anyway, I think so.
Special to the Roomba riding tortoise, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.: You are my new favorite literary character. Ride on!
May 5, 2022
Bookish People is the funniest book I have read since The Stager, Susan Coll's earlier comic masterpiece. Pour yourself a stiff drink, find a comfortable chair, slump into it, and enjoy.
August 20, 2022
I was excited to read this book and was very disappointed overall. Books about book stores are usually really fun to read with lots of interesting characters and storylines. This book had lots of characters, but not one I really was invested in......well, other than the turtle. The vacuum cleaner dilemma became so tiresome, honestly. I wish I had better things to write, but I just didn't like the book at all. The book was all over the place, skipping around to different characters and storylines to the point that it got ridiculous.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Harper Muse for an advanced copy of Bookish People in exchange for a fair review.
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Harper Muse for an advanced copy of Bookish People in exchange for a fair review.
June 3, 2024
Zany, but well-detailed characters. Personally, for me, this benefited for me from some nostalgia factor, because I worked in an independent bookstore in August 2017. I generally like a happy ending, but this one still didn't feel like much considering the level of set-up going on.
August 30, 2024
2.83
i got second hand stress from this book
but i also enjoyed the complicated mess
however, didn’t love the constant tangents ‘stream of consciousness’ passages that just didn’t add to the story
i got second hand stress from this book
but i also enjoyed the complicated mess
however, didn’t love the constant tangents ‘stream of consciousness’ passages that just didn’t add to the story
October 4, 2022
This was the most pointless, pretentiously written book I've read. Sorry that that is a mean way to put it, but hot dang. The writing was ALL over the place, there were too many characters and too much trying to happen in the plot for the length of the book.
This book tried to follow the bookstore owner, and also the events coordinator at the bookstore who just so happens to be the daughter of a poet, and the poet himself. There were too many events and the way that it was written reminded me of the worst parts of being an English major my freshman year of college (throwback in a bad way). Sorry, but there's no reason to describe a vacuum so much and to talk about the political issues and also have random people in costumes all over the place.
There was a tortoise who could *maybe* talk (??) and then a Rooma vacuum and a car being towed, a parking lot issue and someone who wanted to buy the bookstore to turn it into a Chipotle, but he also had a thing for the owner of the bookstore who's husband just died tragically.
NO. HARD PASS TO THIS BOOK.
The ONLY redeeming quality about this book was that it made me want to work in a bookstore.
This book tried to follow the bookstore owner, and also the events coordinator at the bookstore who just so happens to be the daughter of a poet, and the poet himself. There were too many events and the way that it was written reminded me of the worst parts of being an English major my freshman year of college (throwback in a bad way). Sorry, but there's no reason to describe a vacuum so much and to talk about the political issues and also have random people in costumes all over the place.
There was a tortoise who could *maybe* talk (??) and then a Rooma vacuum and a car being towed, a parking lot issue and someone who wanted to buy the bookstore to turn it into a Chipotle, but he also had a thing for the owner of the bookstore who's husband just died tragically.
NO. HARD PASS TO THIS BOOK.
The ONLY redeeming quality about this book was that it made me want to work in a bookstore.
May 28, 2022
Bookstore ~ Comedy ~ Parents ~ Turtles ~ Vacuum cleaners ~ Books ~ Roommates ~ Secret rooms ~ Car keys ~ Chaos ~ Death ~ Books ~ Interesting characters ~ Too much!
Interesting main story but with too many little subplots it created a chaotic atmosphere! My blood pressure was rising just by reading this book! And, what’s up with the dog on the cover?!?
Interesting main story but with too many little subplots it created a chaotic atmosphere! My blood pressure was rising just by reading this book! And, what’s up with the dog on the cover?!?
November 2, 2022
Bookish People
chronicles a wacky week in the life of a bookstore owner.
Boy, this one had such promise and some wonderful moments, but overall, it just didn’t work for me.
It’s the summer of 2017, and Sophie is in a bad place. Her husband has died, the increasing antisemitic and racist rhetoric in the country is upsetting her, and she’s finding it harder and harder to care about the bookstore she owns. To top it off, Jamal, her favorite manager, is leaving for law school. Should she just give in to the calls from the developer who’d like to buy the property?
As the world becomes increasingly unsteady, Sophie becomes more obsessed with going into hiding in a secret book in the back of her store.
But she also has multiple crises brewing around the store. A famous poet has just released a new collection but he’s dogged by rumors that he caused his wife’s suicide, so many bookstores have canceled his appearances. Sophie starts to fear that her customers might object, so she tasks an employee with canceling. And then hijinks ensue…
I’m a sucker for books about bookstores, booksellers, and libraries. I felt like this had some really great elements but as a whole it wasn’t sure what tone to take, which made it a muddle.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
Boy, this one had such promise and some wonderful moments, but overall, it just didn’t work for me.
It’s the summer of 2017, and Sophie is in a bad place. Her husband has died, the increasing antisemitic and racist rhetoric in the country is upsetting her, and she’s finding it harder and harder to care about the bookstore she owns. To top it off, Jamal, her favorite manager, is leaving for law school. Should she just give in to the calls from the developer who’d like to buy the property?
As the world becomes increasingly unsteady, Sophie becomes more obsessed with going into hiding in a secret book in the back of her store.
But she also has multiple crises brewing around the store. A famous poet has just released a new collection but he’s dogged by rumors that he caused his wife’s suicide, so many bookstores have canceled his appearances. Sophie starts to fear that her customers might object, so she tasks an employee with canceling. And then hijinks ensue…
I’m a sucker for books about bookstores, booksellers, and libraries. I felt like this had some really great elements but as a whole it wasn’t sure what tone to take, which made it a muddle.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
August 12, 2022
The entire idea of this book being set in a bookstore is what initially drew me in. Unfortunately I couldn't adjust with the writing style. This book revolves around Sophie a fifty-four year old bookstore owner in Washington DC. Her events coordinator Clemi has booked a controversial poet who she thinks might be her biological father. The problem is that he is accused of killing his wife and Sophie asks her to cancel on him. Sohpie had some problems on her own, she was recently widowed and didn't agree with her son's career choice. We get to see daily insights of what goes on in her bookstore and her interactions with customer as well as protestors. I admit that this book had some funny, laugh out loud moments but writing felt like a big rambling. The cover was adorable however the writing failed to keep me engaged because there was so much going on with every character in this book and it was difficult to keep track of it.
ARC provided by Netgalley and Harper Muse in exchange of an honest review
ARC provided by Netgalley and Harper Muse in exchange of an honest review
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