“Having Fun Isn’t Hard When You’ve Got a Library Card” ~Marc Brown

Are you someone who as a child or even as an adult loved your local public library? Did you ever participate in your library’s summer reading program?

I was always so excited to go in at the end of the school year and sign up. I wandered the aisles, filling my arms with books and then struggling to stack them all on the counter while waiting for the librarian to date stamp each one with the date they were due back and tuck the card into the little envelope inside the front cover. I couldn’t wait to see where these books would take me when I couldn’t actually go.

In this day and age everything can be found instantly on the internet. Books can be immediately downloaded to your e-reader. But occasionally I still love to drive to my local library, wander the aisles once again and explore books and subjects I am not familiar with but curious about.

With my books chosen to read in 2024, I quickly recognized a theme happening that I didn’t plan. Quite a few books that I have downloaded and discovered through BookBub were about libraries, booksellers, quirky librarians and the littlest library.

I can’t wait to share these favorite books with you and I hope you find one that you want to read in 2025.

The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson
I recently wrote an entire post on this favorite read of 2024. You can check it out on the blog here. Truly one of my favorites.

The Littlest Library by Poppy Alexander
When Jess Metcalf is looking to start her life over after the death of her beloved grandmother and the loss of her job as a librarian. She lands in a new town where she creates the littlest library in an old abandoned British telephone booth. Her creation brings the town together, and new friends to Jess. This book is heartwarming, hopeful, inspiring and a real gem.

The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
If you read and enjoyed All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, you will love this book.
Set in London just as the city prepares for Hitler’s troops. Grace Bennet has left the British countryside for London. She finds work at Primrose Hill. A dusty old bookshop with a man who isn’t sure he wants Grace there. Once the war falls over London, Grace finds a way to share books and storytelling with her neighbors and neighborhood. She gives the gift of comfort to them through the terrifying blackouts, air raids and the dropping of bombs across the city. This book is a story of courage, community and shows what one person can do to bring hope and comfort.

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson
Cobblestone Books in Bell River is located in a town with a bookish history. Maggie Banks is floundering in life. When her best friend calls and asks for help running her bookstore, Maggie takes the opportunity to help run this struggling bookstore.
Maggie is forced to get creative to keep the store afloat and not let her best friend down.
This book is about friendship, broken rules, change and being open to what one person can do with a little creativity.

I am currently reading The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan and am buried in this lovely book. I hope to add a blog post about it once it is finished in the New Year.

Lastly, a girlfriend just introduced me to the Libby App. Am I the last one to hear about this? If not, I will quickly share the app with you. You can find it in the play store on your devices. I downloaded it, entered my library card number, set up an account and now I can borrow books from the library and have found so many digital magazines to subscribe to and read online. If you haven’t heard of it, check it out it is pretty cool.

Well, this post has gone on long enough, so I will close. I hope you all had a beautiful holiday.
I wish you all a wonderful New Year. May it be a year filled with joy, adventures and incredible books.

Until Next Time,
Bee Readin’
Terri