The Book Charmer Review Part One

 Happy New Year's Eve my bookish friends,

    Hopefully, this New Year brings a treasure trove of new books into your lives. A few days ago I posted on a Facebook group that is dedicated to the avid reader. I explained to them about my blog and my search for the authors that often are overlooked by the trendy authors that have hit their success. The number of responses and suggestions has been more than I could have ever hoped for. I now have enough authors and books to hope to give them a spotlight. If I don't particularly like a book I encourage you to still read it and decide for yourself because these reviews will be based solely on my opinion if it is fiction and if it is nonfiction the authenticity of historical reference. 

Stop Possible Spoilers Alert:

    Now to the good stuff diving into the world of the Book Charmer. This was written by Karen Hawkins and published in 2019 by Gallery Books, New York, NY.  This has 344 pages of story with a nice added addition of a book club guide in the back. I always appreciate these guided questions even though I have never belonged to a book club before. Also, this is the first book of a series and the second book has also been released, Cup of Silver Linings.

    The book's main setting is in the lovely town of Dove Pond, North Carolina. The story starts in the year 2001 but does catch up to the present day. There are three main characters Sarah Dove, Grace Wheeler, and Travis Parker that the story is focused on with plenty of side characters. The side characters give the main characters a well-rounded and realistic feel to them. Each of the characters has past baggage and current issues that they are struggling with. The story touches on sensitive topics such as abandoned children, foster care, drug overdose, and Alzheimer's. 

    When I dived headfirst into this world of Dove Pond I had never heard of this author or story before. I had only discovered it by chance when browsing through my library's book club recommended reading list. One of these days I might actually attend one of the book club meetings but until then I am content with stalking them on their website. What attracted me to this book was the cover and title. The cover has a beautiful cover that would make any bookworm envy. Lol, the old saying is don't judge a book by its cover well I am glad that I have never listened to that advice when it comes to actual books. 

    I will dive further into the actual story in my next post but hopefully, this will give you the curiosity to run and grab this book. In the meantime, the author has a website https://karenhawkins.com/index.php that I would recommend if you want to be kept up with her books that are out and what will be published soon.

Happy New Year, 

Armarius

When in doubt go to the library

 Greetings my bookish friends,

    Since I realized that my bank account was not going to allow me to purchase any new books this week. Adulting does suck at times and other times it can be amazing. I did the most sensible thing I paid a visit to my local library. Libraries are a portal to other worlds, periods of time, and great adventures just waiting to be explored. The librarians are the gatekeepers to these amazing places to be visited.  I found a copy of The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins. While checking out how many of you ever have a nice conversation with your librarian? I highly advise it especially if you see your librarian reading a book at her station. Make sure you ask her what she is reading. My librarian who I will call Lilly was reading a book on the Vanderbilts. So we had nice conservation regarding the Vanderbilts, thankfully there was not a line that could have been a bad situation. 

I started reading and I am already on chapter 11. So far I am utterly charmed by this fascinating tale. Can not wait to do the book discussion. LOL, it will more than likely be by the end of the week and I will have to find another book to do for January.

Happy reading,

Armarius 

January Book

 Hello, my bookish friends. Hopefully, the day finds you well and that you have a nice book in your hand or listening to one because I certainly do not judge if you choose to listen rather than read a book. I know there are times that I would rather listen than sit still and read especially if I have chores to do and a dog or two to walk. 

Since we are two days past Christmas and just less than a week from the new year I decided I better start to find the first book of the year to start reading.

Drum roll please [insert here], The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins. Now, Now I know but I thought you said no to "New York Best Sellers". I swear I think that publishers stick this label on every book that they publish in hopes that it will sell more copies just like the "low fat or zero sugar labels" at the grocery store. I have never heard of her or book before yesterday and the title caught my attention. I felt that the title would be a great start to this blog In case if you are not familiar with her or the book as I was not until I happened to stumble upon this little gem yesterday I will include the necessary insert from the book on here for you in case if you want to pick up this book hopefully at your locally owned bookstore. 

Insert from the book; 

"Sarah Dove is no ordinary bookworm. To her, books have always been more than just objects: they live, they breathe, and sometimes they even speak. When Sarah grows up to become the librarian in her quaint Southern town of Dove Pond, her gift helps place every book in the hands of the perfect reader. Recently, however, the books have been whispering about something out of the ordinary: the arrival of a displaced city girl named Grace Wheeler.

If the books are right, Grace could be the savior that Dove Pond desperately needs. The problem is, Grace wants little to do with the town or its quirky residents—Sarah chief among them. It takes a bit of urging, and the help of an especially wise book, but Grace ultimately embraces the challenge to rescue her charmed new community. In her quest, she discovers the tantalizing promise of new love, the deep strength that comes from having a true friend, and the power of finding just the right book.

“A mesmerizing fusion of the mystical and every day” (Susan Andersen, New York Times bestselling author), The Book Charmer is a heartwarming story about the magic of books that feels more than a little magical itself. Prepare to fall under its spell."

Happy reading,

Armarius

Welcome

Welcome:

    I am new to blogging but not new to the world of literature. Growing up I was home within the walls of a library or bookstore more than the house I grew up in. Librarians felt more like family and the books felt like my siblings.  

    

    The purpose of this blog is to help find authors and books that often are overlooked by the mainstream popularity of those that have become "New York Bestsellers" and often have become movies or series. 

    I will pick at least one book each month to read and review. I am open to all genres of fiction and nonfiction in my exploration of the next great book. I do not expect that we will always agree with what I think about a book or author that I review. This is ok and I would love to know what your thoughts are on a book or author as long as it does not consist of name-calling or just downright being mean as a rattlesnake. Remember that we are all human and have different thoughts and opinions.

    Along with doing book reviews, I would also love to share bookstores that are far from the mainstream bookstores that have become a part of our lives such as Amazon. It breaks my heart every time that I see a bookstore closing its doors for the last time. This is why I keep a box of tissues with me just in case while on the road looking for the next hidden bookstore that only the locals may know about.

"Reading gives us someplace to when we have to stay where we are."- Mason Cooley

Armarius