17 Wonderful Books about Bookstores You’ll Love!
There is nothing we love more than books about books, but a special place in our hearts is reserved for books about bookstores.
Why? Because it’s any book-lovers dream to own a bookstore for themselves! While it might not be a feasible goal for most people, we can at least experience the ups and downs of selling books by reading books set in a bookstore!
Some of the novels below are historical fiction, some feature traveling bookstores, and some are just good old contemporary fiction.
Whatever your preferred genre, we think you’ll find a book about bookstores to cherish below! But if we missed your favorite, please let us know!
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Best New Books About Bookstores
Plot
Cassie works in a bookstore in NYC. When one of her favorite customers dies, she finds the book he was reading with an inscription leaving it to her. It’s the Book of Doors which allows Cassie to open any door and go anywhere she wants to – London, Paris, or any door she can picture in her head.
Soon, she is approached by a stranger named Drummond Fox, a librarian for a collection of books just like Cassie’s telling her she’s in danger. People have searched for The Book of Doors for years and will do anything to get their hands on it.
Now, Cassie finds herself entwined in a dangerous game of cat and mouse as she tries to stay alive and keep the Book of Doors away from those who want it for nefarious purposes. #gifted
Trigger Warnings
Death
Why Jackie loves it
OMG. I did not know what to expect when I picked up this book. It is unlike anything I had ever read and I loved every minute of the story! I loved I had to think about how the doors would work and how the story comes together in the end.
Find this book in: Books About Books / Magical Realism Books to Read Now / Books About Bookstores / Summer Reads 2024 / Best New Fantasy Books / Best Adult Fantasy Novels
Contemporary Books about Bookstores
Bookish People by Susan Coll
Sophie Bernstein is an Independent bookstore owner as well as a recent widow. She is trying to deal with the loss of her husband, the loss of her favorite store manager, her only child’s lack of motivation in addition to running a store. More and more, she fantasizes about moving into a secret back room in the store.
I liked the book but found some discussions strange rather than funny. There was a lot of debate about vacuum cleaners. This book is perfect for anyone who loves to read books about bookstores.
The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley
Jess is a lawyer who needs a change when she finds out her husband is cheating on her. Her childhood best friend, Allison needs to take a hiatus from her career.
When Jess decides to return to her childhood home with her daughter, she decides with Allison to reopen the beloved bookstore in their sleepy beach town. Both Jess and Allison find meaning in their lives through the new venture and grow closer with their adult daughters.
This is a quintessential beach read for anyone who loves a cozy book about bookstores.
With Love from London
Author: Sarah Jio
Year: 2022
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
When Valentina was a teenager, her beloved mother left her to return home to her native London and never returned. Val was left heartbroken with her father.
Now, Val has returned to London to her mother’s apartment and bookshop to try to understand her mother, her life, and why she would leave. The change could not have come at a better time for Valentina who is going through a divorce of her own.
Why Jackie loves it
I loved this book about a librarian who inherited a bookshop from her estranged mother. This book was such an easy and wonderful read.
Find this book in: Books About Librarians / British Books / Books About Bookstores
The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson
Miranda’s uncle dies leaving her a failing bookstore and a scavenger hunt of clues to decipher. What she learns over the course of her summer tracking down clues and trying to save the bookstore will turn her whole world on its head.
I guessed the ending fairly early on, but this mystery book is all about the journey. You can see our interview with Amy here.
Twenty-One Truths About Love by Matthew Dicks
I wasn’t sure what to expect from a book that is written entirely in lists but, I absolutely loved it. The format is so unique and never felt redundant or repetitive.
Every character really comes to life with humor and drama as Daniel tries to come to terms with the fact that his life as a bookstore owner is not what he expected. He is having financial worries and his wife Jill, who knows nothing about the financial troubles, wants to have a baby.
As he tries to make ends meet and simultaneously make Jill happy, he knows that something will have to change but, he isn’t sure what that is.
This book is a page-turner from the first to the last. I laughed out loud and could relate to Daniel. His worries are universal and Matthew Dicks does such a great job of making this character likable with his flaws and all.
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Year: 2014
Genre: Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The recent death of his wife, bad book sales, and the recent robbery of a rare book is wreaking havoc on his life. But this tale of redemption and unexpected chances has a serious soul.
Trigger Warnings
Cancer, Suicide
Why Jackie loves it
This lovely story about a bookstore and its owner will capture your heart. A.J. Fikry is like a bookstore version of Ove in all the right ways except A.J. is only in his thirties.
Find this book in: Books Like a Man Called Ove / Books About Bookstores
The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay
There are so many books about books. In fact, we did an entire post on them. that you can read here. Not only does this book fit into the list but, it was such an enjoyable read as well, There is character development and growth, in this story about Madeline Cullen.
When she inherits her Aunt Maddie’s book shop, she questions why. As she tries to save the struggling shop, she begins to learn more about herself and her Aunt
Mr. Penumbra’s 24 Hour Book Store
Author: Robin Sloan
Year: 2012
Genre: Fiction
More info: Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore #1, New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This was a light and enjoyable magical realism book. When Clay takes a job in a bookstore, he thinks he will be selling books. He doesn’t realize that the “wayback” of the store is more like a library to an elite group of readers. Mr. Penumbra’s bookstore is exactly the type of store that you will never want to leave.
Why Kirsten loves it
This book was not what I was expecting. There was a lot more mystery and action than I thought and a little more magic as well. The characters developed and changed and the story moved quickly.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a book about a bookstore which is always something to love, but this book has puzzles to solve before you can understand why the bookstore is so special.
Find this book in: Books About Puzzles / Books About Bookstores / Books About Secret Societies
Books featuring Traveling Bookstores
Plot
The story features a floating book apothecary whose owner can meet you and give you a story meant for your soul. When he needs to help his own soul, he sets his boat adrift on the Seine to see where it will take him.
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved every minute of this lovely contemporary fiction book. I read it before Jackie and am so glad that I was the one to recommend this book to her. The entire premise of this book is delightful.
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of my favorite books set in Paris and also one of my favorite books ever. The idea of a literary apothecary plays a big part in what Beyond the Bookends aims to do- Match people with books!
Find this book in: Books Set in Paris / Books Set in France / Ultimate List of 35+ Feel-Good Books / The Ultimate List of Books About Books / Best Books in Translation / Books About Bookstores
Aria’s Travelling Book Shop by Rebecca Raisin
This is the second book that I read by Rebecca Raisin and I adored Rosie’s Traveling Tea Shop.
This is a cute book centered around Aria who has a romance book shop. Aria began van life when her husband became sick and continued after he had passed away. This is the story of Aria’s search for her happy ending. I enjoyed this quick and easy read.
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
The Bookshop on the Corner #1
This book was the first book that I read by Jenny Colgan and is different from her others. It is not centered around food but rather, books.
When Nina, a librarian, finds herself without a job, she decides to embark on a journey with a mobile bookshop. There is nothing not to love in this sweet book.
The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan
The Bookshop on the Corner #2
I love Jenny Cogan and I was so happy to have an advance copy. This book, while related to her previous book “The Bookshop on the Corner”, is not a sequel. In fact, I felt that this book was a departure from her previous work. It dealt with some issues that are definitely more serious and delved into these issues in her unique way.
The book felt light and easy to read even though it had some more serious issues without trivializing them. Despite the length of the book( 400+ pages), I really wish the ending was longer. I loved the character development and wanted more. I’m hoping there is a sequel!
Historical Fiction Books about Bookstores
Bloomsbury Girls
Author: Natalie Jenner
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2022 by Katie Couric Media, Audible, the CBC and the Globe and Mail
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I loved this book set in a bookstore! Taking place just after WWII, the women of Bloomsbury Books are struggling to make their own way in the changing world.
We get to see alternating narrators, one of which was in Jenner’s first book, The Jane Austen Society. Each of the 3 females in the story is striving for their dreams and interacting with some of the most famous literary figures of their day!
Why Kirsten loves it
I squealed with delight when Daphne Du Maurier appeared on the page, but you’ll see Peggy Guggenheim, Ellen Doubleday, and more scattered throughout this charming tale. At its heart, this is a book about friendship and it is an absolute delight.
Why Jackie loves it
This is a delightful book that had me smiling with each mention of authors like Daphne Du Maurier. The book is well-written and addicting.
Find this book in: Books Set in a Bookstore / Friendship Books / Best Books of 2022
The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher
I love Kerri Maher’s other two books so I eagerly grabbed this story about an American ex-Pat (Sylvia Beach) that opened a bookstore in Paris during the time between WWI and WWII.
The story was sprinkled with literary figures well-known from the time – think Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Stein, etc. But the story really revolves around Beach’s publication of Joyce’s Ulysses.
Our Thoughts: I had no idea that the famous book caused such a stir in the world at the time – with many publishing houses refusing to publish it based on its content. The story was interesting but a little dragged out in parts. I think the tedium of the publishing process just got to be a little too detailed for my taste.
Find this book in Books about Bookstores / 1920s Novels
The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gable
I had to make a reel for this book because Nancy Mitford is such eye candy!
This dual-timeline historical fiction novel is set in both WWII London, where we see a floundering Nancy Mitford as a bookseller, getting inspired to write The Pursuit of Happiness, and the present day, where another floundering writer is looking to Mitford for inspiration.
Nancy is the character that shines in this book and I love that she’s such a dynamic force.
The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II by Madeline Martin
Wow, did I love this book! Grace has always wanted to live in London and finds herself working at a bookshop as WWII looms on the horizon.
Grace’s newfound love of books, the store, and the friends who have become family, become the glue that holds her together during air raids, blitzes, and nights spent in darkness.
For more Historical Fiction picks, head over to the Ultimate List of Historical Fiction!
Christmas Books about Bookstore
The Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin
What could be better than a book about a bookstore, Paris, and Christmas- especially at Christmas time? When Sarah Smith, a bookshop owner is offered a chance to do a bookshop exchange with her Parisian friend, she jumps at the chance.
Her book shop has been struggling, her boyfriend is consistently away on assignments and she feels stagnant. She hopes Paris will be just what she needs.
I wish the relationship between Sarah and her boyfriend was more believable. I feel like I came in without a background of why these two are together for reasons other than their chemistry. This book was a cute and easy read.
Christmas by the Book
Author: Anne Marie Ryan
Year: 2021
Genre: Fiction
Spice Rating: 💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is kinda like Love Actually in a bookshop. Nora and Simon’s bookshop is failing, but that doesn’t stop them from anonymously sending out 6 Christmas books to locals who need cheering up.
We see how their gifted books inspire changes in the lives of the recipients, how much their bookshop means to the community, and how all the of their lives intertwine.
Trigger Warnings
Death of a Child, Suicidal Thoughts
Why Kirsten loves it
I cried a few times while reading this heartwarming tale, but it deals with some pretty heavy subjects like the death of a child and suicidal thoughts/depression. It’s a wonderful book for the holiday season. Any true book lover will adore this Christmas tale.
Find this book in: Christmas Novels for 2021 / Christmas Books Of All Time / Christmas Book Club Books / Books About Bookstores
The Christmas Bookshop
Author: Jenny Colgan
Year: 2021
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Jenny Colgan is back with a stand-alone Christmas romance book about a failing bookshop and the woman who saves it. Carmen is stuck with no boyfriend, no job, and living at home, while her sister Sophie seems to have it all – a beautiful house, a great husband, a killer job, and 3 kids with one more on the way.
When she realizes her client is going to lose his bookshop and home, she overs Carmen up for the job of turning the shop around, offering her a room at her house to boot.
But the long-standing rivalry between the sisters is out in full force, Carmen seems to sabotage her own happiness in the romance department, and her bookstore boss might be hiding some family secrets that need uncovering.
Why Kirsten loves it
A charming contemporary fiction Christmas tale in true Jenny Colgan fashion, this heartwarming holiday book also has some appearances from beloved characters from previous books.
Find this book in: Best Christmas Books Of All Time / Best Holiday Books / Christmas Novels 2021 / Books About Bookstores
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