This is a well-written vignette -- very short for a novel, so more of a novella, I suppose. It is atmospheric and pleasant to read: humorous in some places, while bleak in others. I am uncertain how much of a lasting impression it will leave on me, but the ending did spur me to think about why the author chose to conclude the book that way and to consider what that says about her view of life, the world, and human nature. Worth reading, I think!

I am adding this book to the Wrap-It-Up Bookbox, which will be on its way to the next participant shortly.

Taken from waternixie's wrap-it-up bookbox.

A sweet-sour story with a lot to recommend it. Florence Green opens a bookshop in Hardborough in 1959. She is new to the town and doesn't necessarily know "how things are done". Among those things is the requirement to kowtow to the village queen bee, Mrs. Gamart. Mrs. Gamart wants Florence's building for use as an arts center.

Florence is a tough old bird, though, and she resists thrust after thrust. Meanwhile, she takes on a young girl, Christine, as an assistant, and finds the girl has many useful abilities. Over time Florence finds support here and there along with resentment from other quarters. I didn't expect the ending, yet it fits.

If she tried to open a bookshop now she would fail before she even opened the doors. It's interesting to contemplate the challenges of pre-internet bookshops along with the pleasures we remember.

Sent to a fellow bookcrosser as a Valentine's Day exchange gift. The exchange was organized by princess-peapod. Thank you Kristin!

Thank you for the box of books and other goodies! And thanks to princess-peapod for organizing the exchange--A great Valentine's Day exchange!

This was the longest short book I've read! I kept picking up other books instead of this one. It is basically a power struggle between two women, one of them with power and money and the other without.

Going from Arkansas to California as part of the Wishlist Tag Game!

Thank you, etherea! This will be a perfect afternoon read while relaxing out on the back porch.