Akash Roy

“The Lost Bookshop”, is pure gold, a masterpiece that implements the here and now into the magical forces of the other world, a world beyond reality. What a glorious book! It’s a story that weaves together three extraordinary, charming and peculiar characters in Opaline, Martha and Henry, each striving to write their own stories or to simply find them. Either way, this book is hypnotic in its prose, it takes fictional writing to a whole new level for those who truly love books. It is an enchanting illustration in a world where books are fundamentally important, playing a pivotal role for those who choose to hold those majestic gems in their hands. When a book whispers, you listen intently to what it has to say. This book speaks volumes, it absolutely peaked my curiosity, it was definitely a page turner and it was so hard to put it down. I basically plowed through it full steam ahead, like I was under some type of hypnotic spell compelling me to read on. Life can cause individuals to view their own lives from the sidelines, not fully engaged within the confines of what life has to offer. It goes without saying that at times we all need a Madame Bowden in our lives just to add clarification to the things we don’t yet fully comprehend, a unique wizard of sorts who has the power to unlock secrets just sitting on a shelf. This vanishing bookshop has something to offer both Martha and Henry, they just need to conjure up the confidence to read between the lines and to see what cannot be seen, the author magically intertwines Opaline’s past life with the present. It’s pure genius, a fantastical journey where something lost can eventually be found if you stay on the majestical current path. This book adhered the conforming gender roles during Opaline’s storyline, a time when women were viewed as the weaker sex and therefore not taken seriously at all. Women had voices, but were never heard. It is noted that women writers used pseudonyms when writing back in the day, otherwise they wouldn’t get published as efficiently. Author Evie Gaughan used pseudonym Evie Woods at the author of this particular book, just to drive that point home. This novel incorporates great classic books, manuscripts and its authors into its storyline, and I liked that Sylvia Beach and her bookshop Shakespeare & Company were included as I read and enjoyed “The Paris Bookseller”. I am compelled to mention the cover, the concept brilliantly designed. My book was on my coffee table and the lights from the television changed the colour of the leaves on the front cover, the leaves twinkled with different shades, it was magical just as its content is. This novel will take the reader to a place of mystical magic with a dash of myth and I highly recommend it. Evie Woods lives Ireland and has created the most amazing book using her magical mind. It’s an intricately woven story with two vivid timelines that will burrow its way into your heart. LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Super read, one of the best at summarising lots of books key messages. One of the main points for me that stood out is near the end. Find time to think by yourself everyday. Don't 'fill' every moment of the day with TV or radio or small talk or gossip, make the time to think about the things you NEED to think about