41JgplwtKgL._SL500_Synopsis: “Dear Lost for Words, We are trying to stay at home . . . I am enclosing a cheque and I hope that you will use it to send us some books. Please choose books that we might think are wonderful. Rosemary” Loveday Cardew’s beloved Lost for Words bookshop, along with the rest of York, has fallen quiet. At the very time when people most need books to widen their horizons, or escape from their fears, or enhance their lives, the doors are closed. Then the first letter comes. Rosemary and George have been married for fifty years. Now their time is running out. They have decided to set out on their last journey together, without ever leaving the bench at the bottom of their garden in Whitby. All they need is someone who shares their love of books. Suddenly it’s clear to Loveday that she and her team can do something useful in a crisis. They can recommend books to help with the situations their customers find themselves in: fear, boredom, loneliness, the desire for laughter and escape. And so it begins.“

My Review

This was a fantastic audiobook and just as good as the first book set in the Lost for Words Bookshop in York in England. I absolutely loved the first book and was never expecting a follow up when I listened to it in 2018. It was one of my favourites that year, so it was great to catch up with Loveday and Nathan again, even though it’s been 5 years. 

This book is set  around the Pandemic, so starts in 2020, although no specific dates are mentioned. If you still feel shaky around the subject of Covid, this book might not be for you. I know I couldn’t have listened to it if it had been published earlier, so the timing has been perfect for me.

As we all know lots of businesses suffered during the Pandemic, and at the beginning of the book Lost for Words is really struggling, because no customers means no income, and Loveday is really worried about how the bookshop will survive. Loveday and her manager Kelly try social media, but it doesn’t bring anyone near the shop or the website. She thinks about what Archie would do, her former mentor and previous owner of the bookshop. She knows he would do great things, but would also expect her to look after her readers, and so she suggests opening a book pharmacy!

I loved this idea and loved seeing how this part of the story developed, and who wrote, emailed, or phoned in for book prescriptions.  This is when the story gets really personal and quite emotional at times as Covid starts affecting customers and families, some who are key workers, relationships breakdown and things turn really nasty at times.  It was heartbreaking to hear their stories, especially as I was pretty sure they were based on true accounts. It’s made me realise that how very lucky me and my family have been, not having had Covid yet. Also in Jersey, although we had a lockdown and restrictions in 2020, and then small ones again later on, it was nothing like what the UK experienced, especially England.

It’s not all doom and gloom though, as there are hopeful stories, and of course there are the book prescriptions themselves, which I loved hearing as Loveday or Kelly responded to the customers. In between chapters the author writes lovingly about books and reading, helping to lighten the mood when there had been dark moments.

As to be expected Imogen Church’s narration was perfect! Her voice talents were amazing as she portrayed all sorts of people of varying ages.

Highly recommended on audio, especially if you enjoy books about books!

Book 11 of 20 Books of Summer