The Printed Letter Bookshop

I'm not going to lie, I'm a sucker for a book with a cool cover. So I was particularly thrilled when BookSparks sent me a copy of Katherine Reay's new book. It's about new beginnings, friendship, and of course, a bookshop.

My mom owns a bookshop in Australia, and I've grown up around bookshops my whole life. So I can't wait to dive into this story! Grab a copy of this book for yourself: http://bit.ly/letterbookshop or check out all my book reviews over on Latest Book Crush.

Synopsis:

One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.

While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls. When Madeline’s professional life takes an unexpected turn, and when a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. She begins to envision a new path for herself and for her aunt’s beloved shop—provided the women’s best combined efforts are not too little, too late.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is a captivating story of good books, a testament to the beauty of new beginnings, and a sweet reminder of the power of friendship.

Books, Books, Books

I’ve always been a big reader, but lately I’ve been reading (and listening to so many audio books) that I felt compelled to start a whole new Instagram (or Bookstagram) account just to share them all. If you’re interested you can check it out at @LatestBookCrush

I’ve even been drawing and painting books, they’re just taking over my life lately!

What are you reading right now? Leave me a comment and let me know if you ever use books or book pages to create art!

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Book Review: Camp Grandma

Camp Grandma: Next Generation Grandparenting — Beyond Babysitting

By Marianne Waggoner Day

I received a free review copy of Camp Grandma from BookSparks. However, all opinions are my own.

Not being a grandmother myself I wasn’t sure I would get much out of this book. But by the end of the first chapter I knew I was wrong. Not only did the author help me look at my own daughter’s needs in a new way, but I realized that my parents were only just learning about their own role and working out how they fit into our new family. As soon as I finished the book I shipped it off to my mother, knowing she’ll get a tremendous amount out of it.

This book talks about grandparents not as babysitters but rather as caretakers, role models, teachers, historians, storytellers, confidants, mentors and trusted examples of how to love and be loved.

Thinking about my own grandmother, I’m inclined to agree with the author that multigenerational distance gives grandparents a perspective that is very different (and valuable) to that of parents. And also, that characteristics often to skip a generation, making children much more similar to their grandparents than their own parents. That is certainly the case with my own daughter, where she even looks just like her two grandparents, but nothing like my husband and myself.

Kids thrive on structure, and Marianne’s Camp Grandma, which is structured similarly to a corporate retreat, helps them learn a host of skills that will serve them later in life. She helps her grandchildren set agendas and goals, and talk about their expectations. Then they split their time with her into three main categories:

1. Presentations: where they show and tell, teaching them preparation, public speaking, communication, and listening skills.

2. Things to Learn: where they might focus on manners, family history, or resume building. You might think writing a resume is a strange thing for a child to do, but it helps them identify their skills, areas of strength and the experiences they’ve had so far, all of which help build confidence and pride.

3. Activity Time, which can include swimming, baking, crafts or any other activities they vote onto the agenda. These activities allow for physical movement, develop motor skills, teamwork and allow them to express themselves.

The book is written in a story-telling way that is entertaining to read while being clearly segmented for ease of finding information. It would make a wonderful gift to new and established grandparents alike.