The Book of Beginnings: The new charming and uplifting novel for 2023 from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Keeper of Stories
£0.90
From the author of the phenomenal bestseller The Keeper of Stories, comes an utterly beautiful and charming novel full of mystery and secrets waiting to be uncovered…
‘Filled with compassion and insight . . . a true ode to friendship’ HAZEL PRIOR
‘Masterful storytelling’ CELIA ANDERSON
‘A powerful ode to friendship’ Fabulous
Her new chapter starts now…
Jo Sorsby is hiding from her past when she agrees to run her uncle’s beloved stationery shop. Glimpsing the lives of her customers between the warm wooden shelves, as they scribble little notes and browse colourful notebooks, distracts her from her bruised heart.
When she meets Ruth, a vicar running from a secret, and Malcolm, a septuagenarian still finding himself, she suddenly realizes she isn’t alone.
They each have a story that can transform Jo’s life… if only she can let them in.
The perfect gift for book lovers, The Keeper of Stories meets The Lost Bookshop in this gorgeous novel about secrets, second chances and finding friendship in the most unlikely places.
Netgalley reviewers LOVE The Book of Beginnings!
‘Another extraordinary read by the author of The Keeper of Stories’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘What a gem of a book!’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Everything about the story moved me’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I am in awe of Sally Page’s writing’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘So refreshingly original’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘You just have to read it’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A read cover-to-cover-in-one-sitting book that gives all the feels’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Wonderful, just wonderful’⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Additional information
| Publisher | HarperCollins (28 Sept. 2023) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 1447 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 408 pages |
| Page numbers source ISBN | 0008612870 |
by C. DELL
Absolutely loved this book!
by Alison
A different slant on a romance story ,which yes ended up as I thought, hoped it might but not before there were several twists and turns. I especially like the character of Reverend Ruth. The author either knows someone who is a minister or else did a great job of researching how hard this role can be, most especially the need to met peoples expectation, with a freedom for many to criticize church leaders in ways I don’t think they would do with many others. This is not a religious book in any way, simply one of the character is a Reverend who somehow manages to cling to her faith when you could say she had reasons not to. I will look for more book by this author- most enjoyable.
by Julie A
I loved the way Sally formed her characters, it made me want to meet Jo, Malcolm and Ruth. I also now want to visit Highgate Cemetary! I work for the Church of England and when Ruth opens up about why she ran, Sally really did capture the enormity of the role of clergy today (and believe me, there are Will-kill-soon churchwardens out there). This has become one of my favourite books, not in a grand way, but just because it makes you think about what is, and isn’t, important in life. Hold your friendships close and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t want to change the world. If you do, then go and do it!
by Rosie J
I cannot remember how I came across this book – but having travelled to Ethiopia in 1993 and now being based in Kenya for some of the year I was totally absorbed by everything Catherine wrote. What an eye opener and how very clever of her to introduce her problems with eating disorders in such a matter of fact way. It is a must for anyone who is not only interested in bulimia in particular but also living life in Africa and England.
by Kindle Customer
Although I enjoyed this book nearly as much as The Keeper of Stories I felt that, at times , the difficulties in relationship with friend Lucy became a bit laboured and possibly unnecessary, at all times though this was a feel good read and to be recommended
by Kindle Customer
A very happy and enjoyable read about a woman who Take over her uncle’s stationery shop in Central London where she meets an eclectic mix of people including an elderly gay man, a runaway vvicar and Eric the viking. Here, the young lady finds out about their lives and secrets and where she learns to look beyond the facade of everyday people living their own lives.
I really enjoyed the novel and I enjoyed the discourses between the different dynamic of people. I particularly enjoyed the conversations about the famous. Highgate cemetery and it’s occupants.
I rate this book a four star Read.
by Mrs C Smith
A lovely, gentle book that tells the story of Joanne, a woman approaching middle age and recently rejected by an undeserving, narcissistic boyfriend. She moves to London to look after her ailing uncle’s stationery shop. There, she meets three very disparate people with whom she forges strong friendships. They are all such characters and a delight to get to know. Joanne also, of course, finds a man who will truly love her, but finding their true path together is not without its problems. The premise of famous dead people, as different as Karl Marx and George Eliot, emerging from their graves as ghosts on Christmas Eve, and putting them together in pairs to imagine how they might get on, is inspired. Loved it. Watch out for the epilogue – I nearly missed it.
by Amazon Customer
I enjoyed this book but none of the characters were quite as captivating as those in The Keeper of Stories, still definitely worthwhile reading and I would recommend it.