The Bookstore by Deborah Meyler

By Eric William Okeson (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Esme, a serious-minded English art history student in New York hates messes, so it is a shock when she finds herself in one.  She realises that she is pregnant to her sophisticated American boyfriend and doesn't know where to turn.  Esme finds refuge at The Owl, an old-fashioned bookstore in the city.  Here she meets George, the sweet owner, Luke, a taciturn colleague, and various eclectic people, including the homeless and strange customers. Here she finds a new 'home' and family . But when Mitchell comes back and finds her working 'in that drab little secondhand store', what will Esme do?

Esme provided me with good company on my holiday in New Zealand. Interesting, young, and a bit naive, Esme is easily manipulated and she has a lot to learn.  Deborah Meyler certainly takes her on a fascinating journey.


This is a very literary story filled with quotations and redolent with the atmosphere of New York.  You can almost smell the old books in this store! Esme is a charming and likeable heroine and tension is cleverly built into the story when Mitchell comes back and Esme grows ever closer to having her baby...

The Bookstore was well-written, atmospheric, and had well-drawn characters. I also liked the many touches of irony and dry humour.

I will certainly read more books by Deborah Meyler!

The Bookstore by Deborah Meyler
Bloomsbury Publishing
Kindle    $3.46