Everyone has their favourite book, correct? The one that pulls you into the story, the one whose characters you think about long after the final pages have been read. Now imagine. Just imagine for a minute if you could literally wander into their world? Welcome to Tilly and the Bookwanderers, made for book lovers everywhere!
Now, before I get to the story I must talk about how Anna James appears to have conjured up my most perfect bookshop EVER in the opening pages of her debut novel. How did she know?!?!?
Five floors full of books – featuring spiral staircases, squishy sofas, piles of books nestled in nooks and crannies as far as the eyes can see, and beyond! This place is Tilly’s favourite place in the world – it takes her on wonderful journeys, she just has to open a book and read. This place is the perfect setting for this fabulous book.
I also love how this bookshop is run by Tilly’s Grandad and Grandma, and how we see a lovely, warm relationship between the three of them despite their mourning for Tilly’s mother – who went missing soon after Tilly was born.
One day Tilly discovers something odd. Very odd. She heads up to her favourite reading nook in the bookshop and discovers someone there. A girl with red plaits, very talkative… and her name is Anne. Anne with an ‘e’. Tilly has discovered she can book wander, and this is just the start of her adventure!
Tilly discovers a whole world of book wandering that she didn’t know existed, there are rules and regulations and there are pitfalls to look out for. But. Most of Tilly’s adventures into some of her favourites book lead to some pretty life-changing discoveries… and now I must leave it there for fear of spoilers.
Just like Tilly, however, you are going to love delving into this book. You’ll need a mug of hot chocolate, with marshmallows of course, before you begin. That’s compulsory.
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