Review By Karly
The Book Haters’ Book Club is a heartfelt novel full of self-discovery, community spirit, and lots of book recommendations. If you liked The Last Chance Library and stories about books, this is for you!
Favourite Quote:
Last Hope for the Haters
Humans don’t need stories the same way whales don’t need oceans.
Goodreads Synopsis:
All it takes is the right book to turn a Book Hater into a Book Lover…
That was Elliott’s belief and the reason why he started The Book Haters’ Book Club—a newsletter of reading recommendations for the self-proclaimed “nonreader.” As the beloved co-owner of Over the Rainbow Bookstore, Elliott’s passion and gift was recommending books to customers. Now, after his sudden death, his grief-ridden business partner, Irma, has agreed to sell Over the Rainbow to a developer who will turn the cozy bookstore into high-rise condos.
But others won’t give up the bookstore without a fight. When Irma breaks the news to her daughters, Bree and Laney, and Elliott’s romantic partner, Thom, they are aghast. Over the Rainbow has been Bree and Laney’s sanctuary since childhood, and Thom would do anything to preserve Elliott’s legacy. Together, Thom, Bree and Laney conspire to save the bookstore, even if it takes some snooping, gossip and minor sabotage.
Filled with humor, family hijinks and actual reading recommendations, The Book Haters’ Book Club is the ideal feel-good read. It’s a celebration of found family and a love letter to the everyday heroes who run bookstores.
The charming Over The Rainbow bookstore is about to be sold. After losing her best friend and business partner, Elliot, Irma sees no other option but to sell. Enter Irma’s two daughters Laney and Bree who team up with Elliot’s widow, Thom, to stop the sale. Together, Laney, Bree, and Thom galvanize the local community to save Over The Rainbow from being turned into condos. It’s a story many of us can relate to – seeing our favourite independents being torn down in favour of progress and development.
What makes this book unique is how the pacing is broken up with interludes of the Book Haters’ Book Club newsletter and the breaking of the fourth wall with Elliot speaking directly to readers. The newsletters and Elliot’s carefully timed interruptions give Elliot his own voice as well as providing a history of Over The Rainbow Elliot and insight into the characters, particularly Irma and Thom. The newsletter also activates the book beyond the story because it includes real-life book recommendations for further reading, making you feel as if you are part of the Over The Rainbow family.
The Book Haters’ Book Club is a light-hearted and quirky book that is a perfect read for a crisp fall day, a comfy chair, and a cup of tea.
Thank you, HarperCollins Canada for the ARC in return for an honest review.
