Annie Lyons

Be in the mood to shed some tears with this one, though it’s also plenty heartwarming.

I adored the present day characters so much, particularly ten year old Rose with her eccentricities heartbreakingly shunned by some of her peers, her curiosity about everything, and her fondness for elderly neighbors Eudora and Stanley.

I actually felt a little resentment whenever the book shifted to flashback mode only because of how invested I was in that present day story of found family. The flashbacks show more were in fact well-written, too, and necessary in conveying what Eudora’s been through, how she ended up alone, and what it means for her to finally have people who care about her again.

This book does talk extensively about end of life options, its definitely emotionally challenging subject matter though ultimately that aspect of the story was handled as beautifully as it could be. show less

I just adored this wonderful book about coming to terms with death and with what life has to offer. Eudora Honeysett is 85 and wants to end her life with dignity on her terms. But meeting her 10 year old neighbor Rose and forming a friendship with her neighbor, Stanley, makes her rethink her decision. The book is told in present day but there are short recollections of Eudora's life over the years from her childhood through adulthood that help you to understand how she got to where she is show more today. It is beautifully written with wonderfully quirky and interesting characters. It reminded me a lot of A Man Called Ove. Thanks to NetGalley and Book Club Girls for the digital ARC. show less

Beautiful, heart-wrenching, poignant. I had a very hard time reading this one. Very well-written, with characters that seem to leap off the page. It's life-affirming, yes, but it's also very sad and, in many respects, bleak. It made me nostalgic for the past, and mournful for that which was lost, and the loneliness in this story is palpable. The characters are all quite lovely, and reading them was a joy. Even the antagonist—the closest this book comes to an antagonist, anyway—is still a show more sympathetic and tragic figure. This book is not for everyone, but if you like a good tearjerker, you'll probably find your bliss here. A well-crafted and extraordinary volume.

There is a cat in the story. The cat dies. He is hit by a car and carried immediately, still living, into the house so that he can die in his home. The people who know him all gather around to tell him they love him as he passes. It's brutal to read, but it's also a scene filled with love and warmth. Later, Eudora buys a kitten for the little girl to love. show less

Even if you think you don’t need to read another World War II book, this is one novel you won’t want to put down. It’s a heartwarming story of friends and family connecting over books. There were a few plot twists, with tears and tea – after all this takes place in London.

Gertie Bingham, the proprietor of Bingham Books, is toying with the idea of retiring from her dream business since the death of her beloved husband Harry two years earlier. But then war breaks out and she joins the show more community of those surviving the war – “ordinary people living through extraordinary times, making a difference through small endeavors and vast courage. It was Bingham books offering escape through the power of stories.”

Gertie and Hedy, her young German refugee, form The Air Raid Book Club, where “Bingham Books selects a book every month for people to read during the air raids, and we read it too so we can discuss it with anyone who uses the public shelter.”

I enjoyed the many quotes about books, words, and writing sprinkled throughout the novel, as well as the quotes from various authors that started each chapter. And the author has included a wonderful resource listing the numerous books that are read and mentioned and quoted from in this warm and memorable tale. I highly recommend! show less