The Midnight Bookshop by Amanda James is definitely one of the more unusual books I have read recently. It starts with an unusual flyer that catches the attention of three individuals and strangers, Adelaide, Jo, and Kye. The flyer is for a nearby store called the Midnight Bookshop. Jo struggles to actually find the store until she literally stumbles upon in the middle of the night and decides to break in, a decision that ultimately breaks her shoplifting habit when she falls in love with the store. Adelaide finds the flyer at a local food bank where she decides to find the store as well and she manages to also talk a random stranger she met at the food bank, Kye, into going with her. They also struggle to find it until they run into Jo who shows them where to go. With the owner, Fay’s, permission they start a book club that tends to meet at midnight to best experience the magic of the shop, the same magic that helps inspire each of the three of them to face and try to resolve the problems present in their lives. It comes in the form of a saying from Fay, “You don’t choose the book, it chooses you.”
Honestly, I wasn’t entirely sure what to think of this book going in but I was beyond enthralled with it. Mostly because it heavily emphasizes something that has long been a focus of my own life, which is the idea that a good book has the chance to change your life. I know that a lot of people don’t think about it that way but I frequently do so this was a nice read. It also was interesting how the books that helped weren’t necessarily the ones you might have immediately gone to when choosing them yourself and yet they worked superbly well all things considered. Mind you I have actually read all of the books that they read so that probably helped my understanding there. The characterization was superb because it revolved around the three main characters but it also did a great job of portraying Fay and the bookstore from their perspectives. I included the bookstore because it feels like it is as much of a character as any of the others. The mystery surrounding it and Fay is a crucial element of the story which is used to great effect in the story. I think that was probably one of my favorite elements in the story. The book may sound unusual, it is about a bookshop that seems almost impossible to find and changes based on your imagination, but at the same time it has this almost understated magical overtone to it that really draws you in. Definitely a book that I would consider rereading so I am giving it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
This is a great adult fantasy novel which should appeal to readers who prefer fantasy. It would also probably appeal to anybody who likes reading books about books. The book does deal with some potentially tricky or difficult topics such as drug use and domestic violence so be careful when reading if those might be issues. Outside of that there wasn’t anything to really be concerned by so the book should be suitable for readers as young as fifteen or sixteen. It was a great read though and thoroughly enjoyable so if it sounds like something you might enjoy, consider reading it. Consider sharing your thoughts in the comments if you do.