The Last Bookshop in London

Reading is...” His brows knit together and then his forehead smoothed as the right words appeared to dawn on him. “It’s going somewhere without ever taking a train or ship, an unveiling of new, incredible worlds. It’s living a life you weren’t born into and a chance to see everything colored by someone else’s perspective. It’s learning without having to face consequences of failures, and how best to succeed.” He hesitated. “I think within all of us, there is a void, a gap waiting to be filled by something. For me, that something is books and all their proffered experiences.

It's going somewhere without ever taking a train or ship, an unveiling of new, incredible worlds. It's living a life you weren't born into and a chance to see everything colored by someone else's perspective. It's learning without having to face consequences of failures, and how best to succeed...I think within all of us, there is a void, a gap waiting to be filled by something. For me, that something is books and all their proffered experiences.

Deeper still was the profound understanding for mankind as she lived in the minds of the characters. Over time, she had found such perspectives made her a more patient person, more accepting of others. If everyone had such an appreciation for their fellow man, perhaps things such as war would not exist.

Books are what have brought us together. A love of the stories within, the adventures they take us on, their glorious distraction in a time of strife.

It is through books that we can find the greatest hope, he had

There was a special scent to paper and ink, indescribable and unknown to anyone but a true reader. She brought the book to her face, closed her eyes and breathed in that wonderful smell.

Ugliness in a person was not born, but created.

The spine, not yet stretched, creaked open, like an ancient door preparing to unveil a secret world.

You can’t save the world, but keep trying in any small way you can.

No one told her finishing the book would leave her so bereft. It was as though she’d said goodbye for the last time to a close friend.

Where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people as well.

It is through books that we can find the greatest hope,

But it was true how anger could be used to mask hurt, especially when hurt was such a very vulnerable emotion.

It doesn’t matter how you fight, but that you never, never stop.

There are many voices Hitler would quiet, especially those who are Jewish.” Mr. Evans slid the new book reverently beside the others. “It is the duty of the rest of the world to ensure they will never be silenced.” He tapped a yellow spine with Almansor in gilt at its top. “‘Where they burn books, they will ultimately burn people as well.’ Heinrich Heine isn’t Jewish, but his ideals go against what Hitler believes.

Reading is..." His brows knit together and then his forehead smoothed as the right words appeared to dawn on him. "It's going somewhere without ever taking a train or ship, an unveiling of new, incredible worlds. It's living a life you weren't born into and a chance to see everything colored by someone else's perspective. It's learning without having to face consequences of failures, and how best to succeed." He hesitated. "I think within all of us, there is a void, a gap waiting to be filled by something. For me, that something is books and all their proffered experiences.

...his mistreatment had nothing to do with her, and everything to do with him.

But as much as she loved reading the story, no one had prepared her for the end being so bittersweet. No one told her finishing the book would leave her so bereft. It was as though she’d said goodbye for the last time to a close friend.

Word by word, page by page, she was pulled deeper into a place she had never expected and walked in the footsteps of a person she'd never been. (p. 107)

There might be loss, and sometimes there may be fear, but there was also courage to face such challenges. For in a world such as theirs, with people of spirit and love, and with so many different tales of strength and victory to inspire, there would always be hope.

I think within all of us, there is a void, a gap waiting to be filled by something. For me, that something is books and all their proffered experiences.

The cacophony of war overhead came nonstop and with such intensity, it was impossible to differentiate one sound from the other. Without her wits about her, she might have surrendered to the flicker of panic racing in her mind with every whistle, every thundering boom that reverberated in her chest. They only made her read all the louder.

Oh, do stop.” Viv waved her hand. “You know full well we were trying to listen in on you. It was quite rude of you both to speak so softly that we couldn’t hear a word.

You saw how Ebenezer's unhappy childhood [of A Christmas Carol] made him who he was. Imagine how he might feel if his business burned to the ground." It was an apt comparison between Ebenezer Scrooge and Mrs. Nesbitt to be sure. One Grace had never thought to put together before that moment. But it was true how anger could be used to mask hurt, especially when hurt was such a very vulnerable emotion. Even Mr. Evans had used his gruffness to mask his memories of his daughter when Grace had first started to work at the bookshop. Who knew what Mrs. Nesbitt had experienced in her life to make her so hard and bitter?

Remember that we will always have books, and therefore we will always have courage and optimism.

Word after word, page after page, she was pulled deeper into a place she had never experienced and walked in the footsteps of a person she’d never been.

War was not meant for tender souls.