Melanie's Ode to the Book and Bookshops

You know you’re a bookworm if you can’t get enough books about bookstores, libraries, and books. Our bookseller Melanie certainly fits the bill. Here she recommends five of her favorite bibliophile books that are perfect for any book lover. A love of reading unites them all.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

Germany in 1939 is a dangerous place when orphaned Liesel is taken in by a foster family. There she is taught to read and her love of words is kindled. She steals books from Nazi book burnings and the mayor's wife. When the family hides a Jewish man in their basement, their lives become even more dangerous. This beautifully written novel for all ages will stay with you for a long time.

The Library Book by Susan Orlean

In 1986 there was a large fire in the Los Angeles Public Library which caused extensive damage. Along with examining the fire, Orleans provides us with a history of the library and the city itself. This ode to books is a gift to those who love them.

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

Hannah Heath, an Australian book expert, travels to Sarajevo to examine a rare copy of a beautifully illuminated medieval Haggadah. She notes inconsistencies in the book and the story travels back in time to reveal the history behind them. Inspired by the true story of the Sarajevo Haggadah.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Set in Barcelona from the early 19th century through the 1960's are two interwoven stories. All of the books by the author Julian Carax are being destroyed. Daniel, an antiquarian bookstore owner, tries to find the reasons behind this only to discover madness and intrigue. This is the first book of The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series.

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmen

Based on a true story of a young woman forger during World War II. When Eva flees France and settles in Switzerland she helps the Resistance by forging papers for displaced children. She realized that after the war people would not be able to find these children or if the children would even remember their real names. So she developed a code and entered the information in an old library book. A story of bravery and love.