When Ned Andrew and I visit Great Barrington, MA we make a beeline to The Book Loft. We can’t quite put our finger on why this little store some thousand miles away from home calls to us. But it does.
It isn’t like they have books you can’t find elsewhere. In the age of Amazon and Alibris is there such a thing as that? And their staff picks — I tend to agree with Ev — are published online along with links to purchase them without airfare to the Berkshires.
Even so, we manage to buy three times what we can ever pack in our suitcases and make lists of titles to purchase later. It’s like it’s the only book store on Earth. Maybe it’s because I never would have found Rebecca Flowers’ Nice to Come Home To if Ev hadn’t displayed it along with about 40 other delicious titles and handwritten reviews on note cards urging me to buy them all.
You know. That’s probably it. I like going into a book store, talking with folks I’ve enjoyed knowing for years, and being certain that I’m going to walk out with a book or two that I’ll absolutely love. This trip was no different.
I loved this book from the cover to the conclusion.
Seriously–the sweet cover with the pretty dresses and the lovely girl holding the perfectly-engraved sign was a pleasure to carry around. Unfortunately, I finished the book in about a day, so I didn’t get to carry it for long.
The story behind the cover was a delight. Pru and her collection of relatives and friends and more-or-less-than-friends kept me entertained, laughing and crying the entire 230+ pages. The story — set in DC without sounding like a tourist guide — was absolutely believable while also gently transcending my expectations.
Pru’s struggle with well-worn themes such as ticking biological clocks, authentic and fulfilling work, boys, and family were somehow freshened up for this telling. And our protagonist is worthy of that title. She actually grows and changes over the course of the story in meaningful ways and none of it feels pressured or contrived.
Flowers’ writing is flawless — dialogue, situations, and pace. The ending was absolutely satisfying and avoided all of my pet peeves. You know the ones: rushed wrap-ups, sappy happy after miles of sadness, and really bad exposition.
Nice to Come Home To is a truly great book marketed as Chick Lit. I am looking forward to Flowers’ next offering, but I won’t be forgetting this one anytime soon.
About Gina Lynette
hello gina ~
thanks so much for the kind words about the bookloft in your recent blog post ~ a customer brought it to our attention. that we are still here, in our 38th year (especially in this age of amazon and e-books), is due in great part to the continued support and generous spirit of customers like you.
please introduce yourself next time you’re here!
warm regards ~ ev wilska
p.s. have you read ann patchett’s State of Wonder? it’s brilliant.
I love that you stopped by here, Ev!
As luck would have it, we are planning a trip to the Berkshires very soon. Your store is the second thing on our list. (My sweet mother-in-law is, for obvious reasons, the first.)
Interesting that you mention Ann Patchett. She’s practically our neighbor and just recently announced that she’s opening an independent bookstore in Nashville. We live in a book desert here — with only a couple of used bookstores hanging on after Davis Kidd and Borders shuttered — so I’m thrilled she taking this on. I’ll also grab a copy of her book when I see you.
I’ll continue sharing my love of The Bookloft with anyone who will listen. Your shop is a sweet treat.
Gratefully,
Gina ;~}
like all independent bookstores, we are ever more grateful for the support of readers like you, gina. thanks so much for keeping us in mind when you’re at home and for seeking us out when you’re in the berkshires ~ it would be a pleasure to meet you when you next visit.
and how amazing is it that ann patchett is your almost-neighbor!? we had heard that she was opening a bookstore ~ what good news for your community (and how resolutely optimistic of her!). i can only imagine that it will be unique and wonderful…
warm regards,
ev