Books Books: Suspense & Thrillers

City of Books

It’s my turn on the City of Books by Nicole Meier Book Tour hosted by Suzy Approved Book Tours. 

About City of Books

Title: City of Books

Written by: Nicole Meier

Published by: Spark Press

Pub Day: May 28, 2024 

Find it: Amazon

Jo Waterstone knows what you should read next. She’s honed the skill of sizing up a person and recommending their next book in the decades she’s worked at Bruebaker’s Books. Her life has been shaped by the store, the bustle of customers exploring the stacks, and managing the eager staff. She can honestly say it’s the best job she’s ever had.

Then the store’s elderly owner, Mr. Bruebaker, suffers a stroke, and just like that Jo’s perfect job is on the chopping block. Mr. B’s daughters and the bookstore’s icy CEO think the time is right to close for good, and they order Jo to lock up. But she doesn’t know what she would be without Bruebaker’s—and besides, the place is an institution. So instead of following orders, she decides to take a stand: along with a few brave team members, she barricades herself in the store, trying to buy time until Mr. Bruebaker recovers and can speak for himself.

Living in a bookstore has a certain magic to it, but the quiet hours among the books throw the choices Jo has made in her life into sharp relief. As supporters—and detractors—start to voice their opinions about her actions, Jo will have to decide what, exactly, is worth saving.

Praise for City of Books

“I adored this moving story about a band of unlikely heroes who take drastic steps to save their beloved bookstore. Meier expertly draws a varied cast of characters—including the city of Portland, Oregon—who are all lovable and flawed and struggling with timely, relatable issues. In doing so she reminds us that it is never too late to find love and family.”—Tracey Lange, author of New York Times bestseller and Goodreads Choice Finalist We Are The Brennans

“At its core, City of Books is about the magic of books, bookstores and, best of all, book people. What a beautiful reminder that the book community is one of the most powerful resources on earth.”—Lucy Gilmore, author of The Lonely Hearts Book Club

“City of Books is a love letter to indie bookstores and the people who adore them. In this warm, charming novel, the booksellers themselves are the heroes of the story. Nicole Meier captures a corner of the world where books, the family you create at work and doing the right thing coexist. And who wouldn’t want to live in a City of Books?”—Lian Dolan author of The Sweeney Sisters

My Thoughts

All things bookish! If you love books, this one’s for you. Jo manages the bookstore that is in jeopardy when the owner lands in the hospital. The powers that be try to close it but Jo isn’t having it. Together with a few employees, they lock themselves inside the store. Then the real problems start. The author intricately wove several unrelated plots together to make it work, the writing is exceptional. A bond was made with most of the characters and we got to watch them grow throughout the story. A book with found family always touches my heart and this was no exception. Then sprinkled with a bit of romance, you’ve got a winner. City of Books is a sweet story that pulled at my heartstrings. And, it’s loosely based on a true story! Hello!

About The Author

Nicole Meier is an author and certified book coach. Her novels include The House of Bradbury, The Girl Made of Clay, and The Second Chance Supper Club. She lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest in Bend, Oregon. 

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City of Books Book Tour

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June, 2024

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