The Book of Lost Names Book review

MORE Than a Five STAR Rating !!!!!!

This September month's Book Review is about The book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel. Yes it's another Historical fiction world world two novel. Let me just say I just finished this book and I still feel like I am part of the novel, living the story as my it's my own life in the sense ;maybe a past life. When I say towards the end of the novel it was part of me, I had dreams of living it. I don't know why I did but this novel stuck to me in the best ways, I will try to explain why. Bottom line before I get into it , you need to buy this novel ,end of story!

My very first thought starting the novel Kristin had me within the first few lines and I couldn't even put it down and when I had to my thoughts were about it. I was hooked completely and if you read my last book review, this one blew it out the water instantly. A little heads up there are two timelines through out the novel from May 2005 to back in June 1942 but as reader you barley even notice the changes between the two. Which is bonus in my opinion being such a well written novel. It feel like being right beside Eva Traube as a young graduate student through Eva Traube Abrams in her golden years.

This story is about Eva Traube in her golden years sees her book , The book of Lost Names on the front cover of the New York Times. The book that she risked everything for in her former life sixty- five years ago. And a secret to an answer that haunts her for all these years lies with the pages. Going back in time to rescue not only the book but who she was and when her story began forced out of Paris when her father was arrested. Also becoming a skilled document forger along the way to save the lost children.

"The book I last laid eyes on more than six decades ago.

The book I believed had vanished forever."-The Book of Lost Names

I wish If there was a real book of last names in every "War" in the past, in the present. So those have been lost, have been taken can be remembered. Given back to those who lost them the most. I can highly relate to that and I why I created Misread to never be forgotten. In the world we live now, there are stories that no one knew about war, I am hopeful that maybe someone was creative to do something like for the world to find eventually.

Before the last chapter or towards the ending, I had my own thoughts how she would write the end. And it tossed my thoughts towards the opposite direction because I didn't think she would of went there, its hard to explain. In the last three pages of the novel, I literally shouted, holy( fill in the blank here.) out loud. I had just no words, mind blown on how it finished. I don't even want to give away a word about it , I would spill everything in seconds. I only wish in the reality, could have a love, a story as Remy and Eva have. Kristin Harmel needs to a part two ( An extension) of their story. I need to know more about them as individuals and about their days apart to the days.

And if you were wondering , why this review is a bit short. I meant it to be like I said before I am trying very hard not to spoil one bit of the book because it's such a worthy read. So purchase a copy and see why I kept my book lover mouth shut as much as I could. I need someone that already read the novel so I can spill my thoughts fully .

Best wishes,

Misread.

P.s More is coming , Get Ready ! Prior Blog posts are linked down below.

Book Review :The Last Bookshop in London

Let me begin this book review by saying I know my last book review was last April of the year. But from those months apart, I can say this book I am about to share is beyond worthy for everyone to read. From beginning to end, the novel is pure escapism. No matter what age you are in life or where you are in the world ;each time the book was opened , the world around would disappeared and I was in London during World War Two hearing that world come alive.

I never read any book by Madeline Martin before I am glad I picked up The Last Bookshop in London to start with. Her way of writing historical fiction is nothing I have read before or have anything to compare it to . Her creative way of writing this novel feels as if you are physically in the shoes of the world between the pages. From the moment Grace Bennet and her best friend Viv made it to Farringdon station the novel took off. I wish Viv was my best friend, her vibe seemed just fun to be around.

She saved Mr. Evans when he didn't want her help in the slightest. She saved her mother's bestfriend, Mrs.Weatherford. Grace fell in love with George Anderson the moment he turned her a book lover with The Count of Monte Cristo. And during the darkest days and the distance between them making a relationship work despite the world. And all I am going to say there should be more George Andersons in the world, that's all you are getting romantics. Also we can't forget Colin Mrs.Weatherford son, he was that type of character that has the gentle soul with animals and would bring them home. We can all admit we all had that friend that did that or have done that to. I have know to that and my defense the animals tend to find me not the other way around.

Each time I sat down with the novel, in any chair ,couch or bed I was transported to the world before Grace Bennet. The time of prosperity at her fingertips change as quickly as the Second World War brewing to begin. The beauty of Grace bennet changed ,saved so many lives by just being herself through think and thin. Losing certainly of the world, losing people, experience love another level in her life. Lifting up a city by hearing her own words and protecting what she could of other lives from air raids in the morning or dragging on through the night the next day.

I loved reading how Grace was falling in love the with books she read along the way like Jane Eyre. I can appreciate how she fell in love with each story. And going from not reading a single book in her life to read every book in a bookshop. She built a community of people without setting out to make one happen. Naturally making one in a tube station or from the footsteps of Primrose Hill. I do also think Grace was meant to be a ARP warden, it was perfect for not only her character to do but the Title suited her because she is helpful person. And it only made her stronger inside and out and taught her many lessons for life beyond the war.

I have a few favorite moments from the novel but each one I want to pick gives away to much information about the story. I can say that Mr. Evans carried more Grace then he ever thought and he thought he couldn't be saved by anyone or anything until Grace. And same for Grace Mr. Evans, Primrose Hill was more important to Grace then any recommendation she needed in the first place. Once you get into the novel you will understand Mr. Evans has a tough exterior but inside he is a teddy bear with excellent taste in novels. And the caretaker of the most important novels in world when they were taken by Germans to be destroyed.

Okay I can't help it one of my favorite moments is when people gathered in the Tube station listening to the novel being read to comfort them. Its one of the most beautiful parts of the novel through all the darkness. And to think before television and the radios they did have at the time Books and newspapers were the talk of the town, worldwide. Books were and are fundamental of life at least in my opinion. To add my favorite chapter of the whole novel was twenty-one of the most powerful chapter and I love every word of it.

I didn't want to read this book to fast , it deserved to be a slow burned read. Not actually burning it to clarity. That would be against rule of law in my book. This Book deserves to read many times over, it feels just timeless. Every character in the novel that was either in there briefly or stayed till the end is relatable to the time of 1939 to 2021 and further beyond that timeframe. Once you have a copy in your hands you will understand why it feels timeless and relatable in any age.

I do hope you all have great day and enjoy the fall season fast approaching upon us. I do have a new monthly post coming up after this one goes up in a few days. I do hope you buy this book in a physical copy or in digital format. I secretly hope you buy the physical copy, I can't help it I love books and I never full love books digitally; never felt right.

Anyway.

Best regards ,

Misread

The link for the book is down below: