Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman

“She was remembering everything. How love could change a person, how it could cause you the greatest sorrow or shelter you from harm.”

Living her life in New York, Isabel Gibson lives an unbothered life, away from all the memories of her past. Her parents are no more, their family bookstore is almost gone to ruins, and her sister Sophie is living somewhere with a grudge of a lifetime. Isabel is sure that they both would never speak again. But one day, a random letter comes to Isabel and that changes everything. Isabel has led a life as per her terms, but this letter is taking her back to her roots, where she may not get to be herself, which she is not sure is good or bad.

I am so sad Alice Hoffman wrote this as a short story. I could read this as a full-length novel.  Isabel’s character was so relatable and unique that I am ready to read her past and present in detail. People tell her that they know her and treat her like she is unaware of her own traits. 

For me, the key theme of this book was healing. The book takes us through the process of healing relations, business, faith and even individuals. The journey of the relationship between Sophie and Isabel is just worth reading. At last, I certainly loved how the bookstore and books are used as a medium and even as metaphors throughout the story. 

I absolutely loved this book and would definitely recommend it.