*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
Author: Katarina Bivald
Publisher: Bond Street Books
Publication Date: August 2015 (paperback)
ISBN: 9780385683593
Synopsis from Goodreads:
It all began with a correspondence between two quite different women: 28-year-old Sara from Haninge, Sweden, and 65-year-old Amy from the small town of Broken Wheel, Iowa. After years of exchanging books, letters and thoughts on the meaning of literature and life, Sara, mousy, disheveled, who has never been anywhere in her life–has really lived only for her work in a beloved bookshop, which has just closed its doors for the last time–bravely decides to accept her unknown friend’s invitation to visit. But when she arrives, she finds her house empty, the funeral guests just heading home. . .
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Looking for something light-hearted and quick to read as we transition into fall? Bivald’s The Readers of Broken Wheel will bring a smile to your face with it’s sweet and quirky story about a town unlike any other. Broken Wheel, Iowa isn’t much to look at, and there’s nothing there worth doing. Most of the citizens have packed up and left, but a ragtag group still remains. Their lives are brightened by the arrival of the strange, book loving tourist, Sara. She’s determined to help out in the community and she’s even more determined to get these folks to read.
While this story isn’t exactly a masterpiece of literary genius, it certainly is extremely entertaining and humorous. It quite comfortably fits into the genre of chick lit. I read the entire book in a single evening, but it wasn’t a life changing story. Bivald’s characters will put you in a great mood with their over the top determination and their outrageous mastermind plans. Although many of them struggle with their own demons, these characters are open to change and simply light up with positivity that Sara brings to town.
I’m always up for a story about books and book lovers, so I thoroughly enjoyed Bivald’s novel. It’s most definitely a book that I’d read again as a pick-me-up or to brighten a dreary day. It’s fun, cute, and simple. It’s great light reading.
Worn Pages and Ink 