Very Charming

The Island Bookshop by Roseanna M White is a very charming Christian dual timeline novel that I absolutely loved. It is one of those books that you just don’t want to end.

The action is set on a small America island/strip of land in 1938 and in present day. The two time periods are linked by family and the love of books. There is also a mystery to solve.

Books can ‘speak’ to us and transport us to other times and places. We see the love that a character has for A Secret Garden. It’s a timeless, universal appeal.

1938 sees a character arrive from Croatia to start a new life after persecution from Mussolini starts heating up. We see that starting a new life in America is not without its difficulties as strangers from overseas are viewed with suspicion.

Family is important. Family loves and supports us. In present day a character returns home after her sister has an accident. The love of family helps to heal. Sometimes the healing is physical, other times it is mental. “Family will help you heal… You don’t have to talk about it, but you have to be near the people who love you.”

We see the importance for the community of small, family run businesses. There is the personal touch as opposed to the corporate big business.

Faith in God sees characters through difficult times. “She never had trouble finding God in the hustle and bustle of the city… But here… she saw Him everywhere.” God is wherever we are – but His presence is more keenly visible in nature as the big city has many competing voices.

When God is in our plans, they cannot fail. “Grasp it with both hands, knowing that nothing will pluck you from our Good Father’s palm.”

Life presents challenges. Prayer is our lifeline to God. “His world was spinning out of control.” When we know God, He calms the storm raging within. “I’ll be praying for wisdom.”

Forgiveness is as vital as breathing. “He just had to forgive someone who could never ask for it.” Forgiveness heals us from becoming bitter.

All the characters were delightfully drawn. They were easy to empathise with as the reader ’feels’ the love radiating from the pages.

The Island Bookshop was such a delightful read. The characters were wholesome and the presence of God wafted over the whole novel. “He [God] still asked to be her foundation, her resting place, her shelter from all the storms, but also the true source of joy.”

JULIA WILSON