Ahh, there’s nothing like a tantalizing book premise, is there?
I spent four years after college as a “marketing writer” at a publishing house, where I learned to write “blurbs”–you know, the enticing stuff on the back of the book. Ever since, I’ve been a fan of good hooks, those premises that just dangle in front of your eyes, flashing and sparkling and generally being irresistible. Or at least that’s the publisher’s hope!
As summer turns into a crisp and color-dipped September, here are eleven books on which this former Blurbologist has a #premisecrush.
Which one looks the most flashy and sparkling to you?
Read through the list for a minty fresh new contest. You could win your favorite!
1. How to Find Love in a Bookshop
What’s not to love about this? They had me at the TITLE! and then this tidbit:
..”Shy Thomasina has a crush on a man she met in the cookbook section, but can she work up the courage to tell him?”
(I think the answer is probably yes, but there’s only one way to find out.)
2. The Anne of Green Gables Cookbook
“Set your table at Green Gables” (UMM, YESSSS!)
“Avonlea beckons in this cookbook inspired by the beloved children’s classic, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. KateMacdonald, Montgomery’s granddaughter, transports us to late-nineteenth-century Prince Edward Island through recipes culled from the eight-book series—plus a handful of favorites from Montgomery’s own kitchen.”
Cowcumber boats, anyone? How about plum puffs?
3. Caroline: Little House, Revisited
by Sarah Miller
Little House on the Prairie, through Ma’s eyes? Love it. Check it out:
“Pioneer life is hard for a pregnant woman with no friends or kin to turn to. Burdens are shouldered alone, sickness tended without doctors, babies birthed without help from mothers or sisters. To adapt to this strange place and transform a rough log house into a home, Caroline must draw on untapped wells of strength.”
4. Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore
I started reading this last night and though it is grittier than I supposed, I am all in. It’s as if one of the “Girl on a Train,” “Grit-Lit” books had a baby with a cozy book about a bookstore. Half gritty, half cozy!
5. “Diary of a Bookseller”
“The Bookshop, Wigtown – Scotland’s largest second-hand bookshop. It contains 100,000 books, spread over a mile of shelving, with twisting corridors and roaring fires, and all set in a beautiful, rural town by the edge of the sea. A book-lover’s paradise? Well, almost … In these wry and hilarious diaries…”
Hey, “wry and hilarious” are just cherries on top of this Scottish, bookish sundae. I’m 1/4 Scottish AND I love twisting corridors and roaring fires, don’t you?
6. Love and Other Consolation Prizes
Ford’s first book, “Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet,” is one of my very favorites. This one sounds equally compelling.
“From the author of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet comes Love and Other Consolation Prizes, a novel inspired by the true story of a child who was auctioned off at the 1909 World Fair. When 12-year-old Ernest, a half-Chinese orphan, finds himself at the Seattle World Fair, it feels like a prize. But he soon discovers that he is, indeed, the prize and will be auctioned off “to a good home.” But the winning ticket goes to the madam of a high-class brothel. Fifty years later, Seattle is hosting the World Fair once again, and Ernest must balance his past with his present.”
7. The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Frontier Landscapes that Inspired the Little House Books
Did you guys know that 2017 is the 150th anniversary of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s birthday?
“Follow the wagon trail of the series, starting in the Wisconsin setting of Little House in the Big Woods to the Dakotas and finally to Missouri. Throughout, you’ll learn details about Wilder’s life and inspirations, discover how to visit the real places today, and even learn to grow the plants and vegetables featured in the stories.”
Truly the perfect book to browse through with a tin cup of cider on a chilly day!
8. The Other Alcott
Did you also know that Amy March was based on Louisa May Alcott’s real life sister, May?
“Elise Hooper’s debut novel conjures the fascinating, untold story of May Alcott—Louisa’s youngest sister and an artist in her own right.”
9. Reading People
Finding out I was ENFP and other people were not–and therefore would not react to situations in the same way as me–was a life changer. I’ve been super keen on this book by pal Modern Mrs. Darcy since I first heard about it. And the cover is sublime. (Remember, #coversnob here…)
10. Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel
11. Anne of Green Gables board book
Don’t look–toddler great-nieces!!! G-Auntie Lorilee will be picking up THESE for Christmas!
“Introduce little ones to beloved redheaded orphan Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables: A BabyLit® Places Primer as they explore Prince Edward Island and the places that Anne loves. Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver, with their words and bright illustrations, introduce toddlers to Anne’s home and her favorite pond, wood, field, garden, and the avenue to Avonlea. This delightful board book will captivate your brainy baby’s imagination, and yours.”
Oh I want that AOGG graphic novel!! All of these are going on my list!
I am excited to get that graphic novel for Phoebe. Just another way to lure her in! 🙂
I am interested in Reading People. I feel as I am busier in life and kids are getting older, I am going from extravert to introvert.
Excited about others on this list! Have you see the new novel about Rose Wilder?
Hi Amy, I am thrilled about Reading People. What a gorgeous looking and fascinating book. I am also becoming a little less extroverted as time goes by. Interesting!
PS: No, I have NOT seen the new novel about Rose Wilder!!!!
The book is A Wilder Rose, it looks interesting. I just read Kate Ganshert’s Life After and loved it if you haven’t read it yet.
I enjoy your writing as I grew up in Northern Michigan and went to college at Cornerstone and now live in Alaska. Reading your work and Karen Ehman’s make me feel closer to wonderful Michigan.
Wow! How cool. Yes, we always turn toward home, don’t we? Hugs from your native Michigan!
“Lured you in like a silver spinner bait on a cool summer day”… love this so much! I already dread Anne Vogel’s awesome new book, so the ones on your list that most appeal to me are the AoGG board book or the Little House expansion from Caroline/MA’s perspective. Great list! 🙂
Mia! Thanks for appreciating my little line! 🙂 Also, WOW! You already read “Reading People”? what’s your personality type?
The book about Laura Ingalls solders. I was banned from her books in sixth grade because I read them in class. Love it
Dawn, you can wear your banning as a badge of honor! 🙂
While I’m drawn to many of these — and will definitely be adding them to my reading list, thanks! — I am completely intrigued by “Reading People.” Love the title, the cover, and the premise. I feel like at this stage of life with one out of the nest, one in college, and one in high school, I’m seeking to rediscover myself. I’ve actually contemplated retaking the Myers-Briggs since it’s been since college and I honestly can’t remember what I am, and wonder if I would even still be “that.”
Jamie, you’re not alone in wanting to retake the Myers-Briggs! I am on the same page. I know I am less extroverted than I used to be…so weird! 🙂
Love and Other Consolation Prize. I usually like to go with an author whom I’ve already read and I loved Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
Anne, wasn’t it wonderful? I recommend it to EVERYONE.
I’m intrigued with Caroline. I’m interested in anything related to Laura Ingalls Wilder. Perhaps it’s because I live in Missouri.
Caroline intrigues me, too, Jennifer. What a fabulous idea for a novel!
How am I supposed to choose just one??? ☺️ Many of these will be added to my to read list! But, if I have to pick I’d have to say The Other Alcott or the Jamie Ford book.
Did you read “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” by Ford? Oh, how I adored that book!
3 and 8 are both on my wishlist…can’t decide between them!
Yes, Caroline and The Other Alcott are appealing to exactly the same kind of reader!
So many good ones. I am most excited about The Other Alcott.
It looks amazing, doesn’t it?
I want to read all of them! But I’m the most intrigued and excited about Reading People. I love personality analysis and books. As a long time follower of the Modern Mrs. Darcy I am really looking forward to delving in!
Me too!
The Other Alcott – I love all things Louisa May Alcott, and I think this sounds like a fascinating read!
I’m so excited about The Other Alcott! What a nifty idea for a book premise! Makes me think, what other “minor” characters could be thus explored?
I’m most excited about The Other Alcott, but these all sound intriguing! I’m definitely getting the Anne board book for my daughter.
I wish my daughter were young enough for a board book, but at 12, I better get her the graphic novel!
So many of these sound amazing! But my favorite is the Anne of Green Gables cookbook. Anne is my favorite book hands down, and I love trying new recipes! This book sounds like the perfect combination of two of my favorite pastimes 🙂
Heidi, let us know how those recipes turn out!
So many of these catch my attention. I think my top pick would be “Caroline” but I’m putting 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 on my “to read” list!
That’s quite a list, Lisa! Let us know which one you like best.
I’ve already ordered Anne Bogel’s book, cannot wait til next week.
In addition, Diary of A Bookseller looks particularly wonderful! But otherwise pretty difficult to choose!
Yay! A “vote” for “Diary of a Bookseller”! 🙂
I am pretty sure it will be a super cozy read!
I just rest an ARC for the AOGG graphic novel the other day. It’s very well done!
I’m stoked about The Other Alcott. I was just in Concord last month on vacation and made a pilgrimage to the Alcotts Orchard house… I’ve already been a huge Louisa May fan, but I fell in love with this largely-unknown-to-me character of the youngest Alcott sister! Her art was all over the house (literally, she had drawn on the walls in some places) and inhabited the space as richly as Louisa’s semi autobiographical characters of the March Family.
How amazing! I would love to visit the Alcott house someday. I wonder if the author of The Other Alcott visited and that’s what spurred her novel?
Thank you Lorilee for helping us find new books to read. I am interested in reading “Real People”. I use an energy profiling system to shop for my clothes and I’ve learned a lot about how we are all so different, so “Real People” would just add to my education.
Anne Bogel is a genius!
I”ve already ordered “Reading People” and I’ve already purchased three copies of the Anne board book (two gifted and one kept) so I’m thinking either “The Diary of a Bookseller” (Scotland, books, the sea …) or maybe “The Other Alcott” (gorgeous cover!).
Yes to all of this…I love that you kept a board book for yourself. I think I shall do the same!
I’m looking forward to Caroline but I think I’ll put #10 and #11 on my Christmas shopping list for my little girl!
Caroline looks amazing and I can’t wait to read it! My 12 yo is getting the graphic novel for Christmas, for sure. 🙂
Wow the one about Caroline Ingalls sounds intriguing!
So intriguing! I can barely restrain myself from running out and buying it!
What a fun give-away! I love all things AOGG but was captivated by the idea of Reading People. I have enjoyed Modern Mrs. Darcy’s podcast many times. I’d love to have a good book chat with her. And as a fellow ENFP, I’m also very interested in personality types and would love to dive into this one as soon as it comes out.
Hey personality twin! 🙂 Yes, Anne’s book is captivating indeed!
The Anne graphic novel – such a fun & new way to read Anne of Green Gables!
Yes! My 12 yo loves graphic novels. This one is coming to my house and being read by myself and my girl!
Not sure if you picked a winner yet, but I forgot to post my FB comment here so here it is:
Oh my goodness Lorilee, I picked 5 books! #2 AOGG cookbook–I’m a fanatic about cookbooks. I have 21 hardbound cookbooks, almost 20 magazine cookbooks, a 3 ring binder full of recipes, a small recipe box full of recipes and not to mention my Pinterest.
#3 Caroline. To read how Caroline made it through the hard times and plus I LOVE Little House on the Prairie.
#6 Love & Other Consolation Prizes. 1st thing that got my attention: it’s a true story. I love true stories. I’ll probably cry but that’s okay.
#7 The World of Laura Wilder Ingalls. Because I LOVE LHOTP.
#8 The other Alcott. Just loved the blurb about it so that drew me in.
Jean, I love this, because I feel as if I have truly helped a reader feed her reading habit with my list! 🙂 Let us know how the Anne cookbook works out for you!!
I recently read “Reading People” by Anne Bogel and was amazed at what a fantastic book it was! I learned SO much about myself and how I am and also about others-especially those I have a close relationship with.
Next on my list is “how to find love in a bookshop” since I have heard so many good reviews about this one.
Hoping to be your lucky random picked winner 😉
These will all be wonderful reads. Loved the post. I’ve added these to my reading list. Live your blog, its refreshing to come visit and soend time here!