The Book Charmer

By: Karen Hawkins

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert, Amanda Ronconi, Sebastian York

Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Prepare to fall under the spell of “this sometimes whimsical, often insightful, always absorbing story” (Shelf Awareness) following two fiercely independent women and their truly magical friendship in a sleepy Southern town, from New York Times best-selling author of Karen Hawkins.

Sarah Dove is no ordinary bookworm. To her, books live, breathe, and sometimes even speak. As the librarian in her quaint Southern town of Dove Pond, her gift helps place every book in the hands of the perfect reader. Recently, however, the books have been whispering about something out of the ordinary: the arrival of a displaced city girl named Grace Wheeler. If the books are right, Grace could be the savior Dove Pond desperately needs.

The problem is, Grace wants little to do with the town or its quirky residents — Sarah chief among them. But with a bit of urging, and the help of an especially wise book, will Grace ultimately embrace the challenge to rescue her charmed new community?

“A mesmerizing fusion of the mystical and the everyday” (Susan Andersen, New York Times best-selling author), The Book Charmer is a heartwarming story about the magic of books that feels more than a little magical itself.

©2019 Karen Hawkins (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

The best magical realism since Sara Addison Allen

I loved everything about this book. The narration was spot on, the characters were amazing and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Beautiful in its simplicity.

Light, airy and sometimes heart breaking. I could feel the pain, laugh at the satire and hope for the future .

Enjoyable story

I really enjoyed this story and the characters in this book. It’s not a classic just a fun read with characters you wish you knew and a town you would like to live in.

Predictably Light and Ok

I love books and love listening to Amanda Ronconi. Both the title and Amanda are why I chose this book. The book, however, is mistitled. While the “book charmer” is a character, I would hardly say that is what the book was about. The writing is good but predictable and easy. A bit like eating white bread when you normally eat wheat. It was a nice book to listen to at the end of my long day. It didn’t take a lot of thought and was entertaining enough to hold my attention.

Small town charm

If you are looking for a book about a small town with quirky characters than this is the series for you. It is lovely.

A delightful escape

A delightful escape into a challenged, magic laced town. Modern, realistic characters draw together to enable the impossible. The kind of book you don’t want to end.

A relievingly sweet story with a bit of romance but not about the romance.

This book whiled away some otherwise dull, chore-heavy hours for me. The author’s prior books seem to have relied on “steamy” elements as sell points, so I was relieved to find a clean, engaging story with just enough magic to add a touch of whimsy. I have read enough phenomenal books to be unable to call it that, but it was very enjoyable, and I hope the author keeps to the same vein with the rest of the Dove Pond series.

Charming Book

I loved this story. It really is a wonderful feel good book with magical realism. I love the characters and the setting. I cannot wait for future books. I really enjoyed the narrator as well.

Sweet Story

A sweet story about love of family. Well written, well read. The loss of a loved one to dementia such a difficult part of life.

Very interesting book

This is the second book I've listened to by this author and her writing is still excellent. the plots are woven together well, interesting characters, delightful turns of phrase and quotable life truths. The only drawback, for me, were the occasional but unnecessary curse words; including taking God's name in vain. While cursing is probably common for some people (not my friends nor myself) it seems a lazy and less precise way to express emotions, and each curse word stopped the narrative like a painfully smashed thumb. Too bad since the writing is otherwise an example of excellent storytelling.