CHRISTMAS BY THE BOOK

Esther Wane narrates a winsome Christmas story about the power of books. Nora and Simon Walden confront the closure of their bookshop in the Cotswolds. Wane conveys Nora's despair over losing her mother's shop, as well as her worry about her husband's heart condition and her daughter's travels abroad. When Nora and Simon sponsor a book giveaway to six villagers who need holiday cheer, Wane builds a sense of magic and connection as their good deed reverberates throughout the community. Village personalities each have their own voices in conversation, adding to the audio's cozy feeling. Nora serves as the heart of the book, and Wane portrays her in a sympathetic, motherly voice that captures the community spirit the bookshop provides. C.A. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2021]