Books That Take Place in Bookstores or Libraries

There’s something irresistibly comforting about stories set among shelves of well-loved books — places where the scent of paper mingles with the promise of discovery. Whether it’s a cosy corner bookshop tucked down a cobbled lane or a grand old library brimming with secrets, these settings have a special magic of their own. They remind us why we fell in love with reading in the first place. In this post, we’ll explore a selection of novels that unfold within the walls of bookstores and libraries.

Disclosure: The FTC Disclosure Provision is a law that requires influencers to disclose when they are being paid to promote a product or service. So please know that if I'm not making money through affiliate links/sponsored content on the post you're currently reading, it's an oversight on my part and will be corrected soon. Read the full disclosure about all the legal stuff here.

Stories Set in Literary Spaces

Books, Bubble Tea and Bodies (Honeysuckle Bend Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Lisa Pevey

Buy on Amazon - See on Goodreads

Books, Bubble Tea and Bodies An Utterly Addictive Cozy Mystery (Honeysuckle Bend Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Lisa Pevey

Running a cozy book café can be murder … especially when the past just won’t stay buried.

Callie loves a timeless classic. She thought running a shop in her charming southern town meant quiet days, good tea, and lots of spare time to read. But when a strange journal turns up in a donation box, it leads her straight to the town’s oldest Creole manor—and to the body of a very prominent friend.

But the ladies in the dead woman’s bridge club are tight lipped and snooty, the town planner is acting shady, and the bad boy carpenter who worked for the late Alma Jessup has been spreading rumors. Everybody seems to have something to hide. And the more Callie starts poking around, the less sleepy her little hamlet becomes.

As Callie, Josh and Maya get tangled up with the quirky townsfolk, the clock begins ticking. More bodies. More books. And of course, more bubble tea. Will the trio be able to get to the bottom of things before time runs out?

And just how many secrets can one old mansion hold?

Find out in this tight cozy full of southern charm, lovable characters, and a mystery that will have you guessing until the very last moments. Fans of Ellie Alexander, Tonya Kappes, and Katie Gayle say they “can’t put this book down!”

The Book Store Witch & The Curious Reader by Ariana Jade and Arizona Tape

Buy on Amazon - See on Goodreads

When Florencia shows up in Tess’ witchy bookstore with the grand claim that she doesn’t like reading, the challenge is on. As an avid reader, Tess makes it her mission to find a book that Florencia will fall in love with, not realising that she herself is falling in love too. 

*** 

The Book Store Witch & The Curious Reader is a story in the Cobblestone Coven series and it’s a standalone sapphic romance between two witches who love books and reading. This cozy fantasy is set in a magical world with talking animals and lots of light-hearted banter.

The Book Detective by Craig McLay

Buy on Amazon - See on Goodreads

World famous mystery writer Simon Thorn has disappeared along with the only copy of the yet-to-be-published final book in his smash hit Robert Fulcrum detective series.

Few people know that the books are inspired by a real-life serial killer who has evaded police for years. Did Thorn leave enough clues in the final volume to identify the madman?

Watson Grant is not a detective - the closest he gets is running a bookstore with that word in the title - but it’s his job to track down the missing book.

Problem is, the book is worth a fortune, so a lot of other people are looking for it, too. They include a harpoon-toting ex-pirate with a wig fetish; a superfan traffic cop with serious mommy issues; a geriatric former KGB assassin with an arsenal of Cold War dirty tricks; and a rival bookseller with a diabolical hidden agenda. Not to mention a killer who will do unspeakable things to avoid seeing their name hit the bestseller list.

Watson is going to have to use all his knowledge of detective fiction to find the missing volume first, or else he may suffer a fate much worse than going out of print.

The Book Detective is the latest hilariously twisted thriller from the author of award-winning international bestsellers like Village Books, Demonic Indemnity and Deadline.

Mr. Darcy's Bookshop (Pride & Prejudice Variations) by Summer Hanford

Buy on Amazon - See on Goodreads

Cut off from his family’s fortune because he refuses to marry the woman his father has selected for him, Fitzwilliam Darcy takes up the only employment he deems tolerable, that of bookseller. Darcy is determined to support himself and to marry for love, but his powerful relations use their clout to keep customers and fashionable young ladies away. Worse, Darcy’s absence from Pemberley allows treachery to flourish.

Determined to see her older sister marry as well as possible, Elizabeth Bennet orchestrates their removal to London. Elizabeth isn’t searching for a husband of her own, but she is always looking for a good book. At a pleasant little bookshop in Cheapside, she finds plenty to read, and so much more. But should she give her heart to a bookseller and leave the life of a gently bred lady behind?

Mr. Darcy’s Bookshop asks what would happen if George Darcy and Sir Lewis de Bourgh had lived, and taken up their deceased wives’ quest to see Darcy and Anne wed. This is a lighthearted variation with laughter, love, a touch of villainy, and a happily ever after for our dear couple.

Read Between the Pines by Mary Walden

Buy on Amazon - See on Goodreads

She traded the skyscrapers of New York for the small-town charm of Maple Ridge, but running her aunt’s bookstore is just the beginning.

Abby thought escaping her fast-paced city life would be easy, but between a grumpy, brooding handyman (who just might be the most ruggedly handsome man she's ever met), a tight-knit community eager to play matchmaker, and exes that just won’t get the hint, nothing is as simple as it seems.

For fans of small-town charm, grumpy x sunshine, cinnamon roll heroes, and inheriting a new life, this heartwarming romance full of cozy fall vibes is a must-read.

Confessions of a Curious Bookseller by Elizabeth Green

Buy on Amazon - See on Goodreads - Read my review

A heartening and uproariously funny novel of high hopes, bad choices, book love, and one woman’s best—and worst—intentions.

Without question, Fawn Birchill knows that her used bookstore is the heart of West Philadelphia, a cornerstone of culture for a community that, for the past twenty years, has found the quirkiness absolutely charming. When an amicable young indie bookseller invades her block, Fawn is convinced that his cushy couches, impressive selection, coffee bar, and knowledgeable staff are a neighborhood blight. Misguided yet blindly resilient, Fawn readies for battle.

But as she wages her war, Fawn is forced to reflect on a few unavoidable truths: the tribulations of online dating, a strained relationship with her family, and a devoted if not always law-abiding intern—not to mention what to do about a pen pal with whom she hasn’t been entirely honest and the litany of repairs her aging store requires.

Through emails, journal entries, combative online reviews, texts, and tweets, Fawn plans her next move. Now it’s time for her to dig deep and use every trick at her disposal if she’s to reclaim her beloved business—and her life.

Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson

Buy on Amazon - See on Goodreads - Read my review

A chilling tale of psychological suspense and an homage to the thriller genre tailor-made for fans: the story of a bookseller who finds himself at the center of an FBI investigation because a very clever killer has started using his list of fiction’s most ingenious murders.

Years ago, bookseller and mystery aficionado Malcolm Kershaw compiled a list of the genre’s most unsolvable murders, those that are almost impossible to crack—which he titled “Eight Perfect Murders”—chosen from among the best of the best including Agatha Christie’s A. B. C. Murders, Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train, Ira Levin’s Death Trap, A. A. Milne's Red House Mystery, Anthony Berkeley Cox's Malice Aforethought, James M. Cain's Double Indemnity, John D. Macdonald's The Drowner, and Donna Tartt's A Secret History.

But no one is more surprised than Mal, now the owner of the Old Devils Bookstore in Boston, when an FBI agent comes knocking on his door one snowy day in February. She’s looking for information about a series of unsolved murders that look eerily similar to the killings on Mal’s old list. And the FBI agent isn’t the only one interested in this bookseller who spends almost every night at home reading. The killer is out there, watching his every move—a diabolical threat who knows way too much about Mal’s personal history, especially the secrets he’s never told anyone, even his recently deceased wife.

To protect himself, Mal begins looking into possible suspects . . . and sees a killer in everyone around him. But Mal doesn’t count on the investigation leaving a trail of death in its wake. Suddenly, a series of shocking twists leaves more victims dead—and the noose around Mal’s neck grows so tight he might never escape.

The Librarian by Valerie Keogh

Buy on Amazon - See on Goodreads - Read my review

Since that fateful night I have always kept myself to myself. Reserved. Private. Alone.

Some people think I am too quiet. That life is passing me by. But I know there is safety in my own company. That no one can hurt me if I don’t let them get too close.

Until the day I meet him. A handsome, charming stranger. A chance for me to take a risk…finally?

Or a man who threatens everything I’ve worked so hard for?

You’ll be sorry…

And that’s when my whole life begins to fall apart….

The Library by Bella Osborne

Buy on Amazon - See on Goodreads - Read my review

Two different generations. Two unusual people. Thrown together to save their local library.

Tom is a teenager and blends into the background of life. After a row with his dad, and facing an unhappy future at the dog food factory, he escapes to the library. Tom unwittingly ends up with a bagful of romance novels and comes under the suspicion of Maggie.

Maggie is a pensioner and has been happily alone for ten years, at least that's what she tells herself. When Tom comes to her rescue, a friendship develops that could change her life. As Maggie helps Tom to stand up for himself, Tom helps Maggie realise the mistakes of her past don't have to define her future.

They each set out to prove that the library isn't just about books – it's the heart of their community.

Together they discover some things are worth fighting for.

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

Buy on Amazon - See on Goodreads - Read my review

Love, friendship, and family find a home at the Printed Letter Bookshop

One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.

While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls. When Madeline’s professional life takes an unexpected turn, and when a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. She begins to envision a new path for herself and for her aunt’s beloved shop—provided the women’s best combined efforts are not too little, too late.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is a captivating story of good books, a testament to the beauty of new beginnings, and a sweet reminder of the power of friendship.

Conclusion

Stories set in bookshops and libraries remind us that tales don’t just dwell within their pages — they linger in the very spaces that honour them. From the quiet magic of a centuries-old library to the cheerful chatter of a beloved local bookshop, these novels invite us to lose ourselves in places where the love of reading is woven into every corner.

If one (or several!) of these titles has caught your eye, why not add it to your reading list or pay a visit to your local library or independent bookshop? You never know — the next great story might be waiting for you on the very next shelf.

What’s your favourite book set in a bookstore or library? Share it in the comments below — I’d love to add it to my own list!

Beginner’s Guide to Reading Nutrition Labels (Simple Breakdown)

Beginner’s Guide to Reading Nutrition Labels (A Simple Breakdown)

There was a time when I’d pick something up in the supermarket, turn it over, glance at the ingredients… and quietly put it back. Not because I didn’t want it, but because the label looked like it was written in another language entirely.

With gluten intolerance, lactose intolerance, and multiple chronic digestive conditions, knowing what I eat isn’t a lifestyle choice — it’s part of managing my health. Still, that doesn’t make food labels any less overwhelming. Some days, the list of ingredients feels longer than the product itself.

Lately, I’ve been making a conscious effort to actually understand nutrition labels rather than avoiding them. Not perfectly. Not obsessively. Just enough to feel confident and informed. If you’re at the beginning of that journey too, this simple breakdown is for you.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. The information provided on www.JoLinsdell.com does not, and is not intended to, constitute medical advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.

Why Nutrition Labels Are Worth Paying Attention To

Nutrition labels aren’t there to tell you how to eat — they’re there to help you make decisions that work for you.

For anyone dealing with food intolerances or digestive issues, labels can:

Help prevent accidental flare-ups
Reveal hidden sources of gluten or lactose
Make food shopping less stressful over time
Put you back in control of what you’re eating

They’re not about restriction. They’re about clarity.

Ingredients First, Always

Before I even glance at calories or fat content, I go straight to the ingredients list. This is where the most important information lives.

How to read it

Ingredients are listed from highest to lowest quantity
The first few items make up most of the product
A very long list often means the food is highly processed

That doesn’t mean it’s automatically off-limits — it just means it deserves a closer look.

Allergen Labelling Under EU Law

One helpful thing about shopping in the EU is that food labelling is strictly regulated under EU Regulation No. 1169/2011.

This means 14 major allergens must be clearly highlighted in the ingredients list — usually in bold or capital letters.

For those of us avoiding gluten or lactose, this includes:

Cereals containing gluten (such as wheat, barley, and rye)
Milk and milk products (including lactose)

Even trace ingredients must be declared if they’re deliberately added, which makes labels far more reliable than they used to be.

What “May Contain” Actually Means

“May contain” warnings relate to cross-contamination, not ingredients.

They’re voluntary under EU law and usually indicate shared equipment or production facilities. How seriously you take them depends on your own sensitivity — I use them as a guide rather than an automatic no, but everyone’s tolerance is different.

The Nutrition Table: What’s Worth Noticing

The numbers can feel intimidating, but you don’t need to analyse everything.

I usually focus on:

Fat and saturates (important for digestion)
Sugars (especially in foods marketed as ‘healthy’)
Salt (easy to overlook)

Calories matter less to me than how a food makes me feel afterwards — and that’s something labels can’t fully predict, but they can hint at.

Per 100g vs Per Portion: Which Should You Trust?

Most labels show both, and they serve different purposes.

Per 100g is useful for comparing products
Per portion shows what the manufacturer thinks you’ll eat — which isn’t always realistic

If I’m choosing between two similar items, I compare the 100g values. If I’m checking how something might affect me, I look at the portion size too.

Front-of-Pack Claims Aren’t the Whole Story

Terms like:

“Gluten-free”
“Lactose-free”
“Natural”
“Low fat”

are regulated in the EU, but they still don’t tell the whole story.

A gluten-free product can still upset your digestion. A lactose-free item can still be heavy on sugar or additives. Turning the packet over is where the useful information lives.

When Ingredients Look Like Science Experiments

Some ingredients sound alarming simply because they’re unfamiliar. Not everything you can’t pronounce is harmful — and not everything that sounds wholesome will agree with your digestion.

Over time, you’ll start recognising which ingredients your body tolerates and which ones it doesn’t. That knowledge builds slowly, and that’s okay.

Progress, Not Perfection

Learning to read nutrition labels isn’t about becoming an expert overnight. It’s about:

Taking a few extra seconds in the supermarket
Feeling less confused and more confident
Making choices that support your health, not complicate it

I’m still learning. I still get it wrong sometimes. But every label I understand is one less mystery on my plate — and that feels like progress.

It’s also helped me shift my mindset around food in general. Approaching eating as something empowering rather than restrictive makes the whole process far more manageable — which is why I love reminders like Quotes That Make Clean Eating Feel Empowering, Not Restrictive. They reinforce that being mindful about what you eat isn’t about punishment or perfection, it’s about feeling supported and in control.

Learning to read labels is one part of caring for yourself, and combining that with gentle daily routines — like the ideas in A Year of Self-Care: 12 Months of Simple Habits to Boost Your Well-being — makes a real difference over time.

I’d love to know — what’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned from checking a nutrition label? Share it in the comments below so we can all learn a little more about making food choices that feel empowering!

Blogging: Easy Ways To Improve SEO on Your Website

If you want your website to attract more visitors and rank higher on search engines, optimising your content for SEO is essential. Search engine optimisation (SEO) may seem complicated, but with a few simple steps, you can make a noticeable difference to your website’s visibility. This guide will walk you through easy, practical ways to improve your SEO and help your blog or website reach a wider audience.

Taking these steps can help improve your website SEO

1. Optimise Your Page Titles and Meta Descriptions

The title of your page and the meta description are often the first things people see in search results. Make sure your page titles:

Include your main keyword.
Are clear, concise, and descriptive.
Grab attention without being clickbait.

Meta descriptions should summarise the content of the page and include your target keywords. While they don’t directly impact rankings, a compelling meta description can increase click-through rates, which signals to search engines that your content is valuable.

2. Use Keywords Strategically

Keywords help search engines understand what your content is about. To improve your SEO:

Research relevant keywords using free tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest.
Include primary keywords naturally in headings, subheadings, and the body text.
Avoid keyword stuffing; quality and readability matter more than repetition.

Long-tail keywords (longer, more specific phrases) are particularly useful for blogs because they often have less competition and attract more targeted traffic.

3. Optimise Images

Images make your content more engaging, but they also impact SEO. Make sure to:

Compress images to reduce file size and improve page load speed.
Use descriptive file names (e.g., easy-seo-tips.jpg).
Add alt text to describe the image; this improves accessibility and helps search engines index your content.

Check out my guide to image SEO here.

4. Improve Your Website Speed

A slow website can hurt both user experience and your search rankings. To speed up your site:

Choose a reliable hosting provider.
Minimise the use of large images and videos.
Use caching plugins if you’re on WordPress.

Google prioritises fast-loading websites, so even small improvements can make a big difference.

5. Use Internal and External Links

Links are a key part of SEO. They help search engines understand your site structure and build authority.

Internal links: Connect related pages on your own site to keep readers engaged and reduce bounce rates.
External links: Link to authoritative sources to provide value and show credibility.

6. Make Your Content Mobile-Friendly

With most people browsing on smartphones or tablets, a mobile-friendly website is essential. Use a responsive design that automatically adjusts to different screen sizes. Google also prioritises mobile-friendly sites in search results, so this step is crucial for SEO.

7. Create High-Quality, Engaging Content

Ultimately, content is king. Google rewards content that is:

Informative and useful.
Well-written and easy to read.
Engaging, with headings, bullet points, and images to break up text.

Regularly updating your blog with fresh content signals to search engines that your website is active, which can improve rankings.

8. Use Social Sharing to Boost Visibility

While social signals don’t directly affect search rankings, sharing your content on social media platforms can increase traffic, engagement, and backlinks. Encourage readers to share your posts, and consider integrating social sharing buttons on each page.

Final Thoughts

Improving SEO doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By implementing these simple strategies – from optimising titles and keywords to enhancing website speed and content quality – you can make your website more visible, attract more visitors, and grow your online presence.

Start with a few of these tips today, and over time, you’ll see real improvements in your search engine rankings.

Books That Take Place in Bookstores or Libraries

Stories Set in Literary Spaces

Books, Bubble Tea and Bodies (Honeysuckle Bend Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Lisa Pevey

The Book Store Witch & The Curious Reader by Ariana Jade and Arizona Tape

The Book Detective by Craig McLay

Mr. Darcy's Bookshop (Pride & Prejudice Variations) by Summer Hanford

Read Between the Pines by Mary Walden

Confessions of a Curious Bookseller by Elizabeth Green

Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson

The Librarian by Valerie Keogh

The Library by Bella Osborne

The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay

Conclusion

Beginner’s Guide to Reading Nutrition Labels (A Simple Breakdown)

Why Nutrition Labels Are Worth Paying Attention To

Ingredients First, Always

How to read it

Allergen Labelling Under EU Law

What “May Contain” Actually Means

The Nutrition Table: What’s Worth Noticing

Per 100g vs Per Portion: Which Should You Trust?

Front-of-Pack Claims Aren’t the Whole Story

When Ingredients Look Like Science Experiments

Progress, Not Perfection

Blogging: Easy Ways To Improve SEO on Your Website

Taking these steps can help improve your website SEO

1. Optimise Your Page Titles and Meta Descriptions

2. Use Keywords Strategically

3. Optimise Images

4. Improve Your Website Speed

5. Use Internal and External Links

6. Make Your Content Mobile-Friendly

7. Create High-Quality, Engaging Content

8. Use Social Sharing to Boost Visibility

Final Thoughts

Books: First Lines Fridays 6th February 2025

What is First Lines Fridays?

My Pick For This Week

The first lines of the book:

And the book is...

ABOUT ME

SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

AWARD WINNER

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Featured Post

Things You Can Do To Grow Your Blog This Weekend

Blog Archive

POPULAR POSTS

COPYRIGHT STUFF

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

ABOUT ME

JOIN ME ON YOUTUBE

RESOURCES