Whether it’s a real bookstore in Paris, an idyllic shop on an island or a cozy store in the middle of New York or London – I love almost every book set in a bookstore. The niche of books set in bookstores has been around for a while, but lately it seems more popular than ever. Here are seven of my favourites, across various genres. These are all books that you should definitely put on your list.

The Bookshop –

Penelope Fitzgerald

The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald is an absolute classic when it comes to books set in bookstores. This novel came out in 1978 and is set in 1959. In the book we follow Florence Green, a middle-aged widow, who decides to open a bookshop in the small coastal town of Hardborough, Suffolk.
The Bookshop is a story about starting a business, being thwarted but trying anyway. It is tragic yet hopeful. Plus, I love the vibes in the book and I think many of you will enjoy reading it too.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry –

Gabrielle Zevin

After reading Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow I dived into the back list of Gabrielle Zevin. And guess what I found: a book set in a bookstore! This book includes mixed media and provides little notes about the books available in the island’s store. This book is a literary romance. We follow A.J. Fikry, a grumpy book store owner on Alice Island. When his favorite publishers agent dies, they get replaced by a clumsy blonde named Amelia Loman. A beautiful and adventurous story about love, hope, courage and grief.

Words in Deep Blue –

Cath Crowley

I love a good YA book and one of my favorites is Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley. However, there are too many people who don’t know this book exists! A shame, if you ask me, because this book has everything.

Years ago, Rachel had a crush on Henry Jones. The day before she moved away, she tucked a love letter into his favorite book. She waited, but Henry never came. Now, Rachel is working at the bookshop, grieving her brother and trying to avoid the boy she used to love. Then Henry and Rachel get closer again. They are surrounded by books and exchange letters by hiding them in between pages. This is the absolute cutest book ever with second chances – a book that gives you a laugh and a tear, like we say in The Netherlands.

84, Charing Cross Road –

Helene Hanf

We can’t do this list without the classic: 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. This is a charming memoir, following Helene, a freelance writer living in New York City, and a used-book dealer in London. Over 20 years they write to each other, and though they never meet, they share a winsome, sentimental friendship based on their common love for books. Their relationship, captured so acutely in these letters, is one that will grab your heart and not let go.

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop –

Hwang Bo-Reum

Many books set in bookstores (and libraries!) are based in Japan or South Korea. In the last few years we’ve seen Days at the Morisaki Bookshop and What You Are Looking For Is in the Library. A South Korean favorite of mine is Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop.
This slice-of-life novel is set in a South Korean neighborhood in Seoul and focuses on acceptance and finding comfort in life, including the healing power of books. FMC Yeong-ju is burned out, divorced from her husband and decides to follow her dream. She opens a book shop where Yeong-ju and her customers take refuge. From the lonely barista to the unhappily married housewife, and the writer who sees something special in Yeong-ju – they all have disappointments in their past. The Hyunam-Dong Bookshop becomes the place where they all learn how to truly live. A lovely read.

Business or Pleasure –

Rachel Lynn Solomon

Although this book is not entirely set in a bookstore, the first scene opens at a book event. It’s a spicy romance all about writing books. Chandler is a ghostwriter and she has never felt more like a ghost when she attends a signing for a book she wrote and the author doesn’t even recognize her. The evening turns more promising when she meets a man at the bar and immediately connects with him. But when all their sexual tension culminates in a spectacularly awkward hookup, she decides this is one night better off forgotten.
Unfortunately, her next project is ghostwriting a memoir for Finn Walsh, a C-list actor best known for playing a lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show who now makes a living appearing at fan conventions across the country. And Finn turns out to be that hookup guy from last night. Chandler is determined to keep their partnership as professional as possible, but when she admits to Finn their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as he thought, he’s distraught. He intrigues her enough that they strike a deal: when they’re not working on his book, Chandler will school Finn in the art of satisfaction. As they grow closer both in and out of the bedroom, they must figure out which is more important, business or pleasure or if there’s a way for them to have both.

The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted –

Robert Hillman

If you want to dive into a historical bookstore book, try The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted, set in 1968. This book is about Tom Hope, who doesn’t think he’s much of a farmer, but he’s doing his best. He can’t have been much of a husband to Trudy, either, judging by her sudden departure. It’s only when she returns, pregnant by someone else, that he discovers his surprising talent as a father. But when Trudy leaves and takes her child with her, Tom’s heart breaks.
But then he meets Hannah Babel, a smalltown bookseller. Hannah is the second Jew—and the most vivid person—Tom has ever met. He dares to believe they could make each other happy. But it is 1968: twenty-four years since Hannah and her own little boy arrived at Auschwitz. Tom Hope is taking on a battle with heartbreak he can barely even begin to imagine.

What are your favorite books set in bookstores? Let us know on Instagram @bookinfluencerscom!