The Bookish Life of Nina Hill
by Abbi Waxman
Berkley, 2019
Goodreads Best of 2019, Humor Category
Nina Hill is a bookish millennial living in the Larchmont section of Los Angeles. She has a job in a bookstore and a cat named Phil, runs numerous book clubs, and competes in a top trivia team. For a shy only child, it’s the perfect life. Almost. There is the cute guy on the opposing trivia team she’s too bashful to speak to.
Then the father she never knew dies and names her in the will. Suddenly she has a brother and sisters and nieces and nephews, and it’s all so overwhelming. It takes a village to coax Nina out of her over-organized, over-scheduled shell, but the journey is so much fun.
I found this to be a delightful book. Nina is smart, awkward and endearing. Her slow-burning romance with Tom is sweet, and her new-found relatives are a hoot, as is Waxman’s depiction of Larchmont. The artisanal ice cream fight over whether the bookstore should close was a riot.
Recommended for anyone looking to escape reality for a few hours.
Linda McLaughlin
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Sounds delightful! And I could definitely use a few hours’ escape. Especially as San Diego County was just moved back to the Purple Tier for at least 3 weeks. Thank you for reviewing!
I think you’d enjoy the book, Barrie. Orange County may not be far behind SD. Our numbers are increasing, too. Bah.
I’m an only child with no immediate family other than my husband. I’m not sure how I would react to an instant family. – Margy
I’m a de facto only child, too, Margy. My half-brother was 14 years older and we never lived together. (My dad had two marriages and two only children.) Being an extrovert, I’d probably love instant family.
This sounds like a comforting book to read during a stressful time, thanks for the recommendation!
Yes, a great escape.
It sounds like a great respite read! Well done.