Sometimes you just need a cozy and comforting book with magic and low stakes. I’ve been listening to The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst, narrated by Caitlin Davies, which is a lovely sort of fairy tale about found family and first love.
Kiela is a junior librarian at the Great Library of Alyssium, living a rather quiet life taking care of the empire’s collection. When a revolution erupts in the capital, the library catches fire; Kiela flees with as many precious spellbooks as she can carry, along with her anxiety-prone assistant, a sentient/talking spider plant named Caz. Hoping to wait out the fighting while protecting the books, she returns to her childhood home on a remote island which is filled with magical creatures and nosy neighbors. She quickly realizes that the island needs help, due to the neglect of the empire’s sorcerers. Though illegal for a non-sorcerer to use magic, Kiela decides to set up a secret spell shop, disguised as a jam shop / bakery, offering “remedies” to her new friends and community.
The Enchanted Greenhouse is the second (standalone) novel set in this world and was just released in July. Another book, Sea of Charms is scheduled for next year.
Durst, Sarah Beth. The Spellshop. Bramble, 2024.
