r It’s time to buy books for Christmas. Books are the perfect gift, but it does take a little sleuthing to perfectly pair a book with a reader. In “The Little Paris Bookshop” by Nina George, bookshop owner Jean Perdu is a literary apothecary who prescribes novels.r“There are books that are suitable for a million people, others for only a hundred. There are even remedies — I mean books — that were written for one person only…. A book is both medic and medicine at once. It makes a diagnosis as well as offering therapy. Putting the right novels to the appropriate ailments: that’s how I sell books.”rPerdu has suffered the tragic loss of his beloved Manon. Twenty years later, he is still emotionally paralyzed and unable to find a book to heal his own broken heart. As events and people change his life, he is slowly able to find joy and love again as he journeys along the waterways of southern France.rPart of the enjoyment of reading “The Little Paris Bookshop” is the unfolding of the plot, so I won’t spoil that for you with details. A few of my favorite characters are Max Jordan and Catherine. Young Max wears earmuffs to help insulate himself against the noisy praise from fans of his wildly popular first novel. The Italian chef is also searching for his lost love as he prepares savory meals aboard the barge. The lovely Catherine, who is herself recovering from a broken relationship, joins team Perdu on his journey to find the ability to love and forgive.rI love a book with a happy, hopeful ending – even if there are a few tears shed in earlier chapters. This book had a great cast of characters, a setting that begins in Paris and travels through southern France, and a plot with mystery and romance. It’s a great choice to give the women on your Christmas list along with a lavender-scented candle. And French chocolate. Or a ticket to France.rSince we don’t have Monsieur Perdu and his floating barge to help us select the perfect book for Christmas giving, you could just revisit my BookLook reviews online at https://servedaily.com/category/features/column/booklook/.
