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Little Penguin Bookshop
The Little Penguin Bookshop
Books can change lives, even in wartime. . .
When World War II breaks out, Carrie Anderson sets up a bookstall at her local train station in the hope of providing a sense of escapism for travellers, troops and evacuees.
Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and armed with a colourful array of Penguin paperbacks, Carrie’s business soon booms. And when she gifts a book to a dashing officer, an act of kindness becomes the beginning of Carrie’s very own love story.
But as war rages on, and Mike is posted abroad, Carrie’s world is turned upside-down.
With the help of her station community, and the power of her paperbacks, can Carrie find the strength to battle through?
When World War II breaks out, Carrie Anderson sets up a bookstall at her local train station in the hope of providing a sense of escapism for travellers, troops and evacuees.
Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and armed with a colourful array of Penguin paperbacks, Carrie’s business soon booms. And when she gifts a book to a dashing officer, an act of kindness becomes the beginning of Carrie’s very own love story.
But as war rages on, and Mike is posted abroad, Carrie’s world is turned upside-down.
With the help of her station community, and the power of her paperbacks, can Carrie find the strength to battle through?
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2024
21 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Toye
24 books37 followersSet in a family-owned department store, Jo's novels bring to life the hardships - and highlights - of life in Britain in the Second World War. With husbands, boyfriends and brothers away, the three Shop Girl friends pull together to battle bomb damage and black marketeers as well as their own poignant personal dramas. A former radio and TV scriptwriter, Jo draws on her family's war experiences as well as memories of how shopping used to be - before Amazon changed all that!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 26, 2024
Twins Carrie and Johnnie are about to face war.
What an absolutely super book. In The Little Penguin Bookshop Joanna Toye has produced what might be termed a proper story. It’s filled with vivid characters, a sense of history and a wonderful love of books. What could be better? Just reading about the books sold by Carrie, or discussed by her, brings glorious memories flooding back to the reader, making The Little Penguin Bookshop a smashing read.
The Little Penguin Bookshop is alive with historical detail woven into the story giving it interest, authenticity and texture, bringing the era to vivid life, but never imposing or detracting from the narrative. The plot simply romps along as Carrie opens her railway platform stand including the little Penguin bookshop. I found it impossible to tear myself away from finding out what was going to happen next. Through Carrie and Johnnie in particular we get a real insight into the Second World War. We all know about it through historical fact, but Joanna Toye really brings it alive through the brother and sister, as she illustrates the impact on everyday life for ordinary people to the extent that I worried about them and wondered how they were faring when I wasn’t reading the book.
Indeed, the characters here are warm, varied, and totally believable. The odious Mr Bayliss is balanced by the pragmatic, hard working Norman. The handsome Mike and heroic Johnnie are enhanced by the more ordinary Eric. However, it is the women in the story, especially Carrie who feel so relatable and realistic. Joanna Toye made me care about her completely. Many of the women here are in traditional roles of catering staff and housewives and yet there’s a strong feminist streak too that I found very appealing.
I think what makes The Little Penguin Bookshop so compelling and entertaining is that, along with that sense of history that feels so pertinent to today’s world, there’s romance and a little bit of mystery, particularly attached to Penny, so that there’s something for every reader in this wonderful story.
Alongside the themes of war are others that add depth and warmth to the story. There’s a super message, particularly through Ruby, of not judging someone based on your assumptions about them. Both Ruby and Penny illustrate that we don’t always know what is really happening in another person’s life. I thought the impact of kindness was incredibly deftly handled.
I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed The Little Penguin Bookshop. I found it absorbing, entertaining and surprisingly powerful. The Little Penguin Bookshop is a story I recommend completely.
What an absolutely super book. In The Little Penguin Bookshop Joanna Toye has produced what might be termed a proper story. It’s filled with vivid characters, a sense of history and a wonderful love of books. What could be better? Just reading about the books sold by Carrie, or discussed by her, brings glorious memories flooding back to the reader, making The Little Penguin Bookshop a smashing read.
The Little Penguin Bookshop is alive with historical detail woven into the story giving it interest, authenticity and texture, bringing the era to vivid life, but never imposing or detracting from the narrative. The plot simply romps along as Carrie opens her railway platform stand including the little Penguin bookshop. I found it impossible to tear myself away from finding out what was going to happen next. Through Carrie and Johnnie in particular we get a real insight into the Second World War. We all know about it through historical fact, but Joanna Toye really brings it alive through the brother and sister, as she illustrates the impact on everyday life for ordinary people to the extent that I worried about them and wondered how they were faring when I wasn’t reading the book.
Indeed, the characters here are warm, varied, and totally believable. The odious Mr Bayliss is balanced by the pragmatic, hard working Norman. The handsome Mike and heroic Johnnie are enhanced by the more ordinary Eric. However, it is the women in the story, especially Carrie who feel so relatable and realistic. Joanna Toye made me care about her completely. Many of the women here are in traditional roles of catering staff and housewives and yet there’s a strong feminist streak too that I found very appealing.
I think what makes The Little Penguin Bookshop so compelling and entertaining is that, along with that sense of history that feels so pertinent to today’s world, there’s romance and a little bit of mystery, particularly attached to Penny, so that there’s something for every reader in this wonderful story.
Alongside the themes of war are others that add depth and warmth to the story. There’s a super message, particularly through Ruby, of not judging someone based on your assumptions about them. Both Ruby and Penny illustrate that we don’t always know what is really happening in another person’s life. I thought the impact of kindness was incredibly deftly handled.
I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed The Little Penguin Bookshop. I found it absorbing, entertaining and surprisingly powerful. The Little Penguin Bookshop is a story I recommend completely.
April 10, 2024
One of those books that gives you a warm, tingly feeling! Set in 1939 at the start of WWII, Carrie is frustrated that she is unable to do something worthwhile for the war effort, while her twin, Johnnie, is off training to be an RAF pilot. When she stumbles upon the idea of opening up the long disused newspaper and book kiosk at the station, Carrie feels a sense of purpose and as well as a successful business, she finds herself with new friends in Bette, Ruby, Eric and Penny, as well as a love interest in Mike.
The characterisation in the book was excellent and I found myself feeling like I was part of the story, I could imagine chatting to Carrie whilst browsing for books and taking a seat in the cafe while Ruby baked some treats!
I felt the ending was a little sudden and I definitely think these characters have more to do!
4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Joanna Toye and Random House Cornerstone for an ARC in return for an honest review.
The characterisation in the book was excellent and I found myself feeling like I was part of the story, I could imagine chatting to Carrie whilst browsing for books and taking a seat in the cafe while Ruby baked some treats!
I felt the ending was a little sudden and I definitely think these characters have more to do!
4 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Joanna Toye and Random House Cornerstone for an ARC in return for an honest review.
April 7, 2024
The Little Penguin Bookshop is a lovely, engaging, gentle and charming story from Joanna Toye. Initially, I did find it hard to get into as the plot as it was slow to get going but around the halfway point I felt the story found its rhythm and things picked up a lot. Set during World War Two we are introduced to Carrie Anderson and her family. It’s August 1939 and rumours of war abound as Hitler begins to extend his control beyond Germany. Carrie works with her father in their newsagent and stationery shop. All her life Carrie had wanted to be a librarian but there hadn’t been enough money for her to stay on and complete her school cert and now as her mother isn’t strong enough to work in the shop it’s Carrie that her father relies on. Prior to this she had worked in Boots and enjoyed it but she knows her duty and loyalty lies with her family.
Instantly you think that Carrie is kind, caring and compassionate and that perhaps boys are afforded more opportunities than girls. As her twin brother Johnnie is training to be a draughtsman with long term plans to become a pilot. It’s all he has ever longed for whereas Carrie’s dreams are put on the backburner but it’s not that her parents are being stern and strict with her rather than Johnnie. It’s more that was the role of women at the time but when war is declared all that changes and their lives will never be the same again. The terror is real for everyone. Suddenly, a gas mask has to be carried at all times, Anderson shelters come into use and every available piece of land is turned over to growing vegetables. Soon rationing is introduced and all those little luxuries that people took for granted are gone. Johnnie signs up for the R.A.F and is sent away for training. This will be the making of him as it has all he has dreamed about for many years. Yes, perhaps not under the circumstances of war but he is finally getting to put his love of planes and flying into practice. But what of Carrie, again here is where her loyalty shines through as she knows she can’t sign up and leave the town of Brockington as her mother would be sick with worry and its bad enough Johnnie going away without her daughter leaving too.
Carrie feels that she has to do something worthwhile during the war and it has to be close to home. Here is where her love of reading comes to play. All her life she has adored books and the escape that it offers her into other worlds. Books give her the experiences that she hasn’t had yet and perhaps won’t for god knows how long now that everyone’s lives have been interrupted and derailed thanks to the war. Her father had given her a little corner of the shop to sell books but it hadn’t been that successful but an idea strikes when she sees the book stall at Brockington station has been shut for some time. Charismatic Uncle Charlie (her father Norman’s brother) who at first seemed a bit of a wheeler dealer and liked some ducking and diving provides her with the funds to take over the stall. I was totally wrong in my initial assumptions of Charlie and over the course of the book I could see that he had a good heart and loved Carrie and her family as he had no children of his own. Charlie’s intentions were always good and he helped out in any way he could and if he hadn’t allowed Carrie to get started with the book stall than she would never have met the man who became the man of her dreams.
A varied cast of characters is introduced as Carrie establishes her stall at the station selling books, magazines, newspaper and bits of stationery. I loved getting to know all the characters but at times I felt we barely scratched the surface in getting to know them and their stories developed a little too late in the book. Bette runs the tea rooms with young girl Ruby who appears to be a bit airy fairy and more interested in chatting up troops than making cakes and teas. Bette could have been even more of a matriarch figure than she was throughout the book. I felt her role was underplayed a bit and that Carrie was more of that figure than Bette was to everyone at the station. Bette’s son Eric is a porter and despite thinking he wouldn’t be called up for war his papers soon arrive. Of course, Bette is anxious and hopes that he will just have work somewhere in Britain but her wishes don’t come to pass and things venture down a dangerous and worrying road for poor old Eric who I didn’t think was the strongest of men by any stretch.
Penny arrives to replace Eric as porter and Mr. Bayliss is not impressed that a woman has been sent to do a man’s work. Again this another example of men believing a woman’s place was in the home. Mr. Bayliss was arrogant and lazy and shied away from hard work and there was an awful side to him that I wished I hadn’t had to read about. Penny was a fabulous character but again I felt she was under used and I would have loved for a real deep friendship to have developed between herself and Carrie much earlier on. Penny is cheerful, resourceful and fiercely independent but she was definitely hiding something and to say she was an enigma would be an understatement. She wasn’t to be pushed around and there was a mystery surrounding her which I did have a feeling about. I was proven right but none the less she was a great addition to the story I just wanted more of her even though I know the main focus was on Carrie. Johnnie too had a vital role to play and I am glad the issues and problems he encounters in the R.A.F were brought to light and given this was only the start of the war there is a lot more that can be explored centring around Johnnie.
Carrie believes she can feed the troops minds through books as they pass through the station on their way to war and over time she grows in confidence and adores her job and all the people she meets be it a mother and daughter who make regular trips to London or simply soldiers passing through on their way to training or on leave. The title suggests it’s a book shop that is in operation but it’s a stall, but the Penguin books stated in the title do feature. I loved all the mentions of the different books Carrie was reading and what they meant to her and the recommendations that she made to others. This quote really summed up how Carrie felt about the power of books and the work that she was doing at a time when people needed distraction and escape from air raids and the constant fear of invasion. ’To escape into a book, to let it take you into another world for a while-it’s the greatest thing on earth’.
I did think there were chapters after the initial setting up of the stall where nothing much happened and there was a bit of repetition and the book stalled ever so slightly. But when Carrie meets officer Mike who is passing through the station and they converse over books that’s when the story picked up one again. It’s clear from the outset that although the meeting may be brief and subsequently she doesn’t see Mike until he pops up again several months later, that there is a connection between the pair. Carrie is smitten and falling fast for him as so many did during the terrible times of war as people never knew when a meeting would be their last so every opportunity was taken especially when it came to love. This could have seemed over the top and that lust or love developed too quickly but instead it felt natural and real.
Events on the continent take Mike away and Carrie must remain hopeful and steadfast that Mike will return safely to her and they can try and establish something concrete and long lasting. Plenty of angst, twists and turns, and despair ensue as the characters lives diverge and meet again thanks to the war. Without doubt, the second half of the book was by far stronger and I found myself really enjoying it. The ending has certainly left room for more from these characters as I wasn’t quite ready to leave them so I hope Joanna Toye has more in the works for Carrie and co who provided me with a delightful, interesting and appealing read.
Instantly you think that Carrie is kind, caring and compassionate and that perhaps boys are afforded more opportunities than girls. As her twin brother Johnnie is training to be a draughtsman with long term plans to become a pilot. It’s all he has ever longed for whereas Carrie’s dreams are put on the backburner but it’s not that her parents are being stern and strict with her rather than Johnnie. It’s more that was the role of women at the time but when war is declared all that changes and their lives will never be the same again. The terror is real for everyone. Suddenly, a gas mask has to be carried at all times, Anderson shelters come into use and every available piece of land is turned over to growing vegetables. Soon rationing is introduced and all those little luxuries that people took for granted are gone. Johnnie signs up for the R.A.F and is sent away for training. This will be the making of him as it has all he has dreamed about for many years. Yes, perhaps not under the circumstances of war but he is finally getting to put his love of planes and flying into practice. But what of Carrie, again here is where her loyalty shines through as she knows she can’t sign up and leave the town of Brockington as her mother would be sick with worry and its bad enough Johnnie going away without her daughter leaving too.
Carrie feels that she has to do something worthwhile during the war and it has to be close to home. Here is where her love of reading comes to play. All her life she has adored books and the escape that it offers her into other worlds. Books give her the experiences that she hasn’t had yet and perhaps won’t for god knows how long now that everyone’s lives have been interrupted and derailed thanks to the war. Her father had given her a little corner of the shop to sell books but it hadn’t been that successful but an idea strikes when she sees the book stall at Brockington station has been shut for some time. Charismatic Uncle Charlie (her father Norman’s brother) who at first seemed a bit of a wheeler dealer and liked some ducking and diving provides her with the funds to take over the stall. I was totally wrong in my initial assumptions of Charlie and over the course of the book I could see that he had a good heart and loved Carrie and her family as he had no children of his own. Charlie’s intentions were always good and he helped out in any way he could and if he hadn’t allowed Carrie to get started with the book stall than she would never have met the man who became the man of her dreams.
A varied cast of characters is introduced as Carrie establishes her stall at the station selling books, magazines, newspaper and bits of stationery. I loved getting to know all the characters but at times I felt we barely scratched the surface in getting to know them and their stories developed a little too late in the book. Bette runs the tea rooms with young girl Ruby who appears to be a bit airy fairy and more interested in chatting up troops than making cakes and teas. Bette could have been even more of a matriarch figure than she was throughout the book. I felt her role was underplayed a bit and that Carrie was more of that figure than Bette was to everyone at the station. Bette’s son Eric is a porter and despite thinking he wouldn’t be called up for war his papers soon arrive. Of course, Bette is anxious and hopes that he will just have work somewhere in Britain but her wishes don’t come to pass and things venture down a dangerous and worrying road for poor old Eric who I didn’t think was the strongest of men by any stretch.
Penny arrives to replace Eric as porter and Mr. Bayliss is not impressed that a woman has been sent to do a man’s work. Again this another example of men believing a woman’s place was in the home. Mr. Bayliss was arrogant and lazy and shied away from hard work and there was an awful side to him that I wished I hadn’t had to read about. Penny was a fabulous character but again I felt she was under used and I would have loved for a real deep friendship to have developed between herself and Carrie much earlier on. Penny is cheerful, resourceful and fiercely independent but she was definitely hiding something and to say she was an enigma would be an understatement. She wasn’t to be pushed around and there was a mystery surrounding her which I did have a feeling about. I was proven right but none the less she was a great addition to the story I just wanted more of her even though I know the main focus was on Carrie. Johnnie too had a vital role to play and I am glad the issues and problems he encounters in the R.A.F were brought to light and given this was only the start of the war there is a lot more that can be explored centring around Johnnie.
Carrie believes she can feed the troops minds through books as they pass through the station on their way to war and over time she grows in confidence and adores her job and all the people she meets be it a mother and daughter who make regular trips to London or simply soldiers passing through on their way to training or on leave. The title suggests it’s a book shop that is in operation but it’s a stall, but the Penguin books stated in the title do feature. I loved all the mentions of the different books Carrie was reading and what they meant to her and the recommendations that she made to others. This quote really summed up how Carrie felt about the power of books and the work that she was doing at a time when people needed distraction and escape from air raids and the constant fear of invasion. ’To escape into a book, to let it take you into another world for a while-it’s the greatest thing on earth’.
I did think there were chapters after the initial setting up of the stall where nothing much happened and there was a bit of repetition and the book stalled ever so slightly. But when Carrie meets officer Mike who is passing through the station and they converse over books that’s when the story picked up one again. It’s clear from the outset that although the meeting may be brief and subsequently she doesn’t see Mike until he pops up again several months later, that there is a connection between the pair. Carrie is smitten and falling fast for him as so many did during the terrible times of war as people never knew when a meeting would be their last so every opportunity was taken especially when it came to love. This could have seemed over the top and that lust or love developed too quickly but instead it felt natural and real.
Events on the continent take Mike away and Carrie must remain hopeful and steadfast that Mike will return safely to her and they can try and establish something concrete and long lasting. Plenty of angst, twists and turns, and despair ensue as the characters lives diverge and meet again thanks to the war. Without doubt, the second half of the book was by far stronger and I found myself really enjoying it. The ending has certainly left room for more from these characters as I wasn’t quite ready to leave them so I hope Joanna Toye has more in the works for Carrie and co who provided me with a delightful, interesting and appealing read.
February 25, 2024
WW2.
Carrie Anderson runs a book stall in the local railway station. It's a remarkable love story thats see's Carrie's world turned around.
Will her true love return? Her paperback book stall keeps her busy.
This will bring tears to your eyes .
A very heartwarming read.
Carrie Anderson runs a book stall in the local railway station. It's a remarkable love story thats see's Carrie's world turned around.
Will her true love return? Her paperback book stall keeps her busy.
This will bring tears to your eyes .
A very heartwarming read.
August 8, 2024
Teise maailmasõja alguses otsustab üks noor neiu avada raudteejaamas raamatuputka, et sõduritel oleks võimalik oma teele kaasa võtta mõni lugu. Samal ajal hakkab Penguin kirjastus välja andma odavaid, taskusse mahtuvaid väljaandeid, mida see armas poekene siis müüma hakkab. Teosesse mahub nii armastuslugu Carrie ja ühe sõduri vahel kui ka mure neiu kaksikvenna pärast, lisaks veel kõrvalliinid teiste raudteejaama töötajatega.
Filmina oleks ma seda rohkem armastanud, aga kogu lugu jäi pealiskaudseks: sügavust polnud ei tegelastes ega sündmustes. Pettusin.
Filmina oleks ma seda rohkem armastanud, aga kogu lugu jäi pealiskaudseks: sügavust polnud ei tegelastes ega sündmustes. Pettusin.
December 15, 2024
I DNFd this wartime soap. The research was sketchy but I was happy to go along with it- until one of the characters reminisces about reading The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe as a child. And doing this in 1940.
Aagh!
I couldn't trust anything after that.
Aagh!
I couldn't trust anything after that.
April 3, 2024
Set in 1939 just as the second world war breaks out, Carrie Anderson hopes to join the Forces alongside her twin brother Johnnie who has enlisted, but due to family commitments she realise her Mum needs her at home, and so she stays behind to help man the fort. With the help of her Uncle, Carrie decides to open a bookstall in the local railway station. She might not be fighting on the front line but with books she hopes to bring some escapism to travellers, troops, refugees, housewives and evacuees who travel through the station. In the height of war everyone needs something to take their minds off things and the Little Penguin Bookshop is born.
This is a really lovely book, showing just how the books can change your whole world and bring people together. It is very well written and the author has managed to make the characters very likeable and you easily come invested in Carrie and what she is trying to do. I haven't read anything by Joanna Toye before but I will definitely be checking out some of her other titles.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for an advanced copy of this book one exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a really lovely book, showing just how the books can change your whole world and bring people together. It is very well written and the author has managed to make the characters very likeable and you easily come invested in Carrie and what she is trying to do. I haven't read anything by Joanna Toye before but I will definitely be checking out some of her other titles.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for an advanced copy of this book one exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 13, 2024
This book primarily about 18 year old Carrie begins at the start of World War 2 when Carrie opens a book stall at the train station, having decided not to go too far away from her parents. Her twin Brother Johnnie has signed up to the RAF and Carrie knows her Mum in particular couldn’t cope worrrying about both children, especially as she lost loved ones in the First World War. Carrie makes friends with Bette who owns the cafe on the platform and Penny who comes to work at the station as the porter to replace Bette’s Son Eric who has joined the Army. It’s at work that Carrie first meets Mike, a Lieutenant in the Army and a romance begins.
This books does touch on the awful things that happened during the war and how it affected people and I really warmed to the Anderson family and the friends of Carrie’s and found myself reading ‘just a few more pages’ at every opportunity I had because I really enjoyed this book.
Of course I could relate to how books make a difference to people being an avid reader myself and I even bought a couple of books mentioned in this book because they sounded interesting and I wouldn’t have even considered them previously.
I would definitely recommend this book and will certainly be reading more of Joanna’s books.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK for an advance copy of this book, the opinions in this review are completely my own.
This books does touch on the awful things that happened during the war and how it affected people and I really warmed to the Anderson family and the friends of Carrie’s and found myself reading ‘just a few more pages’ at every opportunity I had because I really enjoyed this book.
Of course I could relate to how books make a difference to people being an avid reader myself and I even bought a couple of books mentioned in this book because they sounded interesting and I wouldn’t have even considered them previously.
I would definitely recommend this book and will certainly be reading more of Joanna’s books.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK for an advance copy of this book, the opinions in this review are completely my own.
July 18, 2024
2.75-3 stars - Okay but this was really cutesy and wholesome! Yes, formulaic and predictable but sweet. I don’t really have any actual criticisms of it, it was just a quick enjoyable audiobook listen which I started Wednesday evening and finished Thursday afternoon!
(Also love the “don’t read anything for two months” to “read three books in a week” pipeline haha)
(Also love the “don’t read anything for two months” to “read three books in a week” pipeline haha)
April 9, 2024
Whilst the prospect of opening a bookstall at her local train station is daunting it is also a dream come true for eighteen year-old Carrie Anderson whose love of books shines through. Catering for those who are passing through this busy station on their way to London, Carrie not only caters to general passengers but also to the troops who are en route to France. Carrie's colourful display of sixpenny Penguin paperbacks soon proves to be very popular and are a welcome escape from a troubled world.
Setting the story at the very onset of WW2 allows the momentum to grow slowly and as we get to know Carrie and her lovely family so we begin emotional ties which will last throughout the whole of the book. In many ways it is a gentle coming of age story as by running her own business Carrie starts to gain in confidence and independence whilst at the same time experiencing an emotional attachment to a handsome officer. The other characters who form a big part of the story have their own particular troubles and I have enjoyed getting to know Bette and Ruby in the tea-shop, and also Penny who takes up the role of railway porter. The warmth and companionship of these women help Carrie through some troubling times and add a lovely dynamic to this charming story. The ending of the book certainly lends itself to a continuation and I hope we get to see more of Carrie and her family and friends in future stories.
The Little Penguin Bookshop is a really lovely story which shows that when people are struggling to come to terms with what's happening to them books can be a welcome escape from reality.
Setting the story at the very onset of WW2 allows the momentum to grow slowly and as we get to know Carrie and her lovely family so we begin emotional ties which will last throughout the whole of the book. In many ways it is a gentle coming of age story as by running her own business Carrie starts to gain in confidence and independence whilst at the same time experiencing an emotional attachment to a handsome officer. The other characters who form a big part of the story have their own particular troubles and I have enjoyed getting to know Bette and Ruby in the tea-shop, and also Penny who takes up the role of railway porter. The warmth and companionship of these women help Carrie through some troubling times and add a lovely dynamic to this charming story. The ending of the book certainly lends itself to a continuation and I hope we get to see more of Carrie and her family and friends in future stories.
The Little Penguin Bookshop is a really lovely story which shows that when people are struggling to come to terms with what's happening to them books can be a welcome escape from reality.
January 6, 2024
In the midst of war, people need all the help they can get to ensure that they survive it with their sanity intact. It is with that in mind that Carrie decides to set up a book stall in the railway station to provide distraction and delight to travellers, whether they're locals, soldiers or evacuees.
Soon, Carrie's initiative becomes an inextricable part of community life. And a gesture of kindness to one individual brings unexpected romance into her own life.
But in the midst of WW II, the future of any relationship is unsure - especially when a person can be transferred elsewhere at the drop of a hat. And soon, Carrie has more than one soldier to worry about...
Set at the end of the 1930s, this book is filled with warmth and wisdom, and Carrie's love of the Penguin Books that form the core of her offerings will resonate with many readers. Books are not just our bulwark against ignorance and barbarism, they are our solace and succour in times of tribulations. Recommended for those who love books, and WW II stories in particular. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Soon, Carrie's initiative becomes an inextricable part of community life. And a gesture of kindness to one individual brings unexpected romance into her own life.
But in the midst of WW II, the future of any relationship is unsure - especially when a person can be transferred elsewhere at the drop of a hat. And soon, Carrie has more than one soldier to worry about...
Set at the end of the 1930s, this book is filled with warmth and wisdom, and Carrie's love of the Penguin Books that form the core of her offerings will resonate with many readers. Books are not just our bulwark against ignorance and barbarism, they are our solace and succour in times of tribulations. Recommended for those who love books, and WW II stories in particular. It gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
April 27, 2024
Carrie and Johnnie are twins, they’ve just turned 18 and it’s 1939. Johnnie dreams of being a pilot and as war breaks out, he immediately signs up for the RAF. Carrie wants to join the WAF, but sees how disappointed their mother is that Johnnie has voluntarily signed up that she rethinks and wonders how she can help the war effort from home. There’s an empty unit on the railway station platform, she looks into turning it into a bookshop also selling papers, magazine and some stationery. With the help of her uncle, she does just that, she loves books and Penguin has launched an affordable range of the classics as well as new authors. She meets new people, both other workers at the station and regular passengers, she seems to have this ability to know exactly the right book for them.
Charming book, easy to read, describing some of the camaraderie between those at home and also the trauma of war, both on those in the forces and those behind - worrying about loved ones at war and life under blackouts, air raids and rationing.
Charming book, easy to read, describing some of the camaraderie between those at home and also the trauma of war, both on those in the forces and those behind - worrying about loved ones at war and life under blackouts, air raids and rationing.
January 4, 2026
A family in England navigates the beginning of WW2 with some entrepreneurial adventures. The family owns a shop of various goods but the daughter is wanting to open a bookshop. She finds her chance to open a little shop down by the trainyard for those scurrying to their various places. She borrows the money from her seemingly wealthy uncle and it sia hit with the passengers and passerby's. One of the things she sells are little books that are convenient and compact to take with you everywhere with ease, the beginning of the Penguin books.
She meets a soldier on her first day and is intrigued with him. They meet and fall in love but before long he is stationed away from home to Dunkirk and a few months later when they are evacuating, he goes missing. She pines for him but is determined to still bring books to those who need solace and a distraction. She meets some interesting people and is finding out what the real world looks like.
A cute story with a second novel to continue the story.
My goal this month is to read books about books, so this is #1 this month.
She meets a soldier on her first day and is intrigued with him. They meet and fall in love but before long he is stationed away from home to Dunkirk and a few months later when they are evacuating, he goes missing. She pines for him but is determined to still bring books to those who need solace and a distraction. She meets some interesting people and is finding out what the real world looks like.
A cute story with a second novel to continue the story.
My goal this month is to read books about books, so this is #1 this month.
January 12, 2024
The Little Penguin Bookshop by Joanna Toye.
Set at the start of the Second World War, we follow 18 year old Carrie and her twin brother, Johnnie. All Johnnie wants to do is enlist and become a pilot. Carrie wants to enlist with the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) to be close to her brother but realises her mother needs her.
She decides to open a bookstall with the help of her uncle at the previously empty kiosk at the local railway station. She reckons that everyone; soldiers, evacuees, housewives, and businessmen need books to distract them during this trying time.
Thus, the Penguin bookshop is launched with all the orange banded books, which are just the right size to fit in your handbag or army jacket pocket.
Carrie gifts a soldier a book from her stall and an unexpected romance blossoms.
This is a gentle read, even though it's depicting war time and shows that books – during any time – are always a lifesaver.
Thank you to NetGalley and @penguinbookssouthafrica for my e-ARC
Releasing in April 2024.
Set at the start of the Second World War, we follow 18 year old Carrie and her twin brother, Johnnie. All Johnnie wants to do is enlist and become a pilot. Carrie wants to enlist with the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) to be close to her brother but realises her mother needs her.
She decides to open a bookstall with the help of her uncle at the previously empty kiosk at the local railway station. She reckons that everyone; soldiers, evacuees, housewives, and businessmen need books to distract them during this trying time.
Thus, the Penguin bookshop is launched with all the orange banded books, which are just the right size to fit in your handbag or army jacket pocket.
Carrie gifts a soldier a book from her stall and an unexpected romance blossoms.
This is a gentle read, even though it's depicting war time and shows that books – during any time – are always a lifesaver.
Thank you to NetGalley and @penguinbookssouthafrica for my e-ARC
Releasing in April 2024.
July 19, 2024
This is a fascinating book about life in 1939, during the war, It is based around Carrie, who is enabled to open her own bookshop at the busy station, giving her an income and some independence. It is a family saga with a love interest, set against the background of raging war. The accurate historical details bring the story to life and give us a glimpse into everyday life with rationing.
I was reminded of all the Penguin books I had read in my life and looked them out on my bookshelves.
The book is easy to read and keeps the reader engaged with the story line.
Highly recommended.
I was reminded of all the Penguin books I had read in my life and looked them out on my bookshelves.
The book is easy to read and keeps the reader engaged with the story line.
Highly recommended.
March 3, 2024
Set during World Ward 2, The Little Penguin Bookshop is a heartwarming delight.
Carrie opens a bookstall at a train station as her twin brother Johnnie joins the RAF. Amidst times of strife, people rely on books to take them out of this world and papers to keep them updated with what's happening in the here and now.
Carrie's bookstall becomes an essential part of the community and with it chance meetings that forge friendships and more.
Carrie opens a bookstall at a train station as her twin brother Johnnie joins the RAF. Amidst times of strife, people rely on books to take them out of this world and papers to keep them updated with what's happening in the here and now.
Carrie's bookstall becomes an essential part of the community and with it chance meetings that forge friendships and more.
March 23, 2024
I loved this charming saga about Carrie, a book shop owner (with help from the charismatic Uncle Charlie) at the start of WWII. Bette, Penny and Ruby who work in close proximity to Carrie are a warm band of women who will stick together through thick and thin and Carrie's twin, Johnnie, and love interest Mike bring the drama of the battlefields and the realities of war to this story.
I'll definitely be looking out for the next in the series!
I'll definitely be looking out for the next in the series!
May 21, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced ARC of this book
I was expecting to love this story, but unfortunately, I did not connect with the story as I was hoping to and found the characters to be a little lacklustre and not keep me interested in their day-to-day life during World War two and the survival of a book shop and wanting to have people gain a love for books.
I can see others enjoying this, but for me, it was an OK bit, nothing I loved about it
I was expecting to love this story, but unfortunately, I did not connect with the story as I was hoping to and found the characters to be a little lacklustre and not keep me interested in their day-to-day life during World War two and the survival of a book shop and wanting to have people gain a love for books.
I can see others enjoying this, but for me, it was an OK bit, nothing I loved about it
July 12, 2025
I'm not sure what the problem was but I just couldn't get invested in the characters. Maybe the writing wasn't subtle enough or it was a bit simplistic. At times, it seemed like the author had researched life in England in WW2 and too obviously added these things into the story. I don't really care enough to read the sequel.
May 5, 2024
An excellent historical fiction, well plotted and heartwarming. I liked the characters and the vivid historical backgorund.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 21, 2024
This the first book I’ve read by Joanna Toye and I really enjoyed it. I was there with the characters as war broke out and on the platform at the little bookshop. An easy read that I couldn’t put down. Looking forward to the follow up book when it’s published in January.
March 19, 2025
This book I enjoyed.
I couldn't put it down.
The character that loves books and helps out in war time to give people a bit of joy.
It's a story that is truly amazing and helpful.
I will look forward to get the next chapter of bookshop.
I couldn't put it down.
The character that loves books and helps out in war time to give people a bit of joy.
It's a story that is truly amazing and helpful.
I will look forward to get the next chapter of bookshop.
April 27, 2024
Enjoyable light read highlighting the benefits of reading plus social war history
April 29, 2024
Really enjoyed this book about, family, friendships, love and how books can bring people together in the darkest of times. I hope there's another book.
May 18, 2024
As usual in my reviews, I will not rehash the plot or publisher's blurb - there are reviews like that out there already if that's what you are looking for!
This is the first book I've read by Joanna Toye, and it was very enjoyable. I was initially drawn to it by the title - I love novels set during WW2 and I also love books, so this was a must-read.
The characters are well written, and the author captures the atmosphere of tension before WW2 started, and afterwards. I really liked Carrie and her family, and also the railway team - with the exception of the obnoxious Station Master! I liked the way the novel captured how important reading was in keeping up morale during the war - and how Penguin stepped up to the plate in keeping print runs going.
My only "complaint" is that I felt the book ended quite abruptly - but maybe there are more to come in the form of a series? I think the characters have more tales to tell...
I would definitely read more by this author in the future.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.
This is the first book I've read by Joanna Toye, and it was very enjoyable. I was initially drawn to it by the title - I love novels set during WW2 and I also love books, so this was a must-read.
The characters are well written, and the author captures the atmosphere of tension before WW2 started, and afterwards. I really liked Carrie and her family, and also the railway team - with the exception of the obnoxious Station Master! I liked the way the novel captured how important reading was in keeping up morale during the war - and how Penguin stepped up to the plate in keeping print runs going.
My only "complaint" is that I felt the book ended quite abruptly - but maybe there are more to come in the form of a series? I think the characters have more tales to tell...
I would definitely read more by this author in the future.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.
July 20, 2024
Easy read. Loved it
July 27, 2024
This is by far one of the nicest books I’ve ever read. Thank you Joanna for writing such lovely stories.
I can’t wait to read the next book.
I can’t wait to read the next book.
September 6, 2024
Brilliant.
June 21, 2025
A lovely story, I enjoyed reading it
July 25, 2025
very enjoyable read
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