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The Bookseller's Son
“I don’t mind their legacy,” Jeremiah said. “I just wish I had been given a choice about my part of it.”
Ethan nodded toward the sleeping child. “What legacy are you choosing for him?”
Great for book clubs!
Jeremiah Malone grew up stocking shelves in his parents’ small-town Arkansas bookstore—a place famous for its banned books display and infamous for annoying local censors. His parents made a name for themselves as free speech activists, even if it sometimes meant Jeremiah just wanted to blend in, or at least not end up on the evening news.
When his parents retire and a fresh wave of censorship sweeps through town, Jeremiah faces a pick up where his parents left off, or try to lead a quieter life that doesn’t involve angry meetings or suspicious glances at the grocery store. But as threats mount and the stakes get personal, Jeremiah finds that staying quiet has its own consequences. Especially when Millicent Spate, Clear Spring’s most enthusiastic book-banner, decides to make him and his store her personal project.
The story is set in the 1970s, but it’s hardly ancient history. In 2023–2024 alone, schools saw over 10,000 book bans—a 200% increase from the year before. Apparently, everything old is new again.
The Bookseller’s Son is about family legacy, the cost of silence, and what it really takes to speak up—even if you’d rather just be left alone in the back room with a good book. Read it while you still can.
Ethan nodded toward the sleeping child. “What legacy are you choosing for him?”
Great for book clubs!
Jeremiah Malone grew up stocking shelves in his parents’ small-town Arkansas bookstore—a place famous for its banned books display and infamous for annoying local censors. His parents made a name for themselves as free speech activists, even if it sometimes meant Jeremiah just wanted to blend in, or at least not end up on the evening news.
When his parents retire and a fresh wave of censorship sweeps through town, Jeremiah faces a pick up where his parents left off, or try to lead a quieter life that doesn’t involve angry meetings or suspicious glances at the grocery store. But as threats mount and the stakes get personal, Jeremiah finds that staying quiet has its own consequences. Especially when Millicent Spate, Clear Spring’s most enthusiastic book-banner, decides to make him and his store her personal project.
The story is set in the 1970s, but it’s hardly ancient history. In 2023–2024 alone, schools saw over 10,000 book bans—a 200% increase from the year before. Apparently, everything old is new again.
The Bookseller’s Son is about family legacy, the cost of silence, and what it really takes to speak up—even if you’d rather just be left alone in the back room with a good book. Read it while you still can.
485 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2025
21 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Bob Seay
8 books13 followersI live in Colorado. When I'm not writing, I teach high school band, choir, and guitar classes.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 28, 2025
Am not normally a reader of novels, but this one was written by a Coloradoan and is about books. Nuff said. It’s nominally about a young man who takes over his parents’ bookstore in a small town where banned books are a matter of public discussion and dissent, at least by this fellow’s parents. Book banning becomes, quite reluctantly, his issue when he begins managing the family bookstore. It takes a fairly nuanced look at the issues of freedom of speech, parental rights, book (and idea) banning, and other issues related to societal control and personal freedom. I loved it, in no small part because of its willingness to explore the gray areas around these issues. My guess is it may be banned at some point, so you may want to get it while you can.
July 2, 2025
The Bookseller's Son by Bob Seay is set in a small town in the Midwest, which plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative. The town's close-knit community and rural backdrop provide a sense of intimacy and nostalgia that deeply influence the protagonist's journey. This setting not only grounds the story but also highlights themes of tradition, change, and belonging. Throughout the novel, the protagonist grapples with his place within this tight-knit community, often feeling torn between the familiar comforts of home and the allure of the unknown. The sense of belonging is explored through his relationships with family and friends, as well as his internal struggle to reconcile his personal ambitions with the expectations of those around him. Ultimately, the story delves into how one's identity is intertwined with their roots, and how the journey to belonging is both personal and communal. As he navigates the expectations placed upon him by his family and the community, he often questions whether he truly belongs or if he's merely conforming to what others want. This internal conflict is exacerbated by his desire to pursue dreams that seem out of reach in his small town, creating a constant tension between his aspirations and his sense of duty. The novel poignantly captures his journey as he seeks to carve out his own identity while honoring the ties that bind him to his past. One key moment of internal conflict arises when the protagonist receives an offer to attend college in a distant city, which promises opportunities unavailable in his hometown. Torn between the excitement of new possibilities and the guilt of leaving his family behind, he struggles to make a decision. Another pivotal moment occurs when he encounters an old friend who has chosen a different path, forcing him to confront his fears about repeating patterns and missing out on his dreams. His family is initially hesitant about his ambitions, worried that pursuing them might distance him from the values and traditions they hold dear. While they ultimately want what's best for him, they struggle with the idea of him leaving the only life they've known. However, as they witness his passion and determination, they begin to understand and support his dreams, realizing that his growth could also bring new perspectives and opportunities to their own lives. In the end, the protagonist decides to accept the college offer, recognizing that the opportunity to explore new horizons is crucial for his personal growth. With the support of his family, he embraces the chance to forge a new path while remaining connected to his roots. This decision marks a turning point in his journey, as he learns that true belonging is not about staying in one place, but about carrying the essence of home with him wherever he goes.
June 30, 2025
This novel centers on questions of censorship, book banning, and the freedom of authors to write and publish what they wish without concern for the consequences to readers.
The story involves a pitched battle over two issues: parents' control of what their children read and a community’s capacity and wisdom (writ large or small) in controlling the books that get written, published, and read. It is engaging, well-written, and a worthwhile read. While I doubt the arguments will change opinions about writers’ freedoms, readers will find their armamentarium for such arguments enriched.
Written from an omniscient point of view, it is likely a familiar tale of small, independent bookstores running afoul of their community standards. This issue has many lives and is on the ascendancy in the U.S. and many parts of the world.
The protagonist is the son of two Hollywood screenwriters blacklisted in the 1950s out of the US cold-war paranoia. They decide to relocate, opening a small bookstore in rural middle America, offering politically and religiously unpopular books. Their town divides over the issue, and the parents become progressively more activated and polarized. Their son grows to inherit the bookstore and to continue the battle, straddling his coming of age and the moral and political concerns of the bookstore.
As an aside, I was simultaneously reading a biography of Robert Crumb, the underground comic book creator. The censorship concerns outlined in both books remain pertinent.
The story is peppered with unexpected plot and character developments, and sometimes confusing, sometimes predictable, romantic interests.
The author has done a fine job of painting the pictures involved in this debate and tying them to relatable personal stories.
.
In short, this book is worth buying and reading, and the arguments (still!) are worth attending to.
The story involves a pitched battle over two issues: parents' control of what their children read and a community’s capacity and wisdom (writ large or small) in controlling the books that get written, published, and read. It is engaging, well-written, and a worthwhile read. While I doubt the arguments will change opinions about writers’ freedoms, readers will find their armamentarium for such arguments enriched.
Written from an omniscient point of view, it is likely a familiar tale of small, independent bookstores running afoul of their community standards. This issue has many lives and is on the ascendancy in the U.S. and many parts of the world.
The protagonist is the son of two Hollywood screenwriters blacklisted in the 1950s out of the US cold-war paranoia. They decide to relocate, opening a small bookstore in rural middle America, offering politically and religiously unpopular books. Their town divides over the issue, and the parents become progressively more activated and polarized. Their son grows to inherit the bookstore and to continue the battle, straddling his coming of age and the moral and political concerns of the bookstore.
As an aside, I was simultaneously reading a biography of Robert Crumb, the underground comic book creator. The censorship concerns outlined in both books remain pertinent.
The story is peppered with unexpected plot and character developments, and sometimes confusing, sometimes predictable, romantic interests.
The author has done a fine job of painting the pictures involved in this debate and tying them to relatable personal stories.
.
In short, this book is worth buying and reading, and the arguments (still!) are worth attending to.
May 28, 2025
The Bookseller’s Son by Bob Seay creates an especially insightful and entertaining twist on the controversial subject of book censorship. When ex-screenwriters George and Tammy leave their California roots to buy a bookstore in an Arkansas small town, they raise their son to be as open-minded and considerate of the views of others as they are, and they provide a full array of books to the townsfolk, including a banned books display.
The story evolves into a First Amendment tug of war within the town, all beautifully encapsulated in the daily essentials of bookstore management, some family drama as the store transitions to the son, a battle between fundamentalist thinking and a more liberal viewpoint, and finally the intermixing of an evolving and beautiful love story within the storyline.
The story is beautifully crafted and classically structured, and it will entertain and stimulate the mind and emotions however your viewpoint on the subject. The plot never comes off as preachy, and I appreciate that the author’s viewpoint is never evident. The characters drive their own actions well, and this gives them more depth.
I think this would make a terrific movie or mini-series, and it’s very timely for today’s world.
The story evolves into a First Amendment tug of war within the town, all beautifully encapsulated in the daily essentials of bookstore management, some family drama as the store transitions to the son, a battle between fundamentalist thinking and a more liberal viewpoint, and finally the intermixing of an evolving and beautiful love story within the storyline.
The story is beautifully crafted and classically structured, and it will entertain and stimulate the mind and emotions however your viewpoint on the subject. The plot never comes off as preachy, and I appreciate that the author’s viewpoint is never evident. The characters drive their own actions well, and this gives them more depth.
I think this would make a terrific movie or mini-series, and it’s very timely for today’s world.
June 6, 2025
This book is very timely, especially in Texas where I live. We actually tried to pass a law here to criminalize librarians with “inappropriate books” in their library.
That being said, I don’t think this book quite hit the mark. It took a genuine effort to get past the first 180 pages or so. It was extremely repetitive and tedious. Once the story got rolling, it was pretty good, but most likely simplistic in its answer.
Well written—his artist murder mysteries are wonderful—and very readable.
I did not think the answer to the problem was realistic. Here locally, there isn’t a vast silent majority, waiting to spring up in support. A vast majority here are far right.
This is a timely subject and I read anxiously to see how the story was resolved.
I understand this was a personal issue for the author.
Well recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
That being said, I don’t think this book quite hit the mark. It took a genuine effort to get past the first 180 pages or so. It was extremely repetitive and tedious. Once the story got rolling, it was pretty good, but most likely simplistic in its answer.
Well written—his artist murder mysteries are wonderful—and very readable.
I did not think the answer to the problem was realistic. Here locally, there isn’t a vast silent majority, waiting to spring up in support. A vast majority here are far right.
This is a timely subject and I read anxiously to see how the story was resolved.
I understand this was a personal issue for the author.
Well recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 11, 2025
Such an important topic - ensuring all writers have the freedom to tell their stories and readers get to read them. Was a little preachy at times but I guess it was important to get the alternative views across. Tamika, Elizabeth and Ruthanna's backstory seemed a little like tokenism - mere devices to make points about diversity. I would have liked to know more about Tammy and George in Hollywood but perhaps theirs is a different story. I didn't need converting and am lucky to live where book banning isn't a thing, but we all need to be vigilant.
I received a free copy of the e-book in return for an unbiased review.
I received a free copy of the e-book in return for an unbiased review.
June 22, 2025
Enjoyable Story!
When the owners of a small-town bookstore retire, leaving it to their son, Jeremiah must decide whether to follow in his parents' footsteps or keep a low profile to avoid trouble. Whatever he decides, will he be left alone, or is there someone out to cause trouble?
Read it and find out.
The Bookseller’s Son was a well-written, interesting story that I enjoyed very much.
When the owners of a small-town bookstore retire, leaving it to their son, Jeremiah must decide whether to follow in his parents' footsteps or keep a low profile to avoid trouble. Whatever he decides, will he be left alone, or is there someone out to cause trouble?
Read it and find out.
The Bookseller’s Son was a well-written, interesting story that I enjoyed very much.
July 31, 2025
Relevant in this historical era
This book is so relevant at this time in our history. I never thought I would see a time in my life that I would have think before I spoke. Not knowing who might be listening.
This book is so relevant at this time in our history. I never thought I would see a time in my life that I would have think before I spoke. Not knowing who might be listening.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews