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Shut Up and Read: A Memoir from Harriett’s Bookshop
The author of It’s Me They Follow chronicles the improbable true story of how she left an abusive past to build a bookshop that survived the Covid pandemic and become an international sensation.
Jeannine Cook always thought she’d open a bookshop in her old age. Raised by a blind librarian, books were integral to her life, and she expected she would eventually write one as well. Instead, Jeannine found herself a burnt-out workaholic with three jobs and no time to read or write, feeling like she hadn't fulfilled her purpose.
In her journal, Jeannine began an imaginary dialogue with Harriet Tubman, “Q&As” she dubbed Conversations with Harriett. Jeannine wondered how Harriet became a “wade through waist-high water in the type of woman—and how she could become one too.
On February 1, 2020, Jeannine fulfilled her dream and opened a bookstore in Philadelphia which she named after her hero and inspiration, Harriet Tubman. Harriett’s Bookshop would be a place to celebrate women authors, artists, and activists. While the name was ironic—Harriet could neither read nor write—it was also fitting. The City of Brotherly love was one of Harriet's first stops to freedom on the Underground Railroad. But in only six weeks, Jeannine would be forced to shut the shop’s doors when Covid turned the world upside down—not knowing whether her dream would survive.
Five years later, this small independent bookshop is thriving, with satellite stores in unconventional places, from movie theaters to horse trailers. Despite global death and destruction, book bans, the downward spiral in readership, the lack of physical customers, AI, and more, Jeannine's shops have survived. Shut Up & Read is her story—the story of the little bookseller who could, and of the woman who has been the driving force behind it all.
Jeannine Cook always thought she’d open a bookshop in her old age. Raised by a blind librarian, books were integral to her life, and she expected she would eventually write one as well. Instead, Jeannine found herself a burnt-out workaholic with three jobs and no time to read or write, feeling like she hadn't fulfilled her purpose.
In her journal, Jeannine began an imaginary dialogue with Harriet Tubman, “Q&As” she dubbed Conversations with Harriett. Jeannine wondered how Harriet became a “wade through waist-high water in the type of woman—and how she could become one too.
On February 1, 2020, Jeannine fulfilled her dream and opened a bookstore in Philadelphia which she named after her hero and inspiration, Harriet Tubman. Harriett’s Bookshop would be a place to celebrate women authors, artists, and activists. While the name was ironic—Harriet could neither read nor write—it was also fitting. The City of Brotherly love was one of Harriet's first stops to freedom on the Underground Railroad. But in only six weeks, Jeannine would be forced to shut the shop’s doors when Covid turned the world upside down—not knowing whether her dream would survive.
Five years later, this small independent bookshop is thriving, with satellite stores in unconventional places, from movie theaters to horse trailers. Despite global death and destruction, book bans, the downward spiral in readership, the lack of physical customers, AI, and more, Jeannine's shops have survived. Shut Up & Read is her story—the story of the little bookseller who could, and of the woman who has been the driving force behind it all.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published March 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
April 29, 2026
What a joy to read this very inspiring story. No matter the obstacles and there were many, she never gave up.
March 10, 2026
Is this collected essays or something? There are a lot of repeated bits that feel like that. And I never really felt like I got my hands on the creation of the bookshop, or the shape of the author's life. Some inspiring bits here and there but not what I was expecting.
March 19, 2026
Shut Up and Read: A Memoir from Harriett’s Bookshop by Jeannine A. Cook reminded me that bookstores are never just bookstores. At their best, they are sanctuary. They are meeting place. They are testimony. They are a way for people to find themselves, each other, and the words they need to keep going.
What I loved most about this memoir was learning about Cook’s life through the building of Harriett’s Bookshop, her advocacy, her vision, her pain, her persistence, and the deeply personal journey that shaped the space she created. You can feel that this bookshop was born out of longing, purpose, and a refusal to let the world make small what was always meant to be expansive.
One line that stayed with me is:
“I realize now that part of building the bookshop is me seeking to build a home for those who need one again and again.”
And truly, that is the spirit of this whole book.
This memoir reminded me that hosting events, making space for conversation, and putting the right books into the right hands at the right time is sacred work. That kind of work changes people. It affirms them. It can even help save them. Shut Up and Read feels like a testimony to that truth.
If you love bookstores, literary community, and memoirs about building something meaningful against the odds, this one is worth your time. It is tender, visionary, and deeply rooted in the power of books to make a way out of no way.
For the people who believe books can hold us.
For the people doing community work through stories.
For the ones trying to build something bigger than themselves.
This one will speak to you.
What I loved most about this memoir was learning about Cook’s life through the building of Harriett’s Bookshop, her advocacy, her vision, her pain, her persistence, and the deeply personal journey that shaped the space she created. You can feel that this bookshop was born out of longing, purpose, and a refusal to let the world make small what was always meant to be expansive.
One line that stayed with me is:
“I realize now that part of building the bookshop is me seeking to build a home for those who need one again and again.”
And truly, that is the spirit of this whole book.
This memoir reminded me that hosting events, making space for conversation, and putting the right books into the right hands at the right time is sacred work. That kind of work changes people. It affirms them. It can even help save them. Shut Up and Read feels like a testimony to that truth.
If you love bookstores, literary community, and memoirs about building something meaningful against the odds, this one is worth your time. It is tender, visionary, and deeply rooted in the power of books to make a way out of no way.
For the people who believe books can hold us.
For the people doing community work through stories.
For the ones trying to build something bigger than themselves.
This one will speak to you.
May 8, 2026
The Pros:
- This is an unapologetically earnest book; you can tell how passionate Cook is by the way she writes about her community and her bookish ventures!
- I’m impressed by Cook’s vulnerability. She’s incredibly open about spirituality, family/relationship struggles, the financial reality of owning a bookstore, and more.
- She touches on a very wide variety of topics and, even though the book is short, she ensures that every area she covers is given the respect it deserves.
- Cook is a fascinating person to read about. Her voice is so distinct and I loved learning about all of the ways she shows up for her community—and how the community shows up for her!
- Some of the descriptions of her relationship with her father, Lazarus, made me tear up. She describes things so matter-of-factly, but she manages to capture the bittersweet humor of life so well. I definitely want to read the book she writes about her mother when the time comes!
The Cons:
There’s really only one big one that kind of threw off my whole experience: Shut Up and Read feels so disjointed. Although there is technically an overarching narrative, we jump back and forth from topic to topic without a clear order or reason a lot. There’s also a lot of repetition, which is only emphasized by the fact that it’s a short book.
I found that there were many times where I would be drawn in to a certain description or event, and then right as I started to really fall into it, Cook moved onto something else. It was hard to let myself sink into the book because we shifted so much sometimes.
- This is an unapologetically earnest book; you can tell how passionate Cook is by the way she writes about her community and her bookish ventures!
- I’m impressed by Cook’s vulnerability. She’s incredibly open about spirituality, family/relationship struggles, the financial reality of owning a bookstore, and more.
- She touches on a very wide variety of topics and, even though the book is short, she ensures that every area she covers is given the respect it deserves.
- Cook is a fascinating person to read about. Her voice is so distinct and I loved learning about all of the ways she shows up for her community—and how the community shows up for her!
- Some of the descriptions of her relationship with her father, Lazarus, made me tear up. She describes things so matter-of-factly, but she manages to capture the bittersweet humor of life so well. I definitely want to read the book she writes about her mother when the time comes!
The Cons:
There’s really only one big one that kind of threw off my whole experience: Shut Up and Read feels so disjointed. Although there is technically an overarching narrative, we jump back and forth from topic to topic without a clear order or reason a lot. There’s also a lot of repetition, which is only emphasized by the fact that it’s a short book.
I found that there were many times where I would be drawn in to a certain description or event, and then right as I started to really fall into it, Cook moved onto something else. It was hard to let myself sink into the book because we shifted so much sometimes.
March 14, 2026
Quick, delightful memoir and peek into the life of a Philadelphia indie bookseller.
June 19, 2026
Recently reading a book about the history of American bookstores and the role they play in society gave me a newfound appreciation for my favorite type of store and curious about the stories of the bookstores not covered in the earlier book. As a Philadelphia-area resident I knew of Harriett’s Bookshop and was pleasantly surprised when I learned there was a memoir about it.
“Shut Up and Read” covers both Jeannine A. Cook’s founding of Harriett’s, her plans for the store and others she is working and other aspects of Cook’s life. I found the central story of a Black woman’s struggles to open and run a bookstore (shitty contractors, the legal hurdles of trying to buy the building) to be interesting and very compelling. I’d say this was my favorite part of the book. The other parts of the book like her travels to Paris and other tangents related to her fiction book to be less so and did make the book lose momentum, particularly with how the store’s story is told out of order and broken up by these tangents. Nonetheless, the parts where Cook goes into her health and family struggles were worth reading as well and beyond showing how open Cook is about these it demonstrates the same resolve that goes into her vision for Harriett’s (and beyond).
It’s a short read and a bit uneven but “Shut Up and Read” was a nice read for a Philadelphia-area bibliophile like myself (who appreciates Cook’s descriptions of Philly life and the draw the city has) and makes me appreciate Harriett’s Bookshop all the more.
“Shut Up and Read” covers both Jeannine A. Cook’s founding of Harriett’s, her plans for the store and others she is working and other aspects of Cook’s life. I found the central story of a Black woman’s struggles to open and run a bookstore (shitty contractors, the legal hurdles of trying to buy the building) to be interesting and very compelling. I’d say this was my favorite part of the book. The other parts of the book like her travels to Paris and other tangents related to her fiction book to be less so and did make the book lose momentum, particularly with how the store’s story is told out of order and broken up by these tangents. Nonetheless, the parts where Cook goes into her health and family struggles were worth reading as well and beyond showing how open Cook is about these it demonstrates the same resolve that goes into her vision for Harriett’s (and beyond).
It’s a short read and a bit uneven but “Shut Up and Read” was a nice read for a Philadelphia-area bibliophile like myself (who appreciates Cook’s descriptions of Philly life and the draw the city has) and makes me appreciate Harriett’s Bookshop all the more.
March 21, 2026
I think the prose was beautiful and the author is doing such wide-ranging and important work but this book felt soo discombobulated. I agree with others it would’ve been great as a set of short stories instead. Lots of unanswered questions where we were thrown into these interesting scenarios — her struggling to afford making it through college, living in Paris, opening the bookstore — without full context of WHY or HOW. The chapter reading a news article was the most informative one for obvious reasons but wish it had a stronger editor throughout!
March 31, 2026
I read this book after reading someone else's review and because I loved the title and the cover. From the first to last page, the author pulls you in with her wit, passion for books, author's, writing, and unique vision for starting bookstores in the States and also in Paris. I like her activism and loved the stories about her dad and her interesting friends. Reading this book may inspire you to write.
April 15, 2026
I needed to sit down.
I needed to be quiet.
I needed to read.
Instead, I was trying to edit a book while the internet was going crazy—ignoring that still, quiet voice telling me to pause… to do something I hadn’t done in a while.
Be still.
Be silent.
Just read.
The signs were there, but I kept moving—like those words weren’t meant for me. Like I didn’t need them. Like I could outrun the message.
But I couldn’t.
So I finally sat down.
I searched for a space—somewhere I could breathe, learn, and let the silence wrap itself around me. I needed it to calm the storm that had been building all day.
“Sit still. Be calm.”
The instruction was simple.
But I didn’t listen.
And now—frustration.
Because the truth is, I didn’t just need to read words on a page. I needed to be reminded:
Big dreams do come true.
But only if you believe in yourself.
If you don’t… those dreams start to look like unfinished conversations with yourself.
The kind where you already know the answer.
The kind that whispers:
You got this.
You already know what to do.
And sometimes… what you need to do is simple:
Be quiet.
And read.
Read the room.
Read your life.
Listen to your own voice—the one that can get loud, the one that tries to lead you, even when you resist it.
“Shut up and read” is more than a command.
It’s a mirror.
It’s you, looking inward.
It’s you recognizing that even in moments when giving up feels close… there are still people waiting to hear your voice.
But first—you have to pour into yourself.
You have to be still.
You have to stay the course.
So I put my phone down.
And I returned to the journey.
Reading.
Grounding.
Listening.
I am grateful—to the ancestors, and to Jeannine Cook for the vision, for the courage to listen, and for the strength to follow direction even when it’s hard.
Even when it’s exhausting.
Even when challenges show up uninvited.
Still—she continues.
Still—she fights.
And that kind of resilience… it lights the way for all of us.
So I remind myself:
Keep pushing.
Keep fighting.
Your work is not done.
Wonderful reminder from this Author!
I needed to be quiet.
I needed to read.
Instead, I was trying to edit a book while the internet was going crazy—ignoring that still, quiet voice telling me to pause… to do something I hadn’t done in a while.
Be still.
Be silent.
Just read.
The signs were there, but I kept moving—like those words weren’t meant for me. Like I didn’t need them. Like I could outrun the message.
But I couldn’t.
So I finally sat down.
I searched for a space—somewhere I could breathe, learn, and let the silence wrap itself around me. I needed it to calm the storm that had been building all day.
“Sit still. Be calm.”
The instruction was simple.
But I didn’t listen.
And now—frustration.
Because the truth is, I didn’t just need to read words on a page. I needed to be reminded:
Big dreams do come true.
But only if you believe in yourself.
If you don’t… those dreams start to look like unfinished conversations with yourself.
The kind where you already know the answer.
The kind that whispers:
You got this.
You already know what to do.
And sometimes… what you need to do is simple:
Be quiet.
And read.
Read the room.
Read your life.
Listen to your own voice—the one that can get loud, the one that tries to lead you, even when you resist it.
“Shut up and read” is more than a command.
It’s a mirror.
It’s you, looking inward.
It’s you recognizing that even in moments when giving up feels close… there are still people waiting to hear your voice.
But first—you have to pour into yourself.
You have to be still.
You have to stay the course.
So I put my phone down.
And I returned to the journey.
Reading.
Grounding.
Listening.
I am grateful—to the ancestors, and to Jeannine Cook for the vision, for the courage to listen, and for the strength to follow direction even when it’s hard.
Even when it’s exhausting.
Even when challenges show up uninvited.
Still—she continues.
Still—she fights.
And that kind of resilience… it lights the way for all of us.
So I remind myself:
Keep pushing.
Keep fighting.
Your work is not done.
Wonderful reminder from this Author!
March 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC of Shut Up and Read by Jeannine Cook. I loved the premise and the glimpse into bookstore life, but the memoir felt a bit scattered at times. I found myself wishing for a stronger focus on the bookshop itself, though it still offers an honest and personal perspective, seeing as it is a memoir.
March 29, 2026
Jeannine A. Cook tells the story of her independent bookstore in Philadelphia. In 2020, despite COVID, her love of words and her commitment to serve her community resulted in a shop that became a haven and a home for ideas. The name, Harriett's Bookshop, was inspired by Harriet Tuman who Cook looks to as a mentor and spiritual guide. Josephine Baker is another hero who Cook looks to for guidance and inspiration.
Cook's writing is delightful. Her story is inspiring. Throughout her tale, she weaves episodes from her life that create a tapestry that is beautiful. It is easy to see how her shop must be more than just a place to buy books. It is a cultural center and place to expand minds. I love the idea of shopkeeping as activism. And don't be fooled, this is Jeannine A. Cook's memoir. Her family struggles and personal tragedies are all here. She even manages to open a satellite store in Paris!
This book is full of emotion, drama, spirit, humor, love, and so much more. It could have easily been a novel, but it's the true story of the author making Philadelphia and the world a better place, one book at a time. I suppose it's also a "how to", Ms. Cook is obviously a clever businesswoman and there is much to learn from her about life, the human spirit, and how to run a bookshop! This is a really good book - check it out.
Cook's writing is delightful. Her story is inspiring. Throughout her tale, she weaves episodes from her life that create a tapestry that is beautiful. It is easy to see how her shop must be more than just a place to buy books. It is a cultural center and place to expand minds. I love the idea of shopkeeping as activism. And don't be fooled, this is Jeannine A. Cook's memoir. Her family struggles and personal tragedies are all here. She even manages to open a satellite store in Paris!
This book is full of emotion, drama, spirit, humor, love, and so much more. It could have easily been a novel, but it's the true story of the author making Philadelphia and the world a better place, one book at a time. I suppose it's also a "how to", Ms. Cook is obviously a clever businesswoman and there is much to learn from her about life, the human spirit, and how to run a bookshop! This is a really good book - check it out.
March 16, 2026
I enjoyed this memoir. I honestly knew nothing about her and I loved learning about her bookshop and all the other community activism she does. So inspiring.
I did find the book jumped around a lot so at times I found it hard to follow.
4/5 stars
I did find the book jumped around a lot so at times I found it hard to follow.
4/5 stars
May 12, 2026
Wow! What an inspiring life! A beautiful look at life, family, hopes and dreams, history, ancestry, legacy.
May 19, 2026
Fast and great read. Got a few book recommendations from it too. Someone mentioned the audio is a must listen and I agree.
July 30, 2026
REQUIRED READING for all the book worms and book dragons out there.
(As an audiobook if you can)
---
TW: experienced racism, threats, financial worries, loss of a parent
(As an audiobook if you can)
---
TW: experienced racism, threats, financial worries, loss of a parent
September 22, 2026
It was an inspirational life share of getting through hard times to get to to your dreams might not be easy but possible. Insightful how small bookshops fight to stay open.
October 3, 2026
I wanted more...this felt like each chapter was a short story and fluff
April 18, 2026
I feel like I have a better sense of who Cook is than what her story is. Her personality shines through strong, but the organization felt disjointed. Maybe if it had been spit into sections based on her guides, Harriet, Ida, and Josephine, then the bouncing timeline would have seemed more deliberate
May 7, 2026
There's magic in these pages.
March 13, 2026
Listen to the audiobook. Narration was excellent. I have mixed feelings about this book. There were parts that were impactful and made you think ……..and then there were parts that seemed to ramble on and completely lost me.
July 2, 2026
I was really excited about this premise because I love bookstores, supporting women run businesses, and I so admire the work that Jeannine Cook is doing in her community.
But, this book was all over the place. Completely scattered thoughts and no real explanation about the bookshops and how she built them or what they mean for the community. It felt like coming into a room and someone is already half way through telling a story, and you have no idea what people or places they are talking about. It started to feel like name dropping and arrogance.
I even tried to read news stories about the store to give myself some background for the book, and it still didn’t make it better. Sorry to say that this one just didn’t work for me.
But, this book was all over the place. Completely scattered thoughts and no real explanation about the bookshops and how she built them or what they mean for the community. It felt like coming into a room and someone is already half way through telling a story, and you have no idea what people or places they are talking about. It started to feel like name dropping and arrogance.
I even tried to read news stories about the store to give myself some background for the book, and it still didn’t make it better. Sorry to say that this one just didn’t work for me.
Did Not Finish
July 6, 2026Memoirs are already out of my comfort zone and the author's narration is making it hard to get through this. a bit too wooden of a performance for me for a business starting story. good for their success tho
October 9, 2026
Jeannine A. Cook is an amazing woman. Since 2020, I've seen the ways she has helped people in need, embracing her community, both the have-nots and the haves (though that can be a bit of an adventure.) I first heard of her when we were back in Charleston, trying to decide where to move to find changes from the various climates that surrounded us in the South. We researched cities, Philadelphia was on the list. Research about Philly, then and now, introduced me to Jeannine.
She's an entrepreneur, creating spaces to sell the books, getting the right ones in the right hands, supporting her community at the same time. I've never met her, but I have wandered though her bookstores, astonished at the design of the space (which changes drastically in tune with the themes of a book or visiting author.) She is an artist, using pages, paints, and people to get a message out in the world -- a message often based on that of a book, writer, or hero, helping live better, do better, give better. I've met kids from the Youth Conductor program she created (a paid internship for young authors, artists, and activists aged 15-25), who say it's not just about the arts; being a youth Conductor saved/changed/redirected their lives, and got them into reading about their heritage and history. That's all pretty amazing
This is book her story: how she's shaped her life, how she uses her mind. She's fought racism, illness, financial loss, and come through swinging. She's opened 3 bookstores, each named after one of 3 black courageous Black women in history. (There are books on our shelves from Harrietts Books in Fishtown, and Ida's, and if I ever get back to Paris, I hope to visit Josephine's.)
This book is Janenine telling her own story: her passions and strength. It's a learning exercise for the reader as well, in how to be philanthropic, selfless-- to do something to help someone else. Some parts of Shut Up and Read may resonate more than others, but read it all, and then give thanks there are souls as strong, as compassionate, as hers.
She's an entrepreneur, creating spaces to sell the books, getting the right ones in the right hands, supporting her community at the same time. I've never met her, but I have wandered though her bookstores, astonished at the design of the space (which changes drastically in tune with the themes of a book or visiting author.) She is an artist, using pages, paints, and people to get a message out in the world -- a message often based on that of a book, writer, or hero, helping live better, do better, give better. I've met kids from the Youth Conductor program she created (a paid internship for young authors, artists, and activists aged 15-25), who say it's not just about the arts; being a youth Conductor saved/changed/redirected their lives, and got them into reading about their heritage and history. That's all pretty amazing
This is book her story: how she's shaped her life, how she uses her mind. She's fought racism, illness, financial loss, and come through swinging. She's opened 3 bookstores, each named after one of 3 black courageous Black women in history. (There are books on our shelves from Harrietts Books in Fishtown, and Ida's, and if I ever get back to Paris, I hope to visit Josephine's.)
This book is Janenine telling her own story: her passions and strength. It's a learning exercise for the reader as well, in how to be philanthropic, selfless-- to do something to help someone else. Some parts of Shut Up and Read may resonate more than others, but read it all, and then give thanks there are souls as strong, as compassionate, as hers.
July 24, 2026
To read my full review on Bossy Bookworm, for Bossy reviews of other books about books and memoirs you might enjoy, or to find out about Bossy reviews and Greedy Reading Lists as soon as they're posted, please see Shut Up and Read.
Bookseller, activist, and one-of-a-kind personality Jeannine A. Cook's voice shines through in this memoir of conversations with and deep inspiration around deceased authors; nerve-racking, enormous leaps of faith; living relationships with ancestors who have passed on; and shaping the future through empowering young people.
Cook's zigzagging journey in this memoir was often tough to track; she leans into various avenues of spirituality, accesses the presence of her ancestors, runs from mission to mission, promotes activism, and develops new ideas and passion projects. The book's voice and its jumps from topic to topic feel like a reflection of the author's nonstop mind and relentless push to explore, share, and manifest her ambitious dreams.
There's surprisingly little "book talk" here. Cook's connection to deceased authors feels mystical and mysterious--it's all deeper and shapes her more fully than simply a "love of books."
I listened to Shut Up and Read courtesy of Amistad and Libro.fm.
Find hundreds of reviews and lots of roundups of my favorite books on the blog: Bossy Bookworm
Follow me on Instagram! @bossybookwormblog
Or Facebook! Bossy Bookworm
Bookseller, activist, and one-of-a-kind personality Jeannine A. Cook's voice shines through in this memoir of conversations with and deep inspiration around deceased authors; nerve-racking, enormous leaps of faith; living relationships with ancestors who have passed on; and shaping the future through empowering young people.
Cook's zigzagging journey in this memoir was often tough to track; she leans into various avenues of spirituality, accesses the presence of her ancestors, runs from mission to mission, promotes activism, and develops new ideas and passion projects. The book's voice and its jumps from topic to topic feel like a reflection of the author's nonstop mind and relentless push to explore, share, and manifest her ambitious dreams.
There's surprisingly little "book talk" here. Cook's connection to deceased authors feels mystical and mysterious--it's all deeper and shapes her more fully than simply a "love of books."
I listened to Shut Up and Read courtesy of Amistad and Libro.fm.
Find hundreds of reviews and lots of roundups of my favorite books on the blog: Bossy Bookworm
Follow me on Instagram! @bossybookwormblog
Or Facebook! Bossy Bookworm
March 16, 2026
I first became acquainted with Ms Cook during the pandemic when I read her single post on a social media platform indicating that she was in her bookstore one day and had not received any book sales and her fear of having to shut down her bookstore. As a result of that post gaining national attention ,people began to go to the store as well as purchase merchandise on line. The outpouring of support was aspiring. I was intrigued. I personally purchased a book and I went to the sister bookstore in Haddonfield NJ to support that as well. Because I believe in community bookstore. Especially Black Owned bookstores.
So when I had the opportunity to read her memoir I was ecstatic. Her memoir did not disappoint. the book was an easy read full of details of her life and her love for books and the importance of spreading the love of knowledge with many people.
Her work and love of her community is aspiring. And community for her is a action word. In her memoir we are taking behind the scenes of her opening not one but two bookstores. And the trials and tribulations that ensued as a result. Her riding on horseback to deliver books to people during the pandemic, her traveling to Paris to complete her book. and the friends she met to help her along her journey, her organizing a event to take underserved youth in Philadelphia to take a trip abroad to Paris. Her relationship with her father and her health concerns. At the end of reading her memoir I was not only intrigued but I was in awe. And you can see for Jeannine A. Cook: Community is an action word.
So when I had the opportunity to read her memoir I was ecstatic. Her memoir did not disappoint. the book was an easy read full of details of her life and her love for books and the importance of spreading the love of knowledge with many people.
Her work and love of her community is aspiring. And community for her is a action word. In her memoir we are taking behind the scenes of her opening not one but two bookstores. And the trials and tribulations that ensued as a result. Her riding on horseback to deliver books to people during the pandemic, her traveling to Paris to complete her book. and the friends she met to help her along her journey, her organizing a event to take underserved youth in Philadelphia to take a trip abroad to Paris. Her relationship with her father and her health concerns. At the end of reading her memoir I was not only intrigued but I was in awe. And you can see for Jeannine A. Cook: Community is an action word.
Read
May 31, 2026‘Shut Up and Read’ is part memoir, part love letter to books, and part reflection on the power of literature, community, and representation. In it, Jeannine Cook shares her journey from entrepreneur to founder of Harriett’s Bookshop, a bookstore dedicated to celebrating women authors, artists, and activists.
Rather than following a traditional memoir structure centered on personal milestones and life events, this book focuses on Cook’s mission to create spaces where stories can foster connection, conversation, and change. Along the way, she explores the role books have played in her life, the challenges of building a business, and the importance of amplifying voices that have historically been overlooked.
I found the strongest sections to be those that highlighted Cook’s passion for books and the impact independent bookstores can have on a community. Readers who love bookstores, literary culture, and conversations around literacy, representation, and social change will likely find a lot to appreciate here.
This is a memoir best suited for readers who enjoy books about books and who are interested in the intersection of literature, community building, and advocacy. If you’re looking for a deeply personal, character driven memoir, this may not be quite what you expect, but readers drawn to stories of mission, purpose, and the transformative power of reading may find it especially rewarding!
Follow @annie_lukey on Instagram and TikTok for more book reviews and content!
Rather than following a traditional memoir structure centered on personal milestones and life events, this book focuses on Cook’s mission to create spaces where stories can foster connection, conversation, and change. Along the way, she explores the role books have played in her life, the challenges of building a business, and the importance of amplifying voices that have historically been overlooked.
I found the strongest sections to be those that highlighted Cook’s passion for books and the impact independent bookstores can have on a community. Readers who love bookstores, literary culture, and conversations around literacy, representation, and social change will likely find a lot to appreciate here.
This is a memoir best suited for readers who enjoy books about books and who are interested in the intersection of literature, community building, and advocacy. If you’re looking for a deeply personal, character driven memoir, this may not be quite what you expect, but readers drawn to stories of mission, purpose, and the transformative power of reading may find it especially rewarding!
Follow @annie_lukey on Instagram and TikTok for more book reviews and content!
June 9, 2026
A fast-paced narrative that elevates the first-person perspective. An engaging writer that keeps you interested in each segment of the story. You will be turning page by page to find out the meat of the memoir here. This is a unique memoir that feels directly like a conversation. The conversation keeps you both engaged and craving the rich intricacies of Cook’s descriptive narrative. The meat of the narrative is how she persevered to set up the bookshop.
A captivating conversation that will have you leave the narrative feeling inspired. The passion is in the craft of her writing. Writing about writing and writing about selling books is going to entice any book lover. Her register to keep you engaged while creating a poetic conversation is my favorite part of the narrative itself. Of course I was delighted to read about the bookshop, but I stayed reading for the quality of writing. Everything flows asynchronously and meets together for the finality of perseverance.
Would love to read more from Cook and how she engages in future writing pieces. Many chapters are brief, but they say a lot without saying too much. We, the readers, are not reading between the writing but given enough information to truly understand the scope of her mindset. Truly a fun read. All opinions are my own.
For tarot readings, recommendations, and reviews, visit my blog, https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
A captivating conversation that will have you leave the narrative feeling inspired. The passion is in the craft of her writing. Writing about writing and writing about selling books is going to entice any book lover. Her register to keep you engaged while creating a poetic conversation is my favorite part of the narrative itself. Of course I was delighted to read about the bookshop, but I stayed reading for the quality of writing. Everything flows asynchronously and meets together for the finality of perseverance.
Would love to read more from Cook and how she engages in future writing pieces. Many chapters are brief, but they say a lot without saying too much. We, the readers, are not reading between the writing but given enough information to truly understand the scope of her mindset. Truly a fun read. All opinions are my own.
For tarot readings, recommendations, and reviews, visit my blog, https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Like her heroines, Harriett Tubman, Ida B. Wells, and Josephine Baker, Jeannine A. Cook is a visionary, rebel, community builder, activist, and complex Black woman. Listing the roles she fills—writer, shopkeeper, mentor—doesn’t begin to encompass the breadth and depth of her life and all the people she impacts. From a young age, people saw Jeanine’s creativity and potential, she’s learned to believe it herself.
"Shut Up and Read" is a love letter to books and writers and Cook’s adopted city of Philadelphia. She shares four months of her life in 2024 when she was writing her novel, buying the building that houses her bookstore, dealing with an chronic illness, traveling between Paris and Philadelphia, worrying about her father’s health, preparing to interview an author, and spending time with sister-friends, sometimes doing all of those tasks in the same day.
Cook invites us into her life and shares enough for us to want to know more but never too much. Her writing is electric, raw, honest, and poetic. This astute, expertly-written memoir flows and stays with you.
Any reader who has ever dreamed of owning a bookstore or making an impact on their community will find insight and hope from Jeannine’s story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amistad/HarperCollins for sharing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
#netgalley #shutupandread
"Shut Up and Read" is a love letter to books and writers and Cook’s adopted city of Philadelphia. She shares four months of her life in 2024 when she was writing her novel, buying the building that houses her bookstore, dealing with an chronic illness, traveling between Paris and Philadelphia, worrying about her father’s health, preparing to interview an author, and spending time with sister-friends, sometimes doing all of those tasks in the same day.
Cook invites us into her life and shares enough for us to want to know more but never too much. Her writing is electric, raw, honest, and poetic. This astute, expertly-written memoir flows and stays with you.
Any reader who has ever dreamed of owning a bookstore or making an impact on their community will find insight and hope from Jeannine’s story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amistad/HarperCollins for sharing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
#netgalley #shutupandread
August 23, 2026
Fighting for societal change while also promoting literacy…
Shut Up and Read: A Memoir from Harriett’s Bookshop by Jeannine Cook is part memoir and part series of anecdotes about book shop life and the travails it involves…
While ostensibly this is pattered after a story about the shop initially opening and being hampered by COVID, the bulk actually starts much later when the author is setting up a second store in New Jersey (the first in Fishtown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).
The author is committed to social progress and supporting protests against the dangerous pillars of society that seek to oppress others.
She mentions a number of times her “Overground Underground Railroad” of book distribution, often in concert with young intern “Youth Conductors”.
Mixed in you have anecdotes about dealing with slovenly contractors, interactions with a customer about a potential romance that didn’t happen, letters to and from the author with a litany of pen pals, and (sadly) dealing with violent sociopaths sending anonymous threatening messages…
Despite the occasional setbacks (from delays in opening to international banking issues tied to an embassy being closed), there is always a theme of home and progress towards the future…
Don’t let the world bring you down just because it’s terrible at times…especially if you surround yourself with the right community of people…
Shut Up and Read: A Memoir from Harriett’s Bookshop by Jeannine Cook is part memoir and part series of anecdotes about book shop life and the travails it involves…
While ostensibly this is pattered after a story about the shop initially opening and being hampered by COVID, the bulk actually starts much later when the author is setting up a second store in New Jersey (the first in Fishtown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).
The author is committed to social progress and supporting protests against the dangerous pillars of society that seek to oppress others.
She mentions a number of times her “Overground Underground Railroad” of book distribution, often in concert with young intern “Youth Conductors”.
Mixed in you have anecdotes about dealing with slovenly contractors, interactions with a customer about a potential romance that didn’t happen, letters to and from the author with a litany of pen pals, and (sadly) dealing with violent sociopaths sending anonymous threatening messages…
Despite the occasional setbacks (from delays in opening to international banking issues tied to an embassy being closed), there is always a theme of home and progress towards the future…
Don’t let the world bring you down just because it’s terrible at times…especially if you surround yourself with the right community of people…
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews