Entitled: Life isn't easy when you're a book.

by Cookie Boyle

Entitled is the story of a Book seeking to find a home as it is passed from one Reader to another. Along the way, it reveals its own story, The Serendipity of Snow.
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As it is read, misplaced, loaned and abandoned, our Book, like the Readers of its pages, discovers love and heartbreak, loneliness and friendship, and ultimately becomes the author of its own journey.

In the end, Entitled examines the pull between the story we are born with and the one we wish to create for ourselves.

Genres: Fiction, Book Club, Books About Books, Novels

322 pages, Paperback

Published November 24, 2020

About the author

Cookie Boyle has been writing plays, scripts and novels for the past 20 years.

Born in Vancouver, she has worked and studied in Sydney, Paris, London, New York and San Francisco, before returning to Vancouver where she now lives.

Cookie is typing as fast as she can to finish her next novel.

Learn more about Cookie's upcoming novel at CookieBoyle.com

Follow her on Instagram at @Cookie.Boyle

Or on Facebook at Cookie.Boyle

Reviews

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a bookclub pick and the only one all of us have universally liked and enjoyed. The voice of the book is funny and genuine, much like her book's MC, Agnes. The observations about readers are spot-on and the stories we encounter as the book travels from Human to Human are sometimes sweet, sometimes sad, but always very real.

The meta-textual elements such as marginal notes on the book within the book make the physical version a treat, but the ebook is still readable; the margin notes are included in the body of the main text. I'll probably buy the physical book too. This actually made me consider how I treat my own books, as if they are all judging me and whispering to each other about my life decisions. Highly recommended for those who like books about books.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

It may come as a surprise to none of you that as an avid reader, I have read A LOT of books about book shops, book lovers, authors, bookstore owners, librarians... you name it. Those books are my sweet spot ;) However, I'd never read a book NARRATED by the book itself before until @CookieboyleAuthor offered to send me her book ENTITLED. This book (by a Canadian Author) was so fun to read. I was hooked pretty instantly and really enjoyed following the book on its journey through various owners and meeting a lot of "friends" (aka other books) along the way. If you can broaden your horizons a little and adapt to a book solely being told by an inanimate object, I'd recommend this one! It was heartwarming, funny, and so unique. The main character, the book The Serendipity of Snow, had such an interesting "personality" and so did all of the other books along the way. Such a cool way to tell this story!

Thank you to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Cookie Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi, Goodreads readers:

I have always been intrigued by different perspectives, ones that challenge us to see our world through fresh eyes. It's why I love first-person narrative — it allows me to spend time with the main character, getting to know how they think and why they make the choices they do.

I wrote Entitled to explore our expectations of what surrounds us. Do we Humans really know as much as we think we do? And what is the story we wish to create of our own lives?

I hope you enjoyed Entitled. Thank you for reading and for stopping by.

Cookie.

[Winnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a witty, sweet novel. I love how books speak to one another according to their subject matter.
Cookie Boyle nicely ties it all together for a perfect ending. (I must admit that I should know more about the Midwestern states).

Chapter 38 Page 217
“Two westerns spit words at each other as if in a verbal showdown. Three vampire novels sit on a shelf. One speaks in a teen-aged lingo, another in Victorian English, and the third is set in a Los Angeles of the future. The only threat they convey is to suck any ounce of interest from the conversation. The erotica novels have big egos, but not much else. They speak in breathless phrases, panting their thoughts instead of stating them.”

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most original novels I've read in a long time and absolutely delightful. It's about the life of a book as it changes owners and how it is treated differently by each owner. It's kind of like "Toy Story" but with books. It's smart and witty with keen observations about books and their owners. I found myself laughing out loud many times. Anyone who loves books will get a kick out of reading this. Can't wait for the author's second novel.

July 21, 2023....just finished reading this book for the second time this year because my book club chose to read it. Enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time.

[Vanessa ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an endearing, clever book about books..I will never look at books the same! ☺️❤️

[Laurie • The Baking Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS - This is a cute story with a unique premise that has readers following the life of a main character who just happens to be a book. Book (whose formal name is The Serendipity of Snow) meets various books and their owners as she is found, loaned out and travels to a few countries, ultimately finding out more about herself in her search for a permanent home.

I enjoyed the bits of humour and how Boyle infers the different personalities of the books Book meets. The story slows a bit in some parts and has a bit of a cliched feel at times, but it is charming, and I enjoyed its Toy Story-esque feel that had me questioning exactly what goes on with my books when I'm not looking! And as a Canadian, I almost felt the need to apologize to my TBR for my lack of attention!

This is a cute story that is perfect for book lovers that has a truly unique narrator that tackles the topics of self-discovery, friendship and finding home. Thanks to the author (who is a fellow Canadian!) for sending me a copy of her book!

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the author for sending me a complimentary copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the story of a book, of the people it meets, the places it travels, and the adventures it has, much like the stories that are collected in the online journals of the BookCrossing books I share with the world. But instead of having its story narrated by the people who possess the book along the way, this book gets to narrate its own story, giving us a first person narrative of what life as a book might be like. As a first novel by a new author, the book worries that she will never be purchased from the book store where her story begins, but once a reader buys her, her adventures begin. As she passes from person to person, and begins to travel the world, she realizes how much there is to learn, both about the world and about her role in it.

As someone who takes an active interest in the travels and adventures of books through my participation in BookCrossing.com, this story resonated with me. It was almost as if one of my own books was writing home to tell me about its adventures. This book is inventive, captivating, and just fun to read.

[Shalene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how this book is in the perspective of a book telling its story. It was a very fun read! When I was reading it, it made me look at my books in a whole new perspective and makes me want to start reading the books that I have and read them again.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly Enjoyed!

This book was entertaining, thought provoking, and a joy to read! Loved the whole story from a book’s perspective. It was so different from anything I’ve read recently. When the books talked to one another, I enjoyed the fact that the language and sentences the books used was consistent with the book’s attitude and subject matter. Will read it again and hope for another book!

[Connie Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Lisa See's book, "The Women of the Lost Sea" I was delighted to start a book that was light, uplifting and funny. The synopsis gives you a good idea of what to expect, but the humor and wittiness will keep you laughing. I also think it was cleverly written. To keep an entire book being written from the perspective of a book, in addition to other books it meets, was brilliant. Oh and the humans...

Anyway, I give this an 10 out of 10 and highly recommend!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected

This is the first time, in all my years reading, that I’ve read a book told from a BOOK’s perspective. And I really enjoyed it. This little books tells of their travels from San Francisco, to Paris, to London, to New York, to Minnesota and finally to Portland. She tells us about the other books she meets, the book friends she makes and all her temporary owners. Great little unexpected story.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so charming! I've never thought about what a book might think or feel but ENTITLED certainly opened my mind to what all the books of my past have thought about me. I would recommend this, it's a sweet, fun, adventurous tale.

[Kailie Mackay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different type of read which was great! Reading with the narrative of an actual book made it really fun and imaginative.

[R. Jetleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the premise of this book. I've never read a book written from a book's perspective! It was well done from start to finish.

[A J Hardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Every minute of it! It’s beautifully written, entertaining, and humorous. Also, if you want to dive in deeper, explore the parallelisms.
The story is told through the voice of the book, which was very unique. Now I’m wondering, am I treating my books well? When I pass them on are they having nice adventures and meeting lots of nice book friends? What do they think of me? 😂

I wrote down tons of quotes… here is one:

“Humans don’t comprehend our abilities. They assume we are a bound collection of pages, that’s all. They don’t see us for what we really are: a means to discover a part of themselves they didn’t even know existed, an opportunity to connect with other Humans and their experiences.”

This is a great book club book as well!

Well done Cookie Boyle! Chef’s kiss!

[Lucie HAND · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful book....what a unique idea, especially with so many readers and reading about so many subjects...and it occurs to this author to write a book from the point of view of a book! And such a nice book, too! I got to like her so much and was rooting for her to have a good life and be treated well all along. It was interesting to follow her life through different owners and how she is treated by them and by the other "book friends". I didn't want it to end...I would have stayed with her through more adventures, but alas, it did, and it had a wonderful ending. I recommend this to anyone who loves books. Thanks to my daughter who gifted it to me...it was wonderful!

[Shannon Crim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book!

You never know with a debut novel, but every now and then you end up with a diamond in the rough, like this one.

When I first heard of this book I was intrigued - a story told from the point of view of a book. I wasn’t very far before I got the vibes of this being Toy Story for adults. Books with feelings of their own, being able to communicate with other books, and connecting with their readers on a different level.

I laughed out loud many times and fell in love with Serendipity and the journey she takes. This is truly a book for book lovers!

[Patricia Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

liked this book because of the presence of books talking to each other and about their owners. such a novel thought. will make me think when I walk into a bookstore and pick up books. loved also all the "advice" given by the books. like the financial books were always giving money advice. the tour book would offer travel advice. and best of all the dictionaries who gave definitions. had this book recommended by a fellow bookclub member. would recommend it to other bookclubs.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little book told from the perspective of the books. An easy read that can be used as a palate cleanser. The main book we follow is "The Serendipity of Snow" which has a sweet personality and i love her interactions with the other books she meets along her journey. I will say that I will never look at my books and book stacks the same again.

[Lorrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK &HER JOURNEY SO MUCH

I feel like hugging every physical paper book I own or don't own. I already anthropomorphize objects that seem Luke they MUST have a life of their own. If you already love books....you WILL LOVE THEM EVEN MORE after reading this. Even the books you have no use or time for 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[Dora Zandarski · Rating 5 out of 5]

told from a different perspective

I really enjoyed the way this book is told from the books perspective. It made me want to be nicer to my books in case they are talking to each other. Very well written.

[Tammy Wolcott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique fun read.

I loved this book and its quirkiness. The book “The Serendipity of Snow”’s descriptions and dialogues had me laughing out loud. Do yourself a favour and read this entertaining, feel good novel, written from a books perspective.

[Lori Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

fabulous book!

I loved this book. Now I am thinking about all the books I’ve traveled with and left at vacation homes all over the world. Hopefully they have been loved, and traveled, more.

[Lisa]

Book lovers rejoice! This is charming, funny, fun to read and touching—a story from a novel (and novel’s) perspective! I heartily enjoyed and recommend.

[Abbey Ludwig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entitled is a delightful, sweet story! Told from the perspective of a book-Entitled is entertaining and a perfect escape for the cool lazy days of fall!

[Kathleen Moscillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was cleverly written and was very funny.

[Sarah Brands · Rating 5 out of 5]

clever and adorable

I loved this story from a book’s perspective. So much humor and warmth throughout. Very enjoyable and an easy read.

[Sal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book! What a wonderful distraction that is so needed these days

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun book!

I had a good time reading this book about a book. It had surprising depths, and it left me smiling. 😊