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Turning Pages #1
Shelve Under C: A Tale of Used Books and Cats
(For ages ten to infinity.) Used bookshops, big and small, often have a resident cat or two roaming the aisles, sleeping on the book stacks, or sleeping on the customers. Here is a novel all about one bookshop and its resident cats, Stomper and Buglit; and about Kris, a 12-year-old boy who apprentices in the shop. Kris is a little bit like the cats: he’s a foster child getting used to a new family, and the cats are in the bookshop being fostered for the local shelter. Stomper and Buglit are a little bit like Kris: they get into trouble, have some wild adventures, and find out just what family really means. This is the first book in the Turning Pages series of used bookshop novels.
Unlike some novels that have a used bookshop setting, Shelve Under C has the shop, its owners, its apprentice, its customers and, especially, its cats as the beating heart of this fuzzy beast. Come inside and breathe in the wonderful book smells of leather and paper and cloth. Pet the resident foster cats (and maybe take one home!). Sit near the sunny windows on one of the comfy chairs to read all afternoon. Or flip through the new arrivals and rare books and browse all of the books, old and new, in the loads of bookcases in No Page Unturned's several packed rooms.
The main stars of this book are Stomper and Buglit. That's what they would tell you, anyway. Stomps is a grump, but he may have a tender middle. Bug is new to the bookshop. She misses her former owner, but Mrs. O'Malley is making her life less lonesome and Buglit, in return, is becoming very important to the bookshop owners in some funny and surprising ways.
Kris is trying hard to fit into his new foster family, but even after several months he still feels like an outsider. He becomes an apprentice at the bookshop, where he gradually finds a way to fit back into his own world as well as into his foster family's.
Shelve Under C is a little bit squishy. It's also funny, with hints of rockabilly, wild storms, doggy bucking broncos, catnip capers, near-deadly chicken salad sandwiches, and . . . books! No need to knock -- the door is open, so come on in, grab something to read, and get comfy on the big, red sofa.
Unlike some novels that have a used bookshop setting, Shelve Under C has the shop, its owners, its apprentice, its customers and, especially, its cats as the beating heart of this fuzzy beast. Come inside and breathe in the wonderful book smells of leather and paper and cloth. Pet the resident foster cats (and maybe take one home!). Sit near the sunny windows on one of the comfy chairs to read all afternoon. Or flip through the new arrivals and rare books and browse all of the books, old and new, in the loads of bookcases in No Page Unturned's several packed rooms.
The main stars of this book are Stomper and Buglit. That's what they would tell you, anyway. Stomps is a grump, but he may have a tender middle. Bug is new to the bookshop. She misses her former owner, but Mrs. O'Malley is making her life less lonesome and Buglit, in return, is becoming very important to the bookshop owners in some funny and surprising ways.
Kris is trying hard to fit into his new foster family, but even after several months he still feels like an outsider. He becomes an apprentice at the bookshop, where he gradually finds a way to fit back into his own world as well as into his foster family's.
Shelve Under C is a little bit squishy. It's also funny, with hints of rockabilly, wild storms, doggy bucking broncos, catnip capers, near-deadly chicken salad sandwiches, and . . . books! No need to knock -- the door is open, so come on in, grab something to read, and get comfy on the big, red sofa.
Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2012
235 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Kalahar
56 books16 followersJenny Kalahar is the author of fifteen books and has been published in several anthologies, in literary journals, and in her humor column in Tails Magazine. She is the editor of Last Stanza Poetry Journal. She and Patrick previously owned bookshops in Michigan and Ohio, and now sell books via the internet. Jenny is the publisher for the Poetry Society of Indiana and the founder and leader of Last Stanza Poetry Association. She was nominated for the Indiana state Poet Laureate position, a Best of the Net, and twice for a Pushcart Prize in poetry. When not writing, reading, or working with old books, she loves expeditions through flea markets and playing piano and percussion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
November 20, 2018
Heartwarming - it will leave you feeling emotional
What a wonderful warm, emotive, heartbreaking and fulfilling read. Absolutely fabulous read! With characters that will pull on your heartstrings.
They have run a bookstore for years and have always had two cats that they foster. Their cats have always found a good home. However the latest ones in their care might take longer than the others. One is standofish and the other is a very timid pretty little calico. Their business is a mixture of rare and used books with a lot of regular customers that treat it almost like a library whilst the others come for books that will be a regular resident of their own home. One such visitor was a young boy who after losing his family has been fostered by an Indian couple with two small boys. This is the story of how after a mishap he starts working at the store and learning about the book business. Whilst at the same time he let's his inner most fears out. That of being rejected! Plus the adventures, mishaps and triumphs of the two cats. Will the young boy find his place? Will the cats find theirs? A really terrific read!
What a wonderful warm, emotive, heartbreaking and fulfilling read. Absolutely fabulous read! With characters that will pull on your heartstrings.
They have run a bookstore for years and have always had two cats that they foster. Their cats have always found a good home. However the latest ones in their care might take longer than the others. One is standofish and the other is a very timid pretty little calico. Their business is a mixture of rare and used books with a lot of regular customers that treat it almost like a library whilst the others come for books that will be a regular resident of their own home. One such visitor was a young boy who after losing his family has been fostered by an Indian couple with two small boys. This is the story of how after a mishap he starts working at the store and learning about the book business. Whilst at the same time he let's his inner most fears out. That of being rejected! Plus the adventures, mishaps and triumphs of the two cats. Will the young boy find his place? Will the cats find theirs? A really terrific read!
December 11, 2018
This was a fun read. judging from the writing, it must be a young adult book or maybe even middle school level, but I still enjoyed it. I'll probably continue reading the series.
April 30, 2018
What a great tale of a used book store and their love of taking in cats to adopt out. Young boy, Kris, lost his parents and was placed in a foster home. Sad and mad at his fate, he ends up working at the store and learning all the ins and outs of books, their value, buying and selling etc. Two, book store, cats win the hearts of many with their antics and character. A delightful book and hope to read the next one in the series.
May 3, 2014
A tale of two cats, one boy, a bookstore and its owners, and a small American town, Jenny Kalaher’s Shelve under C is a fun story for middle-grade and up. Hints of mystery, family drama, and pleasing cross-cultural concepts are all bound together with a convincing thread of real life love. In this small town, the animal shelter sends its pets out to be fostered in local stores, where they become acclimatized to people and eventually meet their future families. But, just as a cat is not a book, a child is not a cat. And fostering, or adopting a child might include its own unique complications.
The cats’ points of view are nicely portrayed with the sounds, sights and smells that surround them. But, for the most part, humans tell this tale, describing the “salt and pepper” hair of a shop owner, the antics of an errant dog, the terrors of floods, and the mysteries of a lonely child.
Apart from occasional disaster, life progresses comfortably. Stacks of books fall down and are rebuilt. Damaged goods are repaired. And the reader learns, at a young boy’s side, just a little of the ins and outs of used book sales via store and internet. Meanwhile the boy learns to trust himself and those around him, and a cat learns to trust in more than just the food he can steal from the fridge.
Fun for animal lovers of all ages, pleasantly low-key and wise, Shelve Under C is one I should definitely like to share with my Mum.
Disclosure: I was lucky enough to find it when it was free.
The cats’ points of view are nicely portrayed with the sounds, sights and smells that surround them. But, for the most part, humans tell this tale, describing the “salt and pepper” hair of a shop owner, the antics of an errant dog, the terrors of floods, and the mysteries of a lonely child.
Apart from occasional disaster, life progresses comfortably. Stacks of books fall down and are rebuilt. Damaged goods are repaired. And the reader learns, at a young boy’s side, just a little of the ins and outs of used book sales via store and internet. Meanwhile the boy learns to trust himself and those around him, and a cat learns to trust in more than just the food he can steal from the fridge.
Fun for animal lovers of all ages, pleasantly low-key and wise, Shelve Under C is one I should definitely like to share with my Mum.
Disclosure: I was lucky enough to find it when it was free.
August 14, 2016
Mr. and Mrs. O'Malley are a good-hearted couple who run a used bookshop. They foster two cats for the local animal shelter, to get them used to interaction with humans. The novel revolves around the cats, the O'Malleys and their various customers. An especially involved thread concerns Kris, a child who has lost his parents and is in a foster family. Throughout all of this flows love, friendship, kindness, and a good dose of humor.
This short novel is billed as being for "ages ten to infinity." Its short chapters would work for one each at bedtime, as each one has its one free-standing story that is tied in to the larger thread of Mr. and Mrs. O'Malley, their used bookshop and the kitties they are fostering. Adults might be a bit underwhelmed unless they are interested in used books or adorable cats (I love both, so I was the perfect audience).
The POVs include almost everyone in the story, including each of the cats, so it's fun to peek into the interior lives of each character. There's a good, uplifting message that isn't too preachy, and if anyone finds anything at all offensive about the material, well, I'd be surprised.
This short novel is billed as being for "ages ten to infinity." Its short chapters would work for one each at bedtime, as each one has its one free-standing story that is tied in to the larger thread of Mr. and Mrs. O'Malley, their used bookshop and the kitties they are fostering. Adults might be a bit underwhelmed unless they are interested in used books or adorable cats (I love both, so I was the perfect audience).
The POVs include almost everyone in the story, including each of the cats, so it's fun to peek into the interior lives of each character. There's a good, uplifting message that isn't too preachy, and if anyone finds anything at all offensive about the material, well, I'd be surprised.
March 4, 2013
This is a heartwarming story about a boy, an older couple and their bookstore and a couple of cats, don't forget a dog or two , too. I enjoyed the read and the story. Being the caregiver of two cats, an aging dog and five chickens I enjoyed the story. it is also the story of how a young boy gains a family. It was very touching and I loved the read.
January 28, 2013
it was a great book and i really enjoyed it and it was something on how cats became a part of other peoples lives and a bookstore and how they affect others lives as well thru this all, i would recommend it to anyone
June 11, 2023
This is a wonderful book. I love cats and books and thought, why not.? Mr. and Mr. O'Malley own and run a used bookstore. They buy and sell used books. With no children of their own they welcome orphaned cats into their bookstore. These aren't just any cat's. They work with the local animal shelter and foster cats where they would have a great chance of interacting with the public and then become adopted. This bookstore has two cats ready for adoption. Stomper who reminded me in personality of Garfield. He was grumpy, wanted to be left alone and learned how to steal food from the small fridge inn the front room. Buglit is the most recent addition. She had belonged to an older lady who had passed away. She hated the shelter. When brought to the shelter, she felt a connection to Mrs. O'Malley. Both cats have their own personality. There are a variety of humans who play a big part in this book as well. You have the man who owns the music store down the street. There is young Kris who loves spending time in the bookstore. His love of books is obvious. It seems to go beyond the normal love of reading. He and Mr. O'Malley become very close. Like Buglit and Stomper he is a foster kid. Read this book to see how the three of them, Stomper, Buglit, and Stomper help each other through the ups and downs of everyday life.
June 19, 2023
Did not care for this book. I stopped reading it after a few chapters.
Amazon synopsis:
This first novel in the Turning Pages series tells the heartwarming story of Mack and Mavis O’Malley, owners of a small-town used bookshop that fosters cats for the local shelter. The O’Malleys take on a 12-year-old apprentice, Kris, who is also being fostered but is having trouble adjusting to life with his new Hindu family. Through his work at the bookshop and a friendship with the O’Malleys and the cats, Kris changes from a shy and sad kid to a confident, happy member of two families. The book is filled with the ins and outs of used bookselling, cat antics, and love.
Amazon synopsis:
This first novel in the Turning Pages series tells the heartwarming story of Mack and Mavis O’Malley, owners of a small-town used bookshop that fosters cats for the local shelter. The O’Malleys take on a 12-year-old apprentice, Kris, who is also being fostered but is having trouble adjusting to life with his new Hindu family. Through his work at the bookshop and a friendship with the O’Malleys and the cats, Kris changes from a shy and sad kid to a confident, happy member of two families. The book is filled with the ins and outs of used bookselling, cat antics, and love.
June 7, 2017
This is such a cute story! Loving books and cats, I knew I had to give this a try. There were a couple of spots I laughed because the writer did a great job describing cat behaviors. I think descriptions and events that went on were all well-written. The story was believable, and the ending melted my heart. The only reason I am giving this four stars instead of five is because there isn't much to the story. Just day to day happenings of a bookstore. It's a very light, easy to read novel. I really enjoyed it. I would recommend as well!
December 1, 2022
Big Hearts Four Paws
A sweet book. Small town life, and a lonely orphan.
Kris’s life is turned upside down with the untimely death of his parents. With no living family, Kris is placed in a foster home.
Kris finds a safe and loving home with the Delvhi family. He also finds friendship, and a close relationship with the O’Mallys, bookshop owners. It’s a book of love and compassion and well worth reading.
A sweet book. Small town life, and a lonely orphan.
Kris’s life is turned upside down with the untimely death of his parents. With no living family, Kris is placed in a foster home.
Kris finds a safe and loving home with the Delvhi family. He also finds friendship, and a close relationship with the O’Mallys, bookshop owners. It’s a book of love and compassion and well worth reading.
April 2, 2018
This was a really warm and cute book about lover for books, cats and bookshops. Partly from cats' pov and partly a story about the bookshop owners and their friends, it made up for a read full of humour and charm. It definitely brought a smile to my face :)
June 16, 2021
Thought provoking and warm
I had no idea what genre this book would be when I chose it. However, it had a cat on the cover. This is a fulfilling story, with tears and laughter, so relevant the human condition. I look forward to reading and owning Ms. Kalahar's other works.
I had no idea what genre this book would be when I chose it. However, it had a cat on the cover. This is a fulfilling story, with tears and laughter, so relevant the human condition. I look forward to reading and owning Ms. Kalahar's other works.
April 10, 2022
A bookstore always has at least two cats from the shelter to meet and greet customers. It is hoped they will find a forever home. The current two cats are finding their way into certain hearts but will it lead to a good home. Very likable characters and a sweet story.
August 9, 2022
While I was initially disappointed because when I downloaded this, I didn't realize it was a children's chapter book, it's not a bad series to turn kids onto. It's basically a feel good story about the redeeming quality of unconditional love.
July 29, 2023
Love cats!? This is a series for you!
Books for sale! A book shop is for buying books out have always wanted! There are cats for adoption! Books are great BUT! Cats are better!! Try this series! In l
Books for sale! A book shop is for buying books out have always wanted! There are cats for adoption! Books are great BUT! Cats are better!! Try this series! In l
April 17, 2024
Delightful and deep
In a used bookstore, both cats and a child are looking for forever homes. I loved this book. So easy to read and lets you “see the cats and people” with your mind’s eye.
I needed a light and happy book and this one delivered.
In a used bookstore, both cats and a child are looking for forever homes. I loved this book. So easy to read and lets you “see the cats and people” with your mind’s eye.
I needed a light and happy book and this one delivered.
April 17, 2024
Different, but great!
Cats, books, yes!! Picked by the cover again. Didn't know what to expect, but love it. Nice, little book, people needing and meeting people. Families including fur babies being formed. And, books, books, books! Ready for the next.
Cats, books, yes!! Picked by the cover again. Didn't know what to expect, but love it. Nice, little book, people needing and meeting people. Families including fur babies being formed. And, books, books, books! Ready for the next.
July 29, 2024
Sweet and heartwarming!
This was a great start to a new series (for me). I enjoyed it immensely! The storyline was wonderful and the ending pulled at my heart strings. It was a beautiful ending to a wonderful story!
This was a great start to a new series (for me). I enjoyed it immensely! The storyline was wonderful and the ending pulled at my heart strings. It was a beautiful ending to a wonderful story!
June 4, 2017
Fun book with Cat content
Loved the book! It is about cats, kids, love and friendship. There is also some mystery, some humor, and many a touching moment! Very enjoyable read.
Loved the book! It is about cats, kids, love and friendship. There is also some mystery, some humor, and many a touching moment! Very enjoyable read.
July 19, 2018
This is a cute, wholesome story about family, cats, and fostering. Great for middle school through adult! This would be a nice read aloud for a child who likes cats and books.
December 7, 2021
Feel Good Story
I adore a happy ending! This book delivers in spades. Touching and emotional words that touch your heart. I recommend this sweet story of love to all.
I adore a happy ending! This book delivers in spades. Touching and emotional words that touch your heart. I recommend this sweet story of love to all.
January 14, 2022
Purrfectly Charming
I loved this cute, short, sweet, and fun read! The characters are well developed as is the bookstore setting and family apartment.
I loved this cute, short, sweet, and fun read! The characters are well developed as is the bookstore setting and family apartment.
February 27, 2022
Book
Truly loved this book hope there're more in this line
. hate writing reviews simple because I use good read so I can keep track of what I've read and liked!
Truly loved this book hope there're more in this line
. hate writing reviews simple because I use good read so I can keep track of what I've read and liked!
May 27, 2022
absolutely adorable. cozy as a cat curled up on your lap.
August 14, 2022
A really charming slice-of-life story with plenty of funny, emotional, and dramatic incidents. A story about good, kind people.
October 27, 2022
A warm cuddly read
A bookshop that hosts cats to be adopted not only warms the heart but also spin s a take of love and caring. How I wish the world was like this lovely shop
A bookshop that hosts cats to be adopted not only warms the heart but also spin s a take of love and caring. How I wish the world was like this lovely shop
January 21, 2023
Very cute
March 17, 2023
Audible:I found this very enjoyable.How can you go wrong with bookstores and cat rescues,
May 5, 2023
An uplifting story
Of love and kindness for the children and the animals. Very sweet and peaceful. I nearly (but not quite) wanted to go adopt a kitten.
Of love and kindness for the children and the animals. Very sweet and peaceful. I nearly (but not quite) wanted to go adopt a kitten.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews