The Letters in the Books: A Novel

by Stephanie Verni

Can a handwritten letter found inside a book change the course of your life? Empath Meg Ellis believes it can. One snowy evening in early December on the night of Midnight Madness, a kick-off to the holiday season in Annapolis, Maryland, four downtrodden people walk into Meg’s bookstore at different times throughout the evening and become recipients of her inspirational letters. Over the course of a year, Meg’s clandestine, handwritten letters help positively change the trajectory of these vulnerable characters’ lives. Before long, Eva Levoni, Reid Jones, Lily Webster, and Dimitri Vassos become connected; prior to that night, they were not. Friendships form, romances bud, and their bonds become strong. Additionally, Meg’s backstory reveals why she takes the time to write the letters of encouragement—a handwritten letter she received years prior following the death of a beloved cousin. Meg, too, finds herself on a journey of her own.

309 pages, Paperback

Published July 15, 2022

About the author

STEPHANIE VERNI is the author of THE POSTCARD AND OTHER SHORT STORIES & POETRY (2018), INN SIGNIFICANT (2017), BASEBALL GIRL (2015), and BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE (2012). She and her colleagues, Leeanne Bell McManus and Chip Rouse, are the authors of EVENT PLANNING: COMMUNICATING THEORY AND PRACTICE (2016). She is Professor of Business Communication at Stevenson University where she instructs writing and communication courses. Prior to working in academia, she spent thirteen years with the Baltimore Orioles and was the editor of the Cal Ripken Commemorative book, which celebrated and marked his consecutive games record. She resides in Severna Park, Maryland, with her husband and two children. For more information about Stephanie and her work, visit her website and blog at Steph's Scribe -- www.stephsscribe.com.

BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE earned a Bronze medal in the Annual Readers' Favorite Awards Contest for 2012, tops in its category for Contemporary Romance, and was a National Indie Excellence finalist for Romance in 2013. BASEBALL GIRL took home an Honorable Mention Award for Sports Fiction in Readers' Favorite's 2015 contest. INN SIGNIFICANT (2017) and THE POSTCARD AND OTHER SHORT STORIES (2018) were both finalists in the National Indie Excellence Awards.

Reviews

[K.G. Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Reader Review:
This is my first time reading a story by this author, and I found myself intrigued and smiling throughout. Book store owner, Meg Ellis is an empath person who leaves inspirational handwritten letters in the pages of her customer’s books, but only those she feels are downtrodden and in need of some encouragement. There are four characters who receive a letter, and over the course of a year, all four become connected through friendship, and even romance. As these characters find themselves on a more positive path, Meg goes through a journey of her own, her kindness and empathy for strangers coming full circle.

The author has a descriptive writing style I absolutely adore making me want to visit Annapolis, Maryland, especially during the holidays. There is a definite small-town vibe to this story, the friendliness, kindness, and encouragement of folks making me melancholy for a simpler time and era. This story was a breath of fresh air, and I enjoyed Eva, Reid, Lily, Dimitri, and Meg’s journey throughout the pages. If you are looking for a feel-good book overflowing with loveliness, I highly recommend Stephanie Verni's, The Letters in the Books.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

pg 58 - "Connections bind us together, and taking initiative to do for others has the potential to lead to a beautiful life." Have you ever bought a book or taken a book from the library and found inside a note, a letter, even a grocery list? Did you wonder about the person who left it and whether it meant anything to them; did it affect their/your life? I do, at time, find library date due slips in books from the library and wonder - did this person enjoy this book? In The Letters in the Books, four people who do not know each other find handwritten letters in books they buy in the same bookshop. Somehow this event changes the course of their lives as well as the life of the letter writer.

Written by a Maryland author, the story is based in Annapolis - a very familiar place. Meg, the bookshop owner, is an empath - one overly sensitive to others needs - and writes letters of encouragement that she slips into books purchased by customers who seem to need a little encouragement. The recipients of these letters in the story come together and form almost new paths for themselves that enrich their lives and the lives of each other. The course of the book is happiness - lots of happy!

[Eileen Giardina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lived in Annapolis for 15 years and return at least once a month. The author truly captured the communal vibe you can feel as you visit the downtown shops. Midnight Madness is truly magical. However every day is a treat.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an evening in December when the city of Annapolis, Maryland, celebrated "Midnight Madness," an annual holiday event. The night was not one of good cheer for everyone. There are reasons to dine alone in a restaurant. Eva Levoni, Lily Webster, Reid Jones, and Dimitri Vassos should know. They each had their reason–a different reason. They never imagined their individual visits to Brodie’s Books after dinner might impact their futures.

Meg Ellis is the owner of Brodie’s Books, and each day Meg takes 10 letters to the bookstore that she has written. When Meg opens the bookstore in the morning, she doesn’t know who will receive a letter. She makes spontaneous decisions during the day. On leaving the store, the 10 customers will remain unaware until the purchased book is opened at home.

This novel is a beautifully written story. In many ways, it is a letter in itself. A love letter to the joy of books, the joy of letter writing, the joy of a random act of kindness, the joy of new beginnings, the joy of friendship, and all the possibilities that open with a fresh perspective and new collaborations.

Readers may not be bookstore owners, but it does give thoughts of the possibilities of tucking a letter inside a book returned to the library, tucking a letter inside a book given to the library for a used bookshop or donated to a used bookstore, or tucked inside a book placed inside a Little Library. Possibilities. Random Act of Kindness (RAOK). Think of the possibilities this holiday season after reading this extraordinary novel.

Oh, you’re not a letter writer? Perhaps you’ll purchase more copies of the book and tuck a book in a Little Library* near your home or on your way home from work. RAOK. Kindness. Caring. Thoughtfulness. A heartwarming novel comforted me this holiday season and sparked ideas. It can do the same for you. The possibilities are endless.

Book Club Questions are provided at the end of the novel.

*The Little Library website and mobile app have a World Map that is easy to search. Have fun! https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Letters is the Books is a refreshing novel filled with relatable characters, each of whom found a way into my heart. Which is my favorite? I really can’t choose. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of empath Meg and her bookshop, and the way that her handwritten letters left in books impact their recipients. The charm of Annapolis, Maryland comes through as Stephanie Verni describes the setting throughout the seasons. I especially loved the relationships woven throughout the story. Delightful without being overly sweet, this is a cozy book that will inspire you to be a friend to those around you…and perhaps yourself.

[Halle Mosser · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't finish this book and I wanted to like it so badly to support a local author. I lived in Annapolis in my early twenties and loved it so I was excited to read something I hoped would capture that nostalgia. I got to page 163 before giving up because every line is just a play by play of the characters lives, right down to their physical movements. The male characters, Reid and Dimitri, are far more likeable than the female roles. As far as setting, if I didn't know what the Eastport Bridge was and Ego Alley I'd be even more bored. Annapolis is a beautiful town, unmatched in energy and the author is just missing incredible opportunities for showing not telling. Even some of the little supporting roles of characters I thought were going to be paths crossing (I won't say because of spoilers). The pacing doesn't make sense as it jumps around from month to month and even in one part where all the characters are supposed to be at Thanksgiving, the one jumps to Black Friday evening and then the following chapter is back to Thanksgiving. As someone with an MFA in creative writing, I understand how disheartening it can be to delete words you work so hard on but man, a lot of these words should've been deleted and replaced with actual conflict and plot points.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letters in the Books is a story about 7 people directly impacted by a letter slipped into a book by bookstore owner Meg Ellis. Meg writes 10 letters each day and as she recognizes something in her customer's she slips a letter in their purchase. One night she distributes 4 of those letters to Eva, Reid, Dimitri and Lily. The book Lily purchases is a Christmas gift for her ex-husband, Brad, who receives the letter. Each of the recipients is positively impacted by the letter and is motivated to make necessary positive changes in their life. The book is set in Anapolis, a relatively small community, so these people find themselves interacting and becoming friends. When tragedy strikes Meg, all of them realize the impact she has had on their lives.
When I started the book, I was not sold on the concept, by the time I got about 60 pages in, I was hooked and wanted to spend more time with this group of people. I found them completely relatable and was completely enamored of the setting. This was a sweet story of a lovely, loving group of people, something this world desperately needs more of these days.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. It’s described by some reviewers as wholesome. It does get better towards the end but it was a struggle for me to finish it. The author will be at an event this Wednesday and so I bought the book (paperback) and plan to attend. Set in Annapolis, MD, this book has some interesting characters including a bookstore owner who writes letters and places them in books she sells. The writing appears to be geared toward a high school reading level or at most, young adult. There were many typographical errors which detracted form the book’s meager enjoyment.
NOT recommended!

[Julia Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not wait to read Stephanie's newest book- another gem! I love the complexity of her characters and the theme of love throughout. Stephanie has done so much research regarding the settings of her books, and I now look forward to taking a trip to Annapolis to spend time in this charming town with a nautical foundation. I always feel like Stephanie gives hope to readers- despite the hardships in life, her books and the thoughtful characters always give me a sense of peace to carry along.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meg Ellis is an empath who owns a bookstore. Every day she writes ten uplifting letters and secretly puts them in a book that a customer is buying. She seems to know which customers need that letter. Characters are wonderful and the story is uplifting. Can a simple letter actually change someone's life? A story of love, friendship, hope, and new beginnings. This is one of the best books I've read this year!

[Savannah Tagget · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light, easy read filled with vibrant, well-developed characters who you can’t help but love (all five of them)! Colorful descriptions and budding romances make this a book you will want to plow through in just a few days. Another great book by Stephanie Verni.

[Brande · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some books aren’t meant to have crazy plot twists. Some are just meant to make you feel good.

This isn’t super plot driven. It’s about people & their lives & how they pull themselves through tough times. This was a very slow read but also a feel good read.

[Emily O'Keefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! As someone who lives in Maryland, it was exciting to read a book that took place in an area I know well. It was fun to read how all of the characters intertwine. Cute plot with a cute ending

[Carol Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read - left me smiling

[Leota · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming and uplifting read that I devoured in three quick bites. Great feel-good book reminding us the power of words, and maybe inspire a little letter writing campaign of your own!

[Melody Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of how lives and people cone together because of letters in the book they purchase.

[Lee Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story of how interconnected we really are and how small acts of kindness can lead to wonderful stories!

[Kaci Ogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sweetest most heartwarming book I've read in months! This book is like a hug to your heart with the many characters are how their lives intertwine becasue if the kindness in a letter. ❤️

[ShyAnn64 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started the book and enjoyed it halfway, thought it had potential, but the ending was very predictable. Wood make a good Halmark movie!

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Downtown Annapolis or are looking for a heart warming story that makes you want to hug the characters, then I highly recommend this book. It was such a fun read over the Christmas holiday.

[Lynne Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Stephanie Verdi book and this won't be my last. The characters are so real, and the storyline is written so well. You begin to feel you know these friends. Such a sweet story that wants you to continue on their journey when you finish the book. Its refreshing to read about true goodness. If you know Annapolis, MD (location of the story) you will enjoy the book more. The author is an Indie writer without the marketing of Best Sellers but give this 2022 book a whirl.