Okay, strap in, because this might be a doozy of a review.

On the surface, The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is the kind of book that I would like. It's set in a bookstore, has a plucky heroine working to find her place in the world, and a low-key romance that makes for pleasant reading. In reality, I found myself getting more and more annoyed as I read, and I look forward to telling you why.

The fact that Maggie starts the book opposed to reading, but especially opposed to the idea of reading classics, is a bummer, but clearly part of the plot. She becomes a reader. The continual harping on the idea that classics are all boring and terrible quickly started to piss me off. To be fair, I am just a completed dissertation away from a PhD in American literature, but I also don't think I'm a snob about books. But it's also such a weird disservice to act like all canonical literature is bad because some of it has been forced upon you.

Robinson is clearly familiar with the classics she mentions in this book, so I'm confused about the arguments she's making re: the canon. The discussions about classics vs. genre fiction feel more like she's speaking as a romance writer than just her characters talking. And again—I read romance constantly, as well as thrillers, etc. I am not at all opposed to genre fiction, but I don't know why this is such a this or that type of discussion.

And the fact that Robinson does have familiarity with the texts she mentions and/or criticizes in this book made me even more frustrated when I found the discussions of them to be hollow. At one point, Maggie is convinced to read Beloved by Malcolm, and then complains that if only she'd been assigned a book like that, maybe she'd like reading. Beloved is amazing, I agree. But at what point did she wish she'd been assigned Beloved? Because high schoolers are not ready to read that book, my friends. It is too hard. Maybe in college, but her educational background makes it hard to imagine what classes she'd even take (I do realize I'm nitpicking but I also teach English to college students so this was something I actively thought about while reading).

A bigger gripe: when Maggie arranges a covert book club of sorts in which writers come to genre-bend classics, the first text is Moby-Dick, which will be rewritten as a rom-com (chosen specifically for dick jokes). The romance writer who comes writes about Ahab. Here's the thing, though. If any person ever has read Moby-Dick, you KNOW that the way to rewrite that book as a romance is a queer love story between Ishmael and Queequeg. It is all but on the actual pages of Moby-Dick! You could even write about Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne! Moby-Dick is a book I am very ambivalent about because it is deeply boring sometimes but it is also a book about some guys who are very in love with each other. The fact that this is missed is not only annoying, but tells me Maggie (or Robinson, depending how invested she is in this argument) sort of doesn't know enough to make the criticisms that are here.

Okay, I'm hitting my stride. One of Maggie's missions is learning more about Edward Bell, a fictional famous dead white guy author whose works create the tourism industry for the town she's in, but who she also imagines is a shady character. She disagrees about the feminism of his work (a thing I won't get into, even though I could), and eventually sneaks to find his hidden letters which reveal that he had a mistress from whom he plagiarized his work. The weird thing here is that Maggie seems first more concerned with the idea that Bell's having a mistress obviously means his works cannot be considered feminist, which is some kind of logic I've never heard. The bigger problem I have with all this fictional author business is the idea that somehow learning of the mistress (and even the plagiarism, really) would diminish his status and intrigue for tourism. This isn't how authors or artists get to be preserved! We are interested in all the parts of them—including the contradictory, gnarly, messy bits that they might not have revealed during their lives. As someone who's a little obsessed with Hemingway, I say this with some authority.

I could go on, but one last thing. If it isn't clear, I really disliked Maggie as a character. I found her to be uncompromising and dismissive and rude to the people who cared about her. I really hated that she and Malcolm made their deal, in which she'd create a list of adventures for him to go on while she read a classic in exchange, only for her to barely hold up her end of the bargain. It felt like the message was "well, he's the one who needs to change by getting out more, but I don't really need to read these books." And sure, she doesn't actually "need" to read them, but you've created a relationship with this person! Why do you get to tell him how he should be more interesting but do nothing in return? I really wanted him to just dump her and move on by the end, but that's not really how these things work.

Alas, I'll stop ranting. It's fair to say this book garnered some serious reactions from me, I just wish they had been more positive.

Maggie has not yet gotten her life together, flitting from job to job and still living with her parents. She jumps at the chance to go to Bell RIver to help her best friend run her bookstore and cover her maternity leave.

The author created such wonderfully engaging characters, which made for a fun and enjoyable read. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an advance copy. Enjoy!! This book will bring a smile to your face!

Maggie Banks finds herself in Bell River to run her best friend’s bookstore, Cobblestone Books, but it’s not a conventional bookstore. It doesn’t sell all the hot, new releases that most bookstores carry, nor does it carry any material that’s been published in the last few decades. Oh, and aside from not knowing anything about Edward Bell, Maggie doesn’t know much about books period.

The literary society has strict rules on what titles Cobblestone Books is allowed to sell. Maggie has a hard time with the idea of many books not falling into the allowable categories and sets out to make changes, even if it means breaking the rules. From selling books out of boxes in the back room to hosting secret literary events—all to keep the bookstore out of the red.

Will Maggie be able to advocate for change without getting disowned by her best friend and everyone else she has come to care about in Bell River? I enjoyed the story and the idea of advocating to read whatever one wishes. The narrator was pleasant to listen to. Thank you to NetGalley and Orange Sky Audio for allowing me to listen to an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #TheBannedBookshopofMaggieBanks

Maggie is unemployed and a bit lost. When her friend Rochelle asks her to come to Bell River, Maryland to assist in her bookshop while she's on maternity leave, she figures why not. Bell River is obsessed with its hometown author, Edward Bell, and the bookshop only sells books from his time and prior. Maggie isn't a book lover but decides this is the reset she needs.

I really enjoyed the story. Maggie coming into her own. The small town side characters. The friendships she made. And a little romance. And Maggie finding her love of books!

A cute read and would definitely recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Orange Sky Audio for my ALC in exchange for an honest review.

The Banned BookShop of Maggie Banks was such a pleasant surprise for me and I loved every minute of it. I didn’t know much about the book going into it and when I was done I immediately preordered a copy for my wife.

The story follows Maggie who is struggling to find her calling in life. Maggie moves to Bell River, a small town where her best friend runs a bookstore. The bookstore is struggling due to restrictions put on what they can sell. They can not sell any contemporary books forcing people to leave Bell River if they want to buy new books.

Maggie ends up selling books she shouldn’t have and started one of the most interesting book clubs I have ever heard of and I would travel a long distance to be a part of it. They take a classic novel and put a modern twist on the story.

While Maggie is finally starting to feel purpose in her professional life, her love life is also coming together.

You can’t help but just fall in love with Maggie. She is such a great character that goes through so much growth throughout the book. She has such great qualities and you want nothing but the best for her.

Malcolm, Maggie’s love interest surprisingly goes through the most growth in my opinion and is a totally different and better Malcolm by the end of the book.

I really enjoyed this one and it made me want to start a unique book club. Everyone should read this.

A fun read for the bookworms! This was a fun story about taking over a bookshop and a love story. Maggie is a great main character and her friends and relationships add to the storyline. Overall a fun romantic comedy!

Cute story about a 20-something who's still trying to find her way in life. This is the story about a bookshop that only sells works from authors published before 1935, and it and the town is in honor of one person, Edward Bell. His grandson Ralph is the hero of the town, but everyone must kowtow to his rules. Enter Maggie, tired of living with her parents and who has come to help her college roommate Rachel run Cornerstone Books. But since the Bell River society rules keep the store from selling anything current, the store is struggling. Maggie realizes someone has to step in and quickly; she starts an underground, online bookshop selling 'contraband', and manages to hide the sales from both the grandson and Rachel. She runs secret events where authors rewrite some of the classics, and swears the participants to secrecy. All is well for a while, even though the guilt is building up, when Ralph decides to make the town over into a writer's retreat. All seemingly falls apart, until Maggie discovers letters that indicate that Edward Bell wasn't who everyone thinks he was.

This would make a great Hallmark movie -- you really have to suspend your belief that some of these things happen, but it does end up like their movies do -- with a Maggie and others realizing that there is more to life.

An Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio in exchange for an honest review., and to Imani Jade Powers who does a great job with the audiobook narration.

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is a great find for all those who love books! Although it begins with a bookshop being turned over for a few months to someone who doesn't like to read, which seems like blasphemy to all bibliophiles; it is full of so much bookie stuff to love! It is more endearing than I could have imagined after reading Robinson's first book, Must Love Books, which I found a bit more chaotic and hard to connect with. Maggie is so fun, I want to be her friend. I will be in her army any time. And I 100% want to participate in her genre blending classic parties!! This book really is great fun. I loved getting to be a part of her journey and the Bell River community for a few hours. I love the cast of characters and how they all come together in the end to give a voice and freedom to those that have been silenced and pressured into conformity! If Robinson keeps putting out books that are better than the last one than her next one is going to be an instant favorite! Can't wait to see what she gives her book lover readers next.

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is a bookworm's dream! It's full of charm and character and.... BOOKS!!

Maggie's in her late 20s and living with her parents in California. She's had trouble holding down a job as she just hasn't found her calling yet. So when her bestie in Bell River, Maryland calls and offers her a temp position at her bookstore, Maggie jumps at the chance. Maggie isn't a bookworm, but she's open to the opportunity to try something new and help her friend.

Unfortunately, this isn't your typical bookstore, and Bell River isn't your typical town. The town is obsessed with its namesake, famous late author Edward Bell, which is a huge tourist attraction. Due to the strict rules of the owner, the bookstore only sells classics. No modern books allowed! 👎 Yet with the way things are going, the bookstore is struggling to make ends meet.

Maggie must get creative to help save the store without letting the owner know she's breaking the rules. But while she's sneaking around, she'll uncover some truths that threaten the entire foundation that Bell River is built upon.

I really adored this book. I listened to an ALC, and Imani Jade Powers did such a great job with the narration. There are so many fun, quirky, and interesting characters here. Maggie herself really shines as a protagonist, and I enjoye the friendships she forms and the found family component here. I just love everything about this story. The small town charm, the close-nit community. It has so many elements that make it great! It has romance, mystery, and is about books!! I also really loved watching Maggie's journey as a non-book-lover working with and around books.

This was so very well-written, with so many moving parts here that came together so seamlessly. Just a super solid book. I very highly recommend for fans of women's fiction/ contemporary fiction, and for people who like books about books.

Do note, that while this does have a love story, it is not a romance novel.

Thank you OrangeSky Audio for my gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review. This was such a pleasure to listen to. 💕

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is a fun romantic comedy that is easy to listen to and become invested in. I loved the narrator of this book because her voice drew me in and held my attention the entire time.

Maggie Banks seems to be fluttering through life with no real direction. When her best friend needs help at her families bookstore Maggie tried her best to do the right thing and yet everything seems to go wrong until Maggie unlocks the mystery of Edward Belle.

Maggie is a strong mc who doesn’t know her strength. The cast of characters is diverse and relatable. The author does a great job with flow and pacing.

Thank you OrangeSky Audio for access to an audio arc in exchange for a review.

What an ABSOLUTE DELIGHT of a book. This is the feel-good story I was craving but didn't know I needed. Every character is entirely loveable, even the grumpy old man who hates everyone. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an escape into a heartwarming world of books and joy.

I did not know how much I needed a story about a good person who just didn't know what to do with themselves. Maggie is trying really hard and just wants to be happy. So many of us can relate to that. I love how much this story rests on character relationships. That's comfort reading catnip for me. I really enjoyed how Maggie slowly spreads her wings and takes risks. It feels very natural to do just one small thing and then wind up in all the drama she finds herself in. This is another book that makes me want to visit a specific place, even if that place doesn't actually exist.

Cute, story about a girl who doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. She gets the opportunity to fill in a her friend's bookstore while she is on maternity leave and finds out that she has a knack for planning literary themed events.

A delightful love letter to books, readers, and indie book shops. There was a certain suspension of disbelief that I had to work to hold onto in the beginning -- without giving too much away, I couldn't quite believe that an entrepreneur like this books villain would so purposefully stifle one (or more) of his businesses, without seeing that's exactly what he was doing. However, the premise sets up a wonderful comeback story that illustrates the variety of ways people can fall in love with reading, all while keeping me interested in the growth of our main character, and the intrigue of her plan.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an audio-ARC of The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson, narrated by Imani Jade Powers. This book is a fun, light-hearted read that subtly makes you question town heroes and issues of too much control. Imani Jade Powers' voice was perfect for this novel. Her tone is easy to listen to and upbeat.

I have to start by saying I enjoyed this book in both audio and book format. Imani Jade Powers is most enjoyable as a narrator. The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is a winner!

As a book reader and librarian, this book couldnt come at a more poignant space in time! Across our nation people are arguing about taking books out of schools, essentially banning youth from reading not only classics, but new books. These folk are missing the point. Books open lines of discussions and create opportunities to engage with others. Shauna Robinson gives us a quirky good-hearted book lover in Maggie.

From the author's blurb: "When Maggie Banks arrives in Bell River to run her best friend's struggling bookstore, she expects to sell bestsellers to her small-town clientele. But running a bookstore in a town with a famously bookish history isn't easy. Bell River's literary society insists on keeping the bookstore stuck in the past, and Maggie is banned from selling anything written this century. So, when a series of mishaps suddenly tip the bookstore toward ruin, Maggie will have to get creative to keep the shop afloat.

And in Maggie's world, book rules are made to be broken.

To help save the store, Maggie starts an underground book club, running a series of events celebrating the books readers actually love. But keeping the club quiet, selling forbidden books, and dodging the literary society is nearly impossible. Especially when Maggie unearths a town secret that could upend everything."

I have to admit this is my second Robinson book. I truly enjoyed Must Love Books and now The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks. It's easy to see Robinson loves words and books and when you turn the pages of her books, you will too!

This book has that quaint small own feel found in a comfy Hallmark movie. Think autumn and a community coming together for the greater good. Think opening your minds to new thoughts, books and friendship. There's much to love in the Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks.

Many thanks to OrangeSky Audio, NetGalley and Shauna Robinson for an engaging story about trying to figure out your life and stumbling upon your into true calling.

A book about secret book clubs and trying to save an indie book store in a small town? Yes please! From the description alone, I knew I was going to enjoy Robinson's novel... and THE BANNED BOOKSHOP OF MAGGIE BANKS definitely lived up to my expectations. I found Maggie interesting, but what I loved most was the life Robinson gave to the supporting cast of characters (I LOVED Vernon). As a reader, I felt like a part of Bell River and wished I could join in on the fun of Maggie's underground book club.

That being said, there is a certain amount of suspension of belief required for all of the plot points to work within the narrative (particularly surrounding Cobblestone Books and all that Maggie does while working there). But as someone that works with books for a living, I found that I didn't mind that those pieces of the plot weren't entirely realistic or practical.

There's a little bit of romance (which is realistic and fits within the plot), but that's not the focus of the story. I appreciated how Edward Bell's storyline wove into the present day storyline, and how the conflict was resolved.

And again, I REALLY want to be able to go to one of Maggie's literary events! Overall this was a fun read that I'm glad I picked up.

Imani Jade Powers does a great job with the audiobook narration.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed every minute of this audiobook! The idea that a bookstore could exist that is so limited in scope is awful and when the protagonist, Maggie, finds herself working in such a store she finds it completely stripped of any fun. Maggie is a lively character and a breath of fresh air, but she is thwarted at every turn. Over a few short months of work at Cobblestone Books she finds ways to change things, but completely under the table. When all of her actions become public she is faced with a very sticky situation that may not have a good solution. I was surprised by many of the things that happened in this book--almost always in a good way--and I loved Maggie's pluck, her joyous spirit, and the life that she brings to the bookstore and the entire town. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this fabulous audiobook--highly recommended!

-[..] There must undoubtedly be an endless supply of unique and bizarre books to suit any reader's interests. Anyone, it seemed, could be a reader [...]. [..]-

A book that is not necessarily about banned books, but rather about finding pleasure in reading and engaging in conversation with others through the magic of books, no matter their genre and era.

This was a really great story with a fantastic audiobook narration by Imani Jade Powers. So if you're in the mood to read a lighthearted story about someone moving to a new town to help a friend but ends up turning the small town upside down while also running an underground book club, you should definitely give this book a try!

Maggie Banks finds herself in the small town of Bell River working in a bookshop for her best friend Rochelle while she is on maternity leave. The weird thing about this bookshop is that nothing has been published after the 1900s. The store only has the Classics. While she is not supposed to sell anything other than historical books, Maggie starts selling romance books on the down low in order to help her best friend's shop make some more money. Unfortunately her best friend's partner, Ralph, can never find out.

Ralph’s assistant, Malcolm, does all Ralph’s heavy lifting. He helps keep Maggie in check so that the bookstore runs as it is supposed to. But when Maggie and Malcolm start to connect on another level, Maggie begins to realize she has to keep her band books hidden from him. How long can Maggie keep this secret, and what is her plan for when her best friend comes back from maternity leave?

This was a really cute Romance even though it didn't really have that much chemistry. My favorite part was not the romance but how it really focused on books, and how everyone's reading preferences can be so diverse. Maggie's personality was definitely quirky and fun, but as a rule follower I had a little bit of a challenging time relating to her. But I definitely thought this book was a good quick read and recommended it!.
I really loved the narrator of this book, she made the book feel engaging and her voices were perfect.
This will be posted on my Instagram account on 10/22/22