Book Review - The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page
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Jo Sorsby's life is in haitus. Having just gone through a painful breakup from her boyfriend James and been made redundant from her job at a bank, she has been left feeling adrift. There is an unfamiliar disconnect with her childhood best friend Lucy; life is in suspended animation.
When her beloved uncle falls ill however, she reluctantly agrees (at the behest of her Mum) to temporarily take over his stationery-cum-hardware shop in London and as Jo settles into this new and unexpected chapter, she begins to find comfort and connection with some rather unforgettable locals and soon-to-be friends trying to navigate their own 'new beginnings' too.
Through them, and surrounded by the cozy, slightly dusty little shop filled with fountain pens, notebooks, and memories, Jo discovers that the end of one chapter and the start of another doesn't always come with fanfare and a clean slate but, rather sometimes, from letting people in, forgiving yourself, and learning to stand still long enough to feel again. Page draws some beautiful tableaux and makes the reader want to linger a while with these people, in this place.
Oh, I enjoyed this book.
Not in a celebratory "Oh my goodness, you absolutely must read this book" kind of way but more so, when I read it, I felt like time had stopped - I was literally standing with Jo and Eric, surrounded by the scent of wood polish, ink and paper in a small stationery shop in North London. I could feel the rush of cold water with Jo and Ruth (Holy Shiiiit!) as they swam in Hampstead Ponds; felt the encompassing hug of Malcom's sitting room; felt the quiet musings, the meaningful connections, the cups of tea and unexpected friendships.
The Book of Beginnings is gentle and quiet; it’s one that lets the reader feel the breath between the pages, wraps you up into its spaces, places and gently nudges you to appreciate the here and now and the people all around. It is wonderfully hopeful, reminding us of how messy ordinary life can be and how important community, connection and friends are as we try to navigate it all.
Why You Should Read The Book of Beginnings
1. Character-Driven Storytelling at Its Best.
Sally Page has a real gift for creating characters that feel lived-in. Jo is wonderfully relatable — flawed, funny, kind, and quietly lost. But the real magic lies in the supporting cast. From Ruth’s quietly profound insights to Malcolm’s gentle wit, every character adds emotional texture.
2. The Shop Setting calls to stationery geeks everywhere.
If you’re the kind of reader who geeks out over fountain pens, ink colors, notebooks, and handwritten letters, this book is your dream.
3. Themes That Resonate
This novel explores:
* Grief and guilt
* Late-life reinvention
* Female friendship (and the painful messiness of it)
* Intergenerational connection
* Quiet resilience
These aren’t tackled in a heavy-handed way however. Page lets the story breathe, allowing these themes to unfold naturally through conversations and character choices.
And so, if you are looking for a beautifully written novel about second chances, emotional repair, and the power of unexpected friendships, this one’s worth your time.
I loved it!
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