Confessions of a Bookseller

Confessions of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell 323 pp.

This book isn't so much "confessions" as it is a diary of the day-to-day goings on in the life of a man running the second largest used bookshop in a small town in Scotland. Besides a running tally of the days online orders and in person sales, Bythell relates the day to day activities, frustrations, and encounters during a year in his shop. There are a variety of characters who work in or frequent the shop, some who are serious and others perplexing. The winter months are relatively slow while the other seasons are much more active due to special events and book festivals. While I didn't find this book particularly engrossing, apparently some liked it so much there was talk of making it into a television series. There is a sequel of sorts called Diary of a Bookseller but I don't know if I'm interested in it enough to read it.

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne (2022) 439 pages

Reyna is one of Queen Tilane's private guards, always on the alert for assassins who want to kill the horrible queen. A skillful fighter, Reyna was born into the profession, following after her mother. After killing yet another would-be assassin at a large event, she was seriously injured by a comrade of the man, and realized that she was done living like this. In spite of the fact that she couldn't walk away from her security duties without the risk of being imprisoned or killed, she makes her escape by horseback that night. Meanwhile, her sweetheart, Kianthe, the Arcandor, the Mage of Ages, is alerted to Reyna's injury by a moonstone necklace that Kianthe had made for that purpose. Kianthe meets up with Reyna and they decide to make a life together.

The story follows their journey to a land that they hope is far enough away from the Queendom that no one will find Reyna. Their goal is to have a shop that sells tea (something that Reyna especially loves) and books (which Kianthe adores). They meet quite a variety of characters when they arrive in the Village of Tawney. The story has its share of dragons and griffons, too. The women have a loving and ardent relationship and their different strengths make them equally compelling as they put their plans into action.