By Shelley Cooke
The Echo of Old Books
A novel by Barbara Davis
Genre: Historical Fiction / Mystery
Publisher & Publication Year: Lake Union Publishing, 2023
If you’re the type of person who loves walking into used bookstores and experiencing the joyful feeling of browsing shelves filled with books that have already lived a life, then you will love the emotional pull of Barbara Davis’ novel, The Echo of Old Books.
The Echo of Old Books is about Ashlyn Greer, who, at the age of 12, was gifted with the ability to feel certain emotions that stemmed from the book’s previous owner just by touching the cover. She later learns that her unusual gift is known as psychometry. As a life-long book lover and avid reader, Ashlyn eventually inherits an antique bookstore called An Unlikely Story and she becomes a rare book dealer. One day, two beautifully bound, unpublished manuscripts, “Regretting Belle” and “Forever and Other Lies”, cross her path, and she is soon drawn into a tragic love story from the past. Determined to uncover their origin, Ashlyn eventually discovers that Hemi and Belle are the authors of the manuscripts and by reading their love stories, she learns of many hidden secrets, including a mystery that meshes with her own life.
The plot unfolds through two interwoven timelines: the 1940’s where Hemi and Belle’s romance blooms then falls apart, and the present day where Ashlyn unravels the mystery behind the manuscripts and their authors.
The novel explores the themes of forbidden love, second chances, and the magic of books that connect us to past lives. It also emphasizes the power of storytelling and the impact of one’s point of view. For example, one manuscript, “Regretting Belle” is told by Hemi while the other manuscript, “Forever and Other Lies”, is told by Belle. These two conflicting versions of their tragic love story demonstrate how different perspectives can shape our understanding of events.
I personally loved this novel for its nostalgic and intimate atmosphere. It’s the kind of story that invites quiet reflection, like stepping into an old bookstore and sensing the presence of countless untold stories. The Echo of Old Books lingers long after the book is finished; it reminds us that even the most painful stories, filled with heartbreak and loss, have something meaningful to offer and give us a sense of peace.
I would highly recommend this novel to any reader but especially those who belong to a book club. It sparks great discussion and reminds us why we fall in love with books in the first place!