The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend (Paperback)

Staff Pick Badge
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend By Katarina Bivald Cover Image
$17.99
Usually Ships in 1-5 Days

Staff Reviews


As I read through Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend I was reminded of one of my favorite bookstore books, The Kings English by Betsy Burton. I had read the latter shortly before I opened BookTowne and it had a tremendous influence on me.  I had that same feeling of being back in a town that loves its bookstore and loves the recommendations of the bookseller.  This is a charming story where the characters are fun to get to know, the storyline is heartwarming and the books that come alive are ones we know or should get to know. It begins when a woman from Sweden who has corresponded with a woman in American plan to meet in the American's hometown.  They have shared their love of books with each other for a long time and know when they meet they will be even better friends.  The American arrives to find the funeral for her friend has just taken place and the townspeople open their arms to her to make her stay as comfortable as possible.  It becomes very comfortable indeed.  

— From Rita's Picks

January 2016 Indie Next List


“One of the conundrums facing a true bibliophile has always been: books or people? Sara has spent her entire life in Sweden working in a bookshop and her answer has always been obvious: books. An unexpected pen pal relationship with Amy -- an older book lover from Iowa -- challenges that easy answer and forces her to reconsider her view of herself and the world. After months of corresponding, trading books and sharing details of one another's lives, Amy invites Sara to come visit her one-stoplight town, Broken Wheel, for a summer of reading and getting to know small-town America. However, when Sara arrives, she is greeted by Amy's funeral procession. Thousands of miles from home, with a return ticket dated two months hence, Sara is at a loss for what to do. So, naturally, with Amy's collection of books, she opens a bookstore. Filled with familiar literary references, charming and quirky townsfolk, and plenty of scheming, plotting, and shenanigans that could only occur in a place like Broken Wheel, Bivald's feel-good novel explores that ever-present question: books or people? Read the book and enjoy reaching your own conclusions.”
— Erin Figel (W), pages: a bookstore, Manhattan Beach, CA

Description


New York Times and USA Today Bestseller!

Katarina Bivald's The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend is a sweet, smart, and uplifting story about how books find us, change us, and connect us.

Once you let a book into your life the most unexpected things can happen: Like the bestselling historical novel and Netflix film The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend is a heartwarming reminder of why we love books.

Broken Wheel, Iowa, has never seen anyone like Sara: Sara traveled all the way from Sweden just to meet her book-loving pen pal Amy, but when she arrives she finds Amy's funeral guests just leaving. The residents of Broken Wheel are happy to look after their bewildered visitor—there's not much else to do in a dying small town that's almost beyond repair. You certainly wouldn't open a bookstore. And definitely not with Sara the tourist in charge.

You'd need a vacant storefront (Main Street is full of them), books (Amy's house is full of them), and...customers. The bookstore might be a little quirky. Then again, so is Sara. But Broken Wheel's own story might be funnier, more eccentric and surprising than she thought.

If you liked big-hearted books like The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry or Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, you will love The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend.

Praise for The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend:

"The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend is a warm and slyly funny look at small towns and romance…"—New York Journal of Books

"A heartwarming tale about literature's power to transform."—People

"What begins as an unlikely international friendship based on a mutual love of books becomes a sweet and soulful discovery of America. Quirky, unpredictable, funny, and fresh—a wonderful book."—Nickolas Butler, internationally bestselling author of Shotgun Lovesongs and Beneath the Bonfire

International Bestseller

Indie Regional Bestseller

National Indie Bestseller

#1 Indie Next Pick

About the Author


Katarina Bivald is the author of the instant New York Times bestseller and #1 Indie Next Pick The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend. She lives outside of Stockholm, Sweden. She grew up working part-time in a bookshop.

Praise For…


"A heartwarming tale about literature’s power to transform." — People

"Charmingly original….sweet, quirky." — Bethanne Patrick, The Washington Post

"[A] heartwarming and utterly charming debut by Swedish author Bivald. This gentle, intelligent Midwestern tale will captivate fans of Antoine Laurain’s The Red Notebook, Nina George’s The Little Paris Bookshop, and Gabrielle Zevin’s The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. An ideal book group selection, it reminds us why we are book lovers and why it’s nice to read a few happy endings." — Library Journal, starred review

"A manifesto for booksellers, booklovers, and friendship. We should all celebrate these little bookstores, where our souls find home… one of these books you want to live in for a while." — Nina George, New York Times bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop

"The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend is one of the more surprisingly improbable and delightful books I’ve read in years. What begins as an unlikely international friendship based on a mutual love of books becomes a sweet and soulful discovery of America. Quirky, unpredictable, funny, and fresh – a wonderful book." — Nickolas Butler, internationally bestselling author of Shotgun Lovesongs and Beneath the Bonfire

"This classic fish-out-of-water story will steal your heart. It's smart, sweet, absorbing and endearing, just like the town of Broken Wheel. It's a story for everyone who believes in the magic of books to enlighten, heal and restore. A treat for readers everywhere!" — Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author of Starlight on Willow Lake

"This charming, book-loving story captures readers’ hearts from the very first page.... This is a must-read for book lovers who enjoy a witty, feel-good story that goes beyond the surface." — RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars, TOP PICK

"Touching and lively, Bivald’s genuine homage to the power of books vibrates with fondness for small-town life and fascination with its indelible connections" — Booklist

"Between the book references and the idyllic setting, readers won't want to leave Broken Wheel, either." — Kirkus Reviews

"Swedish author Bivald's debut novel is a delight. Bivald fills the pages with book references, chief among them Austen and Bridget Jones, but it is her characters that will win readers over… As in Austen, love conquers but just who and how will come as a pleasant surprise." — Publishers Weekly

"a warm and slyly funny look at small towns and romance..." — New York Journal of Books

"There’s romance, small town hospitality, and lots of wonderful literary references. " — Bookish

"The story is a bit unusual-in a really engaging way. Not only did I enjoy the story, but the author introduced me to other books I can’t wait to read. " — SheKnows

"Warm-hearted novel " — Woman’s Day

"This is a very happy book, very feel goof and you will be smiling when you’re done." — Iowa Public Radio’s Talk of Iowa (NPR)

"Swedish author Katarina Bivald beautifully illustrates the relationship between a reader and her books. " — Bookpage
Product Details
ISBN: 9781492623441
ISBN-10: 149262344X
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: January 19th, 2016
Pages: 400
Language: English