Danielle on The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

Sometimes when you're down, whatever higher power you believe in throws you a bone. I call it God, but you might call it Karma or the Universe or George. Whatever works for you. The point is that sometimes -- most times -- life gives you the things that you need, when you need them.

In this particular case, it worked through The Book Drop, which ... really. If you haven't gotten on board with that? What are you waiting for?!

The interesting thing about this book is that it is an atypical selection for The Jane. In fact, it came with a note that explained that the delivery was delayed because the publisher ran out of their original choice, but that this was a really good book and they hoped I enjoyed it.

I did enjoy it. I enjoyed it enough to read it through three times in a row.

Now for the woo-woo "Have faith and listen to the world" part.

This novel is about a woman who loses a job that she loves, and has to figure out what she can do next. She loves books. She wants to be surrounded by them and work with them and tell people about how magical they are.

If you know me in real life, then you already know this, but in case you don't? Last week I lost my job.

I loved my job.

Now I'm trying to figure out what comes next. Like Nina, the main character in the novel, I love books and want to be around them. Unlike Nina, I'm not going to move to Scotland and open a mobile bookstore.

I mean, probably.

This is the beauty of books, though. Everything you need is in them, and sometimes ... sometimes you are lucky enough to find it at the very moment that you need it. I needed hope, and positivity, and the message that you can do and be better after you get knocked down.

This book has all of that? And some handsome Scottish men in kilts. Which didn't hurt at ALL.

So if you need something that's just really smartly written, is hopeful and lovely, and that makes you see that life is full of possibility? This one's for you.