The Book Charmer

By: Karen Hawkins

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert, Amanda Ronconi, Sebastian York

Prepare to fall under the spell of “this sometimes whimsical, often insightful, always absorbing story” (Shelf Awareness) following two fiercely independent women and their truly magical friendship in a sleepy Southern town, from New York Times bestselling author of Karen Hawkins.

Sarah Dove is no ordinary bookworm. To her, books have always been more than just objects: they live, they breathe, and sometimes they even speak. When Sarah grows up to become the librarian in her quaint Southern town of Dove Pond, her gift helps place every book in the hands of the perfect reader. Recently, however, the books have been whispering about something out of the ordinary: the arrival of a displaced city girl named Grace Wheeler.

If the books are right, Grace could be the savior that Dove Pond desperately needs. The problem is, Grace wants little to do with the town or its quirky residents—Sarah chief among them. It takes a bit of urging, and the help of an especially wise book, but Grace ultimately embraces the challenge to rescue her charmed new community. In her quest, she discovers the tantalizing promise of new love, the deep strength that comes from having a true friend, and the power of finding just the right book.

“A mesmerizing fusion of the mystical and the everyday” (Susan Andersen, New York Times bestselling author), The Book Charmer is a heartwarming story of community, healing, and the magic of books that feels more than a little magical itself. Prepare to fall under its spell.

Critic reviews

"Three narrators team up to perform this sweet contemporary small-town story. Amanda Ronconi delivers the chapters that focus on local librarian Sarah, who is determined to save her Southern hometown, Dove Pond, from irreversible decline. Grace, portrayed by Tavia Gilbert, has temporarily relocated to the area in an effort to help her found family: an aging foster mother and an orphaned niece. Meanwhile, Sarah's childhood friend, Travis, portrayed by Sebastian York, is struggling with PTSD while mourning the death of his father. The narrators' performances balance the audiobook's humor and romance with the story's deeper issues of trust, loss, and friendship. Ronconi, Gilbert, and York build empathy for the characters' struggles and personal journeys and invest listeners in the ultimate fate of Dove Pond."

The best magical realism since Sara Addison Allen

I loved everything about this book. The narration was spot on, the characters were amazing and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

Beautiful in its simplicity.

Light, airy and sometimes heart breaking. I could feel the pain, laugh at the satire and hope for the future .

Enjoyable story

I really enjoyed this story and the characters in this book. It’s not a classic just a fun read with characters you wish you knew and a town you would like to live in.

A delightful escape

A delightful escape into a challenged, magic laced town. Modern, realistic characters draw together to enable the impossible. The kind of book you don’t want to end.

Predictably Light and Ok

I love books and love listening to Amanda Ronconi. Both the title and Amanda are why I chose this book. The book, however, is mistitled. While the “book charmer” is a character, I would hardly say that is what the book was about. The writing is good but predictable and easy. A bit like eating white bread when you normally eat wheat. It was a nice book to listen to at the end of my long day. It didn’t take a lot of thought and was entertaining enough to hold my attention.