The last time I wrote a post about the books I’d read, it was during Fall and all the titles were autumn- or Halloween-themed. But I spent the winter reading books with a different theme, and initially, it wasn’t even something I was trying to do. But late last year, I realized that several of the titles on my “to be read” bookshelf had to do with lost things. A lost art, a lost object, a lost place- clearly, I was subconsciously drawn to the the idea of something being lost.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I had no idea that I was coming home with book after book with the word “lost” in the title. But, clearly I was enticed by that concept- that something was lost, forgotten, misplaced. And the story built around the idea of being lost was intriguing enough to spend money on.
Time after time, “lost” coded books found their way into my hands. Heck, I even chose one of them to listen to on a particularly long road trip over the holidays, too.
Perhaps this is a strange theme to construct a reading list about, but maybe…just maybe…you enjoy a good tale about something lost, as well. And while there are PLENTY of other titles out there that fit this concept, I’m focusing on these six books today.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
The Library of Lost Dollhouses
At my core, I am one of those people who LOVES miniatures. It likely goes back to my very origins, as my mother built a large dollhouse for my room while she was pregnant with me. So, I was likely drawn to this title (purchased during last year’s Charlotte Book Crawl) due to the dollhouse aspect, not the word “lost”.
In many ways, I thoroughly enjoyed this book- as far as I was concerned, the premise was completely unique. The idea of painstakingly constructing dollhouses to reflect actual mansions and estates felt singularly awesome, something that was right up my alley. The historical elements were intriguing, too- especially the idea of wounded soldiers building miniatures as a form of physical therapy.
The Library of Lost Dollhouses was not a fast-read that I finished in just a few days, though. For some reason, I kind of plodded along and it took me a while to finish. Perhaps because it was laden with plenty of history and intricate details about dollhouses- instead of a spicy romance that I typically blaze through. Regardless, I definitely recommend this one if you have an affection for dollhouses and the craftsmanship that once went into them.
The Keeper of Lost Things
As weird as it sounds, I include books that I didn’t like in these blog posts. Because books are so subjective and I absolutely recognize that my opinions might differ drastically from yours. But I’m very, very glad that this is a title I picked up at a used bookstore and my disappointment only set me back a whopping $3.00.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
And to make matters worse, I didn’t even finish it. The premise was charming- someone who collects lost things and wants to reunite them with their owners. But, I got through the first third or so and was still completely uninspired and unexcited.
As a result, my three-dollar copy has already been placed in a Little Free Library in hopes a more suited reader finds it. But if the synopsis of The Keeper of Lost Things intrigues you, I highly recommend checking it out from the library . This one just never “did it” for me, if that makes sense.
The Lost Apothecary
Full disclosure, I didn’t read-read this book- but rather I listened to the audio version on a long road trip last year. I’d gotten wind of the title on Instagram, and was mesmerized by the premise AND the cover art. And for the purposes of this blog post and related pictures, I borrowed it from my local library.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
The purple background…the vintage bottle…the old timey font- see what I mean? I was completely helpless when it came to how this book looked. Even the author and I share the same first name AND spelling!
And yes, I enjoyed The Lost Apothecary (and have even read other titles by the same author)- but I didn’t love it as much as I loved the cover. However, it was intriguing enough to listen to completely during my long drive. The premise was strong (Historical apothecary! Women exacting revenge on those who abuse them!), and the story was good…but not great.
I will say, though, that I loved learning about “mudlarking”, which is the activity that ultimately kicks off the story. I did a lot of fossil hunting when I was a kid, so that trivia alone made the book worth a read for me.
Lost Lake
I’ve been a huge fan of all of Sarah Addison Allen’s books for as long as I can remember. In fact, I’ve read each and every one at least once- and for this post, I re-read Lost Lake just to refresh my memory. And I was able to snap up a hardcopy at a used bookstore in Greenville, SC- look, another pretty cover!
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
This author is where I first discovered my love of magical realism books. While Alice Hoffman might have truly kicked off the genre, it was Ms. Allen who cemented my interest. And it didn’t hurt that she’s a North Carolina-based author, either; residing in the Asheville area of western NC.
Her books are always fast and easy reads- and “Lost Lake” is no exception. While it’s not my favorite of her books, it’s still a highly enjoyable read. I always love the eccentric characters in her books, and the elements of magic are usually quirky and unexpected.
I also love the nostalgic feeling of reconnecting with a boy you met on a family vacation. Didn’t we all have fast, temporary friendships (or sweet romances) like this? Or perhaps we dreamed of meeting that cute boy (or girl!) while summering away from home. Either way, this is a quick and charming read that I think you’ll enjoy- especially with summer just around the corner.
Spells for Lost Things
It comes as no surprise- to me, at least- that at least one of the titles in this reading list involved some witchiness to it. And I’m happy to say that not only does Spells for Lost Things contain those elements, but I absolutely LOVED this book, as well. In fact, it’s probably my favorite of the six being discussed in this post.
Technically, I think this title actually falls under the Young Adult category, as opposed to Contemporary Fiction or Romance. But, please don’t let that dissuade you from reading it- especially if you love witchy stories. I had a hard time putting this book down and blazed through it in record time.
I actually loved the angsty teen characters and their clumsy love story- even though I love a touch of spice, their awkward sweetness was completely charming. The book is (primarily) set in Salem, MA, which has been on my travel bucket list forever. And while I worry it’ll be a touristy letdown, I loved getting lost in its old streets through “Spells for Lost Things”.
The Lost Art of Letter Writing
Throughout my entire childhood, I wrote countless letters. From girlhood pen pals who lived overseas, to writing friends in college because email was just starting out and we were all wary of it. So, of course I was excited about letter writing as one of the lost things to read about! But, alas- I found this one to be particularly disappointing.
The Lost Art of Letter Writing is another magical realism book, so I had very high hopes for it. However, the letter-writing element seemed to fade in importance as the story lingered on. I struggled to finish it and wasn’t at all charmed by this one. Thankfully, I was able to find this one at a used bookshop, but still felt like I spent too much. If the premise intrigues you, I definitely recommend going the library route for this title, as well.
“Lost” Reading List
As in all reading lists, there are some winners and some losers in the bunch. But, as subjective as reading and book enjoyment is, please take my opinions with a grain or two of salt! Either way, I thought that cobbling together this reading list of lost things was a fun and unique book post to write.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I’m curious if there are any “themes” on your bookshelves, as well. The concept of “lost” certainly isn’t the only theme I’m drawn to. I have a weakness for books about books, as well- bookshops, libraries, etc. And I have a few more themed ideas for reading posts, too- I just need to carve out the time to read them all.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
But until then, I hope you enjoyed this post and if you find even more books about lost things, please let me know.
Happy reading to you!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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