Review of "The Lost Apothecary" by Sarah Penner

*This was the one book review I did this summer. Unfortunately, it did not take me out of my slump, but I still loved the book! 

My Review:

This might be the book to take me out of my slump! After reading this book, I actually felt compelled to write the review immediately, which I took as a good sign. I've seen this book on many lists and posts from people, so this was another book like The Midnight Library that I was eager to read. Plus the cover is beautiful! I only wish I read the physical book instead of the ebook.

This book follows two different timelines, a present day one and one set in February 1791. In the present day timeline, we follow Caroline who is in London by herself and trying to sort out her life and marriage. In the 1791 timeline, we follow Nella, a apothecary, and Eliza, a young servant girl, who gets tangeled up in Nella's business. 

After a mudlarking adventure, Caroline finds an artifact that has her searching for answers about it. As she searches for answers, she discovers things about her life and marriage that were buried or stifled. Her research also slowly takes her on the path to discovering Nella's apothocary, and it's unique purpose. As we read about Caroline, we also get to read Nella and Eliza's versions of events in February 1791. Nella's apothocary is not the normal, healing apothocary, but instead one that has a more deadly purpose. Have a cheating or abusive husband? Visit Nella, and she'll sort you out. This is exactly what Eliza's mistress does by sending Eliza to Nella for help. However, Eliza is intrigued by Nella's secret shop, and comes back to learn more and help Nella. However, dealing with poisons has dire consequences that Nella, Eliza, and eventually Caroline will soon see.

I really enjoyed this book! I wasn't sure about the dual timelines at first, but Penner does an excellent job with this technique. I found that when one timeline might be a little slower, the other one was picking up. Since every other chapter was the opposite timeline, I kept reading and wanting to see what was going to happen. I also liked seeing how Caroline pieced together the mystery and what eventually happened to Nella and Eliza. 

I also connected with the character of Caroline. She was at a point in her life where she had lost a bit of herself to becoming an adult. I think so many of us reach this point in our own adult lives. Things just don't go the way we expect or hoped, and the realities and responsibilities of adulthood tend to tether us to boring versions of our imagined life. In Caroline's story, she was able to have courage to make a change. Now I know for many of us, this may not seem possible to make the large change she does, but I'm sure there are smaller changes we can make to help us be more of ourselves. I know for me personally, it's about being more independent and bolder, and creating more than I'm consuming. Reading Caroline's story, helped reinforce that while this is difficult at times, it's been worth it. This book also gave me the nudge to keep going with what I'm doing. 

How Much Coffee Was Needed?

I would say this book is worth one or two extra cups of coffee for me. It's summer, so I have extra time now. I can read much more and ended up reading this book  in 2 days! I didn't have to read late at night, but I definitely read when I should have probably been cleaning or doing something else.

What's Next?

The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary

Checking Back In

 

Well, that reading and writing slump lasted a lot longer than I expected. With the exception of one post, which I will publish later, I didn't write any book reviews this summer. I read a little here and there, but nothing substantial. Thankfully, my reading has recently picked up along with my desire to write again. So while I enjoyed my summer adventures, I'm so happy my motivation to read and write has come back to me. 

I really cannot explain what happened except that I just listened to my mind and body this summer. Sure, I still did all the mom and family things like normal, and that seemed to be enough to occupy my time. My kids are getting older and more involved in activities. I went into full mom mode this summer with getting them to and from things. When we had free time, we did mini-adventures around where we lived and tried to spend time with family. It really was a rewarding and refreshing summer. 

Now that the school year has started, and we are back into our school routines, I find myself itching to read and write again. Sorry I ghosted all of you this summer, but I feel peaceful and eager to jump back in! I've read some wonderful books that I cannot wait to share them with you!