The Books I’m Looking Forward To In 2023

Happy New Year! It’s that time of year when I explore some of the upcoming books that I’m excited about for 2023.

There are loads of amazing books due to be released this year, but I’ve put together a small selection that I think you’ll be interested in too.

Mostly they’re crime fiction, but there are some other books I’m excited about in the upcoming months, and no doubt many I’ve not even heard of or thought about yet! But here’s the list so far to wet your appetite.

Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night

Sophie Hannah has bought the Queen Of Crime’s beloved Belgium sleuth back to life with four outstanding novels. In this fifth one, we get to see the incredible little grey cells in action on a Christmas-themed mystery. I personally love a good festive crime story, so I’m looking forward to this new outing for Hannah’s version of the beloved character.

The Murder Game

Following from his stellar debut novel A Fatal Crossing, Tom Hindle is back with a bang with his upcoming novel The Murder Game. The second book is a standalone and doesn’t follow on from the first novel. Instead, it’s set in the present day at a 1920s-themed New Years eve Murder Mystery party at Hamlet Hall, a seaside statley home. Nine guests are invited and each has a part to play in the Murder Mystery game, until one of the assembled company is killed by a violent head injury. After the devlish twist at the end of A Fatal Crossing, I’m buzzing for Hindle’s lastest release, which is due out in the next few weeks.

A Death in the Parish

The second in the enthralling Canon Daniel Clement series follows on from the first book Murder Before Evensong, with a new murder in the form of a sadistic ritual-style killing. The Reverend Richard Coles is hilarious on Twitter, and brings this wit to his cosy crime fiction writing. So, if you like classic, Golden Age-style crime fiction that delves into the politics of small English village, then this book, set to be released in the summer, could be an ideal choice for you.

Death Comes to Marlow

The follow-up to the surprisingly gripping Marlow Murder Club, Death Comes To Marlow is a classic cosy locked room mystery from Robert Thorogood, who created Death In Paradise, a show that’s almost entirely locked room mysteries. So, I’m expecting good things from this new novel, which is set during a society wedding in the small town of Marlow, where a small collection older ladies solve crimes to enliven their lives between writing crossword puzzles or caring for their families.

Death of a Bookseller

In the age of the true crime book, series and podcast, Alice Slater has endearingly entwined true crime with fiction in her first crime novel. The book features a bookshop, a friendship built on a love of true crime podcasts that takes a sinister turn, a cold case and, weirdly enough, a pet snail named Bleep. To be honest, I was sold when I saw the snail’s name, but the rest makes me excited for this quirky but also thrilling sounding new novel.

Oh Miriam!: Stories From An Extraordinary Life

A departure from crime fiction is this non-fiction memoir from the hilarious actor-turned-raconteur Miriam Margolyes. Her first book, This Much Is True, was a funny and shocking selection of unique and laugh-out-loud stories. In her latest tome, Margolyes shares even more tales that didn’t make it into the previous volume. Given how funny and, at time, deeply moving, her first book was, I’m excited to see what more the actor has to share in this new book, due out later in 2023.

Black Candle Women

If you’re looking for a book that embraces adult fantasy and loved the Netflix series Wednesday, then I’d suggest checking out Diane Marie Brown’s Black Candle Women. The novel features a family of women living together in a small bungalow in California. The group is happy and stable until the teenage family member brings home a man, which means the older women have to share a long-held secret; an ancient family curse means that anyone they fall in love with will die. I love fantasy and stories of witches, so I’m eager to read this invigorating tale.

These are just some of the books I’m excited for in 2023! They’ll be loads of exciting new titles out over the next 12 months and new writers to chat to so stay tuned.

Merry Christmas From The Dorset Book Detective

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year from The Dorset Book Detective!

Just a quick post to say Merry Christmas and thank you so very much to everyone who has supported this book blog over the past year.

I know I’ve not posted nearly as much as I should’ve over the past 12 months, but I’m working hard on some new pieces to share with you in 2023!

Have a lovely festive season and see you on the flipside!

What More Male Characters Means For Literature And What We Can Do About It

Recently a study conducted using AI technology uncovered a statistic that male identifying characters are four times more prevalent in fiction than female ones.

By searching for pronoun usage among a sample of 3000 books from across a range of genres, the study was able to identify a significant gender bias in favour of male characters.

The study couldn’t identify non-binary characters, but it did throw up some interesting insight into the language used around male or female identifying characters. Female characters were commonly described using terms such as ‘weak’, ‘amiable’, ‘pretty’ and even ‘stupid’. Male characters, were more commonly associated with terms such as ‘leadership’, ‘power’, ‘strength’ and ‘politics’.

While this might not be exact, and definitely requires further exploration, it’s certainly an interesting jumping-off point. It also shows what many women knew and have been saying all along- we need to make more of an effort to focus on improving diversity in literature.

As mentioned, this study isn’t exact, but it does go to show that there remains a lot of work to be done to make sure that more women and minority groups are represented, and represented properly, in literature.

One factor I think has a significant impact on the types of characters created in fiction is the types of authors writing it. Currently, while women and members of the LGBTQIA+, disabled and BAME communities are represented, usually this is a tactic to make publishers appear more diverse, and they aren’t often given the support and publicity they deserve. It’s why many of the longest standing writers, particularly in the crime fiction market, are straight white guys.

While there is slowly becoming more diversity, there are still limitations. It is true straight men are writing a lot of fiction, but the larger issue is that they’re also more likely to be the ones behind the scenes at publishing houses and book publicity agencies.

Luckily, diversity is slowly getting there, and we’re starting to see more books featuring a diverse range of characters from a broader selection of writers. Even as few as 10 years ago you wouldn’t have seen so many books featuring homosexual or non-white characters, particularly in the kid’s section.

Nowadays there is more diversity, but still not enough, particularly when it comes to actual authors. Representation matters, and it’s definitely great that we’re seeing more differently abled and diverse characters in books, but if they’re written predominantly by straight white men then they’re not going to resonate with the communities they’re supposed to represent.

Don’t get me wrong; plenty of straight white men make bloody good authors, but they’re taking opportunities from others in marginalised communities who have had to work twice as hard for half the success. So, we need more diverse writers and more people in the wider literary community to support diverse writers. We need publishing houses with more women and people from diverse backgrounds, so we can find the gems from these often overlooked communities and set them centre stage where they belong.

In the future, I think that publishers need to make more of an effort to support minority writers and give them the platform they deserve, and not just because they’re part of a different community. We need to normalise seeing pictures of a wide range of authors that don’t come in a specific section for LGBTQIA+ or BAME writers, but are just listed because their writing is awesome. We also need to make sure that more studies like this are done, so that we can continue to see what’s going on and how we can make a difference going forward.

Happy 6th Birthday To The Dorset Book Detective!

It’s crazy to think that it’s been 6 years since I launched the Dorset Book Detective! It’s been a mad few years, but I’m really proud of how far this blog has come.

I’ve been slowing up on posting lately because I’ve bought my own home and been going through a lot, but I’m going to keep on posting at least once a month, if not 2 or 3 times, for the foreseeable future.

So thanks ever so much to everyone who’s stayed with my blog and continues to read my ramblings. Also, a huge thank you to all the authors and book publishers who’ve helped me to find new books to review!

Here’s to many more years of great reads and fun suggestions! Thanks again for all the support!

Books I’m Excited For In 2022

Happy New Year Dorset Book Detective Readers! Hopefully things will get better this year, and we’ll all survive and thrive.

For me and my blog, it’s that time of year again! A New Year means exciting new book releases for us bookworms to drool over and get pumped for.

This year there are so many awesome new releases coming that I’m sure everyone, no matter what your tastes are, will find plenty to keep you entertained.

So, without further ado, here are some of the books I’m most looking forward to reading later in the year.

Good Rich People

This exciting new release from Eliza Jane Brazier looks like an exhilarating combination of crime fiction and social commentary. It tells the story of an unusual wealth couple who rent out the downstairs part of their luxury home to so-called ‘self-made’ success stories. Then the pair work with their wits to torment and torture their lodgers to get back at them for being interlopers into the world of wealth and privilege that they believe is rightfully theres. However, when a destitute young woman tricks her way into their home, the couple have to engage in an extraordinary game of cat and mouse that could have devastating consequences. This looks like a great read and I love a good book that questions social class and involves crime, so I’m looking forward to checking this out.

The Thursday Murder Club 3

While we don’t have many details about the new addition of Richard Osman’s addictive series, but we do know that it’s due to be released later next year, probably around the early Autumn. Following on from the success of The Thursday Murder Club and The Man Who Died Twice, I’m looking forward to seeing what else is coming for the intrepid group of elderly sleuths who gather together to uncover the truth behind crimes in and around their luxury retirement community. Osman has gone from a popular quiz show host to a respected author, and his work stands alone away from the rest of is success. If you love Golden Age crime fiction, then this cosy series could be the perfect choice for you. If you haven’t already checked it out, then you’ve still got plenty of time before the third novel is released!

The Marlow Murder Club 2

Remarkably similar to Osman’s series, The Marlow Murder Club was created by Robert Thorogood, the writer behind the longstanding TV show Death In Paradise. The first book was a hit, so it’s no surprise that a second is due to be released later in 2022. Again, as the next book in this captivating series is set for later in the year, we don’t have much information about it right now, but if it’s anything like the first novel then it’ll be a kooky classic crime caper that’s not too violent and perfect for fans of cosy crime stories. Set in modern society, using a small village as its base and featuring a cast of older women, including a vicar’s wife, a dog walker and an elderly crossword setter as the sleuths, the first book had all the makings of the start of a great series, and I expect big things from this second instalment.

The Christie Affair

As a huge Agatha Christie fan who also loves historical mystery novels and weird conspiracy theories, I am extremely excited for Nina de Gramont’s The Christie Affair. Due to be published later this month, it tells the tale of Christie’s mysterious disappearance in 1926 and presents her first husband’s ambitious mistress as somehow linked to still unsolved mystery. I love books that offer unique perspective on an often covered event, so I’m intrigued to see what theories de Gramont presents and how her new novel will give readers the chance to immerse themselves in the world of 1920s luxury and decadence. I’m confident that we’ll get a novel that’s both unique and comforting, which will be the perfect option for Christie fans and crime fiction lovers in general.

Run, Rose, Run

Something you might not know about me is that as well as loving crime fiction and thrillers, I’m also a huge Western and Country Music lover. That’s why I’m looking forward to the first crime fiction novel from Country legend Dolly Parton. In partnership with mystery writing aficionado James Patterson, she’s created a book about a young singer who’s on the run from a murky past. Now in Nashville, she’s singing about how she’s turned her life around and making a name for herself in the music business. But the past never stays buried for long, leaving her to confront her past and protect her future as a music star. I love Dolly Parton, and I think that her influence could help to make Patterson’s story less formulaic. Whatever happens, I’ll defiantly be checking out Dolly’s debut crime fiction novel! There’s also an album of original songs produced to go with the novel, making this the perfect choice for any Country lover and crime fiction fan.

Chronicles Of A Cairo Bookseller

It’s not crime fiction, but I think Nadia Wassef’s autobiographical tale of opening a bookshop in Cairo, a city with no other independent shops selling books, seems like an intriguing and important read. The book is funny and insightful, offering readers the chance to peer into the unique world of Egypt’s capital city and the perils and passions that collide in Wassef’s bookshop. The book features a unique cast of characters who are stranger than fiction, and showcase the beauty of bookstores and why independent shops like Diwan are so important and need to be protected at all costs. Wassef writes a funny and insightful book that I think will make a great read, and allow you to check out some non-fiction and learn new things.

Over the coming months there will doubtless be many more books announced, which means there’ll be even more incredible new books for us to check out. Happy reading and I hope the New Year is prosperous for all of my lovely followers!

The Dorset Book Detective’s 2021 Christmas Gift Guide

A bit later than usual, here’s this year’s guide on what to buy the book lover in your life this festive season!

Given that the virus that shall not be named is still running rampant and, for many of us, particularly those of us in the UK, our leaders aren’t doing very much about it, Christmas will probably be a very strange affair this year.

One of the challenges the virus has caused is getting gifts for people that require little to no contact and reduce their chances of spreading the virus.

That’s why this year I’ve put together a list of some cool, book-themed Christmas presents that involve limited contact or can be sent directly to your loved ones.

I’ve also tried to find creative ideas, so you can choose something that’s a little bit different and will bring a smile to someone’s face. Goodness knows we need something to smile about right now.

A Book Subscription Box

Subscription boxes might make you think of beauty products and foreign candies, but there’s now a subscription box for almost everything. You can even get cleaning products in subscription boxes now! That’s not much fun though, so consider getting a book subscription box instead. You can get ones that send you specific types of books, or ones that give you fiction by specific writers, such as members of the LGBTQIA+ community. That’s a great way to learn new things and read books by a wider variety of authors. Treat someone you love to a book subscription box this Christmas and you’ll give them a gift that keeps on giving and can be sent directly to their home.

Kindle Unlimited

If someone you know and love owns a Kindle, then you could think about paying for a subscription to Kindle Unlimited. It’s a Kindle subscription that gives them unlimited access to all the eBooks available for eReaders, as well as podcasts, audiobooks and exclusive content that’s only available to subscribers. The subscription can be set-up and then they can use it on any Kindle or a smart device that uses the Kindle app. So, they can take an entire library with them everywhere they go. Make sure that the person you’re buying for likes reading digital books- for paper book lovers, this isn’t a great choice. Thankfully, there are plenty other options out there.

Candles That Smell Like Books

Candles are a great gift for anyone that likes making their home look, feel and smell cosy and comfortable. For the bookworm in your life, a candle that smells like books is the ideal choice. You can buy them online from a whole host of retailers, including online marketplaces like Etsy, so you can find a cute handmade option. They might not smell exactly like books, but many of them have a fresh, woody scent that evokes the memory of shopping in bookstores and unwrapping newly purchased books. Consider getting them a candle that smells like books in a glass jar, as these are often safer than

A Beautiful Book Journal

Recording your reading habits has become a popular hobby for many of us over recent years. While there are loads of apps out there to do it for you, but it can be fun to use a physical tool. If you’re looking for something a bit different, then you could consider a journal or wall hanging that actually offers suggestions for books to read in the future. However, if you want a classic gift, then you can find a stunning book journal. There are leather-bound options, ones with pretty patterns on them and more, so you can find one to suit the style of every book lover you know. Book journals are a stunning way to keep a record of every book they read, and by buying them a pretty one you can encourage them to make the most of it and feel proud to have it on their bookshelf.

A Hand Drawn Tattoo Design Based On A Beloved Book Series

If you know and love a bookworm who’s also passionate about body modification, then a drawing that can be used as the basis for a tattoo design, based on design from a book or fantasy series they love could be a perfect gift. It’s a personalised option that’s unique and from the heart. It’s also a great way to have some fun and unleash your creativity. Look at books in the series, and see if you can incorporate key motifs from the cover designs into your design. Your book loving friend or family member can then decide if they want to permanently ink your design on their skin, or simply frame it and display it in their home.

I’ll be taking a brief break over Christmas to relax and recuperate from the festive rush, but the Dorset Book Detective will be back and thriving in 2022. So have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I’m excited to share more updates in 2022 and hopefully things will get better next year.

Why I Love Listening To Audiobooks While I Work

During the pandemic, many of us who used to work in offices were forced to work from home, which bought many challenges and changes.

One of the main changes that has occurred has been our ability to listen to our own music or podcasts while we work. It’s actually one of the few benefits of working from home. While I definitely feel isolated and find it hard to find a good work/ life balance, I do like the fact that I can listen to what I like.

After all, when you’re in an office, you have to listen to something that everyone likes, which means that many of us often end up with the radio or a playlist of generic pop music. No one wants to say anything or put their headphones in, and given the focus on collaborative work and the need to answer the phone, that’s often impossible.

At home, if you get to work alone then you can listen to your own sounds. Even if you share a workspace with a housemate or partner, then you can at least wear headphones. Or you could just turn the sound down- I live in a shared house and literally no one complains about the sound of my audiobooks coming out of the tiny speakers on my phone.

While I don’t think for a second that listening to audiobooks is the same as reading a physical novel, it is a useful way to enjoy literature while I’m doing other tasks. I’d also recommend checking out podcasts themed around literature, like Potterless, a brilliant show about an adult man who’s never read the Harry Potter book series. While I still don’t support J.K Rowling and her blatant transphobia, I do love listening to the hilarious ramblings of an American who’s experiencing the books for the first time.

There are also storytelling podcasts such as This American Life, which combines journalism with storytelling to provide a unique take on current events and real life in America. It’s another great way to learn more about the world and see it from a new perspective.

I used to think listening to audiobooks and other audio shows would be distracting, especially in my job as a writer. I always used to believe that, eventually, I’d start typing the words I was hearing. However, I’ve learned since I started listening to audiobooks online at work, that they actually help me to concentrate and manage my workload. Often, I bribe myself by telling myself I need to get something finished before the end of the next chapter or I’ll switch the story off! It’s a useful technique, particularly if you happen to have the mind of a hyperactive toddler.

All this doesn’t mean I no longer read books. I always thought it would, but, in fact, I’ve found that audiobooks and physical books help me to separate my work life from my home one. During work, I listen to audiobooks and podcasts, which I find more soothing than music. After work, while I’m out and about or just before bed, I read my physical novels.

As I say, audiobooks and literary-themed podcasts are soothing to me while I’m working, but only certain ones. I think a John Grisham or an Andy McNab audiobook might be a bit too intense for a working day, whereas an Agatha Christie or a Ngaio Marsh story is relaxing. It sometimes helps if I’ve already read the book and know the plot, particularly if I’m having a busy or stressful day, or I’m feeling particularly anxious.

In all, while I still love reading physical books, I’m enjoying listening to stories and podcasts and I think others might too. It probably sounds really obvious, and not worthy of a blog post, but I think it’s relevant, particularly for anyone who’s still working from home and feeling isolated. I know from experiencing working with my team that many remote workers are struggling right now, and even with connected technology, it’s easy to feel alone. That’s especially true if you live alone or the people you live with are out of the house all day. With audiobooks and podcasts, you can hear a person’s voice and become immersed in a story while keeping busy at the same time.

Could Rise In Sale Of Advanced Reading Copies Change The Literature Market?

When I recently saw reports that advanced copies of books by famed writers, including Sally Rooney, have been selling online for high prices before the novel is release.

Advanced copies are what bloggers and book reviewers like me receive so that we can write reviews that come out before or at the same time as a book is released.

When you receive an advance copy, you’ll usually see a notice on the outside, and often on the inside too, which states that the advanced copy is not for sale and only for reviewing purposes. However, many disreputable bloggers are now selling their advanced copies for big bucks and publishers are pretty powerless to stop them.

In the past, it’s been overlooked if advanced copies get given to charity shops long after the book is released. That’s because it’s hard to police and, frankly, it isn’t making reviewers any profits. It’s simply a way for book reviewers to declutter their lives long after the review is published. However, actually making money from advanced copies has always been a no-no, and frankly, I’d not heard of many cases of it happening in the past.

Now, it’s clear that the issue is getting worse. Bloggers are profiting from advanced copies and giving decent, genuine book reviewers a bad name. With the rise of online blogging and social media influencers, even more book publishers and promoters are facing problems as they are having to give out more advanced copies to entice reviewers. As more advanced copies, either electronic or physical, are offered to bloggers, there becomes a great risk that some of them will be distributed for profit prior to the release of the novel.

Frankly, I think it’s utterly disgusting that some book bloggers are trying to profit from advanced copies of books, to the detriment of authors. Writers were already hard hit, both by the COVID-19 pandemic and other industry changes. They need the support of book bloggers and reviewers, rather than the theft of their intellectual property for profit.

As a book reviewer myself, I work hard to provide constructive reviews for the benefit of authors, as well as my readers. So, I think it’s dreadful to use advanced copies for anything other than to read and review. While it does make me happy to get a copy of books, particularly ones I’m excited for, ahead of time, I think it’s definitely a privilege that needs to be respected. Bloggers who sell advanced copies are giving the industry a bad name and are, for the most part, in the minority.

Looking to the future, I think that this mass selling of advanced copies of books by influential writers will lead to publishers changing the way they distribute books to bloggers. I think that it’ll become more common for advanced copies to be sent electronically, which is already the case, but more convenience than for tracking purposes.

Moving forward, I think that book publishers and promoters will start tracking advance copies and where they end up. I also believe that they will start to be more discerning about who they give advanced copies to. That might mean a change for online bloggers, who might have to prove their metal before they receive advanced copies. All these developments will take time, but they could make the book reviewing and promoting markets better in the long run.

So, at the end of the day, I think that this development in the literary market could help to make the book reviewing space better going forward. It’s a real shame that some greedy individuals are trying to profit from advanced copies, but in the future, hopefully, it’ll be easier for genuine book reviewers to get hold of them and support authors and their readers.

Back To Bookstores: How To Browse Without Being A Bellend

The world is slowly reopening after COVID-19, which means, among many other fun things, that we can all finally return to our favourite stores.

Many people love browsing through clothing stores or looking at shoes, while I, and many others, love browsing through book stores.

Book stores are great to visit, but I’ve noticed, as I return to them, that some people don’t have any manners or, apparently, social skills.

Things have been open for a while here in the UK, but I know that every country is different. What isn’t different, is that you need to be looking out for others while you’re shopping for books.

Buying books in a store is a valuable way to help local businesses in your community that have struggled since the pandemic began. It’s also a fun and soothing activity that is great for book lovers, but you have to do it right without behaving like an absolute arse.

So, what I’m trying to say is, whether you love second-hand bookshops like me, or you’re a fan of big chains and buying new books, don’t be a douche. If you need to know how, here are some tips.

Wear A Mask If You Can

The mask laws might have been rescinded in many countries, but where possible you should keep wearing one in crowded places. It’ll mean that if you do have anything, then you’ll reduce the chance of it spreading to others who share your space. It’ll also mean that you’ll reduce the number of pathogens that you could potentially transfer to surfaces that you breathe on. Many people might think that wearing a mask now is pointless, but it’s a kind thing to do. Also, during the time when masks were a legal requirement, you probably bought some reusable ones. You can’t use them for anything else, so you might as well wear them!

Sanitise Your Hands Before You Start Touching Stuff

Most shops have sanitiser at the entryway, so you can easily clean your hands before you start browsing. If you’re visiting a small bookshop that doesn’t have sanitiser for customers, then you should use your own sanitiser before you start touching books. Hand sanitisers aren’t an alternative to washing your hands, particularly after you’ve eaten, touched animals or used the bathroom. However, in between visiting different shops and touching surfaces like door handles, it can be a useful way to make sure that your hands are clean and reduce your chances of transferring bacteria from different areas.

Give Staff And Other Shoppers Some Space

Like the mask laws, social distancing rules have also been relaxed in many areas. Still, it’s kind to give other people their space. Some people might not be feeling very safe right now, and others might still be adjusting to being in close contact with others after the pandemic. So, don’t go getting up in strangers’ grills. If the bookshop that you’re visiting is small, then you might have to wait to get to a bookshelf or to move around the store. Be patient and remember that everyone is struggling right now, so your kindness could make a massive difference to someone. If you need to ask the staff for help, then be polite and respectful (as you should always be). Don’t crowd them and if the staff member asks you to wait behind a screen or stand back, just do it.

Only Pick Up Books You’re Genuinely Interested In Or Considering Buying

In bookshops, it’s fun to pick up books and read the blurb. However, if you’re not interested in buying it or learning more about it, then you shouldn’t pick it up. If you can read the blurb on the back without lifting the book, for example if it’s placed backwards on the shelf, then you should try to read the back without touching it. If you decide that you’d like to purchase the book, then you can pick up one copy to take to the counter. If the store has one of those mobile zapper things to scan the barcode with, then hold the book out for the cashier to scan, so they don’t have to touch it. If the bookseller has to type in a code, then try reading it out for them, again, so they don’t have to touch the book. It’s a simple kindness but it could go a long way. If the person serving you is willing to touch the book, then fair play to them, but remember that everyone is different and try to help where you’re able to do so.

Buy A Gift Voucher If You Don’t Want A Book

Book sales have risen during the pandemic, but many bookstores, particularly small independent ones, have still found the pandemic tough. So, it’s more important now than ever before that you support these stores if you want them to stay open so you can keep visiting them. If you don’t want to by a book during your visit, then you could consider buying a gift card to support the store. You could give the gift card as a present for someone you love, or you could just keep them for yourself to use at a later date. Buying a gift card means that the store has some extra money now, at a time when things are precarious.

Be Nice

It sounds super obvious, but just try your best to be kind as much as you can. If you think someone else is being overly cautious, or doing something that you don’t agree with, just leave it and don’t force your opinion on others. Everyone has their own way of coping with this crisis, so as long as it’s not harming you, try to accept others as much as possible. The main message of this blog post is that everyone has a different way of coping with the pandemic, and you should do your best to be mindful of that. If you do, then the chances are that more people will also be respectful of your own boundaries and you’ll find book shopping more enjoyable.