A Heartwarming Story of Life's Work, Unconventional Encounters, and the Power of Doing Good

I recently finished reading The Bookminder, and I have to say, it's a real gem. So, let's dive in.

The Bookminder, Book Delivery Service. Karsten HennI'm still trying to figure out why the title was changed from DER BUCHSPAZIERER to The Book Delivery Service. The original title is just one word: The Bookminder. I found this book by the author's name, not the title, which is a shame. Why change the title written by the author???

Especially since the main character, a 9-year-old girl named Shasha, calls him The Bookminder – a nickname that's just one word and convenient since everyone has nicknames in the story. But here's the thing: it's weird and surprising to me. I just don't get it.

Okay, I'll put my confusion aside and focus on the book.

The Bookminder, Book Delivery Service. Karsten HennThe Bookminder or The Book Delivery Service is about a 72-year-old grandfather, Karl, who used to work at a bookstore. Now retired, he packs books in paper, loads them into his backpack, and delivers them to customers. Karl's a voracious reader and knows his customers well, always guessing what they'll like and bringing it to them. Of course, they're thrilled to see him, love books, and everything's rosy. Karl lives in a small town, and his routine of delivering books has made him famous. He's happy, surrounded by books, and has no wife or kids. But, as often happens, this stable world is turned upside down – and things take a turn for the worse. To make matters worse, a 9-year-old girl named Shasha starts following him, and everything changes.

The Book Wanderer, Book Delivery Service. Karsten HennI love the author's easy-going style of storytelling. He tells it all simply, easily, and kindly, and that's not just convincing – it's also engaging. By the way, if you think The Book Wanderer is similar to books like Frederick Backman's – you're not alone. I thought the same.

The Book Wanderer, Book Delivery Service. Karsten HennThere's a strong vibe of kindness going on, even when the book describes something sad, and there were some sad moments, too, for realism's sake. It's not just a feel-good story, but it's also honest about the tough stuff.

The Book Wanderer, Book Delivery Service. Karsten HennI'm not just interested in the main character, Carl, and his grandfather, but also in his clients, whom he visits with books. They're all different ages, genders, and social statuses, but they all share one thing: they're all great people who love books. It was really interesting to observe all these people through Carl's eyes. They form a colorful mosaic that somehow comes together in a unique pattern.

The Book Wanderer, Book Delivery Service. Karsten HennI also found it interesting to see the development of relationships between the introverted Carl and the extroverted Sasha. It's not just that people with different ages and personalities can get along, but they can also come up with something in common. It's a beautiful portrayal of how people can connect.

The Book Wanderer, Book Delivery Service. Karsten HennAnd in general, it was interesting to read about who Carl is similar to, why people choose certain books, and so on. It's a book that makes you think about your own relationships and how you interact with others.

The Book Wanderer, Book Delivery Service. Karsten HennThere was also a very interesting theme about not always giving people what they ask for. Sometimes you need to give them something else – and that will help them. This point really resonated with me because I've been in a similar situation in my life. A psychologist actually did the same thing – she nudged me towards something that helped me, not what I asked for. The story about this in The Book Wanderer is really similar to my own experience. And in the end, everything worked out the same way for me. That's why I couldn't help but notice the therapeutic approach of author Karsten Henn and the amazing similarity to my own situation.

The Book Wanderer, Book Delivery Service. Karsten HennI have to say, it's not even that the team didn't work with my request – it's that the author knew I'd be able to handle it and that it would change me. And that's exactly what happened.

The Book Wanderer, Book Delivery Service. Karsten HennSo, I really hope other readers of The Bookminder notice this and either decide to take the leap themselves or get someone else to do it for them – it's a chance that will let them thrive.

The Book Wanderer, Book Delivery Service. Karsten HennAnd then there's the cat. He's on the cover for a reason, and Psmith isn't just a random name. He's a symbol of the book's themes and a reminder that even the smallest creatures can make a big impact.

The Book Wanderer, Book Delivery Service. Karsten HennThe Bookminder is like a sunny day on a lazy Sunday for me – even the sad moments can't ruin this bright, bold, funny, and clever book. That's why it's the gold standard for me.

The Book Wanderer, Book Delivery Service. Karsten HennOther cozy books to lift your mood:

Check out this one

And this one is perfect for winter

This one is funny too

I've heard a lot about this one, but it's not what you'd expect

And of course, there's this one – one of my all-time favorites