The Last Bookshop In London Quotes
"Never had Grace considered it might someday become a necessity."
"Grace hadn’t had a proper homemade meal since her mother’s death."
"The evidence could be pushed aside temporarily, of course."
"Grace’s excitement wilted somewhat at the reminder of where she’d end up instead."
"Grace couldn’t help but smile at the endearment."
"But how was she possibly supposed to sell something she knew so little about?"
"Having knowledge is the best way to fight off fear."
"The anticipation vibrating in the air now hummed in Grace’s veins."
"Such concerns edged to the forefront of Grace’s mind as she tried to sleep."
"The unending string of news on the radio the following day didn’t offer any more information."
"Grace hadn’t realized the blackout would be this all-consuming."
"The prime minister made a special broadcast at 11:15 the next morning."
"The reminder of war was jarring. For that one brief moment, she had forgotten about it. As though the world had, for the span of a blink, been once more blissfully normal."
"It was like waking from a dream and realizing you were in the onset of a nightmare."
"Every girl is rushing to marry before the men can be sent off to war. Keep your head about you."
"The thought of George Anderson sent excitement tickling through her."
"No, this time she was determined to find her way to Paternoster Row to see how the rest of London touted her bookshops."
"Grace suppressed the urge to squirm where she stood."
"If it’s so miserable, why do you find it such a threat that I’m here?"
"I don’t intend to copy it, I intend to do far better."
"Grace put the wristlet in the drawer of the small table next to her bed."
"I can’t bear the thought of never knowing what happened to you if you didn’t come home."
"He’s an engineer and most likely won’t be called up to war. But then again, he’s also just the sort of bloke who will volunteer regardless."
"The air outside was brisk, promising a sharpness that spoke of an impending winter."
"The book had been well used, given its scuffed surface and how the once sharp corners were dulled and curled inward."
"I hope you’re right, he grumbled and pulled a book from the shelf into his waiting palms."
"The idea of being able to do something so impactful through literature was both exhilarating and daunting."
"She was surprised to learn he was not just an engineer, but also had considerable flight experience."
"It was like walking into a story, becoming part of something far greater than herself."
"The realization that every person’s contribution mattered, no matter how small it might seem, was profoundly humbling."
"War was on everyone’s lips, weighing heavily on all their minds."
"Something was finally happening in the unending stretch of an actionless war."
"It was surreal to imagine that nearby, allied countries were under attack with lives being lost daily to bombs and battle."
"They were women desperate for distraction, a way to occupy their minds so they could forget their heavy hearts."
"This will get better. You’ve done what is best to keep your daughter safe."
"They’re taking all the Tallies out of England so they can’t spy on us for Hitler."
"If their men were coming back to English soil, it was because they were retreating from the enemy."
"Our men. The BEF is returning home from France."
"It doesn’t matter how you fight, but that you never, never stop."
"Despite the other woman’s forcedly happy demeanor, Grace could only guess what Mrs. Weatherford was going through."
"You can’t save the world, but keep trying in any small way you can."
"They wanted a night of sleep in their own beds. They wanted normalcy."
"I have to continue with the ARP. This is me never stopping—just as you said."
"Even as she shook her head, his arms went around her, like a father’s, pulling her into an embrace of comfort such as she hadn’t known since her mother’s."
"Her burden eased as she shared what she’d seen, leaning on his strength, not realizing how much she had needed it."
""You never forget, but it becomes part of you. Like a scar no one can see.""
"Grace nodded at the logic of his statement, the roil of her emotions finally calm for the first time since she’d allowed herself to break apart."
"Without her wits about her, she might have surrendered to the flicker of panic racing in her mind with every whistle, every thundering boom that reverberated in her chest."
""I didn’t thank you, Miss Bennett." He lowered his head. "For last night. I... I nearly forgot myself, and you reminded me what we were there for.""
""You kept a level head and people are alive because of you." His gaze shifted toward Grace. "I admire your ability to stay so focused.""
""I suspect," she said slowly, unable to help herself, "it’s because I’m a woman.""
""It is through books that we can find the greatest hope. You remain ever in my thoughts.""
"Grace poured a bit more gravy on the tasteless crust and decided then was as good a time as any to broach the topic."
""It’s worse here than I thought," she said softly. "You can try to mask it, but I know what the ARP wardens do. I know your job has great dangers.""
""You’re so brave," Viv whispered. "So very brave.""
""It’s been far too lonely." Grace picked up Viv’s kit before her friend could grab it, and carried it up the stairs."
""It’s a beautiful thing to sleep the night through, without the all-too-present cry of the air raid siren.""
""I’ve enjoyed our letters," he said, his voice low, intimate. "However, I know war can be difficult. If you would prefer to leave yourself open for a man in London—""
""You’re worth waiting for, George Anderson." Her pulse raced."
""Thank God you’re safe, my girl. Come in, come in.""
""Thank you," he spoke softly. "I never thought to consider it in that fashion.""
"You give every part of yourself to help others. Not just with what you do with the ARP. But here, with the other booksellers, with the people you read to. Out there, you save lives. In here, you save souls."
"I long to be among the familiarity of Primrose Hill Books again, where the literary conversations are ubiquitous and a particularly beautiful assistant brings stories to life with her lovely voice."
"Books are what have brought us together. A love of the stories within, the adventures they take us on, their glorious distraction in a time of strife. And a reminder that we always have hope."
"Remember that we will always have books, and therefore we will always have courage and optimism."
"It isn’t all organized yet, but we’re working on it."
"Every day you read to a crowd. But they’re not just stories, for many of us, they’re a sanctuary."
"You’ve told me things I needed to hear in the past, and I’m now returning the favor."
"My bookshop has never been in better hands, my own included."
"Even if we don’t have Primrose Hill Books... remember that we will always have books, and therefore we will always have courage and optimism."
"Thank you all for coming. As you can see, Primrose Hill Books has been struck by last night’s bombing, as were many, many Londoners."
"I appreciate what all of you have helped Primrose Hill Books become."
"You saved my life, Miss Bennett. Were it not for your readings, I’d have been blown to bits at Marble Arch."
"You showed me that when all seems lost to the enemy, one can always find a friend."
"You saved me, Grace Bennett. When I lost Colin and thought I had nothing left, you reminded me there was a purpose to my life."
"For in a world such as theirs, with people of spirit and love, and with so many different tales of strength and victory to inspire, there would always be hope."
"I never thought reading could be more beautiful. Until this moment."
"That passion was something you found inside of you."