What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Bookshop
Isabel Coixet · Film · 2017
If you loved The Bookshop, start with The Bookshop (Evan Friss) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Bookshop across media.
If you loved The Bookshop, you were captivated by the quiet, defiant courage of women carving out their own spaces within restrictive societies.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
The Lost Bookshop
Evie Woods · Book · 2023
Explores: Books about books, Hidden history, Second chances.
Like The Bookshop, this story centers on the transformative power of literature and the resilient women who find their true selves while navigating the mysteries of a local bookstore.
The Awakening
Kate Chopin · Book · 1899
Explores: Female desire, Marital dissatisfaction, Social constraints.
Edna Pontellier’s struggle for independence in a rigid society mirrors the protagonist of The Bookshop, as both women confront the crushing weight of community expectations and personal longing.
The Spellshop
Sarah Beth Durst · Book
Explores: Found family, Restoration, Escapism.
Just as The Bookshop celebrates the preservation of intellectual pursuits, this story focuses on the restoration of a magical library and the comfort found in creating a sanctuary.
The Summer Before the Dark
Doris Lessing · Book · 2012
Explores: Midlife Crisis, Female Identity, Existentialism.
This narrative echoes the introspective journey found in The Bookshop, focusing on a woman seeking personal autonomy and self-discovery as she navigates the challenges of middle age.
Series on the same thread
Mare of Easttown
Brad Ingelsby · Series · 2021
Explores: Grief, Trauma, Family Dysfunction.
While the stakes differ, you will recognize the intense small-town atmosphere and the feeling of being an outsider fighting against community pressure, much like in The Bookshop.
The Queen's Gambit
Scott Frank · Series · 2020
Shares 2 threads with The Bookshop: Underdog Story, Period Drama.
The protagonist’s relentless pursuit of her intellectual passion against the backdrop of the 1950s mirrors the determined spirit shown by the main character in The Bookshop.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Amy Sherman-Palladino · Series · 2017
Explores: Self-Discovery, Female Empowerment, Breaking Societal Norms.
Miriam Maisel’s journey of breaking societal norms in the late 1950s resonates with the same defiant energy that defines the protagonist’s struggle to open a shop in The Bookshop.
Lessons in Chemistry
Lee Eisenberg · Series · 2023
Shares a thread with The Bookshop: Period Drama.
Elizabeth Zott’s battle against 1950s social conformity to pursue her ambitions mirrors the political minefield faced by the protagonist of The Bookshop when she dares to be different.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
The focus on the intricate, often challenging social dynamics of a tight-knit community provides the same rural, character-driven depth that anchors the setting of The Bookshop.
THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST
ADAM BUXTON · Podcast
Explores: east anglia, family life, dog ownership.
This podcast shares the contemplative, observational tone found in The Bookshop, grounding its exploration of human life in the specific textures and rhythms of a distinct English landscape.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Bookshop based on a book?
Yes, the 2017 film The Bookshop is an adaptation of a novel of the same name. Both versions follow the story of a woman who faces local opposition when she attempts to open a bookshop in a small English town during the late 1950s.
What is the setting of The Bookshop?
The Bookshop is set in a small English town in 1959. This period setting serves as the backdrop for the protagonist's struggle against ruthless local opposition as her decision to open a bookshop turns into a complex political minefield within the community.
Should I read the novel before watching The Bookshop?
You can enjoy either version independently. The Bookshop film and the original book both cover the same narrative regarding a woman opening a bookshop in a small English town in 1959. Choosing one does not strictly require the other to understand the core plot.
Is The Bookshop considered a political story?
Yes, the plot of The Bookshop centers on the protagonist opening a store in a small English town in 1959. Her decision to open a bookshop is met with ruthless local opposition, which transforms her simple business venture into a difficult political minefield.