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Miranda Reads's Reviews > The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
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it was amazing
bookshelves: received-to-review

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I have read my way through 315 books to bring you my .

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"I mean, I get that the universe whirls in mysterious yada yada, but wouldn't you rather travel the world?"

"No, I'd rather stay home and read."
Nina Hill's life is perfect as it is, thank you very much.

She has an adorable little apartment, a fabulous job at a local bookstore (Knight's), and a grumpy cat (Phil).
Nina looked down and smiled...with the plentiful sarcasm and soothing rows of book spines. It was heaven on earth.
And on her wild days - she plays trivia at a local bar (provided it isn't one of the places she's been banned from) (it happens, okay?). Tom, her greatest rival, can be a bit of a jerk and Nina takes extreme pleasure in showing him up.

Her life comfortably circles around books. And honestly, she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Are your criticizing Harry Potter?"
"Never. I'm a Ravenclaw."
But unfortunately, what you want and what you get isn't always the same thing.

Nina's mother is a world class photographer and as a result, Nina spent most of her childhood curled up with a good book along with her live-in nanny.

In short, Nina is not overly fond of adventures (at least in real life).

Now, nearly thirty years old, Nina learns that not only did her mother actually know who Nina's father was... but also her father is dead.

And she's in his will.


But in order to claim it, she must meet...her (many) relatives (shudder). Strangers. Dangers. And all that.

Annnnd, all this turmoil continues to spiral.

Her trivia nemesis, Tom, is actually far less of a jerk than she anticipated.
"He's objectively attractive but subjectively repulse, on account of his overwhelming self-confidence."
And Tom, well, he's always noticed Nina but now he's reallllly noticing her.
"She's really smart, probably too smart for me."
And to top it all, Knight's Bookstore is on its last legs. It was actually on it's last legs months and months ago.

Nina is heartbroken but at least her boss has a plan...though it's not much of one.
"Make the books look pretty. Smile, but look pitiful. When people ask if we're closing, shake your head softly and suggest they buy a boxed set."
Bookish Nina will have to do something she's never even considered before - take charge and make a difference.

Will she do it in time? Or will everything crumble before she even begins?
Dammit. Now she was going to have to change her planner.
This book was perfect

I honestly have not related so much to a main character in years.
There are people who have no time for books...Nina judged them.
I feel like Nina and I are soul sisters.

I loved Nina's fierce love of any and all things bookish - especially her dedicated reading time!
Sometimes people tried to get her to do something instead, but she was fiercely defensive of her nothing.
The characters were firmly fleshed out and their personalities were so vibrant that I felt like I could have a conversation with them.

One of my favorite parts about this book was actually reading it with my mother.

My mom always gets to check out the books sent to me by publishers and she snatched this one up so fast that if I had blinked, I would have missed it.

Reading this one with her was truly a wonderful bonding experience. We laughed so hard whenever we saw Nina interact with her family and we sighed with happiness at the ending.

Waxman paced those snappy conversations perfectly for our sense of humor.

The relationship was over-the-top but in a totally believable way - you know what I mean. It's like a meet-cute but one that I can actually see happening.
"Good night, tiny bookworm."
And probably the best quote of the entire book:
"Being with you is as good as being alone."
Pure happiness.

Unbelievably huge thanks to Berkley Publishing for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Reading Progress

February 9, 2019 – Started Reading
February 9, 2019 – Shelved
May 11, 2019 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-50 of 56 (56 new)


Jonathan K (Max Outlier) This looks awesome..and funny too! I see its on order at our library so I'll get in line :)


message 2: by Nina (new) - added it

Nina Mortimer This sounds so amazing ... and not just because my name is also 'Nina'.


Miranda Reads Jonathan wrote: "This looks awesome..and funny too! I see its on order at our library so I'll get in line :)"

Omg yes


Miranda Reads Nina wrote: "This sounds so amazing ... and not just because my name is also 'Nina'."

It truly is amazing. Loved every word!


Tucker Almengor OMG! So glad you loved it! I need to get to this one soon!


ʙᴇʟᴀ.: ☾**:.☆*.:。. Seems awesome, Can't wait to read this one! Nina's life is literally my dream life. Lol. Lovely review😍


message 7: by Allison (new) - added it

Allison It's on my "to read" list! Thanks!


message 8: by KAS (new)

KAS Wonderful review, Miranda ;) Nice this character was so relatable! 😊


message 9: by Eve (new) - rated it 3 stars

Eve Stark I requested my library order this one. I already had it on my list to read, but your review made that more urgent now.


message 10: by Karen (new) - added it

Karen What a great review. I love the quote "Being with you is as good as being alone." Adding this book to my list.


Miranda Reads Tucker wrote: "OMG! So glad you loved it! I need to get to this one soon!"

Yaaaaaaas. Yes you do!!


Miranda Reads ʙᴇʟʟᴀ.: �**:.�*.:�. wrote: "Seems awesome, Can't wait to read this one! Nina's life is literally my dream life. Lol. Lovely review😍"

Omg yes. I would LOVE to have Nina's life!


Miranda Reads Allison wrote: "It's on my "to read" list! Thanks!"

Fabulous!!


Miranda Reads KAS wrote: "Wonderful review, Miranda ;) Nice this character was so relatable! 😊"

Thank you KAS!!!


Miranda Reads Chava wrote: "I requested my library order this one. I already had it on my list to read, but your review made that more urgent now."

Omg. Glad to be of help!


Miranda Reads Karen wrote: "What a great review. I love the quote "Being with you is as good as being alone." Adding this book to my list."

Honestly, it's my favorite quote ever at this point :)


Angela M Lovely review, Miranda! She found a literary soul sister and you read it with your mother- what more could you ask for ?


Bree Adores Reading Great review! Can't wait to read this one :)


message 19: by Megann (new)

Megann Would anyone say this is similar to "Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine" at all?


message 20: by Christine (new) - added it

Christine FANTASTIC review! I cannot wait to get my paws on this one.


message 21: by Sam (new)

Sam Chase I hadn’t heard of this book until your review, and now I want it SO BAD.


Miranda Reads Angela M wrote: "Lovely review, Miranda! She found a literary soul sister and you read it with your mother- what more could you ask for ?"

Definitely agree!!


Miranda Reads Mahamber wrote: "Good book and funny too !
I like it😙"


Thank you! Glad you liked it!


Miranda Reads BookGirl97 wrote: "Great review! Can't wait to read this one :)"

Omggggg yes


Miranda Reads Megann wrote: "Would anyone say this is similar to "Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine" at all?"

Somewhat, but Nina is definitely not the same level of awkward


Miranda Reads Christine wrote: "FANTASTIC review! I cannot wait to get my paws on this one."

Definitely!!


Miranda Reads Sam! wrote: "I hadn’t heard of this book until your review, and now I want it SO BAD."

It is SO good!


Kirsten I just finished this and loved it too. I completely identified with the main character, as you did. Great review!


Aoife - Bookish_Babbling I too recently read & enjoyed this immensely and thanks to this book found Waxman's earlier book which features some of my favourite side characters from this, namely Lili, Annabel & Clare. If you get a chance to read it I hope you will also love it as it too has brilliant humour and I really really hope that we get more "spin off" books based around the lives of the inhabitants of this charming neighbourhood of LA as I feel we don't really get to see enough of "normal" LA life - but maybe that is just me.


antonita MILLONARIA$$$$$$$ hola como es ese libro


Pratikshya | BooksChaiMusic That first quote in your review about travelling was my favourite too !!


Nancy Expected fluff and I got a fabulous 5 star book. So many quotable moments. Korean proverb, “A turtle only moves forward when it sticks its neck out.”I so loved loved this book.


Tucker Almengor I voted for this one!! It was such a hard choice between this and The Last Romantics


Miranda Reads Tucker wrote: "I voted for this one!! It was such a hard choice between this and The Last Romantics"

Haven't read the other one... currently requesting it from library


Miranda Reads Nancy wrote: "Expected fluff and I got a fabulous 5 star book. So many quotable moments. Korean proverb, “A turtle only moves forward when it sticks its neck out.”I so loved loved this book."

It truly was amazing


Miranda Reads Pratikshya wrote: "That first quote in your review about travelling was my favourite too !!"

Ah. I loved SO much of this series


Miranda Reads Aoife wrote: "I too recently read & enjoyed this immensely and thanks to this book found Waxman's earlier book which features some of my favourite side characters from this, namely Lili, Annabel & Clare. If you ..."

I will DEFINITELY check it out


Tucker Almengor Miranda wrote: "Tucker wrote: "I voted for this one!! It was such a hard choice between this and The Last Romantics"

Haven't read the other one... currently requesting it from library"


Omg, I totally forgot that this wasn't a debut. I need to read her other books


Miranda Reads Tucker wrote: "Omg, I totally forgot that this wasn't a debut. I need to read her other books"

Yes. Yes you do. (And so did I)...on the plus side, I did an author interview with her if you want something to tide yourself over :P ()


Tucker Almengor Miranda wrote: "Tucker wrote: "Omg, I totally forgot that this wasn't a debut. I need to read her other books"

Yes. Yes you do. (And so did I)...on the plus side, I did an author interview with her if you want so..."


omg shameless plug... I love it.. Much respect


Miranda Reads There was a slight bit of shame...but I decided I could squash it :)

Plus it was a really fun book-related interview :)


Tucker Almengor Miranda wrote: "There was a slight bit of shame...but I decided I could squash it :)

Plus it was a really fun book-related interview :)"

� It was a very entertaining interview


Susanne Glad you loved this one Miranda! Fab review.


Miranda Reads Susanne wrote: "Glad you loved this one Miranda! Fab review."

Thank you!!


Amber I enjoyed this too. My new web serial on here Are you my father travis Holiday got a little bit of inspiration from this book besides the Fox show Almost family and the movie about the guy who has 500+ children which gave me an idea to add that idea to my web serial. Planning on posting Chapters 5-7 on the 26th. Need to start working on chapter 7 soon.


message 46: by Vera (new) - rated it 4 stars

Vera (Estante da Vera) I was wondering if something was wrong with me because I'm so enamoured of this book but I can see it had enchanted others as well.


Miranda Reads Vera wrote: "I was wondering if something was wrong with me because I'm so enamoured of this book but I can see it had enchanted others as well."

It is an enchanting book :)


message 48: by Steisy abreu (new) - added it

Steisy abreu ola


message 49: by Katherine (new) - added it

Katherine Books Loved it I just finished. I clicked your bookstagram but link broken


message 50: by Katherine (new) - added it

Katherine Books Loved your review


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