The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks

Written by Shauna Robinson

Narrated by Imani Jade Powers

I, Maggie Banks, solemnly swear to uphold the rules of Cobblestone Books.

If only, I, Maggie Banks, cared about following the rules.

When Maggie Banks arrives to run her best friend's struggling bookstore, she expects to sell bestsellers to the small-town clientele. But with the town on the map as a top literary destination and the tourist society bent on keeping businesses historic, Maggie is banned from selling anything written this century. So, when a series of mishaps suddenly tip the bookstore toward ruin, Maggie will have to get creative to keep the shop afloat.

And in Maggie's world, bookish rules are made to be broken.

To help save the store, Maggie starts an underground book club—a series of events celebrating the books readers actually love. But keeping the club quiet, selling her customers the books they want, and dodging the historical society is nearly impossible. Especially when Maggie unearths a town secret that could upend everything.

Maggie will have to decide what's more important to her—the books that formed a small town's history, or the stories poised to change it all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Spotify Audiobooks
• Release date: Nov 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667074108

Shauna Robinson

Shauna Robinson’s love of books led her to try a career in publishing before deciding she’d rather write books instead. Originally from San Diego, she now lives in Virginia with her husband and their sleepy greyhound. Shauna is an introvert at heart—she spends most of her time reading, baking, and figuring out the politest way to avoid social interaction. Must Love Books is her debut novel.

Reviews for The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks

[Baron Sekiya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed this book, 4.5 stars rounded up to five. Been reading/listening to more heavy drama fiction lately so this was a great change of pace. I enjoyed the narrator and her doing the various roles.

In the audiobook the editor missed an edit at the end of chapter 32 where I can hear the narrator catch her breath and murmur something all of which should have been cut out.

[Lisa Lancaster · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Predictable, light-hearted, and with a happy ending. It was exactly what I expected it to be.

[Abyssinia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Super cute easy read! 
I enjoyed the characters in this one and loved that it was nice easy read with a plot that kept me interested.

[June Locco · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A cute story but predictable. Several soundtrack editing issues in the audiobook.

[Star Gater · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thank you NetGalley and OrangeSky Media for accepting my request to audibly read and review The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks. The pleasure was all mine.

Author: Shauna Robinson
Published: 11/01/22
Narrator: Imani Jade Powers
Genre: Women's Fiction

Women's Fiction? Could this be a Rom-Com? I don't know; however, as I was reading I did get that vibe. I would certainly entertain looking at a Rom-Com cover and description should The Banned ... have multiple classifications, as opposed to stifling an eye roll simultaneously thinking syfy (guilty).

Credit to Imani Jade Powers for bringing the book to life and up to the fifth star. (I am wondering if in my excitement I missed marking profanity, heads up.). The narration worked for me. I sat back with a mug of coffee and let Powers perform.

The premise appeared daunting, however, as the story unfolded, I could relate to Maggie. Seriously, only classics? Geesh. I can't imagine explaining I work in a bookshop that only sells classics. Egads. It sounds like punishment.

Alas, Maggie thinks outside the box, crosses some lines, and gets herself in trouble. It all worked. Everything that happened felt realistic. There is some flirting, a little romance, and even that was well done.

The whole book was classy and smart. The ending was hectic. I would suggest putting it down as soon as you think, I've got thirty minutes left. Pick it back up when you have rested. Disappointment will settle in. The ending can't be rushed.

Should you be a book snob and take offense to classics being referenced as dull and mocked by some people, this is not for you. If you can see yourself being inundated with all the reasons you should read classics knowing the author's themselves didn't read their mess, The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks is for you (and me).

[Katie Pierpaoli · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5
I liked it, but I didn't always agree with the things Maggie did throughout the book. She was a bit reckless, but she had a good heart.

[SarahMariePutnam · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I liked it and for its genre it was well written. The ending was a little over the top and unrealistic. I think the narrator is very skilled but I didn’t feel her voice was right for this book. With certain characters I felt lost because I didn’t feel them but heard her voice too clearly. Again I think she is a really good narrator, but just not for this bunch of characters.

[Jenn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Delightful read!! I want to be friends with Maggie and visit the little town brought to life in this book!

[Jessica Burnett · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The protagonist was probably the least interesting person in the story. She didn't really grow but rather life magically changed to suit who she already was. Ending was rushed and forced.

[Ellen Henstrom · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was an easy read and threw in a surprise or two. Loved the heroine bc she sounds like she has parents I can identify with. Good reminder that we each have our own way of figuring it out

[Lisa Ryan-Herndon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Timely engaging social commentary whipped up as a “miss-adventure” is a solid choice for book clubs.

[CharleneCarruthers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the overall story and narration. The characters were also interesting to follow.