Inspired by the temporary shuttering of Powellās Books in Portland, Oregon, City of Books explores a bibliophileās fantasy: moving into a bookstore to stop it from closing.
Jo Waterstone knows what you should read next. Sheās honed the skill of sizing up a person and recommending their next book in the decades sheās worked at Bruebakerās Books. Her life has been shaped by the store, the bustle of customers exploring the stacks, and managing the eager staff. She can honestly say itās the best job sheās ever had.
Then the storeās elderly owner, Mr. Bruebaker, suffers a stroke, and just like that Joās perfect job is on the chopping block. Mr. Bās daughters and the bookstoreās icy CEO think the time is right to close for good, and they order Jo to lock up. But she doesnāt know what she would be without Bruebakerāsāand besides, the place is an institution. So instead of following orders, she decides to take a stand: along with a few brave team members, she barricades herself in the store, trying to buy time until Mr. Bruebaker recovers and can speak for himself.
Living in a bookstore has a certain magic to it, but the quiet hours among the books throw the choices Jo has made in her life into sharp relief. As supporters (and detractors) start to voice their opinions about her actions, Jo will have to decide what, exactly, is worth saving.