The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

Fiction

This book was a sweet little find at my local library. The book is mostly drama, but has a little romance and mystery in it as well. Martha Storm is a volunteer at a small library in Sandshift, England. She lives alone and is desperately lonely for friends, but doesn’t know how to connect with the people in her life. Her only true friend had been her grandmother Zelda who died suddenly when she was 13. One day a mysterious book of fairy tales shows up on the library front step with a dedication written to her from her grandmother, but it is dated years after her grandmother supposedly died. Inside she finds stories that she wrote when she was a young girl for her grandmother! Shocked and curious, she goes on a journey to find out if her grandmother is still alive.

Her journey not only unlocks some heartbreaking family secrets, but opens up Martha’s heart and mind releasing her from her loneliness and allowing her to grow into the person he always wanted to be.

WHERE TO TRAVEL?

St. Ives, England Gwithian Beach

As far as I can tell the location of the book Sandshift, England is fiction, but there is a beach in St. Ives England that reminds me of the on in the book. Gwithian Beach in England has golden sand and a lighthouse and little cafes and towns along the coast. I can just imagine Martha working at her little library along this beach, going to the different cafes and spending time at the beach and lighthouse. This is a picture from a tripadvisor visitor.

This beach got excellent reviews! Out of 427 reviews, 348 were rated as excellent. The travelers describe the beach as golden and the water as clear as the Caribbean. They say it is great for surfing and has a view of the Godrevy Lighthouse. The lighthouse was made famous by Virginia Wolf in her book To the Lighthouse.

Where to Stay?

St. Ives is the closest location to this beach. St. Ives actually has four beaches in its vicinity. Gwithian Beach, Porthminster Beach, Porthmeor Beach and Porthgwidden Beach. It is also close to Cornwall, England which is a popular tourist attraction in the area. From bed and breakfast to hostels to stunning hotels there is something for everyone and every budget in this location.

Cohort Hostel

This hostel got great reviews on Tripadvisor. They rent by the bed and it is located near the four beaches, galleries and cafes. They offer storage for bikes and surf boards. They boast a common area with games and couches for visiting and a common kitchen area.

Blue Sky Bed and Breakfast

This bed and breakfast has fantastic views of St. Ives Bay. They got 210 reviews and all of them were excellent. The travelers said the breakfast was wonderful, the location perfect and the rooms comfortable.

Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate

This is a luxury hotel with it’s own 25 acre private beach. It’s got all the fancy stuff and beautiful views. It is not as close to St. Ives as the others, but is only a 10 minute walk to the train station to travel to St. Ives. They do offer beach lodges and family suites, but I think it would be a perfect place for wedding or honeymoon. It looks very romantic.