# The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

By Abbi Waxman

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/the-bookish-life-of-nina-hill-dfa69b03/

Nina Hill has a bookstore job, a cat and a planner that keeps other people from taking over her day. Then she learns that her late father has left her a large family living inconveniently close by. Her rival at trivia night is also becoming difficult to ignore.

## What makes it funny?

An unhappy customer wants her money back after finishing Pride and Prejudice. Nina recommends a library card and tries to keep her private outrage out of her customer-service smile. Her fellow bookseller Liz is more help with a sarcastic remark than with the customer.

### The comedy at work

Waxman gives Nina an orderly routine and an unruly inner life. Comic schedules and sharp judgments show how much effort goes into staying composed. Even a potential romance runs into her suspicion that a man who knows sports trivia probably doesn’t read.

### Try this if…

Readers in book groups recommend this as a light, funny escape, including alongside Mary Jane and The Rosie Project. It has particular appeal for readers who enjoy bookshop conversations, lists and a heroine who would like to schedule new relationships for a less busy week.

### Good to know

Nina’s anxiety is explicit, and the family story begins with the death of a father she never knew. Expect some swearing and friction among the newly discovered relatives as well as the romantic comedy.

## What to expect

- Genre: Contemporary & literary · Romance
- On the shelf: Family comedy · Romantic comedy
- Kind of humor: Banter · Dry wit
- Format: Novel
- Length: 352 pages
- Audiobook: 9 hr 3 min
- Published: 2019

## A few distinguishing details

- A bookseller whose newly discovered relatives all live nearby
- Romantic complications across rival trivia teams

## Sources & further reading

- Book information: [Apple Books lists The Bookish Life of Nina Hill (Unabridged) by Abbi Waxman, narrated by Emily Rankin, with a length of 09:03.](https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-bookish-life-of-nina-hill-unabridged/id1468218791)
- Publisher: [Penguin Random House lists The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman as a paperback, ISBN 9780451491879, with 352 pages.](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/572648/the-bookish-life-of-nina-hill-by-abbi-waxman)
- Publisher: [Publisher and opening excerpt](https://www.penguinrandomhouseretail.com/book?isbn=9780451491879)
- Review: [Trade review](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/abbi-waxman/the-bookish-life-of-nina-hill)
- Reader discussion: [Reader discussion](https://facebook.com/groups/bookrecommendations/permalink/7399274633480619)