The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi WaxmanMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I finished reading this book on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 6:36 p.m.
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I went to the El Mirage library in El Mirage, Arizona to drop off the last book I read, which was “The McCullagh Inn in Maine” and I was browsing the shelves for a thin book that I might want to read and pick for my Summer Reading Game book pick. I looked all over and this one was an “I guess” pick. I’ve seen this book cover in articles when I was searching for books that are about book clubs. I think that I will like this book because it is about books and it’s also considered Chick-Lit on Goodreads.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I loved all of the bookish things about it and the romance added a little cherry on top! ;)
“Her anxiety had gotten better in the last several years, once she’d started to use a planner and keep a schedule and basically try to control every aspect of her life, but it was always curled up at the base of her spine like a sleeping cat. Any step off the normal path, any deviation from standard, and it started lashing its tail” (101).
I use a planner too, Nina Hill!
“At last, the last remnants of Nina’s anxiety peeled away revealing a cold center of anger. This wasn’t necessarily a good thing. Sometimes when her social anxiety got pushed too far a strange confident madness would take over her mouth, which had led to some very unfortunate outcomes” (136).
I’ve experienced that too, Nina!
“...and bravely tell them you’re not brave at all” (299).
READERS GUIDE
Questions for Discussion
1. At the outset of the novel Nina appears very happy, although she really prefers to be alone. How does that change by the end of the novel? What role does solitude play in your life?
Nina’s preference to be alone changes by the end of the novel when she wants to be with Tom and he understands how her anxiety gets. Solitude plays a huge role in my life.
2. Nina loves books and is a self-proclaimed introvert. What does she find so appealing about reading? Do you think both extroverts and introverts can be passionate about reading books? How do you think the experience is similar and different for both personality types? Why do you enjoy reading?
Nina finds lots of things appealing about reading: adventure in your head, alone time, and cozy vibes. I think that both extroverts and introverts can be passionate about reading books. There is no discrimination there! I think the experience is similar and different for both personality types because for introverts we prefer to read alone, but extroverts might want to have a reading buddy. I enjoy reading because it takes me to a different reality where I can be put into the shoes of another character.
3. Pages from Nina's planner were included in the book. Do you feel that added to the narrative? How did Nina's planner pages reflect her state of mind? Do you find planning and organizing helps you feel more in control?
I do feel like the pages from Nina’s planner added to the narrative. They reflected her state of mind because it was a plan for the day before it started and it’s filled with what she wants to happen. I find planning and organizing helps me feel more in control.
4. Nina's mind is constantly moving, filling with ideas, facts, and information. How does this help and hinder Nina? What do you think are the pros and cons of having such an active brain?
Nina’s constantly moving mind helps and hinder her because it helps her with the trivia game and it means it’s hard to have a silent mind. I think the pros of having such an active brain is that you are very knowledgeable. I think the cons of having such an active brain is that you have a hard time quieting your mind when you need it to be so.
5. Nina has found a group of friends who share her love of books, trivia, and popular culture. At the opening of the novel these people are her chosen family. What interests are you passionate about? Do you have a chosen family of like-minded people, or are your friends drawn from a wider pool?
I am passionate about books, blogging, and video editing. I do not have a chosen family of like-minded people.
6. Nina was raised by her nanny, Louise, a woman who wasn't her biological parent, but who loved and cared for her deeply. Does Nina consider Lou family? What part do you think biology plays in the formation of family?
Nina does consider Lou family. I think biology plays a semi-important part in the formation of family.
7. After discovering her father, Nina realizes his personality resembles hers in many ways, something she feels conflicted about. What traits does Nina share with her father? What does she like about sharing certain personality characteristics with him? What does she find difficult about it? What attributes or flaws do you share with your parents, and how does that make you feel about yourself and about them?
Nina shares the anxiety trait with her father. She likes that she can share a certain personality characteristic with him and have a connection in that way. She finds it difficult to deal with her anxiety. I share the attribute of not liking crowded areas with my parents. I share the flaw of my physical features with my parents. This makes me feel disgusted with myself. This makes me feel that my parents are kind of selfish.
8. Do you think Nina will be permanently changed by discovering her family, or will she remain essentially the same?
I think that Nina will be permanently changed by discovering her family because she can’t just ignore all of these new people in her life.
9. Nina struggles badly with anxiety, which is often quite debilitating. What are her coping mechanisms? Do you think they are healthy ways to deal with her stress? How do you handle anxieties and fears in your own life?
Nina’s coping mechanisms are being alone to recharge and breathing exercises. I think they are healthy ways to deal with her stress. I handle anxieties and fears in my own life by breathing and being mindful.
10. For Nina, a bookstore or library represents sanctuary. Why do you think that is? Do you feel similarly? What are some of your favorite bookstores and libraries? What are other happy places in your life?
I think that a bookstore or library represents sanctuary for Nina because they are cozy places. I do feel similarly. Some of my favorite bookstores are Changing Hands and Barnes & Noble. Some of my favorite libraries are the Yucca Phoenix library branch, Desert Sage Phoenix library branch, Burton Barr Phoenix library branch, Heroes Regional Park Glendale library branch, Main Glendale library branch, and the Fairway Maricopa County Library District branch.
11. Tom is not a bookish person, but his character complements Nina's. Why do you think Nina and Tom work so well together as a couple? How do they complement one another? In what ways have your relationships succeeded or failed because of how well you "fit" together?
I think that Nina and Tom work so well together as a couple because they understand each other and communicate. They complement one another in that Nina loves to read and Tom makes bookcases. My relationships have failed because of how we did not “fit” together. We did not have the same interests.
12. Nina works in an independent bookstore and seems to enjoy the physical-paper version of books. Do you prefer to read physical books or ebooks? Is your enjoyment of books affected by whether or not you read them on paper? In the street battle over books that happens toward the end of the novel, which side would you be on?
I prefer to read physical books. My enjoyment of books is affected by whether or not I read them on paper. In the street battle over books that happens toward the end of the novel, I would definitely be on the bookstore side.
13. Los Angeles is a major city, but Larchmont is clearly a very defined neighborhood, with a small-town atmosphere. Are you surprised by that aspect of Los Angeles, and does it conflict with the way the city is normally portrayed in popular culture?
I am surprised by that aspect of Los Angeles. It does conflict with the way the city is normally portrayed in popular culture.
14. In addition to her deep love of books, Nina also loves all forms of popular culture, including movies and TV shows. Do you think that is common, or do most people prefer one over the other? Which do you prefer?
I think that loving all forms of popular culture, including movies and TV shows is common. I prefer all forms of entertainment, be that books, movies, TV shows, internet content, or music.
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