The Door-to-Door Bookstore

There’s a book written for every one of us…

Carl maybe 72 years old, but he’s young at heart. Every night he goes door-to-door delivering books by hand to his loyal customers. He knows their every desire and preference, carefully selecting the perfect story for each person.

One evening as he makes his rounds, nine-year-old Schascha appears. Loud and precocious, she insists on accompanying him – and even tries to teach him a thing or two about books.

When Carl’s job at the bookstore is threatened, will the old man and the girl in the yellow raincoat be able to restore Carl’s way of life, and return the joy of reading to his little European town?

THE DOOR-TO-DOOR BOOKSTORE is a heart-warming tale of the value of friendship, the magic of reading, and the power of books to unite us all.

“Unabashedly sentimental, determinedly uplifting”

— NPR

Review by 1000 Libraries

Celebrating the profound impact of books and human connection, The Door-to-Door Bookstore tells the story of an aging bookseller named Carl Kollhoff, who personally delivers books to a select group of loyal customers. With an almost preternatural ability to match the right book with the right person, Carl successfully fosters deep relationships built on shared literary passions. Revolving entirely around his customers and his love for books, Carl’s predictably structured life then suddenly faces an intrusion in the form of an energetic nine-year-old with a fresh perspective.

“Those books which lie closest to our hearts are precisely the books we should give away, so that they may bring others happiness.”

While Carl gradually realizes that his work goes beyond simply selling books, readers witness the power of books in fostering community, providing comfort, and igniting imagination. Additionally, richly drawn relatable characters truly enhance the reading experience.

A love letter to reading and a reminder of the importance of human connection, The Door-to-Door Bookstore will resonate with anyone who has found solace or joy in a book, leaving a renewed appreciation for the magic of shared stories and forged connections.

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"The most warm-hearted and touching novel we could wish for as readers for this special year. It is a book that somehow hugs you when you read it, it really pulls you into its arms."

Deutschlandfunk

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"It is a warm-hearted story without kitsch with lovingly described protagonists. The right book for a dark rainy day, which immediately becomes a little brighter when you read it.”

Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung

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“The basic idea of the book - that an unselfconscious child turns the life of a lonely old man upside down - is not new. But Henn has created characters with great empathy who quickly grow on you.”

Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger

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The Door-to-Door Bookstore