The Story Collector: The brand new page-turning novel from the author of the smash hit bestseller 'The Lost Bookshop': A Magical Dual Timeline Novel ... Author of The Lost Bookshop for 2025

An amazing book,. Writing style is bit different but that is what makes it more interesting

In 'The Story Collector' by Evie Woods we follow Sarah in 2011 and Anna in 1911 and the story went by very swiftly. Sarah lives in Manhattan, New York where as Anna lives on a farm in the village near Thornwood, Ireland. Sarah comes across the hundred year old dairy of Anna and the story continues which so much literature and fun of fairies that Anna and Harold used to interview back in their time. The book is a perfect blend of magic, fairies and folklore with the everyday life. This diary helps Sarah overcome her shortfalls and also deal with grief. The descriptions given by the author makes this book very atmospheric and is unputdownable. - Historical Fiction - Fantasy, Romance - Books about Books - Magical Realism - Dual timelines - Irish Folklore - Bittersweet ending

My 12 year old read the first book in the series, but wasn’t very keen for the sequel. But after reading this one, he said this book/story is much better than the first one .

Books condition is very and i am really excited to read it but i wish i could get a bookmark with it 😕 😫 😩.

If you're looking for a cozy read with a touch of cozy, The Story Collector by Evie Woods delivers an enchanting tale set in the lush landscapes of Ireland - imbued with personal healing, magic and folkore. Through the novel’s dual timelines—Sara’s journey in 2011 and Anna’s story from 1911—Woods intertwines the lives of two women whose experiences, though separated by time, mirror one another in poignant and unexpected ways- bridging a century. The novel opens with Sara Harper, a woman struggling with personal trauma, who embarks on an impromptu trip to Ireland. Her journey is not just a geographical one but a quest for emotional recovery. Upon arriving, Sara stumbles upon a diary belonging to Anna, a young farm girl from a century earlier. Anna’s story unfolds as she assists an American visitor in translating Irish folklore, and she soon becomes entangled in a mystery. Anna’s storyline, set in 1911, is richly detailed and the incorporation of Irish folklore adds an additional layer of mystique, blending history with the supernatural. In contrast, Sara’s modern-day narrative, while thematically significant, lacks the same depth of characterization. While Sara’s emotional journey of healing has the potential to resonate, her portrayal feels somewhat one-dimensional. Furthermore, the romantic subplot in Sara’s storyline is the insta-like trope, which feels rushed and superficial. Rather than adorning the narrative, it appears as a filler and I much rather liked to know about Anna's story more. Nevertheless, the transitions between past and present are smooth, and the similarities and connections between Anna and Sara are felt through the pages— their shared sense of isolation and their search for belonging—are thoughtfully constructed. I would definitely love to read more from the author.

This book takes us to a quiet Irish village where past and present slowly entwine. The novel follows two women - Anna, a farm girl from a century ago, and Sarah, a modern-day woman seeking answers. Anna becomes involved in translating Irish fairy stories with a visiting American, only to find herself caught in a mystery that unsettles her world. Sarah, arriving in Ireland from New York, unravels secrets that feel both deeply personal and strangely mystical. Through these two timelines, the story gently reveals how folklore, memory, and loss can ripple across generations. There’s something quietly powerful about the way Evie lets the landscape speak. I found myself slowing down as I read, the pace encouraging me to really notice the mood she creates. The writing carries a soft, lyrical quality that fits the setting perfectly. There’s an authenticity to the way the folklore is handled that never feels forced. The magical realism hits hard. This is a masterful blend of plot, character, and atmosphere with a vivid landscape that draws the reader in. The book cover, gorgeous and inviting, mirrors the tone of the story itself: gentle, a little wistful, but also quietly radiant. The warmth and quiet magic in this story made it a memorable read, and I can see myself soon picking up another novel from the author.

"The Story Collector" by Evie Woods is such a mesmerising read that it had me engrossed right from the beginning! The story begins with Sarah Harper, who after a bad time in her life decides to go home to Boston for Christmas but ends up boarding a flight to the West Coast of Ireland. There she discovers a real magical treasure - a diary that is hidden in a tree almost 100 years old belonging to a young woman named Anna from 1910. As Sarah reads Anna’s diary, she’s exposed to a world of Irish folklore and fairytales and some dark secrets from the past. The story alternates between Sarah in 2010 and Anna in 1910, and the way their stories intertwine is simply incredible. Both of them are searching for themselves, learning how to cope with their personal difficulties and finding unexpected connections between their lives. One of the main themes in the story is how Sarah overcomes her past and faces new opportunities in her life, while Anna experience the concept of love and social pressure during her time.Their connection feels so genuine. The writing is so beautifully crafted making the story feel realistic. I loved Anna’s story, with her encounters with 'The Good People' (fairies) being especially intriguing, and you can’t help but get caught up in the mystery and wonder of it all. The book isn't just about folklore; it's also about healing, self-discovery, and finding hope in unexpected places. If you are looking for a book with mystery and a dash of magic, then I really think that this is the one for you. I loved every part of it and highly recommend it!

Perfect… wonderful story.

The Story Collector took me to a far away place that I’ve only dreamt about. I was easily drawn in to this mystic realm. I felt there was a deeper connection between the characters in the story than what was revealed, which leaves much to the imagination. I was surprised by the ending because it didn’t answer all of my questions. I want to know so much more, but that’s also the beauty of it all - getting swept away by the unknown. Life is like that. The Story Collector is unlike anything I’ve read before and I’d enjoy getting to know more about those who inspired this interesting and captivating work!

Amazing book. A delight. You're gonna love it!

Tolles Buch

The Story Collector is a delightful, gentle story about the joy of folklore and magic. We have two timelines: the present (set in 2011) when our protoganist Sarah Harper finds herself making a rather impulsive decision to escape the stresses in her life and hide out in Ireland over the Christmas holidays. Arriving without any plans or accommodation, she finds herself in a fictional village near Shannon, and with the assistance of the locals, is soon staying in a traditional cottage called Butlers. While meandering around the locale, Sarah comes across a diary belong to a young girl called Anna, written 100 years earlier. The diary details the visit of an American scholar called Harold Krauss. Krauss has arrived in Ireland to study the mythology/beliefs surrounding fairies or Good People. As Sarah reads about the events from a century earlier and the tragic outcome, she learns to cope with her own past. The Story Collector is a particulary unusual novel, with much of our story spent on learning about the mythology of the Good People and should prove fascinating to anyone with an interest in this topic. The author, Evie Woods has mentioned that her storyline was inspired by an American anthropologist, WY Evans Wentz, who came to Ireland in the early 1900s to complete his thesis on the Celtic Fairy Faith. And indeed, her love of mythology and research shines through. This is a gentle tale that acts as both as a lovestory to Ireland's past and also integrates the mythology into the contemporary storyline. There is a bittersweet ending and some questions are left unanswered, such as how the diary come to be left in the box, but this adds to the overall sense of mystery of the novel, rather than taking from the tale.