The Book of Beginnings: The charming and uplifting novel for 2025 from the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Keeper of Stories

I went into this book blind, knowing absolutely nothing about it and what a treasure to encounter! It is a wonderfully creative and original story reflecting the form, nature and value of friendships, whether they are lifelong or fleeting. At its heart lies kindness. Lost and lonely souls find each other, without judgment, and in doing so, they help each other to heal. I particularly enjoyed how unlikely characters formed such strong bonds—Jo, Ruth, and Malcolm, so different in age and in temperament, yet drawn together in genuine connection. This theme was cleverly echoed in Malcolm’s stories of those buried at Highgate Cemetery, where the friends playfully imagined how ghosts might interact if paired together. The idea of these strange, mismatched encounters, among the living and the dead, was a brilliantly executed and captivating concept. The shop (and the notice board) are symbolic centerpieces. Jo’s refuge, initially small and invisible, slowly became a place of stories, voices, and transformation. Through it, she learned about others and about herself, piecing together her life after her painful entanglement with her ex-James. The characters are so colorful and well written; Ruth the runaway vicar, Eric the Viking optician, Caramel Toffee Girl and Malcolm the hesitant ghost-story writer. Even the cemetery and its 100,000 souls felt alive with possibility. This book left me with a truth both simple and profound: sometimes the deepest love is found not in romantic relationships, but in the unlikeliest of friendships.

This was a pleasant read. Not amazing but still enjoyable

The book tells the story of Jo Sorsby who has gratefully taken up the challenge to run her elderly uncle’s stationery shop at a time when she really wants to disappear from her old life. The relationship she thought was going well has ended and, as well as being devastated by the end of the relationship, she is also grieving the possibilities which might have come from it. At the heart of this book is friendship and finding it when you perhaps least expect it. Jo becomes friends with customers of the shop, in particular Ruth ‘the runaway vicar’ and elderly Malcolm who is just beginning to become the person who he always wanted to, especially with the encouragement of his new friends. There’s a lot about love in the book too and I thought what Ruth says at one point is just wonderful “…a best friend can be a lifelong love. There is a fundamental truth, comfort and joy in having a best friend…. All over the earth there are unacknowledged love stories, making the world a better place.” All three main characters are to some extent still trying the find their place in the world and find out just what they want from life. The author writes so beautifully about the yearnings, fears, worries and dreams of her characters and imbues her story with hope. Faith and belief is an important theme too with Ruth obviously living her life according to her faith, Malcolm lost his when younger and Jo just isn’t sure. I appreciated that Ruth never tries to convert her friends but quietly shows how everything she did was influenced by her beliefs. As Jo comes to realise, when Ruth works with those who are sick, scared or bereaved what she really brings to them is hope. I particularly enjoyed the part of the story revolving around Highgate cemetery ghosts. Malcolm has a great interest in those buried in the cemetery whether famous or just an average person. The three friends imagine the ghosts of two of the ‘residents’ meeting and what they would say to each other. It was fascinating to read about the people they had chosen and despite being so different, they all taught Jo, Malcom and Ruth something important about themselves. I loved getting to know Jo, Ruth and Malcolm and seeing how they blossomed as their friendship developed. The Book of Beginnings ends with one of the shortest epilogues I’ve ever seen and it was absolutely perfect! I just adored The Book of Beginnings from beginning to end. It is a gorgeous book full of warmth, emotion, hope and new beginnings. I’m really pleased to hear that Sally Page has another novel due out in August this year and I can’t wait to read that one too.

This warm, slow-moving story set in a quiet stationery shop in North London features three people whose lives need purpose. Jo’s relationship of 6 years has broken down, so time spent in a different location taking care of her uncle’s stationery shop while he is ill, is a welcome change. Despite her reticent nature she begins to make friends with some of her customers and the people in the neighbouring shops. As she orders new fountain pens and interesting notebooks she gets to know Malcolm, an older man who is still in mourning for his mother with whom he has always lived, and then they both become acquainted with Ruth, the “runaway vicar,” who has featured in the news after leaving her parish suddenly. Gradually the three very different characters spend more time together and following Malcolm’s interest in the nearby Highgate cemetery they research some of those who were buried there, imagining their conversations if they met as ghosts. These new friendships cause Jo to attempt mending her broken friendship with her childhood friend, Lucy. As her friend is still in their home in Yorkshire it is difficult to overcome their disagreements but gradually peace is achieved. Meanwhile Jo’s personal relationship with one of her new neighbours goes wrong but Ruth and Malcolm keep her spirits up and we learn a great deal about the lives of people such as George Eliot whose comment, “It is never too late to be what you might have been,” is taken to heart by the three of them. This lovely book has introduced me to Sally Page and I have already ordered her first book, “The Secrets of Flowers.” An amusing, delightful story, “The Book of Beginnings” was a wonderful holiday read.

This was sort of a book of two halves for me. On the one half, there was a beautiful theme weaved throughout on the changing nature of friendship: the pain of growing apart from old friends due to differing life circumstances, the ability to make new friends at any age, and a particularly beautiful storyline focused on intergenerational friendships. It's a good read for anyone struggling with friendship dynamics. I also appreciated the detail around Highgate Cemetery, and the lives of those buried there: it was clearly impeccably researched and I'm sure the author could have written a book on that topic alone. But, on the other hand, the author let herself down by weaving in an unnecessary romance that really made no sense, and adding some Hollywood-esque drama / sensationalism near the end that wasn't needed. It seemed like these elements were added to make the story more appealing for a Hollywood or Hallmark adaptation. For me, that distracted from what the book had done so well: the honest, gentle focus on long-term, new, and intergenerational friendship; and the brilliant research into Highgate. It felt almost as if these unnecessary storylines were written by another author, and that let it down hugely. It's still an easy read, a good book club pick, and a nice exploration on the theme of friendship. Just don't say I didn't warn you when you encounter the unnecessary "I'd like a movie deal please" parts of the story!

I bought this book 2 years ago and for some reason never read it, that’s the problem with buying more than one e-book at a time. Jo had moved from rural Northumberland to London to run her uncle’s stationers shop while he was in hospital. She was heartbroken and unemployed so the move would give her the chance to recover and think about her future. Ruth was also running away, she had been in the news so was keeping a low profile and Malcolm had never been anywhere stuck in a rut because he was scared to do anything out of his routine. Somehow these three people met up and developed a friendship and their lives changed. I found the first chapter a bit slow and almost gave up but I’m glad I persevered. This is a fabulous story of love and friendship and hope and I am going to start the sequel today.

4.5 rounded to 5 stars. Another beautifully poignant tale from Sally Page. I adored the keeper of stories and loved this just as much. It follows Jo , Ruth , Malcom , Eric " the viking " and Lucy ( Jo's best friend) . Jo heads to London for a new start, to look after her Uncles Stationary shop. Jo is 38 and I like she is an older character. Jo has lost herself and isn't really sure what she wants to do with her life. Seemingly losing her best friend Lucy and feeling her dreams of being a mum are out of reach. She makes unlikely friends with Ruth and an elderly gentleman Malcom. Having met Erik and Lando , she relises everyone has a story to tell. As she establishes herself in the shop, she really comes into her own. Helping her customers with writing and encouraging Malcom to write his book he was planning. I absolutely love the use of Highgate Cemetary and how the ghosts of famous people are used in such a unique , imaginative way. Ultimately this is a story of friendship, speaking up for what is important to you, remembering history , dealing with loss and our own ghosts , with lots of love to be found. I was invested in all the characters and really felt for Jo, Ruth and Malcom. I wish the epilogue had been a little longer though!

Loved this book. Interesting how all the characters were knitted together. The stories of each of the characters were moving and thoughtful. Enjoyed the link to Highgate Cemetery, so much that myself and my daughter visited Highgate Cemetery. Amazing place to visit. Definitely recommend the book and the cemetery