The Lost Book of the Grail

The Lost Book of the Grail: A Novel
“King Arthur's Knights had been the first book Arthur had read late at night under the covers with a torch...it was he supposed, thinking back on it, the first book that had showed him what reading was really all about.” 
Charlie Lovett, The Lost Book of the Grail

This book is perfect for book lovers! Charlie Lovett is a former antiquarian bookseller, and it shows in this novel. A breathtaking fictional account of a search for the buried mysteries surrounding  a small cathedral in England.  Arthur, the main character, has a cathedral library of old vellum manuscripts basically to himself. The descriptions of the process of making the vellum, the feel of the ink on the page, the smell, and the history of the area is intoxicating. 

The story begins with a promise to his grandfather, an unbelievable mystery, and an unfinished guide book. When Bethany shows up to digitize the library Arthur is slow to convert to the idea that worthwhile information should be found online. Thus kicks of a fun love/hate romance plot.  Arthur's love of the library and "real books" is captured in his anger at the renaming of the library to the "Media Center."  It made me want to real a lot of old books! 4 Stars