Ruth Shaw expertly brings together sketches from her bookshops in scenic New Zealand, reflections on her favorite books and touching stories from her rich and varied life. She served in the navy, was a cook, a nurse, a housekeeper, an entrepreneur, and a cruise ship captain. ... Steady, active, emotional, able to withstand the blows of fate, Ruth sailed the Pacific Ocean, fell into the clutches of pirates, worked in the criminal Sydney area of Kings Cross, became a conservationist and, together with her husband Lance, sailed on the sailing ship Breaksea Girl, a capable transport passengers to the sub-Antarctic islands. At the same time, Ruth’s love has always been books - one of the best inventions of mankind, books that keep the warmth of the hands of previous generations, give food for the mind, make you laugh and cry, allow you to escape from worries or, conversely, to become imbued with the destinies of others, think and be compassionate. The cozy shops she created in Manapouri become a real attraction for children and adults, men and women, locals and tourists. After reading this sincere book, you will surely want to know more about Ruth and her amazing homeland.