Magical Escapism 

Old Books on Front Street shares winter reads that whisk you from North Carolina’s cozy corners to kingdoms of imagination

By Gwenyfar Rholer

With the days shortening and the weather turning blustery, it’s time to hunker down with a good book and hibernate. More and more lately, I find myself craving a little escapism—especially from my cellphone.

The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison
North Carolina native Sarah Addison Allen’s books of magical realism continue to call me back, but of all her novels, “The Girl Who Chased the Moon” is the one I love most. Maybe it’s the house with wallpaper that changes designs based on its inhabitants’ emotions—a charming concept that feels like something my own home might do. Or maybe I just want to believe in a world where happy endings exist, and people heal from their pain. Either way, Allen always takes her readers on a cozy and delightful journey toward a happier life for her characters.

Sweet Danger by Margery Allingham
Margery Allingham remains my favorite of the “Four Queens of Crime” (Allingham, Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers and Ngaio Marsh). Her sleuth, Albert Campion, finds himself in absurd but captivating exploits—so far removed from anything resembling my own life that I can’t help but escape into them frequently. My favorite, “Sweet Danger,” follows Campion as he attempts to resurrect a defunct kingdom along 86 acres of Adriatic coastline during World War II. The adventure brings him into contact with the Fitton family, the long-lost rightful heirs to the tiny nation, now living in genteel poverty in rural England while battling mobsters and black magic. It’s funny, fast-paced, and a page-turner in every way—with an unexpected romantic twist at the end.

Spell Booked by Joyce and Jim Lavene
For pure absurdity set in Wilmington, look no further than “Spell Booked,” the first in the Retired Witches Mysteries series by Joyce and Jim Lavene. Three witches own an occult and curio shop that seems clearly inspired by Down to Earth in the Cotton Exchange. Beyond the fantasy elements, I’m endlessly entertained by the abundance of free parking on Water Street and the notion that a waitress brings a check to your table at the end of your meal at Flaming Amy’s Burrito Barn. Still, it’s the Lavenes’ witty dialogue, clever characters, and twisty plots that keep me coming back, even more than the local setting.

Wildwood by Colin Meloy
For whimsy and adventure, “Wildwood” by Colin Meloy—yes, of the indie band The Decemberists—has my attention right now. I’ve long adored illustrator Carson Ellis’ work, which is what first drew me to the book. In “Wildwood,” two middle school-aged characters set out to rescue a baby brother kidnapped by anthropomorphic animals in a forest near Portland, Oregon. It’s a classic rescue tale that’s being adapted into a stop-motion animated film by Laika, the studio behind “Coraline,” scheduled for release in 2026. Though I’m looking forward to the movie, the book—and Ellis’ enchanting illustrations—will always hold a special place for me.

Visit Old Books on Front St., 249 N. Front St., this season. The shop is open every day except Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.