Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “The Paper House” by Barbara Josselsohn, Bookouture, 2026

I love everything about “The Paper House” by Barbara Josselsohn, the Author. “The Paper House” is a captivating, memorable, heartfelt, and thought-provoking Historical Fiction novel with Magical Realism.

Do you think the pen is mightier than the sword? Once upon a time, I wrote all kinds of letters and notes by hand. I wrote to parents of the children in my class, concentrating on their positive strengths. I wrote Thank you notes and cards, Holiday Notes and Cards, Notes of Appreciation, Love notes,lists and more. There was no computer, and often I wrote letters to relatives that lived far away. If I were upset, I would write notes down and kept a diary. I loved pretty paper and pens and pencils of all colors. Recently after a 6 day stay in the hospital, I hand wrote a letter of appreciation and thanks to a Doctor that went above and beyond what other doctors did, and typed a letter on the computer and sent it to the Hospital Board. The children in my class wrote thank you notes to the Firefighters and Police on 9/11. There was magic in the writing, sending, and reading notes. This book resonates deeply with me, as I feel that the power of writing and keeping memories is so important.

Barbara Josselsohn vividly describes a quaint town, with older Historical homes. One of the homes had a special store where people would come to write letters and write their feelings and thoughts. The original owner would mail them, and those letters that were written to loved ones, not living anymore stayed in the shop. When Kayla’s great Aunt Tillie passes away, the house and store is inherited by Kayla. There are rumors of ghosts, and especially a baby ghost in the house. Ben, the man in the store across the street reminds Kayla of a young love. The author describes Great Aunt Tillie, and her life during the war, and how she helped a young doctor write letters for sick patients, and would say a Hebrew prayer. Kayla realizes that Tillie had secrets, and she finds clues in letters that Tillie wrote.

This is a well written book and well told story, with a magical feel. I highly recommend this book to others.