Bound Together Book Club
A novel making buzz in the book world today is “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi. Originally self-published by the author, the novel gained momentum, leading to a major acquisition by Atria Books (Simon & Schuster) for republication in late 2025. The novel tells the story of an 86-year-old widower finding beauty in the fictional town of Golden, Georgia.
Theo is a kind Portuguese stranger who arrives in the small town of Golden and visits a coffee shop where 92 pencil portraits line the walls. Theo begins purchasing these portraits and, one by one, returns them to their subjects. He plans to meet the “rightful owners” on a bench by a fountain in the center of town. With each exchange, a meaningful story is shared and friendships are born. Lives are transformed when they meet Theo.
The popularity of this story is understandable. The story of giving and receiving, of seeing and being seen, grips the reader’s heart. Levi has beautifully crafted a novel about the power of generosity, the importance of wonder, human connection and creating small acts of kindness.
I read this novel twice last year. Yes, it is that good. The first time I read it independently, and the second time was for a book club selection. I highly recommend it as a book club pick, as it generates thoughtful questions and meaningful conversation. Book club questions are available on Levi’s website.
Without offering a spoiler alert, this novel contains key events and revelations that bring about changes in the lives of the people of Golden.
Allen Levi, an attorney, judge, singer-songwriter and author, lives near a small town in middle Georgia. “Theo of Golden” is his first novel.
I was intrigued enough by this book to dig deeper and discovered there is a coffee shop in Columbus, Georgia, that inspired Levi in his creation of “The Chalice,” the fictional coffee shop in the novel. On a recent road trip, I convinced my husband we needed to visit Fountain City Coffee. Sure enough, pencil portraits lined the walls. I sat at a table in “book reader heaven” and sipped my latte, thinking how amazing it is that someone could look at a wall of random portraits and create such an incredible story.
“Theo of Golden” will stay with you long after you finish the book. It is a solid five-star read for me. A sequel, “Ellen of Golden,” is coming.
