En route to Cabot Lodge in Manapouri, the southernmost point on our trip to New Zealand, we encountered an unexpected detour in the road. It led us past two tiny, brightly colored buildings with a sign out front that read “Two Wee Bookshops.” I had time only to snap a quick picture, and without knowing anything about the business, I vowed to return.

And then, on a shelf in our suite at Cabot Lodge, I came across a hardcover volume titled “The Bookseller at the End of the World,” by Ruth Shaw. I mentioned it to Breidi Alexander, the hotel owner, and she lit up talking about the extraordinary life of Shaw — the owner of the bookshops — chronicled in this autobiography. I purchased the book right then. Inside was an inscription from the author herself:

“So you are staying at the amazing Cabot Lodge. Thank you for being a reader and giving my book a home at your place — from Ruth, Manapouri.”