The Booklover's Library: A Novel
"A must-read for booklovers." --Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of Next Year in Havana
A heartwarming story about a mother and daughter in wartime England and the power of books that bring them together, by the bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London.
In Nottingham, England, widow Emma Taylor finds herself in desperate need of a job. She and her beloved daughter Olivia have always managed just fine on their own, but with the legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment opportunities, she's left with only one option: persuading the manageress at Boots' Booklover's Library to take a chance on her with a job.
When the threat of war in England becomes a reality, Olivia must be evacuated to the countryside. In the wake of being separated from her daughter, Emma seeks solace in the unlikely friendships she forms with her neighbors and coworkers, and a renewed sense of purpose through the recommendations she provides to the library's quirky regulars. But the job doesn't come without its difficulties. Books are mysteriously misshelved and disappearing and the work at the lending library forces her to confront the memories of her late father and the bookstore they once owned together before a terrible accident.
As the Blitz intensifies in Nottingham and Emma fights to reunite with her daughter, she must learn to depend on her community and the power of literature more than ever to find hope in the darkest of times.
A heartwarming story about a mother and daughter in wartime England and the power of books that bring them together, by the bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London.
In Nottingham, England, widow Emma Taylor finds herself in desperate need of a job. She and her beloved daughter Olivia have always managed just fine on their own, but with the legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment opportunities, she's left with only one option: persuading the manageress at Boots' Booklover's Library to take a chance on her with a job.
When the threat of war in England becomes a reality, Olivia must be evacuated to the countryside. In the wake of being separated from her daughter, Emma seeks solace in the unlikely friendships she forms with her neighbors and coworkers, and a renewed sense of purpose through the recommendations she provides to the library's quirky regulars. But the job doesn't come without its difficulties. Books are mysteriously misshelved and disappearing and the work at the lending library forces her to confront the memories of her late father and the bookstore they once owned together before a terrible accident.
As the Blitz intensifies in Nottingham and Emma fights to reunite with her daughter, she must learn to depend on her community and the power of literature more than ever to find hope in the darkest of times.
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Community Reviews
I absolutely loved this book; I haven't read other books by this author before but plan to as she has an amazing way of writing her characters that you immediately fall into their world. I love all the mentions of other books throughout, especially Anne of Green Gables as it is my favourite book as well and I related to Olivia's joy in her love for the book.
Such a heartwarming and emotional historical fiction! England in the 1940s isn't easy for a single mother. Besides being turned down for any chance of employment and being treated as a societal burden, Emma has to ensure both she and her daughter survive the constant German bomb raids in her hometown. Life changing events begin to unfold starting one fateful day Emma decides to enter the lending library.
This book reveals many of the sacrifices made & the reality of what it was like living through WW2 raids such as the London Blitz. I fell in love with each and every character's quirks and personalities. If you like historical fiction, this is a must!
A widow and her young daughter live through challenging times in WWII Britain, sharing love and finding a supportive community.
I liked the book. I loved the characters. I just found it to be a little predictable. Not a bad thing… it is just me. I would recommend this book.
Set in 1930’s England, Emma’s family owned book shop is lost to a fire. Facing heartbreaking challenges, she lands the best job imaginable at a lending library selecting books for their clientele. This library becomes a lifeline for both the employees and their patrons as the war looms with the constant fear of bombings. Ever resilient, Emma learns to find joy amongst a life of uncertainty. If WW2 historical fiction is your genre, then this is your book.
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