You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is not the average WWII historic fiction novel. To begin with, it is about a small town in Maine. Home front stories predominately focus on Britain or related countries. To find one set in the U.S.is a little unusual. Here, we follow four women and their friends, family and community through their adjustment to the new world.
Avis’ brother, Anthony, has been the librarian in Derby, Maine for almost 20 years. The Library operates with subscriptions but it is primarily funded by donations from one woman. Anthony is very concerned about what might happen while he is away in the War. So he convinces Avis to temporarily take the job and care for his Library. Louise is an aging spinster who has made the well-being of Derby her life’s work but at the same rime she stays one step removed from the real people. She is convinced by the mayor that the biggest need in Derby is a child care center for the Factory workers so they could work more hours. so she decides unilaterally decides to close the Library and renovate the building for use as a child care center.
In order to convince Louise that the Library is necessary for the community Avis needs to show how important the Library. She invents a Book Club. Along with Avis and Louise and Avis, two women from the Factory join as well. Ginny’s family had lived on the beachfront for generations until the U.S. Navy requisitions their land to construct a naval base. Ginny is obsessed with earning money so that when the War is over, she can buy it back. Martina is an Italian mother of two desperately trying to keep away from a violent husband. None of the book club members are great readers when they start but as the. Club grows and they take part in the club discussions, each one finds a real reader was inside them all along. When the women dismantle the Library collection, they find a final letter to Louise from her father. He sums it up well.
“For I have found that books make fine friends
– but fellow readers even better.”
From The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Avis is battling a rocky marriage. Ginny is dealing with a broken family and looking for direction. Louise has a painful past and is trying to keep up her perfect image. Freddy is in search of meaning after becoming injured in the war. Finally, Martina is running from an abusive husband and trying to start new for her children. Every single one has their own unique personality that comes off clearly and distinctly throughout the entire book. I came to really enjoy each person's backstory and quirks.
As they navigate this time of war together, they begin to care and help one another, bonded by the book club they attend. The backstories begin to come forward and all secrets are unraveled. Charming and extremely well developed, this novel intertwines lives through a love for books and the special bond between friends. Even in the harsh times of WWII, the light of sacrifice and special act of love shine in this book. I heard the audiobook and the narrator did a great job keeping the personalities of the characters in the book alive. One thing I did not like about it was that there was no clear indication that this was a Christian book. Some mentions of prayer and church attendance are mentioned, but that is as far as it goes. There was even angst against God at times that were not resolved. For that, I took off a star in my rating.
Overall, this novel was enjoyable and it will definitely touch your heart. The themes of friendship, forgiveness and sacrifice are heartwarming. Clean book, war time violence and themes mentioned but very mild. Mild stalking and abuse from spouse.
As they navigate this time of war together, they begin to care and help one another, bonded by the book club they attend. The backstories begin to come forward and all secrets are unraveled. Charming and extremely well developed, this novel intertwines lives through a love for books and the special bond between friends. Even in the harsh times of WWII, the light of sacrifice and special act of love shine in this book. I heard the audiobook and the narrator did a great job keeping the personalities of the characters in the book alive. One thing I did not like about it was that there was no clear indication that this was a Christian book. Some mentions of prayer and church attendance are mentioned, but that is as far as it goes. There was even angst against God at times that were not resolved. For that, I took off a star in my rating.
Overall, this novel was enjoyable and it will definitely touch your heart. The themes of friendship, forgiveness and sacrifice are heartwarming. Clean book, war time violence and themes mentioned but very mild. Mild stalking and abuse from spouse.
I finished reading this gem of a book yesterday and immediately had to post the most beautiful quote from it to my stories. In case you missed it, this pretty much sums up the heart of this book:
“I have found that books make fine friends—but fellow readers even better.”
This book is set in Maine during World War II, where a book club is formed in the small town of Derby. The founding members are a rag-tag bunch from all ages, genders and walks of life, and yet they find that literature unites them. What’s more, they find that the books they read together give insights into their own lives and those around them.
Told through the lens of 4 women, I found that by the end of the book I was invested in each of their unique stories - their successes and struggles. And, I mean, what’s better than a book about books?!?
This is a piece of WWII history that I didn’t know much about, and the insight into the American war experience was really interesting. I also really appreciated the use of letters and journal entries that interspersed the prose.
But what I think I most appreciated was the commentary on the dignified giving of charity. There are circumstances where even the best of intentions to help someone in need can actually cause more harm. That, and sometimes no amount of money can solve a problem without also investing time into building relationships. As someone who works in a not-for-profit charity, I was thankful for this insight…social work isn’t always black and white.
Thanks so much to @bethanyhousefiction for this complimentary copy to review. All thoughts and insights are my own.
“I have found that books make fine friends—but fellow readers even better.”
This book is set in Maine during World War II, where a book club is formed in the small town of Derby. The founding members are a rag-tag bunch from all ages, genders and walks of life, and yet they find that literature unites them. What’s more, they find that the books they read together give insights into their own lives and those around them.
Told through the lens of 4 women, I found that by the end of the book I was invested in each of their unique stories - their successes and struggles. And, I mean, what’s better than a book about books?!?
This is a piece of WWII history that I didn’t know much about, and the insight into the American war experience was really interesting. I also really appreciated the use of letters and journal entries that interspersed the prose.
But what I think I most appreciated was the commentary on the dignified giving of charity. There are circumstances where even the best of intentions to help someone in need can actually cause more harm. That, and sometimes no amount of money can solve a problem without also investing time into building relationships. As someone who works in a not-for-profit charity, I was thankful for this insight…social work isn’t always black and white.
Thanks so much to @bethanyhousefiction for this complimentary copy to review. All thoughts and insights are my own.
I have enjoyed Amy Lynn Green's two previous novels, and this third one is excellent as well. Although each of her books so far focuses on World War II, they all cover unique and different elements of the home front experience, involving authentic period details and different little-known impacts of the war. The Blackout Book Club focuses on regional concerns in Maine, such as U-Boats off the coast, and explores different themes related to the main characters' relationships and problems. The chapters rotate between different points of view, but each woman has such a distinct voice that I always knew whose perspective I was reading from, and I found each of the narratives fully engaging. I did predict one major plot twist, but I don't think it needs to be a surprise. It's enjoyable to see the details come together over time.
It's a delightful twist on book-related stories that Avis is only in charge of the library because her librarian brother is deployed. Her initial disinterest in reading creates amusing conflicts throughout the story, and keeps this from becoming another novel that leans on stereotypes or panders to librarians. The book-related elements were a delight to me, because they all felt so realistic and genuine. This novel celebrates the power of books to bring people together in a way that feels real instead of sentimental. I love how Green wrote about each book club meeting through the characters' irreverently written meeting minutes. I laughed so much at the humorous observations and clever takes on things that people said, and I appreciate how the characters reflect a variety of opinions, genre preferences, and reactions to books.
This story is very character-driven, and there isn't a lot of action, so if someone is looking for something more suspenseful, they might want to try [b:The Lines Between Us|57002479|The Lines Between Us|Amy Lynn Green|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614215761l/57002479._SY75_.jpg|89169761], Green's previous novel. However, I really enjoyed the slow-paced, thoughtful story, since the characters and their relationships were all so convincing. Some readers will want to be aware that one of the subplots involves estrangement from an emotionally abusive spouse, if that is something that is sensitive for them, but the story handles this in a realistic, constructive way and doesn't sensationalize the issue. Also, I appreciate how Green offset that subplot through another character's marriage struggles, which reflect normal ups and downs without abuse. It's helpful to compare the two, and to see the nuanced representation of marriage, since so many other books end with a proposal or a wedding and don't engage with the challenges of building a life together afterwards.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys character-driven historical dramas. Although this book comes from a Christian publisher, there is nothing preachy about it, and there is no reason why secular readers wouldn't enjoy this as well. There are occasional references to the characters' faith and thoughts about God in a way that is authentic to their lives and the time period, but there is nothing preachy or message-driven about the book. I would recommend this to anyone who finds the premise appealing.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
It's a delightful twist on book-related stories that Avis is only in charge of the library because her librarian brother is deployed. Her initial disinterest in reading creates amusing conflicts throughout the story, and keeps this from becoming another novel that leans on stereotypes or panders to librarians. The book-related elements were a delight to me, because they all felt so realistic and genuine. This novel celebrates the power of books to bring people together in a way that feels real instead of sentimental. I love how Green wrote about each book club meeting through the characters' irreverently written meeting minutes. I laughed so much at the humorous observations and clever takes on things that people said, and I appreciate how the characters reflect a variety of opinions, genre preferences, and reactions to books.
This story is very character-driven, and there isn't a lot of action, so if someone is looking for something more suspenseful, they might want to try [b:The Lines Between Us|57002479|The Lines Between Us|Amy Lynn Green|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1614215761l/57002479._SY75_.jpg|89169761], Green's previous novel. However, I really enjoyed the slow-paced, thoughtful story, since the characters and their relationships were all so convincing. Some readers will want to be aware that one of the subplots involves estrangement from an emotionally abusive spouse, if that is something that is sensitive for them, but the story handles this in a realistic, constructive way and doesn't sensationalize the issue. Also, I appreciate how Green offset that subplot through another character's marriage struggles, which reflect normal ups and downs without abuse. It's helpful to compare the two, and to see the nuanced representation of marriage, since so many other books end with a proposal or a wedding and don't engage with the challenges of building a life together afterwards.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys character-driven historical dramas. Although this book comes from a Christian publisher, there is nothing preachy about it, and there is no reason why secular readers wouldn't enjoy this as well. There are occasional references to the characters' faith and thoughts about God in a way that is authentic to their lives and the time period, but there is nothing preachy or message-driven about the book. I would recommend this to anyone who finds the premise appealing.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This was another great book by Amy Lynn Green! I enjoyed this story so much! I love character driven stories and Amy does them so well.
In this book, we get multiple point of views— Avis’s, Ginny’s, Martina’s, and Louise’s. While it took me a few chapters to get familiar with each of these women, I found that I really enjoyed that this book was slower-paced. I loved getting to know each of the characters and their stories as the story unfolded. I had fun reading about the book club and how books brought these people together. I love books that focus primarily on friendship which is one reason I really enjoyed this story! There was always something interesting happening which kept me invested in the story.
I liked all of these characters! I like that they were all different and unique in their own ways. It took me a while to warm up to Louise and Avis but they both had great character development. I loved the side characters as well particularly Freddy! He was great and is probably even my favorite character in the book although I loved Ginny and Martina too! Martina was a great character and had great character development as well.
This book had great humor, interesting history, and lovable characters. The faith content in this book is subtle and I would have enjoyed a bit more but I really enjoyed when it was present.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed this book! It had a lot of the elements that I like in a good book such as a small town setting, interesting history, a bookish plot, and great writing. If you enjoy inspiring, character-driven books set during WW2, I think you’ll really enjoy The Blackout Book Club! ☺️
*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy! All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
In this book, we get multiple point of views— Avis’s, Ginny’s, Martina’s, and Louise’s. While it took me a few chapters to get familiar with each of these women, I found that I really enjoyed that this book was slower-paced. I loved getting to know each of the characters and their stories as the story unfolded. I had fun reading about the book club and how books brought these people together. I love books that focus primarily on friendship which is one reason I really enjoyed this story! There was always something interesting happening which kept me invested in the story.
I liked all of these characters! I like that they were all different and unique in their own ways. It took me a while to warm up to Louise and Avis but they both had great character development. I loved the side characters as well particularly Freddy! He was great and is probably even my favorite character in the book although I loved Ginny and Martina too! Martina was a great character and had great character development as well.
This book had great humor, interesting history, and lovable characters. The faith content in this book is subtle and I would have enjoyed a bit more but I really enjoyed when it was present.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed this book! It had a lot of the elements that I like in a good book such as a small town setting, interesting history, a bookish plot, and great writing. If you enjoy inspiring, character-driven books set during WW2, I think you’ll really enjoy The Blackout Book Club! ☺️
*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy! All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, War
Minor: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In the fictional town of Derby, Maine, Avis finds herself in charge of the town library when her brother Anthony, the actual librarian, goes off to fight in WWII. Avis doesn’t even like reading, nor does she like the owner/sponsor of the library, Louise Cavendish. But she’s bound to keep an eye on the place for her brother.
In a moment of trying to keep Louise from closing the library to turn it into a nursery school, Avis says she’s starting a book club, to support the new blackouts, keeping people inside at night. Cursing herself, Avis embarks on having a book club at the library, originally attended by herself, Louise, Ginny, a young woman who moved to Derby to work at the foundry after her parents’s land was expropriated by the government; and Martina, an Italian-American, Ginny’s coworker, and a single mother hiding from a cruel husband. The four women all have their secrets, and don’t completely jive, but the book club sticks. And grows. Until it’s a touchstone for them all…just as the deadline for the close of the library approaches.
This was very sweet. Green creates a vibrant little town, four very distinct narrators, and portrays their relationships convincingly. It’s cozy, and full of plucky war spirit, as well as the complexities of life as women in the 1940s. A good chunk was pretty predictable but it was a very pleasant book all around. I probably won’t remember it, which is fine. Still a good way to spend an afternoon.
I received this ARC via NetGalley.
In a moment of trying to keep Louise from closing the library to turn it into a nursery school, Avis says she’s starting a book club, to support the new blackouts, keeping people inside at night. Cursing herself, Avis embarks on having a book club at the library, originally attended by herself, Louise, Ginny, a young woman who moved to Derby to work at the foundry after her parents’s land was expropriated by the government; and Martina, an Italian-American, Ginny’s coworker, and a single mother hiding from a cruel husband. The four women all have their secrets, and don’t completely jive, but the book club sticks. And grows. Until it’s a touchstone for them all…just as the deadline for the close of the library approaches.
This was very sweet. Green creates a vibrant little town, four very distinct narrators, and portrays their relationships convincingly. It’s cozy, and full of plucky war spirit, as well as the complexities of life as women in the 1940s. A good chunk was pretty predictable but it was a very pleasant book all around. I probably won’t remember it, which is fine. Still a good way to spend an afternoon.
I received this ARC via NetGalley.
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
In a Nutshell: Set during the WWII period but not like any typical WWII fiction. This is a story of friendships, relationships and bonding over books. Interesting characters. Appealing plot. Enjoyed this a lot.
Story Synopsis:
1942, Derby, Maine. Avis Montgomery, who prefers women’s magazines to books, is suddenly thrust into the role of the head librarian as a replacement for her brother who has signed up for active service. When the owner of the library reveals plans to shut it down for other war efforts, Avis invents a ‘Blackout Book Club’ to keep the library open. Now all she needs is people to join the impromptu book club.
Along with Avis, we have Ginny – a young girl determined to buy back her Long Island home from the government by any means possible, Martina – a mother looking for a fresh start for herself and her kids in a new town, and Louise – a wealthy spinster who is adamant about her beliefs. The story is written in the third person perspective of these four characters.
Where the book worked for me:
😍 My favourite part of this book was everything connected to the book club. As I am a member of a book club myself, I know how tricky it is to select the right book, get the right discussion questions, and keep a majority of members satisfied. The discussions of the Blackout Book Club won my heart with their true-to-life depiction. I loved how the author doesn’t just stop at saying that they discussed XYZ book but also incorporates the selection method and the actual discussion into the story, and that too, without becoming repetitive. If you have already read the books being discussed (which you will in most cases, as they are popular classic titles), you will enjoy the perspectives presented. I could write a lot more about the book club but I want you to experience it for yourself.
😍 The author’s research seems to be impeccable. The references to the pop culture of that era seem perfect, as is her depiction of their lifestyle and beliefs.
😍 The four women at the forefront are memorable. Each has a distinct personality, and it is fun to see how much they grow over the course of the story. The best part was that none of them were shown as perfect but realistic.
😍 While the book is set across the homes and work places of the four key characters, the best scenes were the ones in the Cavendish library. What bibliophile wouldn’t love the depiction of such an extensive and reader-friendly library! I also loved the way the story highlighted the role of librarians in an era prior to the Internet.
😍 As a Christian fiction, there are plenty of Christian elements in the writing. These are incorporated in the way I appreciate – rather than simply quoting biblical verses, the characters embody the true spirit of Christianity through their acts of fellowship and charity. I always love it when Christian deeds are prioritised over mere words.
😍 There are subtle shades of feminism in the story, not common for a WWII novel. The patriarchal vocabulary such as “manning the desk” or a dog being “man’s best friend” is also not spared.
😍 As far as I can recollect, I haven’t read a WWII story set in Maine. I liked this unusual perspective as it had many new details to offer.
😍 That said, this isn’t like a typical WWII fiction at all. While the war is going on, and does form a background to most of the events, it stays just there – in the background. The focus is firmly on the characters and their interactions within and without the book club. I appreciated this even more because I have become a tad saturated of WWII fiction lately, as almost all authors seem to follow a predefined formula. Not this one!
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😕 With four main characters, the start of the book was a little rocky for me as I took time to identity who was who and who was related to whom. It took me a while to get into the groove of the book. Once I could remember the characters, the going became a lot easier. The third person writing helps tremendously. I might not have had this issue if I had had the physical or digital book.
The audiobook experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 12 hrs 20 minutes, is narrated excellently by Leah Horowitz. She embodies the spirit of each character well and gives them a distinct voice and personality through her narration. I enjoyed her performance thoroughly. However, as I said, the initial 10-15% is confusing because of the number of characters. There is also a flashback timeline in Louise’s narration. So if you are an audiobook newbie, stick to reading this.
After a long time, I have enjoyed a WWII story this much. Its focus on the importance of books and libraries, plus its strong female lead characters make it a must read. Definitely recommended for fans of the genre. I will definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author.
4.5 stars.
My thanks to RB Media and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Blackout Book Club”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
Story Synopsis:
1942, Derby, Maine. Avis Montgomery, who prefers women’s magazines to books, is suddenly thrust into the role of the head librarian as a replacement for her brother who has signed up for active service. When the owner of the library reveals plans to shut it down for other war efforts, Avis invents a ‘Blackout Book Club’ to keep the library open. Now all she needs is people to join the impromptu book club.
Along with Avis, we have Ginny – a young girl determined to buy back her Long Island home from the government by any means possible, Martina – a mother looking for a fresh start for herself and her kids in a new town, and Louise – a wealthy spinster who is adamant about her beliefs. The story is written in the third person perspective of these four characters.
Where the book worked for me:
😍 My favourite part of this book was everything connected to the book club. As I am a member of a book club myself, I know how tricky it is to select the right book, get the right discussion questions, and keep a majority of members satisfied. The discussions of the Blackout Book Club won my heart with their true-to-life depiction. I loved how the author doesn’t just stop at saying that they discussed XYZ book but also incorporates the selection method and the actual discussion into the story, and that too, without becoming repetitive. If you have already read the books being discussed (which you will in most cases, as they are popular classic titles), you will enjoy the perspectives presented. I could write a lot more about the book club but I want you to experience it for yourself.
😍 The author’s research seems to be impeccable. The references to the pop culture of that era seem perfect, as is her depiction of their lifestyle and beliefs.
😍 The four women at the forefront are memorable. Each has a distinct personality, and it is fun to see how much they grow over the course of the story. The best part was that none of them were shown as perfect but realistic.
😍 While the book is set across the homes and work places of the four key characters, the best scenes were the ones in the Cavendish library. What bibliophile wouldn’t love the depiction of such an extensive and reader-friendly library! I also loved the way the story highlighted the role of librarians in an era prior to the Internet.
😍 As a Christian fiction, there are plenty of Christian elements in the writing. These are incorporated in the way I appreciate – rather than simply quoting biblical verses, the characters embody the true spirit of Christianity through their acts of fellowship and charity. I always love it when Christian deeds are prioritised over mere words.
😍 There are subtle shades of feminism in the story, not common for a WWII novel. The patriarchal vocabulary such as “manning the desk” or a dog being “man’s best friend” is also not spared.
😍 As far as I can recollect, I haven’t read a WWII story set in Maine. I liked this unusual perspective as it had many new details to offer.
😍 That said, this isn’t like a typical WWII fiction at all. While the war is going on, and does form a background to most of the events, it stays just there – in the background. The focus is firmly on the characters and their interactions within and without the book club. I appreciated this even more because I have become a tad saturated of WWII fiction lately, as almost all authors seem to follow a predefined formula. Not this one!
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😕 With four main characters, the start of the book was a little rocky for me as I took time to identity who was who and who was related to whom. It took me a while to get into the groove of the book. Once I could remember the characters, the going became a lot easier. The third person writing helps tremendously. I might not have had this issue if I had had the physical or digital book.
The audiobook experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 12 hrs 20 minutes, is narrated excellently by Leah Horowitz. She embodies the spirit of each character well and gives them a distinct voice and personality through her narration. I enjoyed her performance thoroughly. However, as I said, the initial 10-15% is confusing because of the number of characters. There is also a flashback timeline in Louise’s narration. So if you are an audiobook newbie, stick to reading this.
After a long time, I have enjoyed a WWII story this much. Its focus on the importance of books and libraries, plus its strong female lead characters make it a must read. Definitely recommended for fans of the genre. I will definitely keep an eye out for more books by this author.
4.5 stars.
My thanks to RB Media and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Blackout Book Club”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.