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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
The Blackout Book Club is an endearing historical fiction novel based in WWII.
I have read many war time book club books set during the Second World War but rarely have I found a story that was based in the United States. This charming novel will appeal to many who are interested in the sub genre: books about books.
Set in Maine, the story follows four main characters: Avis, Louise, Ginny, and Martina. Avis reluctantly steps into the role of head librarian in the interim while her brother is away at war. Louise is a wealthy spinster who owns and sponsors the local library, a legacy and passion project of her father. She is determined to shut down the library to transform the space into a daycare center for the children of working mothers who are supporting the war effort. Ginny works in the munitions factory. She has lived within the fishing community her entire life. During the war, the government acquisitions her family's land to build a navy base. Martina is involved in a tumultuous marriage and escapes her husband’s cruelty by moving to Derby to work in a munitions factory.
In effort to keep the library open, Avis Montgomery (the head librarian) forms a book club to keep local towns people interested in the library. The story discusses the hardships the women faced during war. The story is slow paced but heart warming. The novel included sprinkles of faith based elements, which I did appreciate, but I felt like there was a missing element with the characters. I think the book needed a bit more character development. I did not feel the emotional hook with the characters compared to other books within the same genre. It's a definite 3.5 but well worth reading (as most books are).
I will say that I did enjoy Martina and Louise's stories the best.
I have read many war time book club books set during the Second World War but rarely have I found a story that was based in the United States. This charming novel will appeal to many who are interested in the sub genre: books about books.
Set in Maine, the story follows four main characters: Avis, Louise, Ginny, and Martina. Avis reluctantly steps into the role of head librarian in the interim while her brother is away at war. Louise is a wealthy spinster who owns and sponsors the local library, a legacy and passion project of her father. She is determined to shut down the library to transform the space into a daycare center for the children of working mothers who are supporting the war effort. Ginny works in the munitions factory. She has lived within the fishing community her entire life. During the war, the government acquisitions her family's land to build a navy base. Martina is involved in a tumultuous marriage and escapes her husband’s cruelty by moving to Derby to work in a munitions factory.
In effort to keep the library open, Avis Montgomery (the head librarian) forms a book club to keep local towns people interested in the library. The story discusses the hardships the women faced during war. The story is slow paced but heart warming. The novel included sprinkles of faith based elements, which I did appreciate, but I felt like there was a missing element with the characters. I think the book needed a bit more character development. I did not feel the emotional hook with the characters compared to other books within the same genre. It's a definite 3.5 but well worth reading (as most books are).
I will say that I did enjoy Martina and Louise's stories the best.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
slow-paced
Historical fiction is just so cool because it brings up pieces of history we don’t necessarily know or learn about. This one, for instance, reminded me of what a scary time WWII was even here in the US and how scared people must have been about foreign invasion on our land. I liked that this book brought together people of various backgrounds by using books.
A story about a book club? Yes, please.
Pull yourself up a chair because this book is just waiting for you to join in the activity. The array of characters was wonderful to see, each one carrying their own story. There is love, determination, joy, grief. And through it all, the book club members have each other. I like how they become a family in their own way. And of course, lets not forget the numerous books mentioned throughout the story. It made me feel like I was a part of the book club. This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed.
*What I have expressed are entirely my own thoughts. I was not compensated in any monetary way.*
Pull yourself up a chair because this book is just waiting for you to join in the activity. The array of characters was wonderful to see, each one carrying their own story. There is love, determination, joy, grief. And through it all, the book club members have each other. I like how they become a family in their own way. And of course, lets not forget the numerous books mentioned throughout the story. It made me feel like I was a part of the book club. This was a book I thoroughly enjoyed.
*What I have expressed are entirely my own thoughts. I was not compensated in any monetary way.*
The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green gives us a look at life on the home front during World War II. A diverse group of people come together to discuss books when Avis dreams up the book club to save the library from closing. The book club turns out to be so much more. As they meet, they begin to know each other. Friendships are formed that turn into lasting bonds. This is a heartwarming story. I enjoyed getting to know the characters. I liked seeing the characters grow as they got to know each other. The cast of characters is diverse. I also thought the characters were realistic. The story is told from several points of view which I found challenging in the beginning. It became easier as I got further into the story. The book is full of history and literature. You can tell the author did her research. I especially enjoyed the references to Mrs. Miniver (love that movie). I liked that the group did not just read novels. They enjoyed poetry, how to books, Shakespeare, fiction, and much more. The notes from each meeting were entertaining. I especially enjoyed them when Ginny wrote them. Ginny is a lively character who has spunk. We get to see how it was at home for different types of people during the war. Avis is a young married woman who does not want her husband to go off fighting. Avis is not a reader, but she agreed to take her brother’s librarian job while he is off fighting. She promised him she would do her best to keep the library open. Louise is a spinster and the richest woman in town. Louise owns the library. She has kept herself apart from others because she is afraid that they will discover her secret. Ginny is working at the foundry (which is dirty, hot work). She would rather be out on a boat, but the war department requisitioned the family island. Martina is married with two kids. She also works at the foundry. Martina hopes her no-good husband will not find her. I was sorry when The Blackout Book Club ended. Those who love books, will enjoy reading this story. The Blackout Book Club is a poignant tale with a large library, daycare center conundrum, blackout curtains, war rationing, a sly spouse, lively talks, and enduring friendships.
I loved listening to this audio version of The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green. I have not read the eBook or the paperback version, but I have heard a lot about it. I was kind of expecting an American version of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and whilst there were vague echoes of that, I think the story was also unique and interesting in its own right, with lots of memorable characters.
I would suggest The Blackout Book Club is about the power of books and words to bring people together and form bonds of friendship which helped bring the community closer together. The transformative power of Literature and reading is something few take seriously at first, but through books we do not just escape to other worlds but learn something about ourselves. In the story, people who were lonely, isolated, or living in fear found support, love, and appreciation with others they would never have known but for the book club. The
It also provided an interesting snapshot of life in a rural part of the United States int the early days of the War. I’m British, so I’m more used to stories about the Blitz in London and other major cities from 1939. I didn’t know there were large scale air raids in America.
Thanks to RB Digital for approving my request for this title on Netgalley. This did not influence my opinion, which is entirely my own and freely given.
I would suggest The Blackout Book Club is about the power of books and words to bring people together and form bonds of friendship which helped bring the community closer together. The transformative power of Literature and reading is something few take seriously at first, but through books we do not just escape to other worlds but learn something about ourselves. In the story, people who were lonely, isolated, or living in fear found support, love, and appreciation with others they would never have known but for the book club. The
It also provided an interesting snapshot of life in a rural part of the United States int the early days of the War. I’m British, so I’m more used to stories about the Blitz in London and other major cities from 1939. I didn’t know there were large scale air raids in America.
Thanks to RB Digital for approving my request for this title on Netgalley. This did not influence my opinion, which is entirely my own and freely given.
adventurous
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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