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justovereherereading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? No
5.0
I didn’t want this book to end, but of course it did and in the best way possible.
I fell in love with the wonderful library girls and loved that it was based on a true story, a time in history that I had no idea about but would now like to know more about.
This was very different to any other Jojo Moyes books I’ve read, but it was my favourite so far!
I fell in love with the wonderful library girls and loved that it was based on a true story, a time in history that I had no idea about but would now like to know more about.
This was very different to any other Jojo Moyes books I’ve read, but it was my favourite so far!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Murder, Alcoholism, and Racism
Minor: Rape
freetobme's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Moves along. Didn’t find a lot of things to ponder or that I wanted to write down.
Didn’t seem consistent with Fred’s character or prior statements that he and Alice didn’t wait until they were married, especially considering the era.
Parts were pretty predictable. Like the annulment.
Parts were pretty predictable. Like the annulment.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Pregnancy, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Car accident, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Violence, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Murder, and Sexual content
bel017's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I loved the characters: such strong, amazing, but realistically drawn women.
The setting too, was so well rendered. What an awful time and place. I'm sure the beauty of the place was supposed to shine through, but the dirt and poverty and hardship, and knowing those kinds of things really happened there and still happen all over the world, and that we all benefit from the misery of others, was tough.
Several times I had to skip a page or two to avoid traumatising contenta woman being beaten, a dog being killed
But reading about the friendship and the women's determination was wonderful.
The setting too, was so well rendered. What an awful time and place. I'm sure the beauty of the place was supposed to shine through, but the dirt and poverty and hardship, and knowing those kinds of things really happened there and still happen all over the world, and that we all benefit from the misery of others, was tough.
Several times I had to skip a page or two to avoid traumatising content
But reading about the friendship and the women's determination was wonderful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Sexism
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Racism, Xenophobia, Bullying, Confinement, and Violence
Minor: Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Incest, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Religious bigotry
cstein's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Entertaining. Long enough to have an interesting variety of plot points and believable development of at least a few of the main characters. At the same time, leaned too heavily on Appalachian stereotypes. Part historical fiction, part multigenerational and legal drama, part romance novel, this book never seemed to make up its mind about its goals. Might have been better if Moyes chose one angle/character and stuck with it--it seemed like she drew from a few more sources of inspiration than she could fully address, given the confines of the book's length and her audience's interests.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Cultural appropriation, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Incest, Miscarriage, Adult/minor relationship, Ableism, Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
minimalistbibliophile's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Incest, Murder, and Racism
literarypenguin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
This book pays homage to the hardworking, strong, and independent women of the Packhorse Librarians and their never-ending mission to deliver knowledge and wisdom to families who didn't have access to such things in the 1930's.
The story follows Alice Wright, a newlywed who left her home country of England to move to a rural county of Kentucky so she may be with her new handsome and well to do husband Bennett. Soon though her newly martial bliss wears thin, so to bring some excitement into her life she gets a job at the newly established library delivering books to needy families all over the county. She meets Margery O Hare, a strong, independent, confident woman who lets nobody man or woman tell her what she can and can't do. Along the way they are joined by Beth, A strong and slightly foul mouthed farmer's daughter who dreams of seeing the world, Izzy, A daughter of wealthy parents who wants to show others that she is more then just her Polio and limp and Sophia, A African American woman who is trying to get by in a world that doesn't want her to succeed. Together these women go from being hated and distrusted to valued and beloved, not without having to go through some rough terrain first.
The friendship and eventually sisterhood these women have is so beautifully told. I loved how they went from a group of strangers working together to a group of people that would do anything and sacrifice anything for one another. I loved how the author wrote these women forming a fierce and loyal bond with one another despite them having to face such challenges in 1930's America. They had to face misogynic treatment from men, racism toward one of their own, disbelief and distrust from people in the town, a corrupt mining business who valued dollars over their own employees wellbeing's, even a murder. They won over the hearts of some of the people who didn't trust them in the beginning and more families, especially children, grew excited for their visits with knowledge and stories of all sorts.
The writing was smooth and beautiful. The research put into how the people talked and behaved back then really got you sucked in and connected with the story even more. Her attention to detail, even a trip on horseback into the mountains or a trip into one of the towns markets, was beautifully described and told in such great detail that you really believed you were there.
As a person who loves History and stories set in different era's and locations, I very much appreciate learning about the actual Packhorse Librarians and their mission to deliver books to families in need even if it was placed into a fictional setting. Everything written in this book could have happened back in the 1930's from how men and women courted one another to how certain people were treated and judged because of one thing that other people did not care for. You got to really see how people in a rural community treated one another and how one person needed help they were always there to provide a helping hand.
This novel really shows how much books played a role in our society and how we must try to prevent the written word from disappearing completely as more and more bookstores are under constant threat. If you want a book that makes you feel good inside and gives you a new appreciation for library's and librarians everywhere then give this one a try. I think you will like it I know I did.
The story follows Alice Wright, a newlywed who left her home country of England to move to a rural county of Kentucky so she may be with her new handsome and well to do husband Bennett. Soon though her newly martial bliss wears thin, so to bring some excitement into her life she gets a job at the newly established library delivering books to needy families all over the county. She meets Margery O Hare, a strong, independent, confident woman who lets nobody man or woman tell her what she can and can't do. Along the way they are joined by Beth, A strong and slightly foul mouthed farmer's daughter who dreams of seeing the world, Izzy, A daughter of wealthy parents who wants to show others that she is more then just her Polio and limp and Sophia, A African American woman who is trying to get by in a world that doesn't want her to succeed. Together these women go from being hated and distrusted to valued and beloved, not without having to go through some rough terrain first.
The friendship and eventually sisterhood these women have is so beautifully told. I loved how they went from a group of strangers working together to a group of people that would do anything and sacrifice anything for one another. I loved how the author wrote these women forming a fierce and loyal bond with one another despite them having to face such challenges in 1930's America. They had to face misogynic treatment from men, racism toward one of their own, disbelief and distrust from people in the town, a corrupt mining business who valued dollars over their own employees wellbeing's, even a murder. They won over the hearts of some of the people who didn't trust them in the beginning and more families, especially children, grew excited for their visits with knowledge and stories of all sorts.
The writing was smooth and beautiful. The research put into how the people talked and behaved back then really got you sucked in and connected with the story even more. Her attention to detail, even a trip on horseback into the mountains or a trip into one of the towns markets, was beautifully described and told in such great detail that you really believed you were there.
As a person who loves History and stories set in different era's and locations, I very much appreciate learning about the actual Packhorse Librarians and their mission to deliver books to families in need even if it was placed into a fictional setting. Everything written in this book could have happened back in the 1930's from how men and women courted one another to how certain people were treated and judged because of one thing that other people did not care for. You got to really see how people in a rural community treated one another and how one person needed help they were always there to provide a helping hand.
This novel really shows how much books played a role in our society and how we must try to prevent the written word from disappearing completely as more and more bookstores are under constant threat. If you want a book that makes you feel good inside and gives you a new appreciation for library's and librarians everywhere then give this one a try. I think you will like it I know I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Animal death
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Incest
r_neighbors's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse
Minor: Incest
loudgls89's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-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
5.0
You know a book is good when you just completely forget that you’re reading. And I read this entire book in a single day because I was so enthralled by the story and the world created within.
Set in the 1930s, Alice is a young British woman who has just married a gorgeous American man and moved across the world to a small town in Kentucky. She thinks she’s the luckiest girl in the world, but when they get to Kentucky, things don’t quite go as she had planned.
Alice and Bennett move in with Bennett’s father, Mr Van Cleve, and their relationship is strained to say the least. As soon as they get home, Bennett seems to lose interest in poor Alice, leaving her isolated and alone.
Enter Marjery. A ‘forceful’ woman living outside of society’s expectations. She’s running a mobile library project that delivers library books to remote homes in the Kentucky mountains, a project which doesn’t really have the support of the whole town. And when Alice decides to get involved, let’s just say that Mr Van Cleve is non too pleased.
Speaking of Mr Van Cleve, he’s a downright bully. The kind of man that doesn’t take any nonsense from women, who is used to shouting loudly to get his own way, and if that doesn’t work he’ll use whatever underhand tactics he needs to, but he must get what he wants.
What follows is a tale of true sisterhood, of the fact that women are stronger together, and how these women in particular were not afraid to fight for what is right. and for each other.
I have to say, when I ordered this book, I saw it was by Jojo Moyes and assumed it would be another book on a similar vein to Me Before You and it’s sequels, so I was most suprised when I was dropped into 1930s Kentucky.
At first I didn’t thing I was going to get along with the story, but the characters were written with such depth that it didn’t take long before I was emotionally invested in their lives. And the way that the author described the town and the scenery that the women take in on their horseback travels. I could have been there with them, and truly felt like I was.
If you’re expecting a book that’s fluffy and romantic and without trial, this isn’t the book for you. It was challenging, eye opening, and multiple times I was left feeling like I could cry. Don’t let that put you off though, it was totally worth it for the joy of learning about and getting to know these wonderful women.
Although the women themselves weren’t real, I was surprised to learn the packhorse library was a real thing – I’d never heard of it before but what an amazing project to ensure that even the most remote homes in America could have the privilege of reading.
I think Jojo Moyes could fast be becoming one of my favourite authors, what a superb book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Xenophobia, Violence, Racism, Pregnancy, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Incest
silver_lining125's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Racism, Racial slurs, and Rape
madsmcw_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
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
4.5
There are so many things to say about this book, the first being I absolutely loved it. Having a book centered around strong women in the 1930s brought me so much joy. The group of librarians working together, accepting one another for who they are, never asking for more was so much fun to be immersed in. Their strength and bravery oozed out of the pages and I just wanted to be a part of their group.
Geoffrey Van Cleave may go down as one of my most hated characters of 2021. He is horrible to everyone around him and cares for no one but himself and it was disgusting. I enjoyed Bennet's brief moments of rebellion against his dad, and those were honestly the only things that made him a redeemable character.
I so loved that infidelity was not a part of this storyline. From the moment Fred was introduced I was concerned that was going to happen, but I ended up being so happy with how his and Alice's story came together.
I was SO not expecting the element of a murder trial here. It added another layer of depth and intrigue. I was so tense that entire section of the story and loved how it concluded. Definitely did not see that one coming.
The ending of this story felt so hopeful, and I loved how everything was tied up.
The only reason I'm taking away half a star is because of the pacing. The middle of the story felt kind of slow and disjointed but it all came together in the end very nicely.
Geoffrey Van Cleave may go down as one of my most hated characters of 2021. He is horrible to everyone around him and cares for no one but himself and it was disgusting. I enjoyed Bennet's brief moments of rebellion against his dad, and those were honestly the only things that made him a redeemable character.
I so loved that infidelity was not a part of this storyline. From the moment Fred was introduced I was concerned that was going to happen, but I ended up being so happy with how his and Alice's story came together.
I was SO not expecting the element of a murder trial here. It added another layer of depth and intrigue. I was so tense that entire section of the story and loved how it concluded. Definitely did not see that one coming.
The ending of this story felt so hopeful, and I loved how everything was tied up.
The only reason I'm taking away half a star is because of the pacing. The middle of the story felt kind of slow and disjointed but it all came together in the end very nicely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Racism