Reviews

1937. Alice Wright leaves her parents in England to travel to the US with her new American husband and his widower father. Alice's visions of living a metropolitan life are shattered when they realizes they are going to live in coal country. They live in Baileyville, a rural town in the mountains of Kentucky. Alice has yet to form an intimate bond with her husband and is bored around the house and aggravated by the domineering attitude of her father-in-law, who lives with them. The shadow of her dead mother-in-law is everywhere in the house. Alice also feels like she doesn't have much in common with the people in town since they view her as a foreigner.

When a local woman puts out a call for ladies to work as part of the Packhorse Library, Alice quickly signs up, much to the annoyance of her father-in-law. The women ride out on horses to deliver library books to the folks who live out of town or in the mountains. This is all part of a government effort to raise the literacy rate in the state of Kentucky. Alice ends up liking her work and developing friendships with her fellow librarians, in particular Margery O'Hare, the free-spirited head librarian. Alice soon feels more comfortable in her new role and with her new friends than she does in her own home.

What to listen to while reading (or taking a break)
some music of the mid to late 1930's....

Pennies from Heaven by Bing Crosby
I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Billie Holliday
Goodnight My Love by Benny Goodman & Ella Fitzgerald
They Can't Take That Away from Me by Fred Astaire
Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle by Gene Autrey

aysha15's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful

4.5

kyliea32's review against another edition

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5.0

I cannot say enough about this book. It’s full of heart, bravery, friendship and a wild ride with some courageous women in the mountainous rural Kentucky and based on a true story.

All the characters will enchant you and make you feel!

jenna_leigh123's review against another edition

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5.0

Absolutely loved this book! Such an amazing story and great characters. After reading this amazing book I can’t wait to read more from Jojo Moyes.

erowe749's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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? No

4.5

Content Warnings

livmull's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

3.5

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