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Wednesday, August 10, 2022

The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong

We meet two strong women who are determined to make their way in a man's world.

We meet Emmaline Balakin in 1918 who after working in the dead letter office for five years volunteers to be the librarian in France during the war.  Delivering books to the injured soldiers helps their morale and to pass the time.

Being one of very few women, Emmaline has her struggles, and seeing the wounded soldiers is upsetting for her.

We meet Kathleen Carre in 1976.  She had been working in a dental office, had been raised by her beloved grandmother, and wanted to be in the class of first women accepted into the Naval Academy.

The men really didn't want women in the Academy and bullied and harassed them.  One particular midshipman had it in for Kathleen and tried to humiliate her and trip her up as often as he could.

This midshipman also had her accused of treason.

We follow both women as they make it through their days. There is a connection and secret between the two time lines that will have readers dropping their jaws.

Despite the excellent writing and revelation of the secret in the ending, THE WAR LIBRARIAN dragged for me.  3/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

5 comments:

  1. What are your thoughts if you read this book?

    Thanks for stopping.

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  2. Sorry to hear it dragged for you. I like to read about this era but definitely prefer a good pace.
    Mary @Bookfan

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    Replies
    1. The story line was interesting because of the era.

      Thanks for your comment, Mary.

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  3. I want to get my hands on a finished copy of this book to see if something was corrected. Emmaline mentions "flying beneath the radar" in her 1918 timeline... when radar hadn't been invented yet.

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