The War Librarian

The War Librarian

Addison Armstrong

Publication date: August 9, 2022 by G.P. Putnam's Sons

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: 5 👢👢👢👢👢

Summary: Two women. One secret. A truth worth fighting for.

1918. Timid and shy Emmaline Balakin lives more in books than her own life. That is, until an envelope crosses her desk at the Dead Letter Office bearing a name from her past, and Emmaline decides to finally embark on an adventure of her own--as a volunteer librarian on the frontlines in France. But when a romance blooms as she secretly participates in a book club for censored books, Emmaline will need to find more courage within herself than she ever thought possible in order to survive.

1976. Kathleen Carre is eager to prove to herself and to her nana that she deserves her acceptance into the first coed class at the United States Naval Academy. But not everyone wants female midshipmen at the Academy, and after tragedy strikes close to home, Kathleen becomes a target. To protect herself, Kathleen must learn to trust others even as she discovers a secret that could be her undoing.

My Thoughts: As I am currently a librarian and in another lifetime I was a soldier, I truly identified with both characters in this book. Readers will learn so much as they follow the lives of Emmaline and Kathleen. 

Of the two main characters, Kathleen was the more assertive, more confident, and more driven. Kathleen desired structure and wanted to be a part of something larger, much like her beloved Nana had. She knew what she would be up against at the Academy but did everything she could to prove that she belonged. When forces came at her beyond what she had anticipated Kathleen worked that much harder to overcome that adversity. 

Emmaline was portrayed initially as someone who just went with the flow. She wasn't ambitious and she seemingly didn't have the courage to break from the status quo of the comfortable little life she had carved out for herself. Emmaline's choice to break the rules she had so steadfastly adhered to at her job changed the trajectory of her life forever. With that choice Emmaline came face to face with the horrors of war, racism, and sexism. Emmaline also came to understand just how important literature was and the power that it had over both individuals and governments. 

Addison Armstrong stormed onto the historical fiction scene with her debut The Light of Luna Park. This newest release will not disappoint those who enjoy solid research, well developed characters, and a prose that is easy to follow. 

I received a copy of this title via NetGalley.