Review: The War Librarian

The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This is the story of two women in different times, both struggling with their place in life. Emmaline Balakin is the daughter of Russian immigrants living through WWI. Working in the dead letter office, a name from her past encourages her to get outside her comfort zone and volunteer for the War Library Service. Kathleen Carre is accepted as the first class at the Naval Academy. She struggles to prove that she, and other women, belong at the Naval Academy even though many do not want them there.

I really enjoyed learning about parts of history that I wasn't really aware of. I had no idea there was a War Library Service, and that was extremely interesting to me. It makes sense that this would exist as a way to allow those soldiers injured and recovering to have something to do. I also knew that there had to be a point when women were first allowed into the service academies, but I hadn't given much thought to the struggles they faced from those who did not want them there, from classmates to superior officers.

The way the two story lines were intertwined was extremely interesting and kept me on my toes. I enjoyed reading the book and plan to go back to read the first book written by this author.

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