The Little Wartime Library
By Kate Thompson
Publisher: Forever (February 21, 2023)
Paperback: 480 pages
ISBN-10: 1538724219
ISBN-13: 978-1538724217
An uplifting and inspiring novel based on the
true story of a librarian who created an underground shelter during World War
II, perfect for readers of The Paris Library or The Last Bookshop in London.
London, 1944: Clara Button is no ordinary librarian. While war ravages the city above
her, Clara has risked everything she holds dear to turn the Bethnal Green tube
station into the country’s only underground library. Down here, a secret
community thrives with thousands of bunk beds, a nursery, a café, and a
theater—offering shelter, solace, and escape from the bombs that fall upon
their city.
Along with her glamorous best friend and assistant Ruby Munroe, Clara ensures
the library is the beating heart of life underground. But as the war drags on,
the women's determination to remain strong in the face of adversity is tested
to the limits when it may come at the price of keeping those closest to them
alive.
My Thoughts:
This book was a delight to read. I’ve heard my mother’s
stories of London during the Blitz, but she was a child, so she doesn’t remember
much. And of course, in case you hadn’t noticed, I love books. I strongly
believe in the power of books to change lives, and that is the message of this
novel.
Based on a true story and well-researched, with plentiful
notes at the end, this book tells the story of a library in a tube station. There
was actually a thriving community of people in the station, sleeping there
every night to be safe from German bombs, then working in their normal jobs by
day.
Clara and Ruby are the opposite—working in the underground
library by day and returning to their own homes at night. Clara, widowed, is
lonely, while Ruby seeks the company of many many, affirming life the best way
she knows how. She avoids going home, where her mother has been beaten down by
Ruby’s stepfather.
In addition to the dangers inherent in living in London in
the Blitz, there is also someone attacking women on the streets at night. Clara
herself is almost attacked, only to be saved by Billy Clark, a conscientious
objector who worked for the ambulance corps.
Clara’s supervisor has vastly different ideas from hers about
the purpose of a library. He doesn’t believe uneducated people should be
allowed library cards. He wants to censor what books are allowed in the library.
They are constantly at odds, and their conflict is integral to the story. I
kind of hate him.
The characters are varied—in class, in status, in personality.
They are all well-drawn. While Clara is the protagonist of the story, Ruby is a
close second, and there are many others who are well worth our time in getting
to know. The dialogue is natural and the conflicts are real. And the conclusion
is very satisfying.
There are references to many books of the period, some which I
know and love, and others which are now on my TBR list.
I will definitely read this book again.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Domestic violence, bombing attacks, death (including of children), drinking, sex (closed door), attempted rape, wartime atrocities. A little bit of salty language, including the F word occasionally.
Who Might Like This Book:
Anyone who likes stories of WWII, especially WWII London. Book lovers.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC
of this delightful book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Too Wrong to Be Right
By Melonie Johnson
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (February 28,
2023)
Paperback: 368 pages
ISBN-10: 1250768829
ISBN-13: 978-1250768827
Publisher’s Blurb:
A swoony, slow-burn rom-com, Melonie Johnson's Too Wrong to Be Right features a true romantic on a mission to find her happily ever after.
After her latest jerk of a boyfriend dumps her (and ditches her with his pet
hedgehog), florist Kat Kowalski is done chasing after Mr. Wrong. With her two
best friends moving on to more serious relationships, she’s ready to stop
repeating the same mistakes that are leaving her stuck in the single lane.
Armed with a list of qualities for her perfect Mr. Right, Kat swears off dating
until she finds him.
Then in a meet-disaster involving a corpse and a salty cockatoo, she stumbles
across Mick O’Sullivan at his family's funeral home. Their immediate chemistry
warns Kat to keep things platonic; after all, following her heart never worked
out in the past, and this time she’s determined to listen to her head. But can
Kat and Mick be just friends? As she gets to know him better, the lines blur,
and Kat starts to wonder if she’s gotten it wrong and Mick is exactly who she’s
been looking for...
From meet cute, to conclusion, this romcom has all the
required elements—including an adorable animal. Actually, two—a hedgehog and a
potty-mouthed parrot.
Kat is working hard for her dream, supported by her very
entertaining grandmother. Mick, too, has a dream, and it definitely isn’t
working for the family mortuary.
I enjoyed the interaction between the two characters and how
they supported each other’s career ambitions. Really loved the family
interactions.
But…when Kat starts dating Mick’s brother, and he doesn’t object
despite his feelings for her, because he’s determined to be the friend she
needs…oof. Especially since there was a pretty spicy scene between them prior
to that. That was a little difficult to take.
Overall, it was a fun, light, quick read. Not sure I’d read
it again, but I don’t regret the afternoon I did spend.
I quite enjoyed the side characters, and there’s lots of
snappy dialogue. And there are references to my favorite romcom movie: While
You Were Sleeping.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Cursing, a couple of fairly descriptive sex scenes, innuendo,
drinking, discussions of death (hey, it’s a mortuary, what do you expect?), and
some difficult family dynamics.
Who Might Like This Book:
Romcom fans, especially if you like the ones with big extended
families. And if you like hedgehogs, JoJo is for you!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the
ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
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