I have read many books by this author, and this one is so good. Set during the great depression in the 1930s, and how it changed so many lives.
For such a hard time in this countries history, most of the character's here show such great faith and have upbeat outlook on life and a real love of God. With the little they have they are willing to share with those less fortunate.
Come travel the mountain trails of Kentucky, where most of these folks eke out a living working at the coal mines. With the decline in the economy President Roosevelt establishes the WPA, Work Projects Administration, and establishing a library on horseback to deliver to this remote hilly area.
You will quickly have some favorite characters, and some you really won't care for, but, I found my opinions changing for some by the end!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Waterbrook, and was not required to give a positive review.

This was a great story and very timely for what is happening in our world. Fighting bias is huge, and how to do it and win people over is so difficult!

The Great Depression is such a fascinating time period. Addie Cowherd is one of few Americans able to continue with college during this time of financial hardship. What she doesn't know is that her adopted parents have made great sacrifices and paid for her education as long as they possibly could. Addie learns from her College Dean that she must leave before the semester ends. The tone for the novel is set very early on with Addie's positive response to this heartbreaking news. Yes, she is terribly sad, but she is resilient and her main concern is helping her parents get back on their feet. Addie truly lives out her life the way Christ would want each of us to live.

Emmett Tharp of Boone's Hollow was a four year scholarship recipient and is frustrated with the lack of opportunity available after he graduates. His relationship with her father, a coal miner, reminds me quite a bit of the father and son in the movie October Sky.

Addie moves away from her college town and hours away from her parents to take a job as a pack horse librarian. This is one of the government projects to aid the economy and assists citizens. Her role is to travel by horse or mule and collect/deliver library books from residents on the mountain. Boone's Hollow is deeply set in tradition and prejudices and she is not well received by most.

Secondary characters Bettina, with her mountain vernacular, and Nanny Fay, with her "sordid" past add so much to this novel.

The Librarian of Boone's Hollow is a wonderful display of God's love through the characters and words in the pages.

I loved learning about the librarians who brought books to the Kentucky hill dwellers in this historical novel. Books about librarians are a special treat, and this book also brought jealousy, romance, abuse and redemption to the mix. Addie needs a job when her father loses his, and gets one as a horseback librarian in the surprisingly rustic town of Boone's Hollow. As she overcomes prejudices and becomes the victim of jealousy, she brings a kind heart and clever mind to her task. What could have turned into a violent and bitter tale became one of love and compassion. I highly recommend it.

This review is thanks to a copy of the book being provided by NetGalley and the publishers, and all opinions are my own.

The third book I have read this year that focuses on the packhorse librarians and their impact to their communities. This book is told through Addie Cowherd who is not from the community in Kentucky where she ends up working as a librarian and the outside feeling is a huge theme in this book.

I think the only big similarities in the books is their laser focus on the packhorse librarian concept. I don't mind when historical fiction books end up looking at the same moment in time - how many World War II books come out each month?! The other thing that felt similar was the inclusion of a character who is abusive and I can imagine that people living in this moment in time with limited resources and the inability to take care of themselves could resort to violence to try to "solve" their problems.

The outsider feeling for me was the standout theme of the book and I appreciated how the author made me the reader feel even more of an outsider as I saw these communities through the eyes of Addie. She was shunned so much and I wanted to shake the people that she was there for honest reasons.

This book didn't highlight the people receiving the books as much as the other two packhorse books did and I think I missed that. We learned more about the librarians themselves, but I would have enjoyed learning more about those who were getting the books and what that meant to them.

If you have read the other two packhorse librarian books, I would still suggest you read this one to complete the circle.

Interesting from the start, this book is a light read if you're looking for something enjoyable and historical without being too heavy.

I was more interested in the female protagonistic than the main character, and found myself drawn to the side characters who were beautifully written. The character development stalled midway though and the use of one character as a plot device early on was frustrating. These things aside, I'd still recommend it as a worthwhile beach read or decompressing from a stressful day.

I'd love to see a sequel with Bettina as the main character and more of Nanny Fay!

The Librarian of Boone's Hollow
by Kim Vogel Sawyer
Back of the Book: “A traveling librarian ventures into the mining towns of Kentucky on horseback—and learns to trust the One who truly pens her story—in this powerful novel from the best-selling author of A Silken Thread.
During the Great Depression, city-dweller Addie Cowherd dreams of becoming a novelist and offering readers the escape that books had given her during her tragic childhood. When her father loses his job, she is forced to take the only employment she can find—delivering books on horseback to poor coal-mining families in the hills of Kentucky.
But turning a new page will be nearly impossible in Boone's Hollow, where residents are steeped in superstitions and deeply suspicious of outsiders. Even local Emmett Tharp feels the sting of rejection after returning to the tiny mountain hamlet as the first in his family to graduate college. And as the crippled economy leaves many men jobless, he fears his degree won’t be worth much in a place where most men either work the coal mine or run moonshine.
As Addie also struggles to find her place, she’ll unearth the truth about a decades-old rivalry. But when someone sets out to sabotage the town’s library program, will the culprit chase Addie away or straight into the arms of the only person who can help her put a broken community back together?
Impressions: So much was going on during the Great Depression. I really enjoyed this story and the perspective it held.
Liked: I liked setting of this story. This time in history had so much range in one’s wealth and education. The characters of this story likewise were a picture of diversity. They faced challenges that deepened their character and I enjoyed learning through them. It was truly interesting to me to see how change to this country happened one person at a time.
Disliked: Ugh the ending was left open! OPEN! Do you know how many questions are still running through my mind? Things ended nice enough but I still have so many questions.
Learned: I was reminded of how layered we are. Our words and actions are not always a result of the present but oftentimes from the past. From this, we have a choice of how we respond to life at present and that will greatly affect how we move forward. This will create a layer in ourselves and be part of how we deal with life in the future. We can’t always leave the past behind if it is creating a layer of us. Does that make any sense?
Quotes: “We can impact this community and its future generations by placing books in their hands and encouraging them to read.” – I love to read and I loved how books became a common ground for the characters to come together.
“His muscles screamed in protest at every motion, but he was finding out how tough he was.” – I just loved this line. Isn’t it through trials that we discover how tough we really are? It so encouraging to know and see how God can stretch my own understanding of myself.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

The Librarian of Boone's Hollow-Kim Vogel Sawyer
I received this on my Kindle from Net Galley for the purpose of review. This is quite an interesting story set in the backwoods of North Carolina. Interesting to see wrong perspective and rumor stemming from false stories can have a life-long impact.

Addie has fallen into some new circumstances after her parents go into a financial slump, lose their home, Dad is fired and no longer pay her college monthly payments. Addie, stands strong and seeks to make a new life and plan to go forward as a young woman.

In order to pay her college bill and be allowed to return to college, Addie gets aggressive and finds a job as a book deliverer to folks in the Boone's Hollow area. She learns to ride a horse, tries to fit into the culture of small little town full of everyone knows everyone and their business. This small miner town is loaded full of judgments and false assumptions.

This story of Addie with all her different circumstances is intriguing and insightful into the reality of knowing how to learn to negotiate around people who are difficult and full of bitterness.

Read for yourself and allow the story to give you encouragement to follow the golden rule.

This lovely story takes the reader to the hills and hollers of Kentucky during the 1930's. Addie Cowherd never expected to leave college life for a job as a packhorse librarian. But when her father loses his job at the bank Addie must find a way to support herself. She finds herself in Boone's Hollow, adjusting to a life far different than the one that she led in the city. Dreams of nights visiting the local soda shop or movie house with friends dissappear as Addie discovers that there are no soda shops or movie houses nearby - and that friends will be hard to come by. The local people are distrustful of outsiders, and caught up in old ways and resentments that make it hard for Addie to connect with them. Although she does find some help in the form of a former classmate - Emmett Tharp - who returns home to Boone's Hollow, hoping to find some sort of work now that he has finished college. Emmett and Addie will face challenges they never saw coming as they uncover some unpleasant truths about the people of Boone's Hollow. They may also find something more.
I found this book a sweet, pleasant and heartwarming read. I really enjoyed Addie's story and her progression as a character as she became bolder and learned to trust God throughout the story. It was really easy to get sucked up into her story, the author really did a good job of creating vivid and engaging characters and settings. I would defintely reccommend this to anyone who enjoys historical stories, espcially with a touch of romance.

I cried. This book is so good. So wholesome. The character and relationship buildup with every character was amazing. I wish there was a bit more build up with Miss West because I really liked her. Kim Vogel Sawyer might become a new favorite author of mine.

Kim Vogel Sawyer delivered a wonderful book about determination, grit and perserverance. Addie took a job to assist her parents. She had to leave school and her family to accomplish this task. It wasn't easy. She never experienced this kind of life before. She never expected that she would not be accepted. She was an outsider.

Addie was hard working and kind. She was someone you would like to have for a friend. She came to Kentucky to help her family. By the end of the book, her kindness and dedication impacted so many in Boone's Hollow.

I suggest that Ms. Sawyer write a follow up book. I would love to re-visit the area and find out the rest of the story.

I received this ebook for free from WaterBrook & Multnomah to review.

This is a wonderful story of historical fiction that depicts life in Kentucky and the work of the WPA and the packhorse librarians.

I particularly enjoyed the character development, especially the characters of Addie, Bettina, Nanny Fay, Emmett and Miz Tharp.

This was a difficult time in the mountains but what joy these books brought to the families!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

I am a fan of Kim Vogel Sawyer and The Librarian of Boone's Hollow did not disappoint. This is the story of Addie and Emmett, two people from different backgrounds working together to change lives. The story is based during the Great Depression. Addie loses her college enrollment because her father cannot continue to pay her tuition. She is determined to get a job to help pay her tuition and help her parents financially. The job she finds is delivering books on horseback to poor families in the mountains of Kentucky. On the other hand, Emmett graduates from school with a business degree but cannot find work so he has to return home. His home is Boone's Hollow, Kentucky just down the road from Tuckett's Pass, Kentucky. The people live, work and go to school together but do not associate together due to a long standing feud. When Addie comes to Boone's Hollow to take her job she finds lodging with Nanny Fay, an elderly Tuckett's Pass widow of a Cherokee Indian. This story shows a great deal of prejudice by people and how it can fester without cause. But it also shows the love of Christ for people. There are funny passages, and heartfelt passages. This book with make you laugh, cry, be angry, and be frustrated. Mrs. Sawyer has a way of reaching down and touching the heart, wringing it out, and making it feel new again! I loved this book!
I was graciously allowed to read this book by Netgalley and Waterbrook, they did not in any way influence my review!

Wow, I love this sweet story. The mountains and the stories they hold, draw me in like nothing else. I love this story so much! The story is beautifully told and the characters come alive in the pages. The Librarian of Boone's Hollow is a lovely book that will hold your interest from the first page to the last.

"The Librarian Of Boones Hollow" by Kim Vogel Sawyer was Not a disappointment at all,I have read many of her books and her writing was right on as always! 1930's,depression Kentucky back hills is the background for this story. The description of this area is so fantastic where you feel like you are right there with the people who live there. The many different characters that you met along the way as you travel the hills of Kentucky they come alive in the story as does the main characters! You feel like you are in the story yourself and you are traveling the hill's with Addie as she becomes the librarian to give books to the ones who can't get to the library or never,even seen a book... The many,many different places and people she mets,the stories she hears,the emotions you feel as Addie sets off on this adventure of hers.. Life hands out many disappointments to Addie..see how she handles them does she learn anything from them,does she learn anything from all the different characters she mets and their way of life? It's a wonderful,rich story that leaves you with many different emotions of your own..Miss Kim went beyond belief on her writing flow of this fantastic story..makes you think of where you would be if you had to lived back there in this time of what everyone had to endure to just survive!! Again thank you Get Gallery!

Great story. I've read other books by this author that I really enjoyed and this one lived up to the others. I can't say that I've ever read a story about librarians on horseback before. The author paints a vivid picture of the town and its residents. I would love to read more books set in this little town.

This is a lovely, tender story set during the Depression in the mountains of Kentucky about to young people trying to help themselves and their families while staying true to their religious beliefs. It is a love story, a story of forgiveness, a story of tradition and mistaken ideas. I found the point of views of the young people to be very refreshing and helpful in showing what it was like during the time and place. I would read more about these characters. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read #thelibrarianofbooneshollow ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review.

This was one of the most beautiful "you and me" story I've read in a long while.
Addie had the rug pulled out from underneath her when she was called to the Dean's office few weeks before she was to graduate from the university and reading this was so life altering. But I admired how she did not stay down, how she picked up herself and choose to believe God and forge a path for herself. She was such a brave and determined young lady to see the world she had to live in Boone's Hollow change for good. I loved how she used her skills and God given talents to do good to others despite the way she was treated unfairly by them.
Her meeting with Emmett was nothing short of providence. I loved the gentleman that he was, treating everyone with grace and love.

Bettina made this book all the more enjoyable. She brought sass and humor in her own unique way to me while reading the book. I loved how Nanny Fay chose to cultivate her talents and strengths instead on focusing on her weaknesses like her father did.

Addie brought purpose, joy and influenced change into the lives of the residents of Boone's Hollow and Tuckett's Pass. She illustrated how love and living the Godly way can change people.

I recommend this book to everyone that loves a good story and especially to young adult girls of how they can use their talents for good and God's glory.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

This book is my favorite that I've read of Sawyer's books. Readers will no doubt see the familiar gentle story, but this time it's in the hills of Kentucky. The WPA has enlisted groups to horse pack books to the backwoods and hill people during the great depression. The main character, Addie, finds herself in this position due to family financial hardships. She left college to help contribute to the family coffers. The setting reminds me of the Catherine Marshall, Christy. It's an outsider going into a poverty laden area and she finds it rough going. The residents do not accept her, a jealous girl thwarts Addie's efforts to serve and work. Through the story line, strong Christian faith sustains the characters when their own efforts fail. I want to recommend this book to the YA crowd as well. Kim Vogel Sawyer's characters wrestle with response and grace, and I think the younger set needs something so uplifting and filled with hope. Thanks for the great read.

Netgalley has provided an ARC for my reading and review.

“The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow” is a sweet story about a girl from the city (Addie) who gets a job delivering books to families living on a mountain in rural Kentucky. Set in 1936, we get a glimpse into the past - a time when jobs are hard to come by and many families have lost everything they had. We learn about some of the traditions of the people of the region, which include not taking kindly to strangers. Addie endures trials but keeps her head high and trusts God to help her make her way. Kim Vogel Sawyer is a great storyteller and paints a picture of the time and place through her words. I enjoyed reading this book and I am grateful to the publisher for providing an advanced copy.