I cannot get enough of historical fiction, especially novels with strong female protagonists, and “The War Librarian” is a great example of that. Here, we have a dual storyline with Emmaline who volunteers as a librarian on the French front during WWI along with Kathleen who is accepted into the first coed class at the Naval Academy during the seventies. Of course, both women face challenges of adversity, discrimination and racism.

I thought the novel was well researched as well as well-paced. The author also captured the voices of the different characters and deftly handed the two timelines. Some of the language and the behavior of Kathleen and Emmaline seemed more appropriate for a 21st century social justice warrior but that was my only complaint about an otherwise enjoyable tale.

Thank you Addison Armstrong, Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to give this an early read.

I read this right after I finished the Library spy, and I think that might have hurt this score. I enjoyed reading this. It was good. I just kept thinking about another book while I was reading it. Duel's point of view is always my favorite, and this story does follow a lady from the 1970s and the 1918s. The story is well written and has its high and low points. I felt like it was missing something, and I couldn't place my hand on it. I will reread it in a couple of weeks and update it again. As of now, it's a decent ww1 historical fiction but nothing to write home about.

Thank you, Netgalley & G.P. Putnam's Sons, for the advance reader copy of the war librarian in exchange for my honest review.

If one can measure a novel’s success by the emotions it draws from readers, the sophomore work by Armstrong (The Light of Luna Park, 2021) is very effective indeed. The trials her protagonists undergo while pursuing their dreams and holding onto their integrity evoke admiration and passionate fury on their behalf. In 1918, Emmaline Balakin leaves her sedate dead letter office job to serve in France as a hospital librarian. The injured soldiers at Bazoilles-sur-Meuse are truly grateful for the reading material, though Emmaline is aghast at the treatment of Black servicemen and dismayed by the American government’s censorship regulations. In 1976, Kathleen Carre, granddaughter of Emmaline’s friend Nellie, breaks gender barriers by enrolling in the U.S. Naval Academy. Between ridiculous uniform requirements (three-inch heels!) and torturous hazing from male classmates, the system seems determined to break her, but she persists. Romance and long-held secrets provide additional intrigue in this increasingly powerful story. The values of intellectual freedom, antiracist activism, and female friendship are illustrated within their historical contexts, yet these themes couldn’t be timelier.

(From Booklist, 5/15/22 issue)

What a story, this is how women fought to get to vote defend our nation and how men have tried to put us down. Why we have to be better to prove ourselves!

The Point of View switches between a young woman in 1976 who was in the first group/class of women in the US Naval academy and her grandmother who went to the front lines in 1918 to be a librarian.

The author took some liberties in writing this book, but clarified them in with the Author's Notes at the end of the book.

The exchange in timelines was handled well and worked for this book. Sometimes it seems that women have made much progress over the years; and then other times there is still sexual biasness.

Very enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the advance read copy of The War Librarian in exchange for an honest review. Also many thanks to Addison Armstrong the author and to Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons the publisher. Publication date is 09 August 2022.

I wish to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam, G. P. Putnam’s Son Publishers for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Having read “The Light of Luna Park” I was delighted to see Addison Armstrong is the author of this book. The title intrigued me and I knew it was going to be outstanding, I must admit I was not disappointed one little bit. This is a book about strong women in terrible situations. It is a book you will not want to put down.

The story is done in two time frames and wove back and forth between France in 1918 and Annapolis in1976. WWI presented challenges that are carefully detailed and dealt with in surprising ways. The US Naval Academy part deals with when female midshipmen were first admitted. Female Plebes were accepted but not wanted in this prestigious group. The way the two timelines connect are wonderfully detailed and thoughtfully explained. The details will reveal life in those specific settings.

I loved all the characters and the entire concept of the story. This is a must read for those who love historical fiction, Strong female characters, mystery and romance. It has it all and if I could rate it higher than 5 stars I would gladly do so. Addison Armstrong is a very gifted author and I will read whatever she writes in the future. I am a fan.

This was a pretty okay book! I wasn’t entirely a huge fan of the manner in which the two timelines altered - it was just too much back and forth for me. And while I loved the 1918 timeline, the 1976 timeline just triggered my anxiety entirely too much. I think the 1976 timeline was written very accurately and very well, but much of the middle of it was just too much for me. I did like how its subplot twisted and turned and how not only that timeline but the entire story wrapped up. Despite my hangups with it, The War Librarian is an absolute page-turner!

The War Librarian is the story of Emmaline Balakin, a librarian who goes to France to serve as a librarian to wounded soldiers in World War I, and Kathleen Carre, a member of the first class of women accepted to the Naval Academy in the late 1970's. Each story has their own unique struggle, but we later learn that Emmaline and Kathleen share a surprising connection.

This book explores fascinating topics - the experience of being a woman in the naval academy and the hate and abuse that came with, the demand for censorship of opposing views in books and the conflict of being a librarian with a responsibility to allow freedom of information. I was so drawn in to the strength of these women and was desperate for them both to succeed. It's also a book about books, which has never failed me. This is a book that would appeal to all readers - there's a little something for everyone.

Good book. I liked the character development. It seemed two stories but came together in the end. I do recommend for an easy read.

I love a book where I not only have an entertaining or interesting story, but I also learn something. I REALLY love when I read a novel, and I learn about something I never knew about at all. This novel by Addison Armstrong accomplished all of that for me!
Kathleen Carre is a student at the US Naval Academy- one of the first women accepted into the Naval Academy in 1976. It was hard to read what the character Kathleen went through as one of the first women. My admiration for these strong groundbreaking women who did this in real life is immense. But Kathleen's Nana is also someone to be admired too, as she served in WW1 in Europe helping US troops.
Emmaline Balakin is a shy librarian, who impulsively joins to serve as a battlefield librarian in World War One. Yes, we had such things! She is also falling in love with a soldier she knows from before the war, who she meets again in France. Through Emmaline's experiences, I saw WW1 through her eyes. Reading about the treatment of our Black Americans or "colored" troops in World War One was infuriating. The separate and unequal hospital tents for soldiers who were valiantly risking their lives for an America that didn't treat them properly or respect them was so upsetting.
The book travels between two settings, Emmaline on the battlefields of WW1 in France, and Kathleen in Annapolis in 1976. It does start off a little slow, but then picks up as the women get to their respective "battlefields". I really enjoyed this novel, and recommend it to lovers of historical fiction.

So, I fell in love with The Light of Luna Park, and I thought it would be difficult for Armstrong to top that one with this second novel. However, I loved The War Librarian even more, probably because I was more interested and connected to elements in the historical times and characters depicted in the two stories.

One of the things I love most about Armstrong's books is the dual timelines and how they inevitably intertwine with each other. In The War Librarian we have Emmaline, a librarian during WWI, and Kathleen, inductee into the first year accepting woman at the Naval Academy. The trials and life lessons the characters experience always manage to connect to each other in a unique way and tackle tough topics that are often pushed aside in literature. But the best part about these dual perspectives is that Armstrong always manages to surprise me with the true connection between the two timelines. I had speculation for the ending of this book, but I was completely wrong and loved that about the ending.

I will say, overall, I enjoyed Emmaline's timeline more than Kathleen's. I think Emmaline was more developed as a character and her relationships with others in the war camp were more fleshed out. Meanwhile, with Kathleen, it seemed like there were short snippets with many different people and I didn't see as many authentic interactions or relationships despite the bonds that were mentioned towards the end of the book.

By far, though, my favorite part was the emphasis on the importance and love of books. Anytime an author depicts that in their characters or storyline I am always obsessed!

I can't wait to read more novels by Armstrong in the future!

Book received for free through NetGalley

An amazing book that I couldn’t put down. I felt for all the characters, cheered when they succeeded, and love it all. Never heard of the linty in World War One and loved the history mentioned at the end.

I unfortunately didn’t finish this after 37%. I just couldn’t get into the one story line for the 70’s. I had high hopes because I loved her first book and I was interested in this topic. The Light of Luna Park was a lot better!

“The War Librarian” is a historical fiction dual-timeline book by Addison Armstrong. In this book we follow two women - Emmaline Balakin, a WWI librarian, and Kathleen Carre, a midshipman cadet in the first co-ed class at the US Naval Academy. It takes a surprisingly short time for the two stories to connect - and they do through Nellie, Emmaline’s friend/driver and Kathleen’s grandmother.

As so many historical fiction books are about WWII, it was a bit refreshing to be transported back to WWI. I found parts of Emmaline’s story to be interesting - such as the set up of the wards and camp - and frustrating - such as the racial inequality. I also greatly enjoyed the fact that people stateside were actively getting books to soldiers overseas to distract them from the horrors of war when possible. But, sadly, I never felt like I was in WWI France, other than when Emmaline was inside the library in Paris. Regarding Kathleen’s story, there was a lot packed into her story. While I am glad that Ms, Armstrong used “First Class,” by Sharon Disher as a source for Kathleen’s story, for some reason Kathleen’s section felt flat to me. Usually I do find the “older” timeline in dual timelines to be more interesting, but in this case I think Kathleen had so much to deal with that it just didn’t work as well for me. I did like how both Emmaline and Kathleen were strong characters, but at times they came across as a bit too modern “social justice warrior” for my taste. Also, there’s a twist that I saw coming around the 40% mark of this book and it’s a trope I’m noticing more often in historical fiction books - and it’s not really my favorite. Overall, I’d rate this book about a 3.5 read.

Overall, I’d say that if you are interested in strong female characters with a military background, this book may be one that will interest you.

The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong is a dual timelines story that takes you back to 1918 France, when quiet book lover, Emmaline, decides to volunteer as a librarian on the French front. I didn't know there were war librarians so this intrigued me. She is passionate and determined to do a good job with the books and finds a bit of romance along the way.
Her steadfastness in her work reminds us of the importance of standing up for what is right, especially in the face of war.
In 1976, Kathleen Carre is eager to prove to herself and family that she deserves her acceptance into the first coed class at the United States Naval Academy, the Navy's first class including females. Not everyone wants female midshipmen at the Academy. She has some barriers to overcome.
I loved the dual timelines and how the author weaves this story all together.
I will be recommending this book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of my favorite genres and this book was another good one to read. It takes place in two timelines, 1918 and 1976. Emmaline Balakin is the daughter of Russian immigrants more comfortable with books than people. She is working in the Dead Letter Office when one comes across her desk and changes her life forever. Kathleen Carre is a determined young woman with her heart set on joining the military. As one of the first women admitted to the US Naval Academy, she faces obstacles at almost every turn. I enjoyed Emmaline's story much more so than Kathleen's. I appreciate that the author was trying to convey how difficult it was for her to be in a man dominated time/situation however everything about her character was struggling which lead to not particularly liking her. I thought she did a good job of building up to the big secret reveal and I hadn't guessed it until right before it occurred. Overall, an entertaining, well written, read and a great second book from this author.

The last 50 pages made this an instant 5-star for me. The War Librarian grabs you immediately and doesn't let you go, the characters are beautiful and messy, the scene is so easily envisioned. A historical fiction novel, with a thriller like twist? What more could a gal want. When this comes out on August 9th, please grab it immediately.

The War Librarian is a beautiful mix of The Paris Library, plus The Alice Network, plus The Nightingale in the most wonderful way. This historical fiction novel covers the intricacies of being a woman trying to support the armed forces during World War 1 and being a woman of the 1980's who wants to join the armed forces.

In 1918 Emmaline Balakin lives for her books, and not much of her own life. While working her job she comes across a letter with a name from her past, which sparks her to finally go on her own adventure as a volunteer librarian on the front lines in France. A romance between her and an injured solider blossoms during her secret book club that she holds. Emmaline will need to find courage, conviction, and strength - more than she ever thought possible to survive.

In 1976 Kathleen Carre wants to prove to herself that she deserves to be in the first coed class at the United States Naval Academy. However, not everyone is in agreement with her that she deserves to be there once she arrives. Kathleen has to battle discriminatory efforts as well as bullying of her peers. She must protect herself to accomplish her goal, but also because she now must protect a secret that could be her undoing.

I was happily surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. Using a dual timeline, the story moves between WW1 in 1918 to the US Naval Academy in 1976. Two women in situations unlike anything else they have ever encountered. Kathleen Carre is accepted into the first coed class at the US Naval Academy and the way those first women were treated was deplorable. The author did a lot of research that supports what she writes about regarding the attitudes and behaviors men had toward those women. Emmaline Balikin is a volunteer librarian for the soldiers fighting in Europe and the reader also gets a view of the conditions these men and women had to endure on the lines in that war. What I most enjoyed was how the author was able to connect the storyline to Emmaline and Kathleen and this made the books ending very satisfying.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

This is such a great dual timeline story, set during WW1. One story belongs to a volunteer War Librarian, who goes to France to bring books to the troops. The other story is of a young woman who earns her place at the US Naval Academy in 1976, the year when women were finally allowed into Annapolis. Both women go through hardships that allow them to grow and persevere. Each woman endures trials in male dominated settings. Both time periods have themes of racism and sexism. What a great read!

This is a dual timeline story, with the first timeline taking place in 1918 with Emmaline, a bookish girl who volunteers as a war librarian in France during the Great War, and the second taking place in 1976 with Kathleen, a member of the Annapolis class of 1980, the first class which allowed women to join the ranks of Midshipmen. It took me a while to realize how the stories were connected and I did not anticipate the plot twist near the end. No spoilers - but I loved the story and it came to a satisfying ending. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of the novel in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to reading more by this author.