Emmaline works in a Dead Letter Office during WWI. She comes across a dead letter to her friend Nicholas. She decides to become an ALA War Librarian and heads to France. She meets Nellie, who becomes her friend and helps her realize she is brave. At the field hospital she actually finds Nicholas and they resume their friendship, which turns to love.
In the present day, Kathleen, goes off to the Naval Academy among the first class of women. Raised by her Nanna Nellie, she is devastated when she dies. In Nellie's papers are mentions of Nicholas whom Katleen has never heard of. And Nellie's sister Mabel turns up for the funeral and Kathleen never knew about her. It's hard to read about what Katleen has to go though as a woman in the Naval Academy, but Nellie and Emmaline's stories are so compelling.

Armstrong deserves high praise for this excellent story.

I’m not a fan of alternating time periods but Armstrong did a wonderful job weaving the timelines with ease and great interest. Extremely well done. The characters - Nellie, Emmaline, and Kathleen were strong women facing great challenges, and endless courage. Their mettle was tested and yet they never wavered but rather stood their ground risking it all. I love a story when women pull each other up not down. I was engaged from the start and never lost interest. Sensitive issues were addressed in a respectful manner leaving the reader lost in thought as to what was then and what is now, and what strides we need to make improvements. Great story and I look forward to more from Addison Armstrong.

it was great to read about how positive books are in war time. Librarians rock in all times, especially when she can get a whole community of men in war talking to each other.. It was sad but awesome at the same time

I really enjoyed this book! I had no idea that librarians played such an important role in WWI and I think any book lover will enjoy learning more about the Library War Service through this book. I was so interested by both of the stories in this book and was very satisfied by how they were tied together. This was emotional at times but was ultimately a feel-good story with characters that were lots of fun to root for. Definitely recommend!

Dear The War Librarian,
I am an absolute sucker for historical fiction with dual timelines, linked together with a place or object. I was presently surprised to have your two timelines both be a historical, instead of having one being more current time. But I absolutely loved your story. Historical fiction has become an easy way for me to feel the flavor of the past, absorbing the culture and learning about the broad strokes of the past, in a palatable and easy way. Not only did I fall I love with Emmaline and Kathleen, but I learned so much about when they were from. The late 1970's naval culture was something completely new to me, and I was honestly a little bit skeptical from your beginning, unsure if I would be able to relate to Kathleen. I ended up loving her so much, and feeling her struggle beside her. Emmaline's storyline felt more familiar to me, as I have read much more WWI historical fiction, but I absolutely loved the idea of the government funding War Librarians. Everytime I think I burn out on historical fiction, a brilliant story like you comes along to remind me why I love the genre.

As a library assistant I'm a sucker for books with librarians in the story and duel time. WWII fiction hasn't gotten old yet. But I think that this one was because this one covered something I haven't read before. Plus the dual time didn't hurt.

This story is told from two different POVs and times. Emmaline Balakin works at the Dead Letter Office and becomes a volunteer as a librarian on the front lines of WWI. Kathleen Carre is a member of the first coed US Naval Academy class and is determined to prove she's worthy. Both stories, although seemingly separate (and around 60 years apart), ultimately come together.

Review: I quickly became invested in both Emmaline and Kathleen’s stories. It was clear that their stories would intersect, and I was eager to learn how. This was overall an absolute pleasure to read, and fans of historical fiction should consider adding this to their TBR list.

I always love dual time line historical fiction novels, and this one was very unique.

Emmaline Balakin has recently arrived in France to serve as a war librarian during World War I after leaving her job at the dead letter office . The front is much more difficult than she expected and the conditions at the hospital are beyond imaginable. Emmaline encounters racism, sexism, finds love with a wounded soldier and builds a special bond with Nellie, a driver serving for the Red Cross.

In 1976, Kathleen Carre is among the first class of women accepted to the United States Naval Academy. Like Emmaline, she also encounters racism and discrimination . She finds that while women are admitted to the Naval Academy, they aren't necessarily accepted there.

I thought I knew how the two stories were going to intersect, but I was surprised by the way the story unfolded. The author did an excellent job writing independent stories, but also relating them back to each other and drawing the parallels over time.

Both women's stories are so inspiring and this novel really sheds a light on how far we have come, but also how far we still have to grow on these issues. The War Librarian was inspiring, memorable and engaging, truly a perfect historical fiction read.

I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The War Librarian follows 2 timelines, Emmaline in 1918 and Kathleen in 1976. Kathleen's grandmother was in France with Emmaline in 1918.

Emmaline is a very introverted young woman who spends her free time reading books and her work life in sorting through mail that is difficult to deliver. Her parents have both passed away so when she comes across a letter written by a man she knew when she was younger it prompts her to join librarians bringing books to soldiers who have been wounded in Europe during WWI.

Emmaline is appalled that books are being banned since the men are fighting for democracy and freedom. She also deals with the segregation of the black men from the white men, bringing them together for a book club. Her outspokenness is out of the norm for her and gets her in hot water with her superior.

Kathleen has always wanted to be in the Navy and is ecstatic when she is among the first group of women to be accepted to the Navy Academy. Her grandmother warns her that it is a man's world and seems a little less than thrilled for Kathleen, but does support her. As can be expected, all is not well for those first women, they are not all welcome and some make it their goal to get her to quit.

This is a rough book to read at times because of what these women have to overcome in a man's world but it is the real world! Beyond that there is the mystery of what happened to Emmaline and her friend in France. That comes together at the end.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Loved this book from the first page to the end. I didn't want it to end.

Great writing style, fabulously real characters and I loved the dual timelines. Highly recommend if you like historical fiction.

Shout out to all the librarians making the world a better place one day at a time.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

There was a lot of this that had the feel of a Kate Quinn novel. If you weren't already aware of my reading proclivities, this is high praise.

The story is told in a dual timeline perspective with two separate protagonists and I felt like the organization was really spot on. The writing is well-structured and does a great job of capturing the historical feel of both timelines (1918 WWI France and late 1970s US). I could definitely have used a bit more bulk and development to the story, so a longer book would have likely gotten even higher ratings from me, but it was still a fascinating read from both historical content and entertainment perspectives.

The female protagonists are both really well balanced and felt genuine. I enjoyed that they were both told from an introspective point-of-view and that I felt like the reader could really get to understand their strengths and weaknesses. This helped them to really come alive on the page. I was more attracted to the WWI story line, but more attached to the 1976 protagonist. There is a great discussion of misogyny throughout the secondary timeline and a small slice of racism discussed in both timelines. I particularly struggled with Kathleen's story line, in the sense that her treatment seriously boiled my blood. There was definitely a high amount of emotional response from me throughout these parts of the plot. I appreciated the author's note at the end of the novel with regard to the historical accuracy of these moments as well.

I knew that the timelines would tie together in some way (because that is just the nature of these types of stories), but I did not predict how that would happen until it was beginning to really unfold. I appreciated that lack of predictability and, though it wasn't a complete bombshell for me, it definitely added to my enjoyment of the novel.

The War Librarian is absolutely worth the read and I will be adding Armstrong's debut novel to my TBR for a hopefully soon read.

I actually finished this book last week and am just now getting around to my review. Quite honestly, it took me a little while to get over the hangover I had from it (I might read it again soon because it was just that good). Seriously, if you are a lover of historical fiction (or even just women’s fiction) with a dual-timeline, you’re in for a treat! I fully intend to read Addison Armstrong’s other book, because if it was as excellent as The War Librarian was, I’m going to be thrilled.

Thank you to Netgalley & Publishers for access to an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received this book from NetGalley and am thankful for the opportunity to have read this book.

The story gave insight into women’s experiences in the military during WWI and during the mid 1970’s when women were finally admitted to the Navy Academy. Although it was clear the author did her research, the two story time lines did not flow and the women often came across as weak rather than strong (which seemed to be the point?). As a lover of historical fiction, this one just didn’t hit the mark for me.

Two young women. A dual timeline novel with two personal struggles and two compelling stories. One deep, dark secret.

In 1918, Emmaline leaves her home in Washington, D.C. to serve as a librarian at a U.S. military hospital in France. Though quiet and shy, Emmaline is an avid reader who believes the power of books and their ability to give wounded soldiers hope. Emmaline also cares deeply about social justice, so she's shocked to see the discrimination the Black soldiers must endure. She's also angered when the War Department bans certain books.

In 1976, Kathleen is accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy's class of 1980 -- the first one that includes women. Kathleen has been working towards this goal for a long time. Strong and determined, she's ready for the challenge, or so she thinks. However, she's taken aback by the discrimination and hostility she and her female classmates face.

A fantastic read...highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this eARC for an honest review.


My overall rating/feelings is a 3.5 stars (rounded up)

I was so intrigued by the synopsis of this book. We get the point of views of Emmaline and Kathleen with 2 different timelines. I thought that the writing was good but I felt disconnected from the characters

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

In this historical novel - 2 different points of view are provided and when they collide at the end, there is a twist you did not see coming.

Set in 1918 - Emmaline Balakin always has her head in a book. She is a passionate reader and decides to become a volunteer librarian on the frontlines of France as a way to help the war effort. When an old friend is found in the war hospital, the flame is reignited and Emmaline sees life from a different perspective.

Set in 1976 - Kathleen Carre is beyond excited to join the first coed class of the US Naval Academy. However, a lot of people do not think she should be there and Carre becomes the target of one midshipman's ire.

The story goes back and forth between the two women until they come together in 1977.

A beautiful story, the picture painted by the author made me feel like I was there.

I love reading historical fiction that not only offers good story telling, but teaches me details about history. In this well written novel, Emmaline’s story takes place on the battlefield in France in WWI, a librarian sent by the American Library Association and the War Department to provide books for the men serving. The importance of books is juxtaposed with the banning of certain books, against the ALA’s mission but demanded by the US government. Emmaline befriends Nellie, a motor driver for the hospital Emmaline is assigned to as librarian. There is a dual timeline with Kathleen in 1976, entering in the first class to allow females into the Naval Academy. Kathleen faced the resentment of the male midshipmen, which went beyond hazing. The story lines will come together. I recommend this book, and thank NetGalley for the ARC.

This historical fiction book has dual timelines and perspectives. There was a mystery element woven throughout the story. WW II and the 1970's showed how women were involved in the war efforts.

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.