A big thank you to the author Addison Armstrong, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my candid opinion.

This was an interesting book with parallel timelines, one involving a young librarian who chose to serve at a hospital France and one involving a young woman who joins the first female class at Annapolis. The two stories reveal strong women who are tested both for their aspirations as well as their beliefs. It was a great read, giving life to two times of great struggle for women in the military.

I highly recommend this read.

I really enjoyed her debut novel The Light of Luna Park and was eagerly anticipating The War Librarian but it felt flat to me and was more of a meh book.

A dual timeline historical fiction set in 1918 with a new volunteer female Librarian on the frontlines in France and her granddaughter in 1976 who is one of the first females admitted to the US Naval Academy.

I liked the 1976 timeline better but I didn't actually like Kathleen. This was an every other chapter switch which made it harder to read in my opinion. Also this had my least favorite historical fiction twist as well so it made it harder to stay engaged as I was reading. I did like the Librarian during WWI aspect to this book though!

There are a lot of 4/5 star reviews on this book so if this sounds interesting to you I'd check out the more reviews on it!

This dual-timeline book was pretty good. I mostly enjoyed learning about what it was like for the War Librarians sent over to support the troops in France in WWI (alongside nurses, the only women to be part of the war effort in-theater).

The part about the first class of women at the Naval Academy was just OK. Since I am a graduate, I found that part was a quick overview of what it was like, but it didn't capture what I was hoping for. The author states she read the book "First Class" by Sharon Disher, as well as conducted interviews, but that part of the timeline seems to drop off as the focus is mostly on the 1918 narrative.

I wanted to start off by saying that I received a complimentary ebook arc. In return for my honest thoughts and my review.This book was released August 9, 2022. I still wanted to post my review if through its late. To which I apologize. This book did take me while to read. Not because I didn’t like it. I loved these strong female characters. And the world this author created. I couldn’t put this book down. I am so happy that I got approved for this book. I will be definitely buying my own physical copy. That being woman they could could do whatever a man could do in the service. I love the two POV and different time frames. It’s crazy that even reading this book today that women have issues when joining the military. How these female characters handle racism in the military during those times. I definitely will be adding more books from this author. I felt so bad for Kathleen Carre and the way she is treated because she wants to join the Navy. Not having family to support her anymore.
Emmaline Balakin War 1 librarian for the soldiers. Reading and getting books for those who are hurt during the war. I know my review is all over the place. But I really had a good time to reading this book. I highly recommend this book.
About Book:
This book is set in two different times 1918 where read that Emmaline Balkin who joins the war 1 efforts and became a war Librarian for hurt soldiers. To read and give soldiers books. But Emmaline realized how there was racism and books that weren’t allowed. They were viewed as bad during the war times.
1976 Kathleen Carre is being raised by her grandmother who once served during War 1 and didn’t talk about it much to her granddaughter. Kathleen who mother was off running around. When Kathleen wants to join the navy. Her grandma didn’t approved of her leaving and joining the Navy because her grandmother always said military was a mans world. Kathleen learning how hard is to be in the military. How really different men treated her. Being accused of a crime. This book really will hold a place in my heart. That ending will forever will be in my heart. How brave these women are. And women who are serving today. Thank you again to the author and netgalley for allowing me the opportunity.

I thoroughly enjoyed this compulsively readable historical fiction novel. Set in dual timelines - a war librarian in WWI and one of the first women accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy in the 1970s - the two stories wove together in an interesting way.

I enjoyed the writing and the stories of each of the women, and, like most historical fiction, I learned a lot too.

I do enjoy WWI/WWII historical fiction, but I know many readers are weary of them, feeling like they all feel the same after you’ve read many of them. I would say if you still like these historical fiction books, I’d definitely recommend The War Librarian, but if you’re tired of them, I’d skip this one. It follows a similar structure to many of the others and isn’t anything incredibly unique. Again, I really liked it, but know yourself.

Inspired by the first female volunteer librarians during World War I and the first women accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy, The War Librarian tells a story that spans half a century.
In 1918. timid and shy Emmaline Balakin volunteered as a librarian on the frontlines in France. She befriends Nellie, a driver, and several soldiers, including Nicholas. With an iron will, Emmaline speaks out against imperfect segregation by providing books for all the men. She also makes an ultimate sacrifice that changes her life.
In 1976, Kathleen Carre decides to prove to herself and join the first coed class at the United States Naval Academy. But she soon becomes a target and must decide how to fight back while managing a tragedy at home.
This book is a tough one to rate. I enjoyed most of the story, but the characters didn’t grab my heart. The concept is interesting, though, and prioritizes the power of strong, determined women. For that reason alone, I would recommend this book.
Favorite quotes:
“Books are the best place to hide when the world is just too much to take.”
“We don’t make the rules, but with enough hope, we can challenge them.”
“Sharing your story is never a weakness. When we realize we aren’t alone, we grow so much stronger.”

During WWI, Emmaline leaves the Dead Letter Office to serve as a librarian on the front lines. Stationed at a hospital in France, Emmaline must overcome her fears to serve the bored and wounded soldiers. There, she encounters an old crush, a man from her past. In 1976, Kathleen has been chosen as one of the first women to enter the Naval Academy. There, she experiences hazing, prejudice, and downright hostility from the men who are supposed to be her comrades.

Although the two stories were related, they were extremely different. I did not think that Emmaline and Kathleen's stories worked well together. Each could have been a standalone book, but together they were very discordant. I did think the naval academy story was a bit stronger, and found myself waiting for those chapters. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

This is a very compelling read! WW1 and WWW2 stories always pique my interest and when I saw this had a librarian element-I had to read it. It did not disappoint. It drew me in from the beginning and it didn't let go once. I was all in for Emmaline and Kathleen's stories. There is a very surprising twist that was a great addition to the book to make it even more exciting. Great read!

The title grabbed me, being a librarian and lover of words, the story kept me engaged right up to the very end.

"Books here calm me. Things end happily in books - and when they don't, there's a reason." - Armstrong

I love historical fiction - a story rooted in the past, but told with imagination. So when I saw "The War Librarian" and heard it was based on the War Department and the American Library Association providing 7-10 million books to soldiers libraries, I had to know more. Addison Armstrong definitely gave that to me and more.

Told in 2 timelines, 1918 and 1976, both relevant to women soldiers and librarians, this is a fascinating read. In 1918, Emmaline arrives to provide books to wounded soldiers, hoping to give them peace in troubling times. And 1976, Kathleen is a plebe in the first ever womens class at the Naval Academy. Both women fight for acceptance in a male dominated world. Both find the path difficult.

I agree with others, the title of this book is simplified although I can't think of what else I would have named it. Between the cover of Armstrong's book you will find the strength of family, both blood and by choice, raciscm, politics, feminism and most importantly the power of the written word. 'Emmaline's world begins with words and Kathleen's future depends on them.

So while this is a story told during war times (Emmaline) or preparing for war, (Kathleen), its ultimately about the strength of character and the power of words to transform society for the better.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group and Addison Armstrong for introducing me to war librarians. I was shocked I had never heard of them! Thank you for this thought provoking, important story! I am already telling my coworkers, and library patrons its a must read!

This historical novel is a dual-timeline book.
One storyline set in WWI France, based on a real program that provided books to soldiers serving overseas.
The other is 1976, the first year women were accepted at the American service academies.
Both storylines feature young women embarking on difficult, groundbreaking journeys.
There are twists and turns that kept me reading to a surprising conclusion.

This was an amazing story. I loved the two different perspectives in the two different times. The connection between was interesting and surprisingly mysterious at the end. Highly recommended.

Really 4.5/5 stars !

I loved this book! It was a unique read & new detail of war that I hadn’t heard of before: a war librarian. I loved the emphasis on freedom, importance of reading, and love throughout these chapters.

It’s dual POV and timeline, which expertly wove together.

As someone who works at a service academy, the chapters of Katherine at the Naval Academy (as a member of the first class to admit females) stressed me out beyond belief but was also incredibly interesting.

⚠️MAJOR spoilers ahead.

I had a feeling pretty early on that grandmother Nellie was going to end up being Emmaline. I loved that Nicholas came forward & was involved in Katherine’s life after discovering the truth. Living a lifetime apart from his love & only realizing it after she died was heartbreaking 💔 I loved his character from the moment Emmaline shared the childhood story that he waited for her outside on Christmas Eve 🥹

A couple quotes that stuck with me:
▪️"We're all afraid," she repeated. "But being scared like that just means you still have your humanity. And going on anyway makes you far braver than if you didn't have any fear at all."
▪️ "Books are the best place to hide," I said quietly. "When the world is just too much to take."

Thank you to NetGalley & G. P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC. This review is unbiased & voluntary.

4.5*
Two timelines and two women fighting for their beliefs. There’s Emmaline Balakin who goes to France during WWI to bring books to wounded soldiers. She worries about her patients, especially the Black men who do not get the same treatment as the Whites. She is a true librarian at heart, firmly believing in inclusion and access to diverse ideas. Unfortunately, the government is not open to any perspective other than the official government line and segregation is still enforced among the military.

The other timeline is set in 1976 and follows Kathleen Carre who is a member of the first class of women to be accepted into the Naval Academy at Annapolis. As expected, the women face an uphill battle to get recognition and acceptance into the ranks. But Kathleen is singled out by another “plebe” and subjected to abuse, as well as a threat to her very career.

Both women face accusations of disloyalty to America. If convicted of sedition, they could not lose their jobs and positions, but even their very freedom.

Based upon real situations, the book calls attention to the little-known efforts during WWI to bring books to our soldiers fighting overseas. Reading about the joy the men show when offered access to books is music to the ears of all librarians and book lovers. The story of the first females at the Naval Academy is also based upon real situations. Though Kathleen is fictional, much of her story stems from a real former female plebe’s memoir.

Armstrong tackles racism, sexism, freedom of the press and censorship. Both women are targeted because of their beliefs in equal opportunity. They each struggle and find support from the friends they encounter in their new placements. This is a book not to be missed.

In this book, we move between two timelines and meet two women who, though separated by years, both fight to make it in a man's world. I enjoyed, in particular, Kathleen Carre's story. Women who join the armed forces but strive to be at the top of their classes or get into programs that men typically hold, interest me. I connected with her spirit. The parallel story, however, was not as exciting. I thought that one dragged a little more. Overall, it was an interesting read, but not one that I struggled to put down. *Advance copy provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

What a ride!!!! I loved every second!! I can't even come up with the words to express my feelings for this beautiful book.... all I can say is go read it, and tell me what you think!!

Perhaps I am not the target audience for this book. While it's not my typically genre, I usually enjoy stories about the "other" people involved in the war. I thought that I would love this story from a librarian's perspective. I found the concept to be very interesting. I would have never thought about the need for calm entertainment, such as books, for soldiers who are in the hospitals. On the other hand, I thought the story was very slow. I found myself feeling very angry at the treatment of Miss Carre while in the Naval Academy. For some reason though, rather than feeling drawn in and captivated, I felt angry and like I wanted to pull away.

In this book the author will take you through two different time lines, the 1910s and 1970s, it is written in dual POV with view points from Emmaline Balakin and Kathleen Carre. When it comes to dual POV, I love them usually, however it took me a minute to really get into it because I had a hard time following along initially. Once, it all started clicking I really did enjoy this book.

This historical fiction takes a look at WWI as well the first women admitted to Annapolis. I found these storylines to be interesting and I felt like I was reading something new that I haven’t read before (I feel like there’s only so many storylines you can write about this time period before it becomes redundant and I thought the author did a great job at making this seem like it was something new). Our characters Kathleen and Emmaline’s stories are incredibly inspiring. The two woman go through something difficult that ultimately shapes them into the woman they are present day. It is an inspiring “girl power” story with a mix of historical fiction and if that’s your thing, you should totally give it a read!

Thank you Netgalley and Putnam Books for the eARC in exhchange for an honest review!

The War Librarian is historical fiction with all the best tropes: two women from different eras fighting parallel but unique battles that, in the end, bring them home to each other. There are cases of mistaken identity, strong themes of sexism in the military and female empowerment, and, of course, lots of talk about the power of books.

All in all, a very satisfying read if you, like me, love historical fiction.

Emmaline is a volunteer librarian during World War I and is more interested in books then her own life. Until she receives a letter with a name from her past, sending her on an adventure. Decades later, Kathleen is trying to get accepted in the United States Naval Academy. She would be the first woman and not everyone is okay with that.

I love stories with a strong female character and this one had two! Told in dual timelines, the author shared the stories of these women living decades apart. It was an interesting concept but honestly this book didn’t really hold my attention. Thank you to the author and Penguin Randomhouse for the ARC! This book is out now!

This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly 😊

The War Librarian was a story I didn't know I would want to read, and then would devour so quickly. There are two stories-one of Emmaline, a young woman in 1918 who becomes a war librarian, bringing books to wounded American soldiers in France, and Kathleen, a woman in the first Navy class to accept female midshipmen. As the story progresses, we see how these two characters' lives line up and intertwine.

I really enjoyed this book, but at the same time, it was hard (as always) reading through the sexism and racism that was definitely realistic and prevalent during the time periods. Books like this always light a fire under me. I appreciated the strong female characters throughout the book, and I appreciated learning about a job during WW1 that I didn't even know was a thing! The ending of the book was very bittersweet and thoughtful. If you're into historical fiction, definitely give this one a go!

Thanks to Netgalley and Putnam for the e-ARC!