I am a longtime fan of historical fiction; Addison Armstrong’s The War Librarian did not disappoint. The author beautifully weaves two separate characters’ stories & timelines: that of determined Kathleen, one of the first women to enroll in the Naval Academy, and Emmaline’s, the reluctant war librarian stationed in France during World War I. The two womens’ stories have some things in common, such as the themes of racial segregation and oppression of women, but not so much that it makes the overall book boring, predictable, or repetitive. I enjoyed learning about the Naval Academy and what the plebes endure, all the way to the traditional climbing of the greased Herndon Monument at the completion of their first year. It was plain to see that Armstrong did thorough research. There is a twist that you most likely won’t guess until the author wants you to, and as a solid predictability hater, I LOVE it when a twist takes me by surprise. This book made me want to immediately read Armstrong’s other novel, The Light of Luna Park. Definitely recommend this book to those who love historical fiction and strong female characters.

The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong is a historical novel based on the real history of both the first volunteer librarians during World War I and the first class of women to attend the United States Naval Academy. The plot is told by two strong women. Emmaline is in her twenties and from Washington DC. She has led a sheltered life and her parents are both dead. She becomes a war librarian in France to see more of the world and help her fellow countrymen. She also wants to find her childhood sweetheart Nicholas who she believes is hospitalized in France. Emmaline meets
Kathleen has been raised by her beloved grandmother. Her Nana served as one of the few Motor Corps drivers in World War I and this accomplishment has fueled Kathleen in her quest to attend the Naval Academy. It is 1976 when Kathleen enrolls in the academy. She and her fellow female plebes are subjected to horrible hazing, harassment and physical brutality. Kathleen is relentless in pursuing her dream-regardless of the cost.
Armstrong has created two memorable characters and she deftly connects their stories. The War Librarian is entertaining and it is also filled with lessons for us all.

I was provided a free advanced copy of this book from @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows two women. Emmaline in 1918 France as a volunteer during WWI as a volunteer librarian and Kathleen in 1976 as one of the first females accepted to the Naval Academy! As the two stories develop you start to realize the connection between these women. For one, they are both dealing with similar issues and trials, 60 years apart, in a world dominated by men. It was interesting, and tough at times, learning about these two unique positions of women in history. As the story progresses we learn more and more about how the two characters are connected, but I can't say anymore about that without spoilers!
If you are a fan of historical fiction or learning about women making history this book is for you! It is set to be published on Tuesday, 9 Aug, so keep an eye out for it!
#NetGalley #TheWarLibrarian

I wish that history classes could be taught by reading historical fiction novels. I learn so much! Ms. Armstrong has written a good book... I just wish I didn't have to go back and forth between time periods. I really like the historical story.

The War Librarian alternates between two perspectives and times — Emmaline in 1918 and Kathleen in 1976. Emmaline, who is pretty quiet and introverted, decides to volunteer as a librarian in France during the war. She works with the wounded soldiers to help keep their minds off of the war and their pain. Kathleen is in the first coed class at the Naval Academy. It’s the first time allowing women to join, so there are many people not wanting her and the other women there.

I loved seeing both story lines and how they were tied together. If you are looking for a feminist historical fiction to read, I would highly recommend this one!

Thank you @netgalley and @putnambooks for an advanced copy of The War Librarian

I received an advance reading copy (arc) of this book from NetGalley.com in return for a fair review. This is one of those books that toggle between past and present. In this case, World War I France and 1970s United States Naval Academy. I do not care for this type of format. I usually find that the historical story is much more interesting than the 'present' and often wish the author had just concentrated on one or the other. In the historical portion, Emmaline Balakin travels to France to become a librarian at one of the army hospitals there. The whole plot of her reading a 'dead letter' at her job in the dead letter office seemed contrived (as were many other instances in this novel) as she sought the man who wrote the letter (he was an old childhood friend--another contrivance). While in France, she is befriended by a female driver, Nellie Carre. Of course, she also finds her man. In the modern day story, we have Nellie's granddaughter, Kathleen Carre, who is accepted into the United States Naval Academy in 1976--the first year that a female was allowed to enroll. As far as I was concerned, Kathleen was not a likable character. Her stoicism was a big turn-off for me as she had to put up with a lot of guff from her fellow plebes. I am sure it was difficult for women who were the first to enroll at an all-male academy. They were not welcome nor wanted there. Hopefully by now, things have changed for the better. Anyway, Kathleen has her challenges, just like Emmaline and Nellie, but her story was far from interesting to me. More contrivances and the connection that was revealed in the end was not surprising and definitely not original. I am sorry to say that this one missed the mark for me.

Thank you to Penguin - Putnam and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is my first Addison Armstrong book and I was pleasantly surprised. Rarely do I come across a book set in WWI, let alone one with a dual timeline in the 1970s. Our two narrators, Emmaline Balakin and Kathleen Carre, are telling stories almost 60 years and two different wars apart.

Emmaline is a librarian who isn’t sure how she ended up serving injured troops in war-torn France. Kathleen was just accepted into the US Naval Academy in the first class of women. Both still getting their bearings, these women see two different sides of war—neither of which are what they expected.

As an idealist, Emmaline is stunned by the blatant censorship that the US has upheld on the frontlines; some reading material, including books on American racism, socialism, bolshevism, and any war-related books, are forbidden from reaching the troops. Anyone in possession of the banned materials is considered a traitor. On top of that, she runs into her childhood love in her field hospital. Somehow, Emmaline’s actions resonate across decades and reach Kathleen, who’s just trying to make it through her first year. Her fellow midshipmen who think women shouldn’t be there aren’t making it easy. She has to fight to convince her peers and the country that she belongs in the Navy.

Historical fiction is always fun for me because I love learning something new every time. In The War Librarian, I learned about censorship in WWI and the struggles of the first women in the US Navy. Though I wasn’t completely blown away, this was a quick, clever read (even if I did figure out the “twist” early on), and I enjoyed the dual timelines and the convergence at the end. Most of my enjoyment stemmed from learning about those two periods in US history.

The War Librarian hits shelves on August 9!

Then and today as this story points out, there is power in books and words and a definite importance of books and words in our lives. This story has dual time settings. One is situated in fall 1918, close to the end of the Great War. The second timeline is 1976, with the first class of women to be admitted to the Naval Academy.

The characters are well developed and rich in history. This account reveals the horror of the war and the bias and discrimination that black soldiers faced, even while wounded and hospitalized. Readers also learn about the discrimination and hatred directed at women plebes when the Naval Academy was forced to admit women.

This is an historical account of the war librarians, who worked to help wounded men heal emotionally, as they simultaneously healed from the wounds of battle.

The meaning of the title, The War Librarian, is not fully disclosed until the end of the novel, where both both timelines begin to meld together.

Thank you to both the author and publisher for providing this ARC for me to read and review.

This book was interesting, encompassing and an important read.

I am honored to have bern introduced to yet another new and talented author.

In 1918, Emmaline is working in the Dead Letter Office when she comes across a letter from a man she use to know. This leads her to volunteer as a war librarian in France during WWI. She becomes fast friends with a Motor Corps driver Nellie, one of the few other woman around. Emmaline works hard to raise the spirits of the injured men with books and she ends up making a few dangerous choices regarding banned books as well as trying to include Black soldiers in a Bookclub.

In 1976, Kathleen is one of the first women admitted to the Naval Academy. Her grandmother Nellie has always inspired her. She is harassed and treated unfairly from the men who feel women do not belong there. She is a fighter though and her and the other women keep trying to prove their worth.

These two timelines come together in a lovely way. I love reading about strong women and women in the past who have made progress for future women. I also love books about books and loved how much the soldiers loved to read to escape their circumstances. That’s what reading is❤️

I recommend to any historical fiction fans. This one is available August 9, 2022!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc for an honest review.

The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong is a dual timeline historical novel featuring courageous women. We get to meet Emmaline Balakin who went from working in the Dead Letter Office to a librarian in an army camp in France in 1918. Kathleen Carre is admitted as one of the first women into the United States Naval Academy in 1976. Each woman will face obstacles as they enter areas dominated and run by men. I thought the author beautifully wove the two storylines together. The book contains good writing with realistic characters. I enjoyed getting to know Emmaline, Kathleen, and Nellie (Emmaline’s friend in France). We get to see what life was like for them. It was especially difficult for Kathleen who was not wanted by the male cadets or the people who ran the school. Prejudice, banned books (censorship), secrets, lost love, courage, and bullying are the themes in The War Librarian. It was interesting learning about the Library War Service who was responsible for getting books to servicemen training in camps and those overseas. At first blush, it would seem that the two storylines would be worlds apart. As the story progresses, we get to see the similarity. The twist was something I saw coming, but I enjoyed seeing how it played out. I do want to let readers know there is bullying, mild foul language, and an intimate situation. If you are someone who has been bullied, you might find it hard to read one of the scenes. I was shocked at what the female recruits were subjected to at the academy. That they were expected to carry a purse and wear three-inch heels was idiotic. I understand they are training soldiers, but I do not know how recruits put up with the demanding routine, the yelling, and all the rules (some of them are ridiculous). The War Librarian is an emotional story with a special ending. The War Librarian is a captivating tale that historical fiction lovers will enjoy.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. 2 women fight to prove their place in 2 male-dominated settings, in 2 times in history. We meet Emmaline in 1918, volunteering as a librarian during WWI on the French front lines. We also meet Kathleen, in 1976, who wants to be in the first coed class of the US Naval Academy.
The synopsis is written in such a way that it perfectly encapsulates the entire theme of the book: "two women. one secret. a truth worth fighting for". Spot on!

This was lovely, fierce, engaging read that reminds the reader to fight for what they want to and to be brave, even when it feels the hardest.

The War Librarian is told with alternating points of view--one in 1918 and the other in 1976. Emmaline was an ALA volunteer in France providing books to injured soldiers; Kathleen was in the inaugural class of women studying at the US Naval Academy. As the stories are woven into one, the courage, ingenuity, and struggle for honest living is shown in both women.

This is an interesting work of historical fiction.

I love historical fiction, especially when based on true events and/or people. This dual timeline story told of events and cultural exclusion in 1918 and 1976 that we still struggle with today. The two central characters deal with similar discrimination, challenges and doubt. In their own unique ways, they both learn what it means to be courageous and learn to trust in other people. I really enjoyed this book!

Armstrong sidesteps the sophomore slump in this gripping dual-timeline tale of a WWI librarian and one of the first female cadets at the U.S. Naval Academy.

In September 1918, Emmaline Balakin takes a volunteer librarianship role at an Army hospital in war-torn France, where she’s upset by her orders to destroy certain books that the State Department deems dangerous. Determined to speak out against the censorship, she and a soldier pen a letter to a newspaper in support of librarians’ right and obligation to provide unfettered access to all ideas—not just the ones the government approves of.

In 1976, Kathleen Carre joins the first group of female cadets at the U.S. Naval Academy. She and the other women are subjected to misogynistic slurs, threats, and even physical violence. When she receives a box of WWI memorabilia from her recently deceased grandmother, who served as an ambulance driver in France, a male cadet who’s been tormenting her steals a letter decrying government censorship and tells school authorities that Kathleen wrote it. Kathleen finds herself on trial for sedition and has to reach back into her grandmother’s past for help.

Once again, Armstrong has crafted a tale of two women battling the status quo in historical eras that are relevant today. Emmaline and Kathleen both rail against book banning, racism, and misogyny and have to make difficult choices in their efforts to do what is right. While the soldier willingly helping Emmaline pen a letter that could have gotten him executed feels like a stretch, Armstrong’s point about the importance of access to ideas rings true. Dual timelines can be tricky, but Armstrong aligns hers perfectly so the issues each woman is dealing with run parallel. Readers won’t want to put this one down.

Books with dual timelines are my jam and I was fully invested in both Emmeline and Kathleen's stories. The author did a great job of connecting all the bits of the story together. I loved the theme of how powerful the written word can be and how the author wove it through both timelines. I knew nothing about librarians and the books sent overseas for our soldiers during WWI, so that was fascinating. The writing got a bit too preachy on all the social issues it tried to tackle, and the twist was predictable, but I still really enjoyed this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for access to this arc.

I enjoyed Ms. Addison’s sophomore novel which had a perfect pace for each of the two timelines. The plots reminded me very much of Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson and Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig: two treasured reads. Perhaps due to the strong resemblance to these novels, I had a difficult time allowing the storylines to intersect in the manner they should have. I had the feeling from about the 40% mark that this new work was trying too hard to be too many things. Racism, misogyny, patriotism, forgiveness…all valid and worthy themes, but just too much all together for this historical fiction lover. Some of the literary references seemed forced (Dickens, Austen) and slightly corny, and the ending a bit too predictable.

As a former girlfriend of a USMA plebe 42 years ago, I will attest to her getting the 1970s section of the novel right, and appreciated the detail and attention to this particular class of midshipmen.

I share my review with the publisher only out of respect for the author, and the challenges navigated during an incredibly difficult time. Thank you for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Out of all of the historical fiction I've read this year, this one has really stuck with me. Set between WW1 and the 1970s, "The War Librarian" tells the story of two different women trying to accomplish things that women before them haven't previously done. Their stories intertwine in a very sweet way, wrapping the book up nicely. I can see this being a hit with the historical fiction crew.

Oh, this book has a bit of everything…historical fiction, romance, the ongoing fight for equal rights for women and minorities…a bit of mystery, and the dangers of censorship. I loved the way the chapters bounced back and forth between Emmaline in WWI and Kathleen, as part of the first class of women allowed in the Navy, and the connections between the two people and their stories propelled me forward through page after page. I tend to read more historical fiction around the Holocaust and WWII, so this was an interesting book that bookended the before and after times surrounding that period, and it did so in a way that makes me want to read more about both time periods. This book also serves as a reminder that while we’ve come a long way since the heroines in this story were starting out, we still have progress to be made in regards to equal rights in our military, as well as in our society.

Thank you to NetGalley, G.P. Putnam's Sons, & Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.

Look, is it the book's fault that one of my MOST HATED TROPES in historical fiction is the martyr / miscommunication that lasts upwards of 50 years? No. But also. I cannot.

I was way more invested in the more contemporary of the two timelines, following Kathleen as she enrolls in the US Naval Academy in 1976, the first year that women were allowed to join. That being said, if you read that sentence and thought to yourself, "My God, I bet that some of the dudes made that absolute hell for them," you would a) be correct and b) be really upset throughout most of the chapters focusing on Kathleen's story.

I appreciated the author showing how tough women are, and I also appreciated that at the end of their first year there wasn't a magical moment when all the men accepted them (because that would not have been realistic).

Emmaline's POV bugged me because I knew in my bones that normally I would eat that up - two childhood friends reconnecting in a France at war over books and memories and idioms from the shared language of their Russian ancestry? SIGN. ME. UP. But it didn't work for me, and I can't put my fingers on why. (Most likely: most hated trope mentioned above, but whatevs)

Ultimately I'm glad I read it because it focused on something I didn't know a lot about out (one of the reasons I love hist fic!) but it wasn't a favorite.

The War Librarian is one heck of a story! A dual timeline plot of two impressive, brave and courageous women who conquer adversities and overcome challenges in a male-dominated world! I can’t put this book down! Its a historical fiction at its finest!

Emmaline Balakin is bookish and brave and went to volunteer her librarian services at the French front during WWI in 1918. She started a bookclub among the wounded soldiers hoping to give them the escape that only the best books can give.

Kathleen Carr is among the first group of 81 females admitted to US Naval Academy. She was undeniably top of the class and most men does not want women that were good, successful and may dangerously ruffled the men’s secured positions and rank.

These women were heroes! Two different historical timelines that blended so well! I love the book, I love how beautifully written the story was! I love the ending and most of all I love the kick-ass female characters. I am so happy that I was given the chance to experience this book before it hit the shelves. Special thank you to Putnam books via Netgalley for the e-file and to the awesome PRH Audio for the audiobook. Listening to Lauren Ezzo and Saskia Maarleveld was a great trip!

“Books are the best place to hide when the world is too much to take” - Addison Armstrong, The War Librarian.