All the stars and all the love for The Little Wartime Library! Kate Thompson has crafted a masterpiece here and what I would say is WW2 historical fiction at its finest. Beyond the memorable and compelling story itself in which I felt all the feels and emotions, from crying to joy, I absolutely loved the characters who came to feel like friends by the end. Set in London in 1944, I really appreciated the perspective given of the war through this book, and there a lot I learned and walked away with. I cannot recommend this book highly enough to all my hist fic loving friends and even those wanting to tiptoe into the genre!

Many thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley for the gifted e-copy!

I'm always drawn to WWII books - and this one definitely lived up to the hype. I felt so extremely connected to all of the characters as well as the library itself. I smiled, I cried, I felt all of the emotions throughout reading it.

It was such a unique perspective of the war, and really helped me understand what people did in London when they chose not to evacuate the city. I can't wait to read the newest book by the same author!

Thank you for the advanced copy of Kate Thompson’s The Little Wartime Library. This was a nice read. The characters lacked a little depth, but the storyline was interesting, sad, and encouraging all at the same time. I gave this book 3 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am a big fan of World War II historical fiction and this one was just right love the main character vibes and the library feels I highly recommend this one

A fun read! I love a good historical fiction novel! This one I couldn’t put down! Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced read!

You know those books that you only have to look at the cover and know, you just know, that you're going to fall in love with the story? After sitting on my TBR for far too long, I finally read The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson and of course I was right - I absolutely fell in love with this story!

Did you know that London's Bethnal Green tube station was converted into a shelter, featuring rows of bunk beds, a nursery, café, theater, and the city's only underground library during WWII? Neither did I until I found myself staying up much later than I should to read the remarkable history within this books’ covers!

Both Ruby and Clara, the two main characters, are based on historical figures and I found myself crying along with them, over moments of both sadness and joy. Beyond these two perspectives, each and every one of the characters wormed their way into my heart and had me falling in love with them!

Thompson's writing, and the story itself are somehow comforting, despite the wartime subject; I suppose this is by design however, just as the library was comforting to those who sought solace from it. There are atrocities to overcome, scandals, love, heartbreak and an incredible sense of community - honestly, what more could you ask for from a historical fiction? It's the story, it's the history, it's the characters, it's the writing. This book gripped onto part of my soul and still hasn't let go days after finishing.

The Little Wartime Library is incredible, and I cannot recommend it enough to book lovers, historical fiction readers and history buffs alike!

Immediately after finishing, I purchased Thompson's latest book, The Wartime Book Club and let me tell you, it won't be sitting on my shelf for too long, because I can't wait for more of Thompson's writing and historical characters!

Thank you NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the complimentary copy to read and review.

It is historical fiction but gives an amazing insight to what England must have endured during the war and how creative they could be during times of such devastation.

The Little Wartime Library is a novel of historical fiction set in London 1944 featuring two strong protagonists. Librarian Clara and her friend/assistant Ruby run the Bethnal Green underground library. This was the first time I'd heard of this library and the community underground.

The story showcased the importance of books even during wartime and how books brought people together giving them not only information but a temporary escape from war and bombings. Through Clara and Ruby we meet an interesting cast of characters. We see a glimpse into the lives of these Londoners. We feel the dangers they faced both at home and from the enemy. We watch them experience both joy and sorrow as they live through the last months of the war.

Don't skip the author's notes at the end as she provides not only more context but photos. Thank you to the publisher for my e-copy of this book.

From the time I was a young girl and had learned how to read, l always enjoyed visiting the local library where I grew up. During my elementary school years, I remember looking forward to the day that the big bookmobile showed up on my street. The librarian allows greeted me with a smile and was most helpful in assisting me to find the books she thought that I would enjoy reading. Libraries continued to play an important part in my life as I got older. During college, I worked at the library at my college by getting new books ready for circulation. As a parent, I volunteered at my children’s school library twice a week. It gave me such pleasure seeing young children excited about visiting the library and being able to borrow books. Whenever my grandchildren spend a weekend at my home, a visit to the library is always included in our plans. It was no wonder then that I was drawn to The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson. Books about libraries entice me. I switched back and forth between reading The Little Wartime Library on my kindle and listening to the audiobook. The audiobook was narrated very well by Sarah Durham. It was well written and it was apparent that a great deal of impeccable research went into writing this book.

The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson took place in the East End of London in 1944 as the Blitz over London began. No sooner had the Blitz begun than The Bethnal Green Library became a direct target and was completely destroyed. Clara Button, a twenty-five year old children’s librarian and widow and her faithful and devoted assistant Ruby Monroe had the vision to create a one-of-a-kind library down in the space the tubes were supposed to occupy. It was an empty space that was serving no purpose at the time so why not build an underground library? The vision didn’t end there. It became a shelter that at times provided a safe haven for over five thousand people. Many of those people had lost their homes as a result of the Blitz. Bunk beds, stacked three high, were built in the tunnels to accommodate all 5,000 people. There was also a coffee shop, a cafe, a nursery for the children that lived there with their families, a theatre and a doctor’s office. Clara and Ruby had high expectations for the library.

Before the war, Clara had married. Clara’s husband lost his life at Dunkirk. She was devastated by his death. The only thing that helped Clara go on living was when she totally immersed herself in her work at the library. Clara was a very knowledgeable and kind librarian. Her greatest pleasure was helping others. Clara had many good ideas that she wanted to introduce into the library but she was met with opposition almost every time she tried to implement something. The men during that time, believed that women had one purpose. Women were expected to get married, give her husband lots of children, keep house for her husband and do whatever it takes to make her husband happy. Women who aspired to do anything else were belittled and even threatened. When Clara decided to hold story hour sessions for the children living in the tunnels, started a book club for the mothers and women in both the surrounding neighborhood and for those living in the tunnels and tried to acquire additional children classic books from Canada she found herself fighting an uphill battle with the men that were in charge. No matter how much Clara and Ruby tried to improve the lives of those around them they were constantly threatened with the termination of their positions and the closing of the library. Both Clara and Ruby believed that a woman or a child could forget about the devastation of the war, even for a few minutes, when they were absorbed in a good book. Clara and Ruby were also met with opposition for some of the book titles they suggested to the women. The men in those times frowned upon women reading for pleasure and more so for reading about subjects that men did not want women to know much about. Women faced so much censorship during that time.

There was also a sexual predator lurking around the streets of London around that time. One night, on her way home from the library, Clara realized that she was being followed. The man was getting ready to attack Clara when an ambulance driver happened to hear her screams and came to Clara’s defense. Luckily for Clara, the ambulance driver came just in the knick of time. A friendship between Clara and the ambulance driver started to develop. Clara was conflicted about her developing feelings towards the ambulance driver and the guilt she felt for having them. It was four years since her husband was killed at Dunkirk but Clara still harbored guilty feelings about the possibility of developing a relationship with anyone else.

Ruby became Clara’s right hand and best friend. Something haunted Ruby’s thoughts as well. Ruby could not stop blaming herself for her older sister’s death. She held herself responsible for it and kept reliving the horrific moments of her sister’s death. Both Clara and Ruby embraced their lives and stood strong for one another and for those they came to care about.

The chapters of The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson was well written and was based on a true story. Kate Thompson combined just the right amount of facts with fiction to make this such a compelling read. The chapters alternated between Clara’s and Ruby’s voices. At the conclusion of The Little Wartime Library, Kate Thomson included an author’s note. It was very informative and enlightening. She explained what the real facts were about the history of this unique underground library that existed during World War II and what parts were fiction. The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson brought forth the themes of war, women’s roles, friendships, the importance of books during war, loss, grief, resilience, courage, the role of librarians and libraries and a touch of romance. I really enjoyed reading The Little Wartime Library, learned some new information and still find myself thinking about it. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to read The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Through this story we see how important libraries were during the war, but as a reader we can see how they play a bigger role in all our lives. The library in particular gave children a safe place to occupy their time and to learn. It gave women the a place to do something for themselves. But with all that it was also a place the community blamed when something went wrong.

There were parts of this book that were difficult to listen to because it really showed the ugly side of war. The author writes in scenes of bombings and describes what the scene is like. We see several characters battle with their mental health because of various incidents causes by the way. But we also get to see women fall in love again after loss and adopted families. We get to read the ugly, but the hope that came after the war.

I did almost DNF this story. It started off slow and hard to get into. There are a lot of characters and often it was hard to keep up with each one and what is going on in the story. It is worth reading until the end and seeing how the characters come through the war and post war. The author includes information on her research, the history behind the library and discusses the challenges and roles librarians play in the communities. For me this was the more interesting parts of the book.

Thank you NetGalley for the opporunity to read this book.

This extraordinary historical fiction story set in WWII is a love letter to libraries and librarians. It works be incredible if it made any book banners reconsider. (I mean, people who want to restrict what kids read; it’s not banning, right. 🧐🙄)

"The Little Wartime Library" by Kate Thompson shares the captivating tale of a small underground library built during World War II, providing shelter during the Blitz. Based on true events, the characters instantly connect with readers. After the story, Thompson shares the real historical events that inspired her. The book evokes empathy for the characters, with unexpected plot twists keeping readers intrigued. Thompson's writing skillfully transports readers into the underground library, making them feel like they're part of the story.

“London, 1944: Clara Button is no ordinary librarian. While war ravages the city above her, Clara has risked everything she holds dear to turn the Bethnal Green tube station into the country's only underground library. Down here, a secret community thrives with thousands of bunk beds, a nursery, a café, and a theater-offering shelter, solace, and escape from the bombs that fall upon their city. Along with her glamorous best friend and assistant Ruby Munroe, Clara ensures the library is the beating heart of life underground. But as the war drags on, the women's determination to remain strong in the face of adversity is tested to the limits when it may come at the price of keeping those closest to them alive.”
I have read a lot of WW2 historical fiction so I’m not used to being surprised by a topic from that era anymore, but this book completely surprised me having never heard of this extraordinary community and library before.
Kate Thomas has done a fantastic job of weaving together fact and fiction. With this book she has not only honored the librarians who kept the Bethnal Green library going, but she also honors librarians from other parts of war ravaged Europe.
In addition to the incredible amount of research Ms. Thomas put into this book, she also interviewed 100 librarians and included their quotes about being a librarian at the beginning of each chapter. That little bit was the icing on the cake for me. This book might be about a librarian in WW2, but it is also a thank you to librarians everywhere.

This historical fiction about a London-based librarian, Clara, during World War 2, and her best friend turned library assistant, Ruby, is both gutting and lovely. As they both navigate the traumas of war, they find hope in running the underground library of Bethel Green in an unfinished tube station/track in the heart of ravaged London's East End that also was a place of refuge for citizens who were bombed out of their homes. Based on true events that have been exceptionally and painstakingly researched (and included at the end of the book) by author Kate Thompson, the two librarians find comfort in the joys and hopes that the library brings and the found family it creates. Both librarians deal with their trauma and PTSD, having lost loved ones in the war and attacks, but they still manage to pour their love into their community and fight off the censorship and misogyny of an over-bearing library manager while also bringing people together through the escapism of books and the joy that they bring. The banter and dialogue is top notch while the writing is well-paced, as we are rooting for both Clara's budding romance with ambulance man Bily and Ruby's seemingly impossible relationship with American GI Eddie all while wondering about the fate of two young librarian patron sisters who become especially attached to Clara throughout the plot. My only complaint was Clara's somewhat underdeveloped relationship with her estranged mother and mother-in-law who are upset by her working in the library, but the closure of the plot helps explain some of this away. This is a must-have for collections where historical fiction circulates well and for lovers of Kristin Hannah, Pan Jenoff, Natasha Lester, Kate Quinn, and Sharon Cameron. It's an ode to librarians and libraries everywhere and the power of the community they help create.

While I did really enjoy this book, at times it felt a bit too YA. There's also a lot going on, with new twists being thrown at the main characters, but the resolution to those twists came too easily and therefore made it difficult to invest in. It was nice to see the characters get their happily ever after in the end though. It was lighter than most historical fiction I read, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

What to say about a WW2 novel that has t already been said. That's probably why this genre is such a comfort for so many people. It's cozy. You know the outcome already and so it's safe. Meanwhile. Clara and Ruby are two strong women who are fighting for the things they believe in. Sticking it to the man. Which is so lovely. I love strong female characters and friendships. On top of that, the book deals a ton with people who don't want to talk about hard things. Very reminiscent of its time. I love a story that is a fictionalization of real events and that's what we have here. If you like historical fiction, this one is right up your alley.

Nothing like books getting people through hard times and I love strong women! I thought this was an uplifting story with also heartache and Ruby's character was amazing. I loved learning about the underground library at Bethnal Green.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC

The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson. Pub Date: February 21, 2o23. Rating: 4 stars. Set during WWII, this historical fiction centers around a librarian who created an underground shelter during the war. This novel is based on a true story and while reading I could only imagine the courage and tenacity a woman like Clara had to be able to do what she did during WWII. I loved the characters of Clara and her best friend Ruby and felt their dynamic added a lot to the story line. This novel is full of female power in the face of adversity and I loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review. #netgalley #thelittlewartimelibrary

I have mixed feelings about this book. There are parts of it that I loved, the unique perspective of the war from beneath the city and the focus on the underserved civilians of London was a fresh take on a story we have all read a million times, but the writing at times was a bit amateurish and it took away from the experience. I don't think it was a bad read necessarily but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it either. Just kind of okay.

A tribute to the power of libraries and librarians, The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson is an engrossing novel that includes history, drama, romance, intrigue, and humor. It was far more meaningful than I anticipated!

During World War II in East London, England's only underground library was established in the Bethnal Green tube station to support the 5,000+ people who lived in an below-ground bomb shelter. The Little Wartime Library was inspired by these historical facts and is told through main characters Clara and Ruby, the two library staffers.

Each chapter begins with a quote from a librarian interviewed by the author. There's many dramatic events - almost too many - in this plot, but it's wartime, and they definitely kept me engaged. The epilogue and author's note are fascinating and not to be missed.

This book reminded me of the BBC period drama Call the Midwife in that it incorporated historical facts about society into a compelling fictional story. I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook narrated by Sarah Durham; I felt like I was in good hands with her 'efficient' narration.

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for access to the review copy.