The Underground Library
by Jennifer Ryan
Pub Date: March 12, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exvchange for my honest opinion.
I read Ryan's The Chilbury Ladies' Choir so I was eager to read this one.
I’m always amazed when I read about the WW2 London blitz…the strength, determination and spirit of the citizens was amazing. What a nightmare that must have been, and yet they carried on.
Once again Jennifer Ryan introduces us to a group of characters who are brought together by circumstance. They bond through the Bethnal Green Library book club, and grow stronger through each trial with the support of their new friends. It’s definitely a feel-good story.
I was surprised to read in the author’s notes at the end that the Bethnal Green Library was indeed bombed and moved to the underground train tunnel. Excellent historical fiction that was a joy to read and recommend.
5 stars

This is my first book by Jennifer Ryan and what a wonderful introduction! I always enjoy books about libraries and the Librarians who run them but this one was so much more. Based on true events that happened during The Blitz during WW2, this book tells the story from three perspectives. The Librarian - Juliet, the aspiring college student - Katie and the Jewish refugee - Sophie. This book also includes what happens to many different women and the different events, situations, and more that occur during this time in 1940 London.

As a US citizen, I've read about WW2 (what they teach in school), I've read books and seen movies, and it's almost always the perspective of either Americans or Jewish people, sometimes Germans but I've never read about The Blitz, or at least not enough to know all of this by memory. I always have a hard time saying I enjoyed a book when it reflects the tragic events that happened to real people but this book was informative. Adding enough facts in to the story so that you could enjoy it but still learn. I'm always appreciative of stories like that.

I would absolutely read another of Jennifer Ryan's books if it was like this. I looked her up and see she writes romance as well, I will have to look into those. She definitely has a way with words and knows how to keep readers interested until the very end!

A wonderful book about WWII and women who made a difference in the lives of the people enduring loss and uncertainty.

this story paints a picture of England during the blitz. the story is sad and inspiring. Makes me think we are very lucky to live in USA. Also it makes me think the movement to ban books about subjects that is decisive is something we need to stop now

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review. This will appear immediately on Goodreads.
Set during the Blitz in London and in the Bethnal Green Library and underground station, we meet three women in volved with the library and how they deal with the day to day life during wwii. Juliet is facing misogyny in her role in the library, Katie is facing societal norms against her unexpected pregnancy with her missing GI, and Sophia is facing the unimaginable horror of being Jewish and worrying about her family left behind, at a time when being German in any form was suspect.
If you like historical events, especially how common people live during extraordinarily stressful time, you’ll enjoy this book. As a librarian, I feel like every book about wwii is trying to throw in a library, a librarian, books, book clubs, saving books, etc to get us to read them, like dangling a tennis bracelet in front of our eyes. You win, I’ll read them every time. But I’ll be blunt about it.
I spotted mention of a book that hadn’t been published yet. Please fix that.
I thought the characters were flat and unlikable. Maybe Katie I liked. The author admits in the notes that there is an event that was massaged to fit in with another event. Unfortunately for me, I knew of the event and how it unfolded, so I read and reread and looked it up to check my sources, and was bothered that it wasn’t accurately portrayed. Ouch. If you read enough of these wwii historical fictions about books, you’re going to spot these things.
Now for the average library patron, I think if they picked it up, they would really enjoy the book. But if I was asked for a wwii historical fiction about books, I won’t reach for it. I just did The Librarian of Burned Books in my book club and found that more compelling and had more to discuss.
3*

A story set in WWII England, and the story of the women who kept the country ticking. Filling in wherever needed, and going beyond all that the powers that be expected.
The book focuses on Juliet, Katie, and Sofie, each contributing, but we get a in-depth look into their lives, and how they help others.
The author does a great job with some very tough subjects, things are a lot different now, but the stigma of some of the happening was great back in the 1940's.
I loved how having books at their disposal while they are taking refuge for their lives in the underground.
Looking forward to more reads by this author!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballantine Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

Believing in Never by Katherine Turner is an emotionally moving and gripping story of abuse within intolerable situations. It's about the characters facing the horror that is going on in their lives and searching for healing, faith, peace, love, hope, friendship, joy and so much more! About ways to find a way out and create safe and beautiful lives they are yearning to live. This book truly captivated me! I couldn't with this book from start to finish! The characters are well rounded, the story is amazing! This book grabbed my heart and still hasn't let me go even after finishing it!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required, and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Katherine Turner, Johsa Publishing LLC and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this delightful book.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful novel based on true events in WWII London.

Juliet, Katie and Sofie are unlikely friends but when the Germans nightly bombings force the people of London underground the library becomes their safe haven and they forge a community amongst the horrors going on up on the streets. Based on true events, this was a really refreshing story and I was uplifted by the determination and strength of the women who were barely grown up themselves, forging on despite impossible odds. Thank you Random House Publishing- Ballantine for sharing this book with me early. I highly recommend this read 📚 to my fellow reading friends.

I read, The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan. I enjoyed this book. When facing dire circumstances working together can be the best solution. Jennifer Ryan used the horrors of WWII and the unwillingness of some to set the stage for this interesting book. She has well developed characters, settings & events that seem to come straight from the headlines.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars.
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Even though there is a proliferation of historical fiction / historical romances centred around WWII, I still find myself enjoying the ones I do pick up. Or at least, most of the time, I enjoy them. This was no exception. The story took a bit for me to get into, because there were three main characters with alternating POVs to move the plot forward, but once I figured out each character and their voice, it moved quickly. Sure, things were a little predictable and most of the story avoided anything too emotionally charged, but that's ok. Because not all WWII stories have to be about the horrible things that happened. It wasn't that they were hidden from the story, but for the most part, they were not the focus and more something the characters were living through without being the only thing of interest in their stories.

I don't know which of the three women leads was the one who I enjoyed most, but I guess it was probably Julie if you made me pick. Because she was the character who brought the other two girls into the story and kept them together through her work with the library.

I will say that I expected the story to unfold in a different direction based on the dust jacket description. I think I expected the situation with Sophie to be very different than it was.

A good historical fiction romance.

One of the best books I’ve read this year! Brava to Jennifer Ryan on her thoughtful and absorbing writing. I have read many WWII novels, but did not know a lot about the London Blitz and the underground shelters in the tube. These underground shelters, not only created a safe haven from the nightly bombs falling on London, but also fostered a community for over the half million people who sought refuge in these underground.shelters. And I had never heard of the Underground Library. A brilliant and innovative idea that helped so many get through the nights underground. Many of these underground havens also had medical care and makeshift theatre. The research done for this book is incredible and so very interesting. Anyone who is a book lover, must read this book! And if you're not a book lover, you will morph into one after you read it. Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book. All opinions are my own. #TheUndergroundLibrary, #JenniferRyan, #BallentineBooks.

As a lover of books and stories about libraries, WWII and fiesty women, I had high hopes for Jennifer Ryan's fifth book- The Underground Library. Needless to say, I was not at all disappointed! Set in London in the 1940's, The Underground Library is based upon the true events of the Bethnal Green Library bombing. To illustrate the often overlooked and equally heroic acts by women during this time, Ryan creates three powerful female characters- Sofie, Juliet and Katie- to tell the story of the library, the community and the power of hope and love during a time of hate and chaos. The Underground Library is also a beautiful, cautionary tale-- a reminder of how easy it is to see someone as "other"...and how important it is to see others as "someone". Jennifer Ryan's gentle but not-subtle storytelling carefully weaves together the stories of each woman and by the end, I found myself connected to their characters and the success of their library, their community and their personal goals. I highly recommend this book for any lovers of historical (non)fiction, World War II, libraries, brave and powerful female protagonists and the power of communities working together for a greater purpose. Five Stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, and Jennifer Ryan for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I always love a great ww2 story! I really enjoyed the authors notes at the end to add additional info and for me to learn more!

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan was the first book to give me a "book hangover" in months. Following the lives of three women whose stories converge in World War II London this title immediately draws you in and has you invested in their journeys. While WWII books as well as books about librarians have become fairly common in the last few years, this is the first one that has held my attention past the first few pages. This title takes on multiple women's societal issues. One character faces an unwed pregnancy and we see the social stigma faced by unwed mothers at the time as well as some of the extreme measure taken to end the pregnancy or hide the information. Another woman faces a family who does not value her love of "books over boys" and the disgrace of a fiancé who likely deserted the army. Our third main character presents us with an account of a German of Jewish faith fleeing her home and going to from a life of privilege to a one of servitude, all the while hoping for some news of her family and if they were also able to escape. All three women are facing challenges from society and at home/work, what brings them all together is the local library and their desire to keep the hope and community alive through books during the darkest time of their lives. I highly recommend this title!

This was a fantastic book! I love that it was based on true happenings during The Blitz. I love the strength of the women of this story during a time when women weren't visibly strong but definitely needed to be. Libraries and books have always been important and this book shows just how much. Absolute must read!

Based on a true story, this is a beautifully written novel about three women who are connected by books, literature, and the library. Some of my favorite things. ❤️ Following the story of the library, Juliet, Katie, and Sofie through the war, and the people their lives are intertwined with, was heart wrenching yet enriching. Excellent read for historical fiction lovers!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

This book combined my love for historical fiction with my love for literature. Most World War II novels contain very daunting elements and can be hard to get through, but this book gave a glimmer of hope and a sense of community throughout the pages. This story follows three women during a fictional account of the bombing of the Bethnal Green Library and how a small community in London rallied together to bring an underground library amid the bomb raids.

The story was a quick read while switching between the three women's perspectives. All three women were likable, and their stories intertwine well. I enjoyed reading how Juliet, Katie, and Sofie worked together to bring books down underground when the community needed them the most and started a nightly reading to attract more people. The three women may have been merciful to the war, but Ioved how they took charge and brought the community together with the power of books.

I also loved how this book is an homage to books and how libraries can provide comfort and familiarity through tough times. Bringing the library underground created a world where they could escape their difficult life and become surrounded by community. Being a part of the library world myself made this book a little more special for me. This story tells a tale of friendship, strength, courage, and love for books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for giving me a copy of the book.

Juliet, Katie, and Sofie are three young women who find themselves joining together to save their beloved Bethnal Green Library in WWII London. This work of historical fiction based on actual events follows a trio of women who were brought together by chance, but become integral to each other's survival. In the face of war, suffering, death, and scandal, these resilient women are able to find their strength and persevere in the face of adversity.

This is a total "book-lovers book." At the center of the story is the underground library and the women's effort to preserve it, however each of them are individually faced with personal tragedies they must overcome. Each character has her own unique voice- and yet their stories are beautifully intertwined. Side note- I had NO idea that this was inspired by real life events which made it even more special.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, and Jennifer Ryan for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Instagram: 11.6.23- https://instagram.com/the_books_we_love_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Goodreads: 11.5.23- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/177185877

Living in an era that's facing book banning, #TheUndergroundLibrary reminds us of the importance of freedom of speech. Brave women banded together to keep the libraries open even taking them underground during the war.

Books afford us to armchair travel and expand our horizons beyond our walled existence. Having something to look forward to or get purposely lost between covers is an escape that always us to be free.

The protagonists are facing their own quest for freedom. Juliet is running towards a brighter future to become a deputy librarian. Sofie escaped Germany but that came at a cost when she was forced to leave her family behind. Continuing to fight to remain free, will Sofie's search for her loved ones finally allow her to move forward from the past?

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #TheUndergroundLibrary in exchange for an honest review. I love historical fiction and this story is a tribute to the brave women who defied society's expectations to banish book banning and preserve the libraries.