This was a great historical fiction read! The story telling was well done. WWII is one of my favorite genres and this is a great addition. The characters had me hooked and the pages practically turned themselves.

I love Kate Thompson's historical fiction - this is the second one that I have read so far and I am a fan.

I like how she doesn't shield her characters from hardship and preserving them for the sake of the story. In a sense it is nice to know that I know her two main characters won't perish but they still overcome their fair share of hardship and death.

Reading a WW2 book you expect there to be unnecessary blood shed and gross human actions in terms of unnecessary blood shed but Kate delicately balanced the line with what was real and what was necessary without being a gorey book. I especially love the epilogue so you can see where the characters went and how the characters continue to be intertwined after the conclusion of the war.

Also Red is my favorite character

I was very excited when I found that Kate Thompson wrote another book about books and WWII. (I raved over her previous book here: https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2023/01/upcoming-fiction-releases.html). Her Facebook page is full of fascinating interviews and history, as his her podcast, “From the Library with Love.”

This time, the book is set in Jersey, one of the Channel Islands. These islands are in an odd geopolitical situation: They aren’t exactly “owned” by England, but they are “Crown Dependencies,” dependent upon Britain, while having their own governing bodies. Local languages are heavily influenced by their proximity to France. These islands were taken over by the Germans during WWII, leading to extreme rationing, and, near the end of the war, near starvation.

This is the setting for this book. Mild-mannered Grace, the assistant librarian, protects the books the Nazis have banned, subtly fighting the Germans via using the library to keep spirits up. Her best friend, Bea, works for the post office, and lures Grace into warning people who are being reported to the Germans as Grace delivers library books.

Grace also hides an American soldier, with whom she falls in love, despite the man obstacles they face.

Eventually, Grace and Bea, and others who have subverted German control, are arrested and imprisoned. They each have their own way of getting out of the clutches of the Germans, and are reunited after the war ends.

I love Kate Thompson’s storytelling. She writes beautifully, with a great eye for description, character, and dialogue. But just as much attention is given to the narrative. Look at this absolutely gorgeous bit of alliteration: “…the brutal, bloody, beautiful business of birth.” Wow.

I gave Thompson’s previous book as a Christmas present to my teammates at school last year. I suspect I will end up doing the same with this one.

There are extensive end notes about the real people and actions this book is based on, as well as book club questions, other reading, and a guide to places to visit in Jersey. And now I really want to go there.

Possible Objectionable Material:
Unwed sex/pregnancy. Drinking. Smoking. Descriptions of war and its effects. Hunger. Neighbors betraying neighbors. Deception—though in a good cause. Cursing, including a couple of instances of the “f” word.

Who Might Like this Book:
Those who like books, WWII stories. If you liked The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, you will for sure want to give this one a try.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for my opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2024/04/wwii-books-about-books.html

Kate Thompson never misses. Another beautiful historical fiction novel centered on books (with a teensy easter egg callback to the previous title). I thoroughly enjoyed this trek through Jersey. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

Rich, absorbing, and sincere!

The Wartime Book Club is a poignant, immersive tale set on the Isle of Jersey during 1943 that takes you into the lives of Grace La Mottée, a resilient, kindhearted librarian and her best friend and local postal worker Beatrice Gold as they do whatever they can to entertain, protect, and fight back against the Nazi Germans who invade and occupy their homeland during WWII.

The prose is eloquent and expressive. The characters are brave, tormented, and determined. And the plot is an exceptionally touching tale about life, loss, family, secrets, separation, desperation, tragedy, survival, love, the horrors of war, and the power of literature.

Overall, The Wartime Book Club is a moving, emotional, beautifully written tale by Thompson inspired by real-life events that reminds us that survival of any kind often involves heartbreaking choices, moral dilemmas, action, spirit, extreme loss, and beyond all else, unimaginable courage and sacrifice.

Generally when a book takes me more than 3 or 4 days to read it’s because it didn’t hold my interest, but that’s not a wasn’t the case with this one. I’ve been so busy deep cleaning all areas of my house that I’ve only had about an hour or two to read a day and I actually did a lot of middle of the night reading since this book was so fascinating.
Taking place on Jersey, the largest island of the Channel Islands between England and France, during the Nazi occupation, this is a story about resilience, defiance, and how books truly can help people conquer even the worst moments.
Bea and Grace are the best of friends; Bea is the local postwoman and Grace is the head librarian at the only library. Life is hard given the fact that Nazis are at every turn, but both women find a way to persevere.
Bea, always brazen, finds ways of standing up to and defying the Nazis, including stealing their letters they were meant to mail home for Christmas. When Bea’s antics get Grace imprisoned and sent to France she begins to think it wasn’t worth it, until Liberation Day when she sees how many people her ploy actually saved.
Kate Thompson has written another beautiful historical fiction revolving around a truth that not too many people know. A set of brothers really did steal letters written by the Nazis and hid them for over 50 years. When he rediscovered them all those years later he realized it was a foolish and immature thing to do and he set out to try to return them to the descendants of their proper owners. Proving near impossible, the letters now reside in a museum in Jersey.
The stolen letters play such a small part in this book and the fact that Ms. Thompson included them along with weaving stories of those who actually lived in the area during the occupation makes this book beyond special.
I love how Ms. Thompson puts her journalistic skills to use in her writing and I truly hope she has more books coming. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an advanced copy of this. The Wartime Book Club hit the shelves on April 9th.

Quite an enjoyable read. A tale of Grace and Bea and how they lived their lives with love, life, laughs and losses during the German occupation of Jersey in WW2. So well written, I felt as if I really knew them and was there with them.

Just when you think everything has been written about WWII and the Nazi Occupation, along comes @katethompsonauthor , who not only introduces her readers to a unique story, but also a completely new corner of the world that was affected by the tragedy that was WWII.

I'm almost embarrassed to admit this, but I truly knew nothing about Jersey, one of the self-governing Channel Islands of the UK, which were the only British territories to be occupied by Germany in WWII. I actually had to look it up while reading, as it became abundantly clear that the author was not referring to a state in the US. Don't judge me🙈.

But I digress... this novel was so smartly written; I absolutely love how banned books were featured at the beginning of each chapter. If you're unaware, I am a huge opponent of book banning, specifically because I have learned so much from WWII history and how this became a purposeful method of controlling the population. This novel delves into the concept of books as both a source of wisdom and refuge, and highlights the strength of the human spirit.

I quickly fell in love with the protagonists, Bea and Grace, for both their unending courage, as well as their devotion to the community. I always love a story told from dual perspectives, and this one was brilliantly written. The side characters were also integral to the story and very well fleshed out.

What was uniquely fascinating was the author's note. As this novel was based on true events, it was inspiring to learn the level of commitment Ms. Thompson had to her subject. It is evident that she truly did her homework prior to writing this story.

Many thanks to partners, @readforeverpub and @netgalley for this #gifted novel! What a treasure!

Alternating between two best friend’s perspectives, The Wartime Book Club tells the story of Grace and Bea who live on an occupied English island during WWII.

Grace, the librarian, does what she can to save the books the Nazis deem inappropriate, by hiding them before the end up on a burn pile. She hand delivers books to her patrons all over the island to help boost morale, including several “verboten” ones that should have been turned in. She does not consider herself a rebel, but inadvertently becomes one when her best friend includes her in her schemes to thwart their occupiers.

Bea, always the feisty one, loves her job as a postal worker. She gets to visit people all over the island, often bringing news of loved ones, who fled to the mainland before the occupation. Eventually Bea realizes several of the letters she carries are actually informers handing over information for a few reichsmarks. Disappointed in her neighbors, Bea enlists Grace to help her give a heads up to those who will be persecuted by their local Nazi leader—the Wolf.

What begins as an inconvenient occupation, quickly turns more desperate in the last months of war as the Germans face their demise. Bea and Graces’ sacrifices are angerous, but they had no idea how much so until the Wolf is backed up against a wall. Their friendship and loyalty are inspiring, and the town seems like such a close-knit community. If you liked the The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, then you will definitely like this book as well.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and the author Kate Thompson for the advanced copy of the book. The Wartime Book Club is out now. All opinions are my own.

The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson
Historical fiction. WWII in the Isle of Jersey. Stand-alone.
Bea Rose and Grace Le Motte are best friends in the early 1940’s on the Isle of Jersey. Bea works at the post office while Grace is the local librarian. When their island is occupied in 1940, they are forced to comply with German force restrictions which includes rations, curfews, prison camps and bicycles with modified tires. Life is difficult.
After losing her finance to the Nazis and the ocean, Bea starts to intercept letters to German officials that put her neighbors in jeopardy. Grace was emotionally wounded when so many books were burned when their island was first occupied that she’s now found a hidden place in her office to hide books that might be found offensive to the leaders. Grace agrees to help Bea in warning the people in the letters that Bea has stolen. It’s a dangerous game they play as the war continues and food gets scarce.

The story follows the two friends and their lives as change and suffering conditions continue. Based on true events, it’s stories that need to be shared. It’s also a love letter to books and bookclubs and how the power of the written word can change lives.
It’s sad, and poignant, it’s brave and admirable. For me, it reinforces how brave and determined my ancestors were. Life and times were much harder and we need to respect their sheer strength that brought them through whatever they faced.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
4.5
Bookclub Kit, extensive notes and references included.

The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson
This book is inspired by true events of WWII. It follows Grace and Bea along their journey of the way on the Channel Islands. They are the best of friends in the worst of times. The book club brings everyone together to find an escape from the war. Both girls, holding their own secrets, are fighting back against the Nazis to help their community. This is a great read of love, loss, survival, endurance and above all, friendship!

Set in St Helier, Jersey during the nazi occupation of the Channel Islands... The Wartime Book Club is a story of how books, & ordinary people doing extraordinary things can save lives! A story of bravery and survival, of commitment and dedication, of friendship & love. Of family, and what makes up a family. I enjoyed this book so much! Side note... I would love to see this story. Continue with Grace's granddaughter Poppy, & her island bookstore!

A page turner! I found the two friends engaging characters coming to terms with occupation of Germany initially in different ways. The cameraderie produced by reading and listening to books, reminded me of how much I escaped during the pandemic by reading. The description of events and places was good and enabled me to picture the scenes in my mind. I’ve visited Jersey twice and I could only marvel at the energy required for all the cycling!

Inspired by true events, The Wartime Book Club showcases the danger and hardship of life under Nazi occupation for the residents of Jersey off the English coast. Told in dual POV, the story focuses on Bea, a postal worker, and librarian Grace as they deal with the harsh reality of their new lives.

The novel shows the importance of books and reading not only for education but as an escape from reality. It's also a story of friendship, love, betrayal and bravery. One of my favorite parts was the author opening each chapter with a book that was banned during the occupation and giving some information about it.

Thank you to the publisher for my e-copy of this book.

From the mesmerizing cliffs and untouched sandy shores to the quaint streets of St Helier, Jersey is celebrated as a slice of paradise. Yet, for close friends Bea Rose, the community postwoman, and Grace Le Motte, who works at the island's only library, Jersey becomes a stage for daily acts of defiance when it's occupied by German forces in 1940.

Drawing from remarkable true stories, "THE WARTIME BOOK CLUB" spins a gripping narrative of everyday bravery and resistance. Filled with romance, suspense, and camaraderie, the novel honors the comfort of reading and the profound impact of books during our most challenging times.

Kate Thompson's "The Wartime Book Club" stands out as a captivating historical fiction, marked by intricate storytelling and dynamic characters. It highlights how literature can act as a beacon of hope amidst chaos and uncertainty.

Set during World War II, the story demonstrates how books possess the power to heal, connect, and inspire, even in the most trying circumstances. As someone passionate about reading, I deeply connected with the characters' reflections on the transformative nature of literature.

The book stands as a heartfelt tribute to enduring friendships, love, and the magic of the written word. Its resonance will endure well beyond the closing chapter.

I especially appreciated the historical notes preceding each chapter, spotlighting the banned books of the period and providing background on the book or its author. This feature added an enriching and insightful layer to the narrative.

A big thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this rewarding literary experience.

The Wartime Book Club is the page-turning story of two best friends surviving the German occupation of Jersey during WWII.

In the difficult years of WWII, many residents of St Helier, Jersey (Channel Islands) turn to books for comfort and distraction. For best friends Grace Le Motte (librarian) and Bea Rose (postal worker), the library becomes a tangible symbol of resistance. The Wartime Book Club is a story of wartime occupation, friendship, endurance, bravery, the power and joy of books, and resistance.

It’s fitting during National Library Week (U.S.) that I’m featuring a story with a library setting and a librarian as a main character. I love a book about books! In this story, the author begins each chapter with a book banned by Hitler and the reason why. Historically interesting information to ponder. The story also explores the idea of hiding banned books, running a book club with minimal resources, operating under constant surveillance, and the logistics of lending books (including the banned ones).

Grace and Bea are likable and memorable characters. Grace is the quiet to Bea’s feisty, and they make a fabulous team as they care for their families and community, deal with the occupation, and face tragedy. Stories with characters like these always make me wonder what I would do in similar circumstances.

The library book club must receive permission from German officials for their reading and book choices. In addition, a monitor sits in on all meetings. Reading is one of their only escapes and the club becomes a vital part of their lives. Books are treasured, unite the community, and provide hope. Another memorable story of a wartime book club is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Have you read it or seen the movie adaptation?

Yes, this story includes romantic interests for each character but it’s a minimal part of the story. War complicates everything.

Content Consideration: war conditions, imprisonment, war violence

I love a story of ordinary people living bravely in the most difficult times. Their resolve, tenacity, and sacrifice are memorable and remarkable. This story is a bit more intense than I expected based on the title. Jersey is occupied and individuals live in wartime conditions and some endure harsh imprisonment. Fans of well-researched and well-told WWII historical fiction with a strong sense of place will appreciate this story.

Thanks #NetGalley @GrandCentralPub (Forever) for a complimentary e ARC of #TheWartimeBookClub upon my request. All opinions are my own.

I was so happy to see Kate Thompson had written another book. I really enjoyed The Little Wartime Library and the idea of a book club is what got my interest.

This book is about so much more than just a book club and I love the way Thompson weaves books into every aspect of life during war time.

Books can unite us in so many ways and this book is an excellent representation of just that. During good times, bad times, challenging times, books can bring us all together, helping us pull together for the common good.

If you like books about friendship, bringing people together despite differences, and overcoming challenging times, this is the book for you. I loved it.

Thank you to Forever Publishing for the ARC. All views are my honest opinion.

I love history, I was a history major in college. So reading this novel for me was entertaining and educational. I had NO idea about the Isle of Jersey and how it was occupied by the Nazi's for years.

The book follows Grace and Bea, who are best friends. Grace is a librarian in town who loves books. I mean, LOVES them. She's sweet and kind. Bea is headstrong and sassy.

When the novel starts, the women are already living under occupation. And it's so heartbreaking reading what the island goes through. Grace keeps up morale, though, by continuing to keep the islanders with books. Bea works at the post office and creates her own style of protection for her neighbors.

It's based on true events, and it's rough. Really rough, the women and their loved ones are treated like subhumans.

In the midst of all these events, there is hope and new love. Grace finds out there's more to life than books, and Bea finds the strength to keep going. While some parts really made me sad (it is during a war), it was something to read about their bravery.

4.5⭐️

Set in St. Helier, Jersey, during the Nazi occupation of the Channel Islands The Wartime Book Club by Kate Thompson is a remarkable work of historical fiction. The title of this novel suggests that the story revolves around the power of books and reading in bringing people together during difficult times but I should mention that though these themes do constitute an important part of the narrative, this book is about so much more.

As WWII rages on, thousands of islanders evacuate before the Nazi invasion of the Channel Islands in 1940. Among those who stay behind are best friends, Grace La Mottée, who works as a librarian at the Bibliothèque Publique and her best friend postwoman Bea Gold. The narrative jumps to 1943, a few years into the occupation and the Nazis have wreaked havoc in the lives of the islanders with curfews and persecution, rationing and censorship among other evils. Grace, now the acting Chief Librarian after her colleague is sent to an internment camp in Germany, has taken great risks to hide the books banned by the Nazis to save them from being destroyed. Grace starts the Wartime Book Club, believing that books could provide momentary refuge from the hardships of daily life – an endeavor for which she needs to ask for permission and tolerate the presence of a censor in their meetings. With residents being encouraged to report to one another for breaking rules in return for extra rations, many are betrayed by those they once trusted. Bea also takes the initiative to help as many people as she can from being taken into custody by the Nazis. in her own act of defiance. Similarly, many within their circle of friends and neighbors find ways to do the right thing even if it means breaking the rules. The narrative follows Grace, Bea and their friends as Nazi surveillance is heightened and living conditions deteriorate further. They endure much hardship in their daily lives yet do everything possible to keep one another safe, risking their own lives in the process.

I loved that each chapter began with a brief note on a banned author/ book. The narrative is presented from the perspectives of Bea and Grace in alternating chapters. The author sheds light on the resilience of the islanders and their acts of kindness, sacrifice, bravery and resistance in the face of much adversity. The setting is vividly described and the characters are well- fleshed out. Both Bea’s and Garce’s personal journeys are deftly woven into the fluid narrative which focusses on the stories of ordinary working-class residents and how they survived the Nazi occupation. This is a lengthy novel with a large cast of characters but definitely worth the time and effort.

I must mention the Author’s Note where she discusses the historical context of this novel and the places and true events that inspired this novel. I always appreciate it when an author adds a historical note on the facts behind the fiction, but Kate Thompson exceeded my expectations. I commend the author for her meticulous research and the expansive segment on the “Inspirational Islanders” whose stories found their way into this work of fiction and loved that she included several archival photos as well. This segment in itself was an inspiring read.

This was my second Kate Thompson novel after The Little Wartime Library which was a 5⭐ read for me and I’m glad to say that I was not disappointed. Definitely recommended for fans of WWII fiction!

Many thanks to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is one of the absolute best WWII Historical Fiction novels that I have read. It is the story of best friends, Bea and Grace, during the Nazi occupation of the Isle of Jersey during WWII. The idea of a librarian hiding banned books from the Nazis and using books to help people get through such a horrible time drew to pick this book up but the passion and resilience of the people of Jersey kept me reading. With so many of the book characters based on actual people from Jersey it felt so real. I LOVED THIS BOOK!

I am always amazed by the amount of research that goes into these books and the postscript and bibliography after the actual story in this book shows that Kate Thompson put an enormous amount of work and care into writing this. There is so much information given after the story that I put this book down with a whole list of new books to dive into on the Channel Islands. This is my favorite book I have read this year.