A must read for those who love historical fiction!

The Boxcar Librarian follows timelines for three main characters - Alice, Colette, and Millie during the 1920s -1930s.

Alice's father is well-connected, relatively wealthy, and she lives a good life during an otherwise challenging time in America. She finds joy in taking books to men and their families in nearby mining camps. In an effort to make more of an impact, she creates a boxcar library, allowing her to reach remote mining areas.

Colette's father is a miner that advocates for workers rights. She is exposed to the politics and unfair treatment towards mining workers. Her path crosses with Alice when she is hired as the first librarian for the Boxcar Library. Mysteriously, she never returns from the inaugural trip.

Millie is a writer, sent to Montana, to work on the America's Guide travel series - a project designed to keep America's writers working during tough times. The staff in Montana is missing deadlines and she is sent to figure out why. What she discovers leads to a much bigger story than she could have ever imagined.

As their lives and stories intertwine, we learn about the hardships and secrets that each face, as well as the intrigue and mystery that surrounds the Boxcar Library.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the opportunity to read an ARC of this fantastic novel.

I liked how this story was set in Montana during the 1920's & 1930's and told through three women's POVs with very different backgrounds. A few times while reading I wished I could have experienced riding in the boxcar library myself and help the various visitors pick out books while at the mining camps. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. I loved the story behind this book. I love how they brought a boxcar library around to others to spread the love of books. I would love to learn more about the true story behind this book.

The characters, setting, and prose, woven together with an intricately crafted plot, transformed this novel into a vivid cinematic experience unfurling before my eyes as I read. The characters leaped to life, drawing me into their tale and inviting me to accompany them on their unique journeys. The trio of female protagonists—Alice, Millie, and Colette—formed a remarkable alliance, each possessing distinct personalities, traits, and styles, yet united by their shared values of loyalty and love for those who nurtured their growth. They resonate with individuals facing daily tribulations and striving to rise above them, as well as with the books that connect souls beyond their expectations and beliefs, much like the bond shared by these three inspiring women.

The supporting characters played a pivotal role in the narrative, offering readers a window into the diverse lifestyles, occupations, perspectives, and realities of the 1930s and 1940s. Each character was well-developed, unique, and enchantingly magical, while also embodying the relatable and realistic aspects of humanity, allowing readers to not only connect with them but also feel as if they were stepping into their shoes. The book's atmosphere and settings were vividly portrayed, realistic, and meticulously crafted. The writing seamlessly blended realism with a touch of magic, making it feel as though I wasn't merely reading about the characters, but standing alongside them in their world. I experienced their dialogues, witnessed their struggles, and observed the formation of bonds that were truly extraordinary.

The plot began a bit slowly but captured my full attention during the last 200 pages, refusing to let go. The narrative was constructed in a manner that tricked me into thinking I could foresee the outcome, yet the author surprised me with beautifully executed plot twists that had me exclaiming, “wait a minute, what?” and “I love the connection that was just made.” This book masterfully intertwines reality and fiction, delving into themes of life, love, mystery, and dreams during the 1930s and 1940s. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering the various projects from that era, particularly how the author wove them into the narrative, from the Writer’s Project to the library initiative.

I appreciated the inclusion of the author's journal at the end, detailing her journey in uncovering the true story behind the novel, the individuals who aided her, the sources she relied upon, and her overall passion and experience in researching it. The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes is more than just a historical fiction tale centered around a boxcar librarian; it explores the myriad ways in which people forge connections through struggles, hardships, grief, shared interests, hope, love, kindness, and even solitude. The novel beautifully underscores the power of literature and community. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking an immersive reading experience, as well as those interested in understanding how literature connects us to both familiar faces and strangers.

I’m not sure why this is labeled under LGBTQ unless you count the one time mention of one of the women having sex with men and women over the years.

It started off slow but then got interesting. I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if I wasn’t waiting for the sapphic part of the book that never came.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Brianna Labuskes's The Boxcar Librarian was one of the best books I read this year.

This true story mesmerized and excited me from start to finish. I did not know this little-known piece of life in Montana in the early 1920s could produce such a rich and unusual history, the makings of a great novel. The author thoroughly researched the book and added a bonus at the end that detailed who all her fictional characters were based upon the history timeline. The book kept me up all night.

I empathized with every character as they meandered through the deprivation and difficulties of the Great Depression. Filled with suspense, murder, union angst, and tales of impossible love, this story has something for any book lover, librarian, or historian interested in stories based on real-life events.

Each character held a special place in my heart. The tale was fast-paced, with great descriptive settings, well-fleshed-out characters, and plenty of plot twists to keep me interested. I was sad when it ended.

I look forward to reading more from Brianna Labuskes, as I had not read any of her work before this tale. She has a permanent place on my virtual and bound bookshelves.

Make your favorite tea, sit back, relax, curl up in your favorite reading chair, and enjoy.

I want to thank Net Galley, the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read this free ARC. This review is voluntary and mine alone.

What a wonderful. book! The Boxcar Librarian follows three women over the years of 1923 to 1936. It is based on the true events of the Boxcar Library, which went from a mining camp to mining camp in Montana. I loved reading about each of the different women, their love for literature, and their desire to help others love reading as much as they did poured off the page. I loved following Millie, Alice, and Colette's story. This book has romance, mystery, and so much more. The author's goal was to demonstrate the capacity of books to provide connection and light to those who need it most and boy did this book do that!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am LEGIT in awe of Brianna's writing skills. And the fact that she seems to cover so many genres and eras seamlessly. She takes us back in time for a historical novel that manages to both educate and entertain me. The fact that she can write serial killer books and then pop back into a different genera with such ease is mind blowing. I will read anything with her name on it, no questions asked!

In a captivating blend of history and fiction, The Boxcar Librarian illuminates the lives of three women navigating the challenges of the 1920s and 30s in Montana. Millie Lang, sent to work on a travel guide, uncovers the mystery behind the Boxcar Library, which Alice Monroe established to deliver books to isolated mining towns. The narrative beautifully intertwines their stories, showcasing their resilience and the profound impact of literature during a tumultuous era. With rich historical details and compelling characters, the novel highlights the strength of female friendships and the transformative power of books.

The Boxcar Librarian delves into the life of three woman during the 1920’s and 30’s. The setting mainly in Montana and centered around the boxcar library that brings books to mining towns.
The power of books is expressed throughout this well researched novel which is based on fact. After reading this with fascination, I needed to gain further knowledge of the boxcar library.
Thank you NetGalley for this informative, entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I enjoyed this book immensely, the story of three young women Alice, Colette, and Millie spanning the years of 1923 to 1936, was a very entertaining story. The main focus was the creation of a boxcar library that would travel the rails from mining camp to mining camp in Montana, which was based on true events. The women each had an individual interest in the power of reading and literature, and each had the desire to share it with others. Each woman had a compelling story individually but they came together as a group to help each other. This story had a lot going for it, historical significance, a bit of romance, mystery, crime and punishment and it showed how difficult it was for women in the 1930’s. The writing by this author was excellent, the story flowed, in the beginning it was a bit confusing but it all came together in the end.The author did a tremendous amount of research and it is evident in this story. I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys historical fiction about strong women.

I’m not quite sure how I feel about this book. It seemed very slow and at the same time was full of historical information well depicted. The book is set in mostly western Montana during the 1930s era of The Anaconda Copper Mining Company and mining camps. The Boxcar Library is a fictionalized version of the real Lumbermen’s Library of that era as well as the many women librarians who helped it succeed. These women survived by standing together and promoting books. I found it hard to like the characters. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Loved this book so very much! Highly reccomended it to my book club as well.
I will probably read this book again next year as well!

Compared to today, things were a little harder for women back in the Depression.

I liked the premise of this book, especially since it is based on real events.

Collette's scrappiness made her my favorite character, but this was a group effort and each character, and some peripheral characters, made it a great story of perseverance and the power of books and reading.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this draft.

I love the premise of this book. I loved the setting and the love of books displayed here . I loved that this book shows the transformative power of literature in people’s lives even if you are living in a tent camp and your library’ is a boxcar
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

Spanning the years from 1924 to 1936, this novel is based on the real story of a library installed in a boxcar, thanks to the dedication and persistence of a librarian. In 1924 the fictitious character Alice Monroe, based on Ruth Worden, determined to bring books to far flung mining and logging camps, and convinced the manager of the Anaconda Mining Company to provide a boxcar for a bookmobile. She find the ideal person to staff it in Colette Dunbar. Fast forward to 1936 when Millie is hired by the WPA to supervise the writing of a Montana guidebook which has mysteriously lost the completed first draft. The chapters alternate from Alice to Millie to Colette, and from 1924 to 1936, so the sequence is sometimes confusing. However, the back story of the union tensions and tyranny of the mining corporation make for a fascinating story of the dangers and hardships of the time, juxtaposed with the love of books and learning, and the power of friendships.

I thought this worked well as a Depression era novel, it had everything that I was looking for in a historical fiction book. The overall story worked and enjoyed how strong the characters were in this. I was engaged with what was going on and thought the overall feel worked with what I was looking for. I had enjoyed the previous book that I read from Brianna Labuskes and this had a maturity that I was looking for and continued to feel like it was supposed to. I enjoyed that this was based on a true story and that element worked in this novel.