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Sebastian Ritscher
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THE WAR LIBRARIAN

Addison Armstrong

The Paris Library meets The Flight Girls in this captivating historical novel about the sacrifice and courage necessary to live a life of honor, inspired by the first female volunteer librarians during World War I and the first women accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy.
Two women. One secret. A truth worth fighting for.

1918. Timid and shy Emmaline Balakin lives more in books than her own life. Then an envelope crosses her desk at the Dead Letter Office bearing a name from her past, and Emmaline decides to finally embark on an adventure of her own - as a volunteer librarian on the front lines of the war in France. But when she comes face to face with the love of her life, and the unthinkable occurs in the perils of war, Emmaline will need to find more courage within herself than she ever thought possible in order to survive.

1976. Kathleen Carre is eager to prove to herself and to her nana that she deserves her acceptance into the first class to include women at the U.S. Naval Academy. But not everyone wants female midshipmen at the Academy, and after tragedy strikes close to home, Kathleen becomes a target. To protect herself Kathleen must learn to trust others, even as she discovers a secret that could be her undoing.

Addison Armstrong graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2020 with degrees in Elementary Education and Language and Literacy Studies and received her Master's degree in Reading Education in 2021. She is the author of The Light of Luna Park (Putnam, August 2021). She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
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Published 2022-08-09 by Putnam

Comments

The War Librarian is a compelling story that reminds us how powerful one person's voice, and actions, can be. Another powerful tribute to our military's female 'firsts.'

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... 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 than 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. Read more...

In The War Librarian, Addison Armstrong has created both a compelling look at WWI war librarians and a love letter to books and the power of words. Readers will be kept turning pages as both Emmaline and Kathleen fight against prejudice and censorship in their eras. Secrets abound in both timelines, but it's the strong friendships and courageous women that form the heart of this engaging look at forgotten history.

If one can measure a novel's success by the emotions it draws from readers, the sophomore work by Armstrong is very effective indeed. Romance and long-held secrets provide additional intrigue in this increasingly powerful story. The values of intellectual freedom, antiracist activism, and female friendship are illustrated within their historical contexts, yet these themes couldn't be timelier. Read more...

...beautifully told story... fascinating characters... For those who enjoy historical fiction combined with the modern day, THE WAR LIBRARIAN is well worth reading. Highly recommended. Read more...

Dual story lines masterfully reflect how nominal moves toward institutional inclusion can belie the persistence of cultures of exclusion. Historical fans will devour this intimate story about fighting for dignity and respect during trying times. Read more...

Armstrong's dark and disturbing tale of prejudice, discrimination, determination, and bravery will resonate with readers caught up in the same issues today. Read more...

The War Librarian shines a light on the courage and tenacity of women who blazed trails through male-dominated territory for future generations to follow. A vividly told story of female empowerment with humanity and heart

Shining light upon the work of the original war librarians, Addison Armstrong not only offers a tribute to the power of books and libraries, but also manifests the unconventional lives of two women separated by fifty years, a grandmother and a granddaughter, both determined to defy society's limitations and forge futures that break the mold. Emmaline and Kathleen stand as worthy testimony to all the women who have blazed trails where none existed before.

The War Librarian is an empowering tale of sisterhood and sacrifice, reminding us of the importance of standing up for what is right in the worldeven in the face of war and great peril. Timely and enlightening!

Two lesser-known areas of fascinating history, two compelling female leads, a little mystery, and a lot of heart make for one captivating novel! Addison Armstrong celebrates the unyielding courage of two women separated by time, circumstance, and experience, and yet united - both forging paths as yet unexplored, overcoming trials and adversity, forming unbreakable bonds of love and friendship, and ultimately discovering strengths found only in themselves and in sisterhood. Meticulously researched, intricately woven, and deeply heartfelt, The War Librarian is a testament to the life-giving, life-affirming, and life-changing power of the written word - and of women. Highly recommend!

The War Librarian is a touching story of courage and female friendship, with two heroines who will win you over with their honesty, integrity, and resilience - I found myself cheering for them until the very last page!

Dutch: The House of Books

The War Librarian is a compelling and inspiring tribute to the courageous, groundbreaking women who risked their lives to pursue their heart's desire even when - especially when - their ambitions led them into places where women were at best unexpected, and at worst, fiercely opposed.