The Booklover's Library
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A heartwarming story about a mother and daughter in wartime England and the power of books that bring them together, by the bestselling author of The Last Bookshop in London.
In Nottingham, England, widow Emma Taylor finds herself in desperate need of a job. She and her beloved daughter Olivia have always managed just fine on their own, but with the legal restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment opportunities, she’s left with only one option: persuading the manageress at Boots’ Booklover’s Library to take a chance on her with a job.
When the threat of war in England becomes a reality, Olivia must be evacuated to the countryside. In the wake of being separated from her daughter, Emma seeks solace in the unlikely friendships she forms with her neighbors and coworkers, and a renewed sense of purpose through the recommendations she provides to the library’s quirky regulars. But the job doesn’t come without its difficulties. Books are mysteriously misshelved and disappearing and the work at the lending library forces her to confront the memories of her late father and the bookstore they once owned together before a terrible accident.
As the Blitz intensifies in Nottingham and Emma fights to reunite with her daughter, she must learn to depend on her community and the power of literature more than ever to find hope in the darkest of times.
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The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin is a charming novel set in Nottingham during world war 2.
Widow Emma Taylor finds herself in need of a job but with restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment, Emma finds herself in a difficult position. However, Emma manages to convince the manageress of Boot's Booklover's Library to give her a chance as long as she keeps her marital status and daughter a secret.
With the threat of war approaching Emma has to make the hard decision to evacuate her daughter. In her daughter's absence she throws herself into her job and volunteering, leading her to form heartwarming friendships.
This was a feel good novel despite the subject of the second world war. I particularly loved the quirky characters who visited the library along with Mrs Pickering, Emma's landlady. I had no idea that Boots had an established library and that people would pay a subscription to loan books. Not only did this hidden gem of history thrill me it also intrigued me. I loved finding out more information about it, especially its location on the top floor, at the back of the shop.
Obviously, set during the time of world war 2 there were a lot of heartbreaking moments in the book. Such as having to send children away from their homes and parents, the effects of war and death. As a mother, I couldn't imagine being faced with the decision of sending a child away, especially with not knowing where they were going or who they would be living with. During the war my grandmother was evacuated and we would often have chats over tea about her experience. She was sent to two different families, one she loved and one she wasn't happy in. Reading this novel took me back to my chats with my late gran. Although in the midst of war this book is a reminder of how resilient and resourceful people were. And the power of friendship and love. A wonderful read, highly recommend.
