"The War Librarian" was a tribute to books, the power of words to provide comfort and enlightenment, and women's strength and determination. Like so many historical novels I've read, this one had a dual timeline. Emmaline became a volunteer war librarian in France, providing books to soldiers wounded in the Great War while Kathleen was a young Navy seaman, one of only a handful of women who signed up in 1976.

I had no idea that the American Library Association played such an important role during WWI, shipping thousands of books overseas to the men fighting for freedom, so I found Emmaline's story fascinating.

However, this novel made me so angry at times! The racial tension and what these women, especially Kathleen, faced from the men they worked beside infuriated me. Despite a sixty-year gap between the two timelines, both Emmaline and Kathleen were continually belittled, harassed, tormented, embarrassed and made to feel second-rate by arrogant, boorish males. Sadly, even though it is now 2023, many women find themselves in similar situations, especially those working in male-dominated industries.

Kathleen and Emmaline were both courageous trailblazers trying to make changes in the world in which they lived. They were supported by other likeable women, especially Nellie, who I adored for her cheerful outlook on life despite the atrocities she saw on a daily basis.

I liked how the author wove the two stories together, but I thought the ending was a bit flat which reduced my rating by half a star, However, overall, "The War Librarian" was a captivating historical read. ( )

Exiting at 48%. This is supposed to be a book about inspiring women serving their country. However, the narrative just keeps doubling and tripling down on the forced-in, racial aspect. Women oppressed, people of color oppressed, book "banning". It's like a woke free-for-all. Very disappointing as I loved this author's debut wholeheartedly. ( )

I just want to say I am so glad that there was a happy resolution to this story because I spent half the book mad about the treatment that Kathleen Carre received when she went through Navy Academy training. The background story of this novel is really interesting. We take books for granted now because they’re everywhere, but in times of war, they were a welcome reprieve from the horrors of the world as it was. I will admit I wasn’t really familiar with this idea of librarians being sent overseas to assist soldiers laid up in hospitals or camps. This has all the makings of a great historical fiction novel, drama, suspense, and a little romance. The ending is a bit of a surprise that I didn’t necessarily see coming. All in all, a story that delivers in all the categories. Thank you to Netgalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review. ( )

I wasn't certain about this book when I started, but I liked it much more than I anticipated by the end. Two intertwining stories, in separate eras comprise this novel - one in WWI-era France and the one in the 1970s featuring one the first women to be admitted to the US Naval Academy. I was skeptical of the more modern tale, but as the book progressed, I found both to be compelling and I enjoyed seeing how the two tales connected in the end. An excellent read and highly recommended for historical fiction fans. ( )

During WWI, Emmaline leaves the Dead Letter Office to serve as a librarian on the front lines. Stationed at a hospital in France, Emmaline must overcome her fears to serve the bored and wounded soldiers. There, she encounters an old crush, a man from her past. In 1976, Kathleen has been chosen as one of the first women to enter the Naval Academy. There, she experiences hazing, prejudice, and downright hostility from the men who are supposed to be her comrades.

Although the two stories were related, they were extremely different. I did not think that Emmaline and Kathleen's stories worked well together. Each could have been a standalone book, but together they were very discordant. I did think the naval academy story was a bit stronger, and found myself waiting for those chapters. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars. ( )