The Booklover’s Library: A Novel – A USA Today Bestseller WWII Historical Fiction Tale
“A must-read for booklovers.” —Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of Next Year in Havana
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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Customer Reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars 3,071
4.4 out of 5 stars 3,071
4.4 out of 5 stars 3,071
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INR 995.02INR995.02 INR 1,217.07INR1,217.07 INR 0.00INR0.00
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Publisher : Hanover Square Press
Publication date : September 10, 2024
Edition : Original
Language : English
Print length : 432 pages
ISBN-10 : 1335000399
ISBN-13 : 978-1335000392
Item Weight : 11.6 ounces
Dimensions : 5.28 x 1.04 x 7.83 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #18,728 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #108 in Historical World War II & Holocaust Fiction #109 in World War II Historical Fiction #856 in Literary Fiction (Books)
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Original price was: $1,779.23.$995.02Current price is: $995.02.
13 reviews for The Booklover’s Library: A Novel – A USA Today Bestseller WWII Historical Fiction Tale
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Original price was: $1,779.23.$995.02Current price is: $995.02.
Marie C. Cordalis –
Wonderful , Heartfelt, Memorable!
I absolutely loved this wonderful book about a time in history that many people seem to have forgotten the significance of. Meticulously researched and with characters I genuinely cared about and understood. I know something about this time and place in England. Not just from studying the history of England but from my dad who served in England during the war and was in London during the “Blitz’ where his English fiance was killed. I remember how fascinated I was when he’d tell stories of their dates which mostly consisted of going to the lending library or to the cinema🙂. I highly recommend ” The Book Lover’s Library “!
LindaB –
Books Help in Wartime Britain
It’s a lovely story set in World War II, as Hitler conquers France and eyes Great Britain, finally, sadly, begins The Battle of Britain. But the story really begins when Emma Taylor’s father saves her from the fire in their beloved bookshop. Sadly, he does not survive and Emma is left without family, an orphan in need. The bulk of the story finds Emma later, now widowed as well, with a young daughter, Olivia, and desperate to find work. There are 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.The rest of the story, filled with wartime worries, sending Olivia to the country which does work, doesn’t work, and on. The tension continues as readers also hear about Emma’s co-workers, and her neighbors in the apartment where she and Olivia live. There is frightening loss, frightening hours in bomb shelters, but also there is loving kindness in their midst. I began to care for all the characters, hoping they would make it, wondering why some are unkind, knowing that Madelin Martin will deepen the story as we readers learn about these lives. It’s so complicated. I enjoyed the book, often asking myself, “What would I do?”Knowing some of the history of Lending Libraries and reading about Martin’s research in her Author’s Note was fascinating, too. And, I loved reading about books discussed, both personally and at the lending library, titles readers will recognize here in the 21st Century, titles still read and loved!
TW –
Good story about WWII England
Well written, engaging, touching.
Bonnie –
Historical fiction-romance fluff
Light historical fiction set in England during WW2. Adequate writing, characterization and plot supported by historical research. I found it engaging enough to skim the last 75%, rather than stop reading, because of the believable female characters surviving in difficult times, but it devolved into classic romance novel where independent girls and women realize the lives they thought were enough were not until the right man came into their lives. My parents lived and loved through the war, and were married 65 years- their lives lived in obscurity had more and better drama than the that found here
Daphne Manning –
a very satisfying read
Almost a 5 star read for me. I fell in love with reading as a young girl and am so grateful for the places it has taken me and the things it has taught me. I enjoyed the setting of the lending library and the friendships Emma made there. The terror they felt for their children and the anguish of making decisions to send them to safer places was very real. I hated to see this one end but loved the happy ending. I’m always satisfied by the stories of strong women and their kinship.
Brandy Cline –
Detailed character building, with historical accuracies.
One of the things I liked most about the book is its emotional depth and historical detail. Martin vividly describes wartime England, including air raids, rationing, and the evacuation of children, which makes the setting feel realistic. The book highlights how books can provide comfort, hope, and connection during difficult times. The relationships Emma builds, especially with her coworkers and neighbor show the importance of friendship and community during.Some parts of the story are predictable. Certain relationships, such as the romance subplot, develop extremely fast and I feel it could have been explored in more depth. Despite these minor weaknesses, the characters are relatable, and Emma’s journey as a mother and book lover is heartfelt and inspiring. I found myself not wanting to put the book down.
Kindle Customer –
Historical fiction goodie
I truly enjoy historical fiction novels. This book was a KIndle recommendation. It looked interesting. I never checked to see what other books the author had written. I had one of those “i wonder moments” when Emma went to London for training. I had read and enjoyed “the last bookshop in London”. Another great historical fiction novel that I suggest you read. I enjoy the back drop of history in books like this. I finished both books with more of a realization what people experienced during the bombing. I plan on reading all the books in the series. I hope there will be more books added to the collection.
Tea Enthusiast :O) –
Another Wonderful Story!
I thoroughly enjoyed Madeline Martin’s new book The Booklover’s Library! I never knew that Boots pharmacies had subscription libraries until reading this book. IT was fascinating to learn about their subscription libraries and the women who worked there. The story shares the plight of married or widowed with children and the difficulty they had finding any employment especially during the war when many needed to work. As in her other book the Last Book shop in London the war and the German bombing raids of London and other cities are shared in detail, this time adding the heartbreak of mothers having to send their children out of the cities to safer areas in the country side and not knowing the people or conditions their children may face there. As will all her books it was a great read, allowing me to escape in to another place and time and share the heartache and joys of characters in the book. Which is the joy of every book lover!
Malvika –
The Booklover’s library is a lovely book for Booklover’s and the WW II backdrop provides the hardships people faced and how books helped them to heal, be happy and recover from sadness and loss of dear ones. A lovely feel good book..
Karen –
A lovely read if you’re into historical fiction! And a great price on Black Friday – purchased for a neighbor for Christmas!
Kindle Customer –
I have not read Madeline Martin previously but as soon as I finished The Booklover’s Library, I bought her 2 previous books. I have a pretty thorough k owledge of WW2 Britain, but there were occurrences in this story that I hadn’t known. I live this in any book. This story is everything you need to prove to yourself that those clouds hovering over us won’t always be there.
emilie savaria –
I’s not a whirlwind of a story bu absolutely lovely. This time spent with the main characters in early ww2 england is a nice take not solely foxused on the war and its horors but on the books and things that brought people joy.
Maureen –
A wonderful read, set during WW2 around Boots’ Lending Library. It was sad but had its happy moments, particularly with how friends, and community, banded together to help others. A terrible time in history. It was certainly a time for hard decisions for Emma and her daughter, Olivia. Emma has always relied on herself but as the bombing increases in Nottingham, she realises she has lots of people around her she can rely on. Loved it.