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librarinurse23's review against another edition
5.0
I broke up with Reese a while back because some of her title choices were just awful, but I’m glad I gave her a second chance. Moyes’ story of the pack mule librarians in 1930s Kentucky was enthralling. Featuring a group of “misfit” women who deliver books to the rural residents of Appalachia, Moyes pulls together a great story of community, how strength in friendship and the written word can change a life. Highly recommend.
tazladyok's review against another edition
4.0
Historical fiction
This story is set in the depression era and tells the story of the Horseback Librarians program in Kentucky. This story truly shows what a difference books can make in someone's life.
This story is set in the depression era and tells the story of the Horseback Librarians program in Kentucky. This story truly shows what a difference books can make in someone's life.
amylauren36's review against another edition
3.0
I think Jo Jo Meyers is a good author. I liked this book, but it also kinda took me a bit to get through.
Maybe because I found it a bit boring? I’m not sure.
Maybe because I found it a bit boring? I’m not sure.
kelly_inthe419's review against another edition
4.0
While I did enjoy the Giver of Stars and many of its characters, I didn't love it as much as I expected.
Set in the mountains of Kentucky during the depression era this is the story of a group of women who become packhorse librarians to rural areas of their community, where many people are under-educated and have little access to reading material. The packhorse librarians were a real part of our history, conceived of by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. I loved learning more about this history - mending books, taking bits of old magazines like recipes and stories and puzzles and putting them together in a new format.
I also loved the strong female friendships and how the women grew to love and trust and rely upon one another. Margery was my favorite as the tough, smart, independent woman - unusual for that time and place. But the story is primarily focused on Alice, a young Englishwoman who moved to Kentucky after marrying the son of a mine owner. Life in rural Kentucky is nothing like what she expected and neither is her marriage. She finds comfort and friendship among the packhorse librarians and their customers.
The murder mystery and love interests were a bit predictable but nonetheless enjoyable. But the power of literacy and reading shines through and the work of the packhorse librarians is so interesting. I definitely want to read the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek as well to compare the stories and learn more.
Set in the mountains of Kentucky during the depression era this is the story of a group of women who become packhorse librarians to rural areas of their community, where many people are under-educated and have little access to reading material. The packhorse librarians were a real part of our history, conceived of by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. I loved learning more about this history - mending books, taking bits of old magazines like recipes and stories and puzzles and putting them together in a new format.
I also loved the strong female friendships and how the women grew to love and trust and rely upon one another. Margery was my favorite as the tough, smart, independent woman - unusual for that time and place. But the story is primarily focused on Alice, a young Englishwoman who moved to Kentucky after marrying the son of a mine owner. Life in rural Kentucky is nothing like what she expected and neither is her marriage. She finds comfort and friendship among the packhorse librarians and their customers.
The murder mystery and love interests were a bit predictable but nonetheless enjoyable. But the power of literacy and reading shines through and the work of the packhorse librarians is so interesting. I definitely want to read the Book Woman of Troublesome Creek as well to compare the stories and learn more.
hazelsteckler's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
vaisforbooklovers's review against another edition
5.0
My second Jojo Moyes and another 5 star book of epic proportions! I adored it, the friendships, the love, the emotion, I sobbed at least three times and maybe the entire last 20 to 30 pages kept me in tears!
It could be because I live in the Appalachian mountains, it could be because I’ve always loved historical fiction stories about coal mining towns/mountain folk/small town country life… I could go on but this book was made for me in its setting and people! I loved that it was in late 1930s and if this sounds like something you’d be mildly interested in you should definitely go read it asap!
I’m ashamed to say I bought this in 2019 and it’s just been waiting for me to realize it is worth the hype! Also, I must note that the audiobook version was great, read by one of the best (Julia Whelan).
It could be because I live in the Appalachian mountains, it could be because I’ve always loved historical fiction stories about coal mining towns/mountain folk/small town country life… I could go on but this book was made for me in its setting and people! I loved that it was in late 1930s and if this sounds like something you’d be mildly interested in you should definitely go read it asap!
I’m ashamed to say I bought this in 2019 and it’s just been waiting for me to realize it is worth the hype! Also, I must note that the audiobook version was great, read by one of the best (Julia Whelan).
ellie_cripps's review against another edition
3.0
This was profoundly less romantic than I'd been expecting, and though I did enjoy the historical elements, it always felt like Jojo Moyes didn't really want to write a love story this time and so just shoehorned something in because it's what is expected of her work.
rachelann31's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75