The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong

 The War Librarian

Book Summary

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. That is, until 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 frontlines in France. But when a romance blooms as she secretly participates in a book club for censored books, 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 coed class at the United States 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.

My Thoughts

The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong is a dual timeline historical novel featuring courageous women.   We get to meet Emmaline Balakin who went from working in the Dead Letter Office to a librarian in an army camp in France in 1918.  Kathleen Carre is admitted as one of the first women into the United States Naval Academy in 1976.  Each woman will face obstacles as they enter areas dominated and run by men.  I thought the author beautifully wove the two storylines together.  The book contains good writing with realistic characters. I enjoyed getting to know Emmaline, Kathleen, and Nellie (Emmaline’s friend in France).  We get to see what life was like for them.  It was especially difficult for Kathleen who was not wanted by the male cadets or the people who ran the school.  Prejudice, banned books (censorship), secrets, lost love, courage, and bullying are the themes in The War Librarian.   

It was interesting learning about the Library War Service who was responsible for getting books to servicemen training in camps and those overseas.  At first blush, it would seem that the two storylines would be worlds apart.  As the story progresses, we get to see the similarity.   The twist was something I saw coming, but I enjoyed seeing how it played out. I do want to let readers know there is bullying, mild foul language, and an intimate situation.   If you are someone who has been bullied, you might find it hard to read one of the scenes.  I was shocked at what the female recruits were subjected to at the academy.  That they were expected to carry a purse and wear three-inch heels was idiotic.  I understand they are training soldiers, but I do not know how recruits put up with the demanding routine, the yelling, and all the rules (some of them are ridiculous). The War Librarian is an emotional story with a special ending.  The War Librarian is a captivating tale that historical fiction lovers will enjoy. 

The War Librarian is available from Amazon*.  Addison Armstrong has also written The Light of Luna Park.  You can follow Addison Armstrong on Amazon so you can receive an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for reading my review today.  Next time I am featuring A Killing in Costumes by Zac Bissonnette.  It is the debut of A Hollywood Treasures Mysteries.  I hope that you have a happy day.  Take care, stay cool (it really is the dog days of summer), and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Light of Luna Park by Addison Armstrong

 The Light of Luna Park

Book Summary

In the spirit of The Orphan Train and Before We Were Yours, a historical debut about a nurse who chooses to save a baby's life, and risks her own in the process, exploring the ties of motherhood and the little-known history of Coney Island and America's first incubators.

A nurse's choice. A daughter's search for answers.

New York City, 1926. Nurse Althea Anderson's heart is near breaking when she witnesses another premature baby die at Bellevue Hospital. So when she reads an article detailing the amazing survival rates of babies treated in incubators in an exhibit at Luna Park, Coney Island, it feels like the miracle she has been searching for. But the doctors at Bellevue dismiss Althea and this unconventional medicine, forcing her to make a choice between a baby's life and the doctors' wishes that will change everything.

Twenty-five years later, Stella Wright is falling apart. Her mother has just passed, she quit a job she loves, and her marriage is struggling. Then she discovers a letter that brings into question everything she knew about her mother, and everything she knows about herself.

The Light of Luna Park is a tale of courage and an ode to the sacrificial love of mothers

My Thoughts

The Light of Luna Park by Addison Armstrong is a dual timeline novel.  The story alternates between Althea Anderson and Stella Wright.  Stella has just lost her mother and her grief is highlighting parts of her life that are unsatisfactory.  Stella quits her job and decides to empty out her mother’s apartment on her own.  While going through a special box, Stella finds some curious letters.  She begins to wonder if she really knew her mother.  Stella decides to follow the clues and see where they lead.  Stella is in for a journey where her mother’s deepest secret will be revealed.  I found The Light of Luna Park to be a depressing story.  The beginning is slow with the pacing picking up in the second half of the story.  I thought the author captured both time periods (1926 and 1950) especially the attitudes of doctors in the 1920s, the PTSD that affected World War II soldiers, and the feelings of people towards the education of students with disabilities.  I did not find either character likeable and there was too much repetition of certain details (twice is fine, but more than that is too much).  Althea was preferrable to Stella for me.  Stella’s woe is me attitude got on my nerves.  I understood that Stella was grieving, but she let it overwhelm her whole life (it makes for a depressing story).  It was interesting learning about Dr. Couney, and his infamous incubator babies exhibit at Coney Island.  At the end of the book, I was left with unanswered questions.  The Light of Luna Park had an interesting premise, but it did not appeal to me.  Each of us view books differently.  I suggest that you read a sample to see if this historical novel appeals to you.  The Light of Luna Park is a dual timeline novel with infamous incubators, a committed mother, a repugnant principal, abnormal missives, an unsettled spouse, and an essential mission.

The Light of Luna Park publishes Tuesday, August 10 and it is available from Amazon*.  This is Addison Armstrong's debut novel.  You can follow her here on Amazon to receive news on her next release.  I appreciate you visiting today and reading my thoughts on this new novel.  I will return tomorrow to feature Death and Sensibility by Elizabeth Blake.  It is the 2nd A Jane Austen Society Mystery. I hope that you have sunny day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.