"The Blackout Book Club," by Amy Lynn Green

 "The Blackout Book Club," by Amy Lynn Green

In 1942, an impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in small-town Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn't be more different--a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, an exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.

At first, the struggles of the home front are all the club members have in common, but over time, the books they choose become more than an escape from the hardships of life and the fear of the U-boat battles that rage just past their shores. As the women face personal challenges and band together in the face of danger, they find they have more in common than they think. But when their growing friendships are tested by secrets of the past and present, they must decide whether depending on each other is worth the cost.

This book starts out quite slow to my mind, but the more you read the more you grow to love it and get sucked into the story.  The four main characters are so different but what brings them together is the book club.  As their stories unfold and intertwine you get more invested into each of them.  

I loved reading the "book club's minutes" from the meetings, so refreshing and you felt as though you were there at each meeting.  If I had to pick a favourite character it was Ginny; so strong but very vulnerable at the same time.  Mind you all the characters showed their stronger sides throughout the book.  There were a couple of surprises along the way that kept the story interesting.

The author's notes at the end of the book are well worth reading.  The books that the book club "read," is also listed at the end of the book, which I thought was a nice thing to add.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5  Had trouble again getting sucked into the story, but once that happened this book is a real winner and well worth the read.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".