The Underground Library is a “saving the books” story featuring three brave and determined women during WWII.

The Underground Library by Jennifer Ryan

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction, Women’s Historical Fiction, Friendship, Book About Books, The Blitz, London, WWII

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary of The Underground Library

Thanks #NetGalley @RandomHousePublishing @RandomHouse #BallantineBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #TheUndergroundLibrary upon my request. All opinions are my own.

The Underground Library is told from three perspectives and is a “saving the books” story as bombs rain down on London during the Blitz. When bombs destroy the library, it forces the three women to salvage what they can and move stacks to the local underground station. As the city’s residents take shelter, the books keep up their spirits.

My Thoughts:

Three Perspectives

The Underground Library is told from three perspectives:

• Juliet must demonstrate that a woman is capable of running a library.
• Katie is one of the library workers and is hiding a secret.
• Sophie is a young Jewish refugee and the library is a place of escape and safety.

After bombs destroy the library, these three women work together to salvage what they can and move the stacks to the nearby underground station. In addition to dealing with the bombing and relocation of the library, each woman is dealing with a personal challenge.

Women on the Home Front

Women on the home front during WWII is a sub genre that I enjoy immensely. I often wonder what my contributions would be for the war effort and how living in this time would have changed my life. It’s inspiring to read inspiring stories of strong women in the most difficult of times.

Other “women on the home front” stories by Jennifer Ryan include The Kitchen Front, The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle, and The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir.

You might also enjoy this post listing other books about women on the home front.

Women’s Fiction/Historical Fiction Mashup

If you love women’s fiction in a historical context, Jennifer Ryan is one author I can enthusiastically recommend. I always enjoy a historical context because it adds a layer of depth to women’s fiction themes of friendship, women supporting women, and community.

Content Consideration: unplanned pregnancy

Recommending The Underground Library

If you’re looking for lighter historical fiction that includes women’s fiction themes, you might enjoy The Underground Library. Book clubs might enjoy this one.

My Rating:  4.5  Stars

Meet the Author of The Underground Library, Jennifer Ryan

I’m a mom with two girls who are growing too fast! I love taking them into the woods or the mountains with our dog, Timmy–he’s a bouncy golden retriever–especially when the sky is that really intense blue, the sunlight piercingly bright, the scenery lush and layered, or frozen in winter with a thick blanket of perfect snow. 

Writing is my life. Sometimes people ask how I can sit and write for so many hours, but the truth is that I just love every moment. I feel as if something is coming to life under my fingertips, that I’m carefully creating a world, characters who will act and think and feel emotions all by themselves. 

Cooking is my other joy, as is eating! My kids and I are forever in the kitchen, cupcake tins out, the piping bag ready. But I also love to cook for family and friends, dashing around the warm kitchen surrounded by wafts of garlic, herbs, and stocks while the girls lay the table specially with flowers and candles.

I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I loved writing them. Please get in touch. I’d love to hear your stories, too. https://www.jenniferryanauthor.com/

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QOTD:

Is this new release on your TBR or have you read other books by Jennifer Ryan?

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Happy Reading Book Buddies!

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