The Secret Society of Librarians celebrates the bravery of women during WWII and the power of books as escape and a form of resistance.

The Secret Society of Librarians by Kate Thompson

Genre/Categories/Setting: Historical Fiction (WWII, 1939-1942), Libraries and Librarians, Women Supporting Women, Friendship, London and Occupied Poland

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My Summary:

Thanks #NetGalley @GrandCentralPub | Forever for a complimentary eARC of #TheSecretSocietyOfLibrarians upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Two friends, separated by war, share a belief in the power of books and are part of a librarian support group. As war reaches London in 1939, Joyce is determined to act, and she sets up a mobile library so that readers can find comfort and escape in books. Joyce also takes responsibility for a young Jewish Refugee, Adela. In Occupied Poland, Dorotha’s life in the ghetto is focused on survival. In addition to her job as a typist for the Germans, she organizes an underground library. Her circumstances are becoming more dire with each passing day, and although she can no longer receive or send letters to her librarian friends, she keeps a journal.

My Thoughts:

The power of books as escape and a form of resistance…

What helped people survive WWII?

Often when reading historical fiction, I’m reminded of the power of books and the importance of reading for earlier generations. In this story, Joyce and Dorotha risked their lives to bring the comfort of books to fellow readers. How many people today would turn to books as a source of comfort and encouragement?

How important is friendship during difficult times?

One of my favorite subgenres in historical fiction is women supporting women on the home front during WWII. These stories demonstrate the power of friendship, and I never tire of them. In The Secret Society of Librarians, a group of women bond in their roles as librarians. This wasn’t exactly a secret group. It was simply a group of like-minded female librarians who formed a support group. Over time, many moved to other locations, but they continue to support each other through written communication. When WWII reaches London, Joyce relies on these friends, although she (and the others) eventually loses communication with Dorotha, which causes great concern. Will this group of friends be reunited after the war years?

What did I think of the Story Structure?

The Secret Society of Librarians is told in dual perspectives between the years of 1939 and 1942. Chapters alternate as we follow the wartime experiences of Joyce and Dorotha. I found Joyce’s home front challenges and experiences most enjoyable because Dorotha’s ghetto years are tragic and heartbreaking to read about. Once I was settled into the structure and knew the characters, it was a compelling read. Will the two friends reunite after the war? [no spoilers!]

Content Consideration: ghetto and wartime conditions, bombing, difficult circumstances and choices

Recommending The Secret Society of Librarians:

Kate Thompson is one of my auto-buy authors for WWII home front fiction. Although the Poland content is heartbreaking to read, fans of the author, books about libraries, and women supporting women will find a great deal to appreciate in The Secret Society of Librarians. The title might be a bit misleading because it sounds like these women might be spies or working with the resistance. There really is nothing secret about their friendship or their meetings. They are simply librarians who share reading tastes and similar opinions.

Related: Other books I’ve read by Kate Thompson: The Little Wartime Library (note reviewed) and The Wartime Book Club.

My Rating: 4 Stars

More Information Here

Meet the Author of The Secret Society of Librarians, Kate Thompson

Kate Thompson was born in London and worked as a journalist for twenty years on women’s magazines and national newspapers. She now lives in Sunbury with her husband, two sons and two rescue dogs. After ghost writing five memoirs, Kate moved into fiction. Kate’s first non-fiction social history documenting the forgotten histories of East End matriarchy, The Stepney Doorstep Society, was published in 2018 by Penguin. She is passionate about capturing lost voices and untold social histories.

Today Kate works as a journalist, author and library campaigner. Her most recent books, The Little Wartime Library (2022) and The Wartime Book Club (2023) by Hodder & Stoughton focus on two remarkable libraries in wartime. Her 100 libraries project, celebrates the richness and complexity of librarians work and the vital role of libraries in our communities.

Instagram @Katethompson author
Facebook
Twitter @katethompson380
http://www.katethompsonmedia.co.uk

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