The Librarian of Boone’s Hallow
by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Addie Cowherd gets shaken when she finds out her parents have not paid her college bills. Because of this she can’t sit for her final exams. As she unpeels the onion of that news, she discovers she will need to support herself, and possibly her parents. From there she ends out in the backwoods community of Boone’s Hollow, working as an assistant for Mrs. West, a librarian who runs a lending establishment supported by the WPA. Books are sent out by horseback for the community to borrow, read and return when their rider comes through the next time.

There have been a lot of books written on this theme in the last few years. I’m a library fan. As a consequence, I have eagerly read as many as I can get my hands on, and this one does a good job of hitting all the high points. There is conflict, concern for safety, there’s romance, revenge, the rooting out of evil, the installation of order and a gift of even more books! Where this one is different than some of the others is in its heavy Christian lean – scriptures, prayers and hymns aplenty. Even the sensitive issues are handled in a way that would please my more conservative friends and family.

Best of all, it is a story that my Shaker ancestors might say of the pages: “To turn, turn will be our delight, til by turning, turning we come round right.” I recommend it as well. It is a tale that gets your attention with all that is out of order, but as it progresses is restful and peaceful, with plenty of space for redemption and change of heart.

A sincere thanks to Kim Vogel Sawyer, WaterBrook & Multnomah, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.

#TheLibrarianofBoonesHollow #NetGalley

I enjoyed this compelling historical excursion into the tough mountain community during the Depression. Hard times force Addie Cowherd to leave the city for the unknown—she finds work as a rural library delivery girl, unaware of the difficulties she will face or how this experience will change her life. This novel makes a good companion to Suzanne Woods Fisher’s The Moonlight School and Ann Gabhart’s An Appalachian Summer and These Healing Hills, which I have also enjoyed and reviewed in the past. If you like a gritty story of determination and real life, this book offers that and much more. The characters tug at your heart as well as make you ponder life’s circumstances. I recommend this well-developed tale. I received a copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own. #TheLibrarianofBoonesHollow #NetGalley

Loved it!  I read another book about the WPA librarians on horseback in Appalachia, so I already knew it was a fascinating topic.  Highly recommend!

As a history lover and a librarian, I was very interested in this book.  It was a charming book that created characters that I loved getting to know.  I loved reading it and enjoyed the picture the author made of the historical time and place.

If you haven't read about the Pack Horse Librarian Project that was established during the 1930's by the WPA, reading The Librarian of Boone's Hollow is a great place to start.  When funds drive up, Addie Cowherd is forced to leave college and take a job as a packhorse librarian in the hills of Kentucky.  Unfortunately,  the Boone's Hollow community is suspicious of her as an outsider, especially since she has agreed to rent a room from Nanny Fay.    As Addie struggles to fit into her new community, Emmett Tharp, a recent college grad that Addie has briefly met before, also shows up in town.  Addie and Emmett's paths cross muliple times.  Both characters must learn how to overcome obstacles thrown their way. 

This book was a perfect fit for me since I have enjoyed learning about the Pack Horse Librarian Project over the past couple of years.  It seems like there have been several historical fiction books set during this time period and this one was well written. If you are a book lover like me, you will enjoy learning how these librarians brought books and knowledge to the hill people of Kentucky.  There are some interesting characters in this book besides Addie and Emmett that helped add some drama to the plot line.  I would love seeing a prequel book featuring Nanny Fay or a spin off book with Bettina in it.  Thanks to WaterBrook Multonomah and NetGalley for a copy of this book.  All thoughts expressed in this review are my honest opinions of the book.

Took a long time to get into this story for me because the author spends too much time detailing the mundane aspects of life. Did pick up toward the end though when the story focused more on the characters. Okay story little preachy for my tastes.

In the mood for a quick, "nice" book? This one fills the bill. Although this is "Christian Fiction," I believe readers looking for a gentle read set in the Great Depression (1936) and the coal-mining mountains of Kentucky will enjoy this story.
There is a love story here, but not a classic romance. And love is covered in its many aspects: love for fellow individuals, love of parents, love of reading and knowledge, love of nature, the search for romantic love, and the love of God. Other topics include domestic abuse, learning disorders, "outsiders", etc. It all sounds heavy, but it isn't.
For those that avoid "Christian fiction" because it might be too "pushy", I still think this one can give you an enjoyable read and some food for thought about how we treat our fellow man/woman/child. This one does preach, but you can still skim and pick up the story, if you wish.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this advance copy.

I am now a fan of this author. This was my first novel by her and I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style, the characters, and the setting was so descriptive you were captured by the story in the first chapters. An excellent book club selection.  Would love to read more about the people’s stories Addie is writing.

My personal Rating- Five Stars

{Please note the topic of abuse (though never detailed) and adjust the stars according to each girl encase of triggering.}

Ohhhh. This was such a wonderful book and I’m so thrilled to mark this as my first five-star book of 2020. 

{Psst, if you’re looking for a video review, please check out this video—it’s pure fangirling over this plot and characters, but, oh well. 😉 }

I’m not sure where to begin, so let’s just start:
We see the point-of-view of four characters, Addie, Emmett, Nanny Fay, and Bettina. 

Starting of with my favorite character—and now one of my favorite characters of all time—Addie. Addie is an absolutely precious human being. She kindness and caring for everyone and living out the Golden Rule of treating others how you would like to be treated was so beautiful. That message is something I believe in needed not only in this crazy year but in everyday life. I think some may think her to be too perfect, but I thought there were quite a few glimpses into her thoughts and actions of her having to remind herself to look for the blessings—no matter how small of a blessing—and her realistic emotions. I loved her attitude towards life, others, and how level-headed she was. I could go on and on, but let’s just wrap up with that this character inspired and challenges me to be better. 

Emmett. As far as leading guys go, he wasn’t my absolute favorite, but he was a really good guy. He treated others with respect and was a likeable character. 
Time for a side note: Addie & Emmett. This “romance” was so incredibly clean with not even a single kiss or noticing of an ankle. (Did I just poke at the majority of historical Christian Fiction? Ooops.) Their relationship was so sweet but yet so innocent and calm. None of the major amounts of butterflies or accidental touches like in other books. It was so clean and so sweet, it was so lovely.

Nanny Fay. She’s been branded as a witch in Boone’s Hollow because of her late husband’s family having Cherokee blood and because she makes helpful teas and balms with natural ingredients. When you find out her story, you realize that she had many opportunities to turn bitter and angry, but she did not. She held fast to the Lord and was so kind to everyone even when others didn’t treat her kindly. I adored Nanny Fay and Addie’s faith conversations and that truly added even more to my enjoyment of the story. The faith content was phenomenal and both of those characters were so refreshing to see. 

Bettina. Ah, Bettina. If we didn’t have her point-of-view, we probably would dislike her and not feel much—if any—compassion towards her and her situation. The negative content/content warning for this book comes from Bettina’s parts. Her father is a mean drunk that verbally and physically abuses her. She wants out of her current circumstances and has a plan for it to change. 

I so enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the characters—especially Addie and her mindset. I enjoyed the wonderful faith content and I enjoyed the sweet, clean romance. I feel so satisfied at the ending and how everything wrapped up. Please do expect me to chat about this book often on my BookTube channel, because this has become a new favorite my mine. :)

This is the third book I’ve read about the WPA.  I think the topic is fascinating.  I didn’t like this one as much as the other two, but it was still enjoyable and a quick read.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow is a fascinating look into one of the many occupations created by Roosevelt during the Great Depression. The characters that populate this book feel true to their setting, but familiar as well. I loved the multiple viewpoints this book was written from, particularly as conflicts popped up throughout the story. It really helped each character feel real, with real motivations, rather than caricatures.
The history of this book was really interesting. Sawyer brings the time period to life, with all of its beauty and difficulty. There were a few times the story lagged for me, but the characters kept pulling me back to it. I enjoyed getting to see what rural Appalachia would look like during that time.
In all, I enjoyed this book. It was well-written, had plenty of real-life conflict, and fascinating history throughout it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Set in the Appalachian mountains during the Great Depression, "The Librarian of Boone's Hollow" is inspired by the real WPA program that sent librarians on horseback to deliver books to hill families in Kentucky.
In this novel, Kim Vogel Sawyer tells the story of aspiring novelist Addie Cowherd, hometown outcast Emmett Tharp, abused Bettina, and misunderstood Nanny Fay. In the mining town, family feuds go way back, and strangers are not accepted, which is what the characters need to navigate. 
The book weaves historical facts with a story that's captivating and engaging. And the romance is understated, which I appreciate. I also appreciated the insight into prejudice, family structures and friendship. 
"The Librarian of Boone's Hollow" encourages me to respect all peoples and show kindness and love to everyone, especially the people who are mean. While the message is Christian, it's not preachy and will appeal to readers who like historical fiction with a touch of drama and romance.

I enjoy Kim Vogel Sawyers books and this did not disappoint. If you have enjoy historical Christian fiction this story set in the mountains will keep you engaged.

Such a beautifully written historical fiction book!  Great character development, plus an intriguing storyline makes this a great book to spend a weekend with.

This is the first book I've read by Kim Vogel Sawyer but it won't be the last. Kim really pulls you into the story about Addie,  Emmett and the citizens of Boone's Hollow. In a chance meeting their paths cross at the University of Kentucky. Then they are reunited in Boone's Hollow when Addie takes a position as a pack horse librarian. This was a quick and interesting read. 
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

Addie’s world has been turned upside down, and her expectations for what the future holds have been unceremoniously shattered. After learning that she can no longer pursue her college degree because of her family’s financial ruin, Addie has a choice: give in to despair or trust God to bring hope and purpose to circumstances that feel so uncertain and frightening.

When an opportunity comes to join a team of packhorse librarians who deliver books to the people of Boone’s Hollow, Addie believes that God is doing just that.

But when she arrives, Addie finds that superstition and prejudice have taken deep root, and finding her place in Boone’s Hollow will prove more difficult than she ever expected. Still, she is not without friends in this new place. A kindly old woman, Nanny Fay, and Emmett, an acquaintance from college, stand beside Addie through it all and might, in the end, make staying in Boone’s Hollow worthwhile.

It is no easy thing to craft a fictional community of people so exquisitely that readers immediately feel as if they’ve known the characters all their lives, but Kim Vogel Sawyer has done exactly that. And for all the characters’ faults and idiosyncrasies, they also possess strength and a willingness to grow in equal measure. Between these pages live real people who must bravely confront painful obstacles and who will leave all who pick up The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow with a longing to visit and learn from them again and again.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Another title in the WPA librarian program that focuses on efforts to bring books to rural mountain people. This story doesn't quite deliver as well as others but is a quick read.

Kim Vogel Sawyer has reached back in time and brought the WPA packhorse librarians to life in this novel of historical fiction. She both honors the hardworking men and women whose jobs were delivering a glimpse of the outside world by way of books and magazines to some of the most remote corners Appalachian mountains and the hardscrabble people who call the region home. While life is not easy on either side, Sawyer's characters are strong in faith and substance. Add in a sprinkling of romance, and this book is a winner. For fans of Kim Michelle RIchardson's "Book Woman of Troublesome Creek" or "Shiner" by Amy Jo Burns.

Addie Cowherd is at the end of her third year at the University of  Kentucky  when she is summoned to the Dean's  office, where she finds out that her tuition has not been paid, and she is  being  summarily  dismissed from the University.   She is offered a place to live by a librarian that she has worked with in the past.  This  leads to employment as a delivery lady at a tiny library in Boones Hollow, KY.   She rides a mule delivering books and magazines to the people  living in the rugged mountains. 

Emmett Tharp is a graduate of the  University of  Kentucky.   He and Addie had met briefly on campus the last night of Addie's stay there.  He cannot find a job, so goes home to Boones  Hollow.  Through twists, he gets the job of Librarian of Boones  Hollow, working closely with Addie. 

This is a sweet Christian  romance, and I  enjoyed it very much.  The only comment  I  would  make against it was that the romance and side stories in the book were wrapped up  lickity-split in the last couple of  chapters.   It felt a little bit  like the author had run out of story and wanted to be done.  That said, I  still enjoyed the book very much.  In todays  meet- fall in bed- then get to know each other romances this was a breath of fresh air.  Interesting book with characters  that interested me.  Many thanks for the opportunity to  read this book.

I loved learning about the Works Progress Administration and how they instituted delivering books to the people in mountainous or rural areas who didn't have access to them. More importantly though I was truly impacted by the characters, each one struggling with their own issues in this Great Depression era. 

Addie who had every right to be angry with her circumstances shows such grace, love, and fortitude. Nanny Fay who definitely has a right to be bitter is a true reflection of what the Lord calls us to be in the face of adverse circumstances. Emmett who has done all he can to rise above his circumstances seems destined to end up where he started. And Bettina drove me crazy, but she struggles with a mean father who she can never please. Each of their lives intersect in a dynamic way that will never leave any of them the same. This story was woven beautifully as a tailor weaves a tapestry. While I felt the story slowed a bit in the middle, I found myself so glad I stayed until the end. Definitely on the recommended-to-read list!

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Waterbrook/Multnomah. All opinions and thoughts are my own.