I couldn't put this book down once I started it! This has by far been my favourite historical fiction read of the year. Though I typically don't go for time switching point of views, this was done excellently and made complete sense for the plot. The surprise ending was in fact a surprise, I didn't quite pick up on the subtle clues dropped in the second half of the book. I am definitely recommending this for a book club read!

Having recently finished the previously published “The War Librarian” by Addison Alexander, I am happy to have had the chance for the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy; thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnum!

This is a well researched dual timeline story that transports us back to France, World War I hospital encampments and horrific wounded warrior moments; as well as a look at The Library War Service, The Books for Soldiers initiative program, and the challenges that librarians faced while trying to provide comfort for the injured wanting to take their minds to another place through books and their stories.

The second timeline was a look at another type of military struggle, that of the first women entering the grueling and sometimes hostile Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

The struggles and personal backgrounds of both Emmeline and Kathleen, and their resilience during each of their military experiences, felt somewhat over dramatic and a bit far-fetched at times, but their eventual connection, decades later, made for a satisfying, and at the same time… this can only happen in fiction… ending.

*** Look for the Author’s Note and Conversation with Addison Armstrong if that is available to you. These extras often explain the creative process, and sometimes help make sense of the moments in the story that sometimes don’t.

THE WAR LIBRARIAN by Addison Armstrong is an emotionally captivating dual timeline historical fiction story featuring two women finding their voices and standing up for what they believe is right against injustice and inequality no matter the personal cost. So much in this historical story mirrors the ongoing moral struggle occurring in current society.

I enjoyed this interesting dual timeline historical fiction novel! Which was surprising to me because I am not usually a dual timeline fan. It has strong female characters, even stronger female friendships, and a secret that crosses generations. It was great learning about the ALA and the librarian's role during wartime was a great topic! Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This book is quite topical censored books during World War II and banned books in 2023. I’ve read a number of books on World War II historical fiction. This book has a different take. I was immediately engrossed in, couldn’t put it down.

👩🏻‍🏫 𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆👩🏻‍🏫

The War Librarian by Addison Armstrong
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

"Books here calm me. Things end happily in books - and when they don't, there's a reason."

A historical fiction, two different time lines, 1918 and 1976. Emmaline lives in Washington D.C. and leaves her home town to work as a volunteer librarian during the war, bringing books to soldiers who have been wounded. Emmaline is dismayed to find out that books are being banned and black soldiers are enduring discrimination. She secretly participates in a bookclub bringing white and black men together to read all the banned books.

Kathleen on the other hand is one of the first women to be admitted in the U.S. Naval Academy’s class of 1980. She has been ready for this challenge but she is taken back with the discrimination and hostility she has had to endure while there.

I am not too big on historical fiction sometimes but this book outdid itself. Emmaline and Kathleen are two amazing women who face many challenges during these times. I loved how strong they both are, they fight for what they want and believe that is right.

What a perfectly written historical fiction read! Oh, how I loved this book. The War Librarian was written in dual timelines, one surrounding Emmaline, the first female volunteer librarian during WW1 taking place in 1918 and the other in 1976 with Kathleen, the first woman accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy. I always love a dual timeline read and it was so incredibly well done here! I was equally invested in both timelines and eager for the characters and unfolding story in both.

What stood out to me the most here was the compelling storyline that had me hooked from beginning to end. A story of courage and resilience that really resonated with me. There was so much I learned and took away from this book. I was so inspired and loved coming along and rooting for these strong female characters!

I’d you’re looking for your next historical read, I highly suggest that this one be it!

Many thanks to Putnam and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy!

Thank you to netgalley.com for this ARC.

This book is a dual time line story set at the end of WWI France and 1970's US. The two time lines are interested and at first it seems pretty clear cut but as the story unfolds there are twists and turns.
I enjoyed learning and reading about the hospital librarians during WWI and also about the first women cadets admitted to the Naval Academy.

I really enjoyed this author's previous book as well as this one and she will be be a favorite to look for in the future.

The War Librarian features two women, one in 1918 and one 1976, striving to work and serve in male dominated arenas: war and the U.S. Naval Academy. I was particularly in Kathleen’s timeline as she was in the inaugural coed class at the Naval Academy. This was an intriguing read, that at times, made me reflect on how much and yet how little things have changed for women. Thank you Netgalley and G.P. Putnam for DRC and feeding my love of historical fiction stories.

Both Emmaline and Kathleen had interesting tales to tell but it was ultimately Kathleen’s that kept drawing me in. What she and her fellow cadets went through was terrible and completely unfair and yet most of them not only endured but succeeded.

It was not always an easy read but one that made me think on all women have had to overcome to succeed and to do so when the odds are stacked against them. This was a book I’m glad I read and one I suspect I will think about for awhile.

I really enjoyed this dual timeline story that was inspired by the first women accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy and the Library War Service established during WWI. My first book by this author, it won’t be my last.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy of The War Librarian. This is my honest review and the opinions expressed above are my own.

1918: Emmaline Balakin, though timid and shy, embarks on a journey across the ocean as a war librarian and finds herself hosting a book club for censored books. Emmaline will have to dig deep inside herself to find the courage needed to survive on the frontlines.

1976: Kathleen Carre is determined to show the world, and her nana, that she is more than deserving of being part of the first coed class admitted to the United States Navel Academy. Not everyone thinks a female should be at the academy. When tragedy strikes close to home for Kathleen, she becomes a target.

Back at it again with another historical fiction rec! I haven’t read much World War I fiction but this one was so well done and compelling. I feel like I’m always saying it, but y’all I LOVE dual timelines! Especially when the two timelines connect by the end of the book. Is there anything better than strong, empowered female leads? This book highlights female librarians serving in World War I and the first women admitted to the United States Navel Academy. Their resilience when facing adversity is so incredible and inspiring. Highly recommend this one! Thank you to Putnam, Addison Armstrong, and NetGalley for my gifted e-arc. This book is out now!

I was so excited to read this as I adore books about books/libraries/etc. I also adore historical fiction. This was perfect! This story focuses on two women, in two different times. Emmaline, who is a volunteer librarian at the frontlines of war, and Kathleen who becomes part of the first coed class at the US Naval Academy. While dual timelines can be tricky, Ms. Armstrong manages them well in this book. The premise is lovely, the book is written well, and the story kept me hooked from the first page!

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of the War Librarian by Addison Armstrong.
Told in dual timelines, The War Librarian is the story of two women going beyond their comfort zones to achieve their goals. Emmaline joins the front lines of the war, and Katherine becomes one of the first groups of women accepted into the Naval Academy. Both must find the determination and grit to overcome obstacles and finish what they began. Well written and purposeful, Addison Armstrong creates a story that makes reading worthwhile.

The War Librarian is a compelling historical fiction novel. The story is told from two points of view; Emmaline, whose story is set in 1918, and Kathleen, whose story takes place in 1976. Emmaline is a timid young woman who goes to France during WWI to provide comfort to wounded soldiers through books, and Kathleen is appointed to the Naval Academy the first year it is open to women. Both women face unexpected challenges as they encounter racism and misogyny and must dig deep to find the strength and courage to forge ahead. The author does a wonderful job of bringing the characters, their stories, and their timelines to life.

Thanks netgalley for the copy of this book! I like hearing about how people lived a century ago. This book I got through super fast.

Emmaline was a war librarian in 1918. She finds a bunch of books that have been banned by the government. She wants to fix this. Kathleen is one of the first women to get admitted into the naval academy in 1978. She find an old letter written from Emmaline to a newspaper. How do their stories tie together?

The part I found interesting was how they were banning books during the war if it had a different agenda. Schools are trying to ban books all the time lately. Emmaline says that words can be more dangerous than weapons and I think she’s right. People are scared that’s why they ban books. Fast forward to 1978 and see how women were treated in war. 1978 isn’t that long ago. They still were disrespected and not given full right. It was a man’s world for these two women but they still spoke up and stood out.

Popular read. It was taken out multiple times when purchased. Blends two historical time periods beautifully. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! Well worth it!

I am so grateful that the publishers allowed me to read a review this book. What an interesting dual timeline of WW1 and 1970’s Naval Academy. My family has a very rich, extended connection with the US Navy and none of their stories ever made me wonder what the experiences of women were like. I had also never heard of war librarians before. It was all fascinating! I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC digital copy. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

Being a librarian, it is no surprise that I enjoy reading books about books. Unfortunately, I just could not get into The War Librarian. I attempted several times but was unable to connect with the story.

3.5 stars out of respect for the author and the fact that The War Librarian is likely is just not the right book for me at this time. I will keep in on my "to be read" list and will update this review in the event that my opinion changes.

The War Librarian
by Addison Armstrong
Pub Date 09 Aug 2022
PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons
Historical Fiction | Women's Fiction


I am reviewing a copy of The War Librarian through Penguin Group Putnam, Putnam's Sons and Netgalley:



This is a dual timeline story, that shifts from 1918, to 1976. It's the story of two women, a secret and a truth worth fighting for.


In 1918 Emmaline Balakin is a timid and shy young woman who lives in books more than she does her own life. That is until the day 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 books being censored, Emmaline will need to find more courage within herself than she ever thought possible in order to survive.


In 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. The problem is 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.



I give The War Librarian five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

I feel like I'm both the perfect and worst audience for this book, being a military veteran (Marine Corps) and librarian. Because any book about a woman's experience in the military automatically makes me both excited and nervous—particularly if the author has no military experiencce.

However, Armstrong did her homework, very thoroughly. There are so many little details about military life that are right—and so many details of what went down during the first year women were allowed into the Naval Academy (she had several sources who were in the class of 1980), and she spares little detail on the struggles they faced.

I did enjoy it. I liked both Katherine's and Emmaline's POVs, although by the 80% mark the storylines got a little ridiculous, it still made sense plot-wise—and enjoyed the themes of female friendship and found family.

So why the three stars?

Well...it just didn't hit all the marks for me, particularly the last 20%. I found myself going WTF several times, and also because this book contains the trope of Bad Things Happen to Secondary Characters (no, not the one in the Big Reveal), who happen to be Black, which makes the main character realizes things (systemic racism, the dual-tipped tongs of white supremacy and misogyny, etc). That it happens not in one timeline, but both timelines, with the Black characters shriveling out of the picture after their Part in the storyline (although one does pop up at the end), kinda made me side-eye the story a little bit. I'm probably reading into the white feminist angle too much here, but the fact that it happened twice just felt...like an odd parallel to include?

I initially received this book as an ARC, but didn't read it when I was supposed to, and after delaying the hold on the audiobook five or sixteen times, finally got around to listening to it.