Loved this book from the first page to the end. I didn't want it to end.

Great writing style, fabulously real characters and I loved the dual timelines. Highly recommend if you like historical fiction.

Shout out to all the librarians making the world a better place one day at a time.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

There was a lot of this that had the feel of a Kate Quinn novel. If you weren't already aware of my reading proclivities, this is high praise.

The story is told in a dual timeline perspective with two separate protagonists and I felt like the organization was really spot on. The writing is well-structured and does a great job of capturing the historical feel of both timelines (1918 WWI France and late 1970s US). I could definitely have used a bit more bulk and development to the story, so a longer book would have likely gotten even higher ratings from me, but it was still a fascinating read from both historical content and entertainment perspectives.

The female protagonists are both really well balanced and felt genuine. I enjoyed that they were both told from an introspective point-of-view and that I felt like the reader could really get to understand their strengths and weaknesses. This helped them to really come alive on the page. I was more attracted to the WWI story line, but more attached to the 1976 protagonist. There is a great discussion of misogyny throughout the secondary timeline and a small slice of racism discussed in both timelines. I particularly struggled with Kathleen's story line, in the sense that her treatment seriously boiled my blood. There was definitely a high amount of emotional response from me throughout these parts of the plot. I appreciated the author's note at the end of the novel with regard to the historical accuracy of these moments as well.

I knew that the timelines would tie together in some way (because that is just the nature of these types of stories), but I did not predict how that would happen until it was beginning to really unfold. I appreciated that lack of predictability and, though it wasn't a complete bombshell for me, it definitely added to my enjoyment of the novel.

The War Librarian is absolutely worth the read and I will be adding Armstrong's debut novel to my TBR for a hopefully soon read.

I actually finished this book last week and am just now getting around to my review. Quite honestly, it took me a little while to get over the hangover I had from it (I might read it again soon because it was just that good). Seriously, if you are a lover of historical fiction (or even just women’s fiction) with a dual-timeline, you’re in for a treat! I fully intend to read Addison Armstrong’s other book, because if it was as excellent as The War Librarian was, I’m going to be thrilled.

Thank you to Netgalley & Publishers for access to an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received this book from NetGalley and am thankful for the opportunity to have read this book.

The story gave insight into women’s experiences in the military during WWI and during the mid 1970’s when women were finally admitted to the Navy Academy. Although it was clear the author did her research, the two story time lines did not flow and the women often came across as weak rather than strong (which seemed to be the point?). As a lover of historical fiction, this one just didn’t hit the mark for me.

Two young women. A dual timeline novel with two personal struggles and two compelling stories. One deep, dark secret.

In 1918, Emmaline leaves her home in Washington, D.C. to serve as a librarian at a U.S. military hospital in France. Though quiet and shy, Emmaline is an avid reader who believes the power of books and their ability to give wounded soldiers hope. Emmaline also cares deeply about social justice, so she's shocked to see the discrimination the Black soldiers must endure. She's also angered when the War Department bans certain books.

In 1976, Kathleen is accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy's class of 1980 -- the first one that includes women. Kathleen has been working towards this goal for a long time. Strong and determined, she's ready for the challenge, or so she thinks. However, she's taken aback by the discrimination and hostility she and her female classmates face.

A fantastic read...highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this eARC for an honest review.


My overall rating/feelings is a 3.5 stars (rounded up)

I was so intrigued by the synopsis of this book. We get the point of views of Emmaline and Kathleen with 2 different timelines. I thought that the writing was good but I felt disconnected from the characters

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

In this historical novel - 2 different points of view are provided and when they collide at the end, there is a twist you did not see coming.

Set in 1918 - Emmaline Balakin always has her head in a book. She is a passionate reader and decides to become a volunteer librarian on the frontlines of France as a way to help the war effort. When an old friend is found in the war hospital, the flame is reignited and Emmaline sees life from a different perspective.

Set in 1976 - Kathleen Carre is beyond excited to join the first coed class of the US Naval Academy. However, a lot of people do not think she should be there and Carre becomes the target of one midshipman's ire.

The story goes back and forth between the two women until they come together in 1977.

A beautiful story, the picture painted by the author made me feel like I was there.

I love reading historical fiction that not only offers good story telling, but teaches me details about history. In this well written novel, Emmaline’s story takes place on the battlefield in France in WWI, a librarian sent by the American Library Association and the War Department to provide books for the men serving. The importance of books is juxtaposed with the banning of certain books, against the ALA’s mission but demanded by the US government. Emmaline befriends Nellie, a motor driver for the hospital Emmaline is assigned to as librarian. There is a dual timeline with Kathleen in 1976, entering in the first class to allow females into the Naval Academy. Kathleen faced the resentment of the male midshipmen, which went beyond hazing. The story lines will come together. I recommend this book, and thank NetGalley for the ARC.

This historical fiction book has dual timelines and perspectives. There was a mystery element woven throughout the story. WW II and the 1970's showed how women were involved in the war efforts.

4 out of 5 stars - If you ask me, I'll tell you to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

This is the story of two women in different times, both struggling with their place in life. Emmaline Balakin is the daughter of Russian immigrants living through WWI. Working in the dead letter office, a name from her past encourages her to get outside her comfort zone and volunteer for the War Library Service. Kathleen Carre is accepted as the first class at the Naval Academy. She struggles to prove that she, and other women, belong at the Naval Academy even though many do not want them there.

I really enjoyed learning about parts of history that I wasn't really aware of. I had no idea there was a War Library Service, and that was extremely interesting to me. It makes sense that this would exist as a way to allow those soldiers injured and recovering to have something to do. I also knew that there had to be a point when women were first allowed into the service academies, but I hadn't given much thought to the struggles they faced from those who did not want them there, from classmates to superior officers.

The way the two story lines were intertwined was extremely interesting and kept me on my toes. I enjoyed reading the book and plan to go back to read the first book written by this author.

I just want to say I am so glad that there was a happy resolution to this story because I spent half the book mad about the treatment that Kathleen Carre received when she went through Navy Academy training. The background story of this novel is really interesting. We take books for granted now because they’re everywhere, but in times of war, they were a welcome reprieve from the horrors of the world as it was. I will admit I wasn’t really familiar with this idea of librarians being sent overseas to assist soldiers laid up in hospitals or camps. This has all the makings of a great historical fiction novel, drama, suspense, and a little romance. The ending is a bit of a surprise that I didn’t necessarily see coming. All in all, a story that delivers in all the categories. Review posted to Amazon, Goodreads, Litsy, LibraryThing, Facebook, Instagram

'The War Librarian,' by Addison Armstrong is a pitch perfect dual-timeline historical fiction. One character is reading banned books in 1918, one is the co-ed cadet class at the Naval Academy in 1976. And the are connected by one dark secret.

A dual time line, books, and strong women - a perfect recipe for a wonderful read. I was intrigued in the beginning, but it began to slow and did not keep my interest as I had hoped it would. The writing seemed forced at times in order for Ms. Armstrong to make her point.

I did enjoy reading about a woman in WWI as well as one of the first women in the Naval Academy in the 1970s. Eye opening to see some of the information that was presented and it roused enough interest for me to further research in order to confirm facts from fiction. I did not feel a connection to the characters and was able to predict many of the outcomes of the plot long before they were revealed.

Overall, a book that has some worthy historical information, but may take awhile to get through the entire story. Rated 2.5, rounded to 3/5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel.
#TheWarLibrarian #NetGalley #AddisonArmstrong

3.5 stars
War and books and librarians! Sign me up!

This has two POV with a woman in 1918 who is a "war librarian" on a naval ship. I've recently been learning about the book system that the military instituted to help entertain the military and this was a fun historical fiction read to support that. During this time, the military is censoring books and what they allowed in the library. Seems fitting to read this on banned books week!

The second POV is a woman who was accepted into the first coed U.S. Naval Academy class. These women were given high heels, clothing with no pockets and purses to carry for their uniform. Over time those things changed, of course. She addresses many of the social/political problems of the day, which almost felt like the author was trying to squeeze every injustice into this book!

While this was historical fiction, it felt very contemporary as far as the opinions and expressions shared that didn't seem to fit in with the time, for me. I'm seeing this more and more in historical fiction books, and it has begun to bother me not staying true, or as true as can be with the thoughts and opinions of the day. Our character is always the one who is enlightened (with thoughts of 2022) while those around her are stuck in the 1920's--the time period it is supposedly about.

Overall, an enjoyable read, informational and loved hearing more about women in the military.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for the advance e-copy of this book.

The War Librarian tells two stories of two women in the face of adversity, one in a time of war and the other in a historic period of change.

In 1918, cautious Emmaline opens a letter while working at the Dead Letter Office addressed to someone else but signed by someone from her past. Fueled by curiosity and care, Emmaline changes course and volunteers to be a war librarian. Once at the front, Emmaline runs into the individual who sparked this change and she continues to make small waves but is it too much?
In 1976, Kathleen anxiously awaits news of her admissions to the naval academy as one of the first class of females. However triumphant it may seem her arrival is met with ire and hostility from her fellow midshipman. Determined to prove she deserves to be there, Kathleen buckles down but that all comes to a halt when unfounded accusations are leveled against her.

I really enjoy when historical fiction books are told in dual timelines and finding out how their stories intersect. I really liked both of their ladies’s stories and how from the very beginning you were drawn in. The story followed smoothly and moved quickly making this an easy read.

Rating 4.5 stars


Thank you @putnambooks for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

This dual timeline story is about both a librarian during WWI and a female cadet in the first class of women at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Both women in this story are connected in multiple ways, including being females in a trailblazing role customarily reserved for men.

While I found Librarian, Emmaline’s story to be more engrossing, I found Kathleen Carre’s struggles in the male-dominated school fascinating too. I wouldn’t mind reading a book just about the first few classes of women in various military academies.

An interesting and enjoyable dual time period historical novel. One part of the story is set in 1918, from the perspective of Emmaline, who goes to France during WWI as part of the war librarian program, setting up a library at a field hospital to provide books to the wounded men there. Her chapters are alternated with chapters from the perspective of Kathleen in 1976, who starts at the Naval Academy as part of the very first class to accept women.

I really enjoyed both stories, and learned something from both of them - I’ve read less WWI fiction than WWII fiction and never heard about the field libraries, and I don’t think I’ve ever read anything set at the naval academy and found the issues Kathleen faced both interesting and sad, especially as a comparison to 1918 and how much racism and sexism still existed nearly 60 years later.

I also really enjoyed Addison Armstrong’s debut novel last year, The Light of Luna Park, so she is definitely one to watch, and if you like dual time period historical fiction like that of Fiona Davis and Beatriz Williams I definitely recommend checking her out. And I was especially blown away reading her bio at the end of the book and realizing she only graduated from college in 2020 - wow!

I usually love dual time lines however this one was not the case these women sounded well beyond the time they were supposedly in. I couldn’t get past the 1970s women she just was annoying and like she lived in 2022 with how she wanted to be and accepted. That just made me stop and there are many more great books out there sorry just couldn’t do it

Thanks netgalley for the advance copy!

In light of its consideration of banned books, Addison Armstrong’s The War Librarian (Putnam, $17) feels timely. Yet the novel is set in World War I and follows a woman serving as a volunteer in the Library War Service who feels conflicted by the prohibition on material labeled anti-American by the higher-ups. A dual narrative depicts life at the Naval Academy for one of its first female cadets. Their paths cross late in the novel. Overall, a pleasant, casual read.