BONDING OVER BOOKS

I have read all the books that Amy Lynn Green has written. The Blackout Book Club is hands down my favorite! Her characters are always realistic, yet the characters in this book seem particularly relatable and you quickly grow to love them. They are far from perfect, but their flaws are what make them seem real.

Green has chosen to set this book in a small coastal town in 1942. The men are leaving to serve in all capacities of the war and that leaves mostly just the women behind to take care of things, including the town Library. The Library is now being run by “occasional reader”, Avis Montgomery, sister of the former librarian who is now serving overseas. She does understand the need to do whatever it takes to keep the doors open for the townspeople. The idea of a Book Club is born. It is a great idea, only there are a few small issues. 1) Avis has never attended a Book Club Meeting; 2) They are under a Blackout; 3) Who in this little town will be interested in attending a Book Club Meeting?; and 4) Who will choose the books?

Green masterfully crafts a plot that brings together a ragtag group of readers with the only point of commonality being the Library. Not necessarily books at first, but the Library. As they begin to meet and read books of different genres chosen by different members, they begin to have insights into the abysses of each other's souls. The characters draw you into the plot because their stories are compelling. You want this eclectic mix of people to become a family for one another because they need each other far more than they are willing to admit. Green carefully pulls this story together and allows each of her characters to grow. It is not always pretty but it is necessary and the characters are better for it. Green knows how to let her characters grow through the story and that is one of my favorite things!

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.

This WW2 story centres on the lives of four unlikely people who form friendships over an impromptu book club. Author Amy Green explores the themes of friendship and overcoming trials against the backdrop of the war coming to America’s shores.
There’s a diverse range of characters, and readers are introduced to four of them through their own points of view. Though it took some getting used to at the beginning, the author does an excellent job in bringing the characters to life through their own narratives.
Much can be learned about the war at home through the pages of The Blackout Book Club. And if one enjoys literary references, this book more than delivers. A variety of literary selections bring a fresh appreciation for the classics as the members of the book club discuss the merits of each story. I especially enjoy the official meeting minutes written by different characters.
If you enjoy literary fiction that takes place during WW2, you’ll enjoy Amy Green’s The Blackout Book Club.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

THE BLACKOUT BOOK CLUB is a cozy novel perfect for fans of historical fiction. I particularly enjoyed the Maine setting and the historical details. It's clear Amy Lynn Green has done her research.

Admittedly, the large cast of point-of-view characters takes some getting used to. In the beginning, I struggled a bit to keep everyone straight. However, I would encourage readers to stick with it. Everything comes together beautifully!

The theme of friendship, especially during hard times, really shines. And so many great books are mentioned throughout the narrative. Bookworms will delight in this novel.

This book was really good! I wasn't sure what to expect as this is a new to me author, but I was impressed.
The story was well written and the characters were relatable.

The Blackout Book Club is a historical novel set in a small town in Maine during World War II. Avis takes over as head librarian when her brother goes to war. She is not a reader, but she is from the town and wants to keep the library going. When the blackout reduces the library's hours, she starts a book club. A diverse group of people come together and become friends in the book club - and their lives change as a result.

I wanted to read this novel because I loved the author's earlier book, Things We Didn't Say. I enjoy historical fiction, and World War II is my favorite time period to read about.

I absolutely loved this book - it had everything I enjoy: a cozy 1940's setting, a group of likable characters interacting and helping each other. I found things to like about all the characters, even prickly Louise, who is the queen bee of the town. Avis and Freddy were my favorite characters, and I love the way their individual stories played out: Avis, looking for her way in the world while her husband Russell works for the "Hooligan Navy" patrolling the shores ... and Freddy, looking for a piece of his past in the small town.

I highly recommend The Blackout Book Club for fans of historical fiction, and especially for anyone who enjoys reading about the World War II home front.

Blackout curtains ... subs off-shore ... women in defense jobs ... enlisting, and not being able to enlist ... and a book club as small-town coastal Maine navigates WWII. My favorite character is Martina, first-generation Italian and mother of two young children who is trying to escape her criminal husband.
Homefront WWII and books are some of my favorite topics (some of my top choices are mentioned as well), so this was a natural for me. I learned some history, too -- ever heard of the Hooligan Navy? Me, neither.
The story is told through the view of several women which comes together nicely after the trying-to-keep-them-straight start necessary to this POV. A good read.

This is a great, heartfelt story, with a wonderful, diversified cast. I instantly cared for them and their situations. I loved how everyone came together to enjoy and discuss a variety of books found in the library.

My heart went out to the main character, Avis, whose brother went off to war and she agrees to take over his post at the library. She asked him,” Don’t you have to read to work at a library?” (She makes me chuckle, but many women were put to work doing jobs they never imagined doing.)

He encouraged and helped his sister, in the short time they had to get ready for the task.at hand. Then she was given a job to create and run a book club. She was clueless about how it all worked, but she knew life was difficult for everyone, because of the war. So, Avis plunged ahead.

I liked Avis and her creativity. As time went on this small group developed a bond, over the books they discussed. They learned the power of friendship. That’s what the book club became for so many, I really enjoyed the book club discussions, the well-timed humor I couldn’t help chuckle about when the secretary took the book club minutes. I liked her determination.

Not only does the reader get a front row at the book club meetings, but the author also allows them to walk in the shoes of the members and how the war has affected their lives. Readers get to see how this group comes together in more ways than one.

I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of books read by the members. I was thrilled to discover the author included (in the back of the book); a list of novels discussed. I appreciated the author notes about the historical events. And the discussion questions are awesome. It will help create a lively discussion time at your book club meeting.

If you love books, libraries, and Book Clubs with a WWII setting you will love this novel, This is Amy Lynn Green at her best!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher/NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

I just finished the book "The Blackout Book Club" by Amy Lynn Green. It is set in New York during World War two. It follows the lives of the daughter of a fisher family on Long Island, The daughter of Italian immigrants and her family, an heiress, an injured veteran trying to find his way after the losing his vision in one eye in the war, and Avis, a woman who just does not love books. The characters are strong, their relationships are believable and endearing. I really enjoyed this book.

Book club and libraries are 2 of my favorite things; so that made this book an instant appeal to me. I loved the WWII story. I felt like I was living the story along with Louise, Ginny, Freddy, Avis and Martina so much that I did no want the book to end.
I really didn’t know much about U-boats or all the regulations with blackouts – that part was very enlightening.
If you love WWII history, this book is a must read!
Thank you NetGallery for my ARC.

The Blackout Bookclub is a great read. Set during WW2 on the coast of Maine, a unique group of folks find themselves thrown together by war and survival. Avis is an unlikely librarian, who through a desperate attempt to keep the library open, gathers together an eclectic group to discuss books and all matter of things. As I read the story, I enjoyed meeting the different characters and seeing how their lives twined together. If you’re a fan of WW2 stories, you’ll love this one. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

One of the best books I’ve read recently. The author creates a realistic but enjoyable look at a coastal town in the Eastern US at the beginning of their involvement in WW2. People learn the value of honesty, friendship, and the books that bind us together. A touch of romance, but not as the focus of the book.

I really liked this story about a library book group in small town Maine during WWII. I thought the author did an excellent job in developing the characters. Being a librarian and leader of a book group myself, I could relate to the way the characters interacted in the group and the friendships that formed.

World War II home front fiction at its finest! I love the eclectic cast of characters we follow and get to know. The community feels and the friendships made are heartwarming and cozy. I loved the different ways the story plays out: letters, four different perspectives from different women, and the blackout book club notes. I loved the different books they selected for their book club and am interested in reading a few myself! I would highly recommend this cozy, comforting read.

Another winning WWII novel from Green -- I loved the characters and the setting.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green

Such a delightful and deeply moving story of unlikely friendship, finding family, and the power books have to bring people together in challenging times. This story takes place during Word War II in a small town in Maine and follows the stories of the lovable members of The Blackout Bookclub. The author explored such a fascinating time in history with vivid details that made the era and setting come to life. This novel would be perfect for those who loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, or for book club.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. Thank you NetGalley!

This is such a great story, definitely a five star experience!
I've loved each and every novel by Amy Lynn Green, she is an author whose books are always on the top of my 'wanting to read' list.
This story takes you to Derby, a village close to the coast, in New England. Time period- 1940s, right during WWII. I never really realized exactly how the war affected these kinds of locations.
I enjoyed so much reading about this and getting to know more about this historical place and time.
I also enjoyed the library and the main characters involved there.
Louise. Avis. Martina. Ginny. These four women are at the heart of the story. They get to know each other through the book club, and I loved watching their relationships form and then turn into friendship.
I also enjoyed the bits and pieces of a puzzle mixed in throughout the story.
Masterful storytelling, wonderful story line. This is a story that will linger in my memory for many days.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I just finished the Blackout Book Club. For me this story was not a romance, it was a love story. It was a story of the love of family, the love of books, the love of community, the love of friends. It is a story of what transpires when all of what you cherish is at risk, the ties that bind and the ties that tear us apart. It is a story of courage and perseverance when the enemy is lurking just offshore. I knew I would like the story because it involves books and libraries. At the beginning I struggled with an abundance of characters and the bouncing back several times to an earlier time-frame. But I got past that because I was enjoying the New England setting, the little-known historical facts about WW2 touching American lives, on American soil. I loved the line about “all of us are passing through, in and out of this world quick as a passenger boarding a train to something that lasts, so until then make friends with your fellow travelers while on our on our way.”
The story was complete with suspense and complicated relationships, and fascinating historical tidbits. It started out as a 4 star, but pleased to give it 5 stars because it had a very satisfying second half of the novel.
Thanks to Bethany House and Net Galley for this advance copy of The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green. It will be available from your favorite bookstore on Nov. 15, 2022
#Amy Lynn Green #Net Galley #Bethany House

When Avis' brother goes off to war, she takes over his job as librarian. The problem is two-fold: first, she doesn't read, except magazines, and second, the private library's owner is determined to close the library. Avis convinces the owner that the library serves an important role in the small town Maine community, and that the book club she's starting is a legitimate war-time activity to honor the required blackouts. Now, she just needs to find members to actually attend, and she has to actually start reading books.

Reminiscent of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, the idea of this novel was so creative, and ideal for book lovers. The desperate forming of the bookclub brings together members of the community, some of whom were reluctant readers, but eager for company or free food, and it combined readers of surprising literary tastes. I loved the variety of texts that they covered, and how they included everyone, from the youngest child, to the widowed pawn shop owner. By the end, these characters were drawn together by more than books, and cared for each for more than their literary contributions.

There were maybe a few too many main characters to feel that they were covered adequately, but they were a unique lot and their friendships were intricate and enriched the novel.

4 stars, and I am always eager to see more from this author!

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green is an exciting viewpoint of a book club that meets during World War II. Green does a wonderful job at crafting a novel that takes readers through the normal life of the women and certain men who are left behind as they run the American factories and wives of the soldiers. It was nice to see her attention to detail as the story showed a different side to the warfront. The characters were handled nicely with many hurts as they adjusted to life during this time with Blackout curtains and not allowed to be out after a certain time. Even raising kids during this time was difficult. The plot is told through the eyes of the characters and the pages of the “minutes” of the Blackout Book Club as they form a bond that comes to the rescue near the climactic moment near the end of the novel. Overall, The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green is definitely a different World War II story than what I am used to reading because it takes place stateside, which I liked a lot. A nice book to add to any World War II fans’ collection.

I received a complimentary copy of The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

An intense story but very realistic about life during the world war. The author describes characters with great meaning and depth that makes them believable.