What a relief - a book about World War I. Oddly, the characters are people I might actually know, even tho they lived more than 100 years ago.

I really enjoyed reading about the CARDs. The duAL POVs and the dual timelines were the perfect way to tell this story. There were parts of the this story I absolutely could not put down. There were other parts that moved slowly, but it ultimately kept me reading to the end. The ending was a little abrupt, but I liked the snippets afterward about the real life women who inspired the characters.

This book is an intricate story of a young woman who finds herself in Europe during the throws of World War I. She is there to assist in the protection and building of a library. The story is told thru the eyes of a young woman who finds the information fascinating and decides to further research the story. While I am interested in the story of the era I did not find this book as interesting as I had hoped. For those who have interest in libraries that were created and maintained and how the wealthy spent their money during the tragic years of WWI this book will have an appeal.

Jessie Carson goes to France with CARD during World War I to help villagers rebuild after the enemy has left. Her role is to help establish a library.

In a dual timeline, Wendy has found an article about CARD and is trying to find out everything she can about them.

This book was fascinating. I loved reading Kit’s story and a behind the scenes peek at the library from Wendy’s perspective. I loved how the CARDs worked together for the good of the French people.

Side note: I didn’t realize this was the same author of The Paris Library, which I read and loved.

#Netgalley #MissMorgansBookBrigade

This book was well-written and strongly character- driven. It was encouraging to read a book that showed women being empowered at a time when that was not the norm. The book was set during WWI, in France- a time in history that is not written about as widely.
I was immediately drawn into the story as it was about books and libraries, two of my favorite things! Jessie. “Kit” Carson was a librarian at the NY Public Library and was offered an opportunity to travel to war-ravaged France to become a member of CARD, a group of women who were dedicated to bringing books and opportunities to read to the war-torn people in the countryside of France. This was based on a true story of Jessie Carson and her contribution to the development of libraries in France. Because of the setting the reader learns a lot about how the war affected the citizens of France. There were numerous secondary characters that were well- developed and some romantic relationships as well! A highly recommended book!
This book was given to me by Net Galley, the publisher and the writer in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

any time the setting is nyc, i am in. i liked the dual timeline set-up, i liked how the library was the present day setting, especially with the ability the author has to write atmospheric settings very clearly.

thank you to netgalley and atria books for the electronic advanced reader copy of this book.
good historical fiction is such a pleasure to read. we get a focused mirror into the past and we get a good story, too. miss morgan's book brigade does that well. the focus is books, of course. it's about libraries, in all shapes and sizes, from the NYPL (new york public library, the library of my childhood) to a shelf and restored ambulance in war torn france during world war one. there are two time lines, one during that war and one during the year 1987, at this iconic library. this book is about love and loss, it's about standing up for what you believe in, and it's about allowing one's heart to open, even after painful and difficult times. this is also about women finding ways to fully contribute and be acknowledged for their hard work. this is not an easy book but it is a truly worthwhile read.

Having previously read The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles, I was happy to see she had a new book out. Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is set during the Great War and is based on the true story of women who went into France to help the people in the smaller villages that had been decimated by the war.

One of the ways the women helped the people was by re-establishing the local library that had sustained damage to most of the building. Kit Carson was one of the women from America that came to help. Her vision improved the library and became a model for other libraries in France.

Kit and the other women also began a book brigade by driving out to the more rural areas with books for people to check out. The citizens looked forward to the days the book mobile was to arrive.

All of the characters had a unique story and were very different but they made a great team by staying focused on their goal of being there to help with food, medical care and support wherever it was needed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to give my honest review and recommend this book to other readers who enjoy historical fiction.

4.75 stars

I have always loved historical fiction with multiple POVs and a strong focus on women and their role in important historical events. Miss Morgan's Book Brigade was a well-researched story that captivated you from the start. I read this book not too long after my re-read of The Women by Kristin Hannah and realized that even though both books have a very different tone/approach, both books beautifully demonstrate that women were indeed there in every important war/historical event. Our history books like to focus on the men who fought and never give us a glimpse of what the women did to ensure victory. These women were strong and deserved to be remembered, even if it is through the written word. I will recommend Miss Morgan's Book Brigade and several other recent historical fiction books to every reader I come across.

I was excited to receive an ARC of Miss Morgan's Book Brigade because I enjoyed Janet Sheslien Charles' The Paris Library.

This is a story told from two POV and two timelines. 1918 Jessie "Kit" Carson, a NYPL children's librarian, moves to France to join the CARDS. Wendy, a NYPL employee, stumbles across the story of the CARDS and is drawn in quickly. Wendy is determined to discover what happened to Kit and her friends.

This book fell short for me compared to The Paris Library. I found the story of the CARDS to be fascinating. I had never heard of this group and found their story inspiring and quite remarkable. At times, I felt there were gaps in the story explaining some of the finer details of the story. I am not sure Wendy's story added much to the overall impact.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I found the premise of this book super promising and interesting. I love books based on actual people but adding some flair to what the author thinks may have happened, This one, however, took a long while to get into. The characters are pretty decent but the connection isn't fully there until later on. The switching back and forth is also slightly harder to follow. Some books it is seamless and others not so much. I am bummed I didn't get into this book as much as I assumed I would. I appreciate the opportunity to read this early!

WOW! Historical fiction about books and librarians that I did not finish? How weird. I just could not get into this story. It's not terrible, just not great and it did not capture my attention. I read almost half and decided not to finish. Clearly well researched, but the main character just didn't appeal to me. I'm sure others will like it, but it's a DNF for me.

“Even in the grimmest places, beauty abounded, if you only knew how to look.”

Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade is a dual timeline Historical Fiction beginning in 1918 featuring children’s librarian Jessie “Kit” Carson, millionaire Anne Morgan (daughter of J.P. Morgan), and the international group of women known as the CARDs (American Committee of Devastated France). These women worked tirelessly to help build devastated French communities just miles from the front.

Then in 1987 we meet NYPL librarian and aspiring writer Wendy who stumbles upon Jessie Carson in the archives. She quickly becomes consumed and curious about this elusive librarian.

You guys! I devoured this book. The writing is so beautiful. While it does read as a slow burn at times (as war can be) I absolutely fell in love with these women. I love any books that center around books or libraries, but I bet this will be the first time time you’ve heard of bookmobiles from no longer used ambulances after war.

“Books are bridges. They show us how we’re connected.”

This book will give you so much hope and prove over and over again how important stories can be to escape. How stories connect us. How stories can reach people when they need it the most.

You absolutely don’t want to miss the author’s notes and pictures of the true history of all these women. Simply remarkable!

“What are we fighting for, if it’s not the people we love, the ideas we cherish, the stories we want to pass on?”

4.5 stars

3.5 stars, Felt like the middle dragged on a bit. I did enjoy reading of the creation and renovation of the libraries, as well as women breaking into the male-dominated librarian profession.

There is so much to unpack with regards to this well written, important novel, it’s hard to know where to start. I loved the story of Jesse “Kit” Carson, a librarian from NYPL who went to a France in 1918 to join the American Committee for Devastated France, called the CARD. The devastation brought on by the German offensive in Northern France led to complete ruin, and the group of American, British, Canadian and French women worked tirelessly to restore food, education, libraries and some sense of normalcy. Kit and her fellow CARDS, faced danger but persisted until 1924, during which time Kit’s contribution to French librarianship included the formation of children’s departments and female entry into a male dominated field. I learned so much about an effort I knew nothing about, and I am grateful to the author for this amazing ode to history, librarians, and women. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity.

I love a good historical fiction about the lives of women during war time but, even more so when based on actual people. This book was about the life of librarian Jessie "Kit" Carson from NY during WW1 in 1918. Kit was recruited to France to join a group of high society ladies led by J.P. Morgan's youngest daughter, Anne Morgan, who wished to aid the French people as their lives were being torn apart during the war. Kit, who did not come from wealth like most of the other women there, brought books to the village children and had the goal of starting a library. Through this, she becomes a healing balm for the children and their mothers, nurturing them through story time and to their shock, allowing them check out books to take home, and ultimately bringing joy into their lives which were full of so much loss. I loved learning about the history of these brave women known as "Cards", who risked their lives to help the French villagers.

Thank you Net Galley and Atria (Simon & Schuster) publishing for the ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skestien Charles is a WWI historical fiction novel. I enjoy reading about real people (especially unsung women whose stories need to be recognized) within a historical fiction storyline. Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is for those who also adore books about books with many literary references sprinkled throughout.
Told in a dual timeline of modern day, NYC (NY public library) and during WWI France. Based upon the life of American Librarian, Jessie Carson, who changed the literary landscape of WWI France by introducing children's libraries and book mobiles bringing literature and optimism to a worn torn rural France.
Sent from the New York Public Library and funded by American heiress, Anne Morgan (of JP Morgan), Jessie is hired to travel into war torn rural France to work as a librarian. Dedicated to helping to rebuild and connecting with the local children who have endured war occupation. She digs in and builds a community of relationships along the way.
In modern day timeline, Wendy is an employee of the NYPL working to preserve documents. She comes across a newsletter of about the CARDS and decides to deep dive into finding more about the women who served. Jessie's story is uncovered.
Don't leave off the author notes at the end!

I would have rated it extra stars if I could…..a truly magnificent story with meticulous research to give a fullness and depth to the narrative. However the dual narrative weakened the book. It would have been a stronger book if it just focused on the World War I account. And the book title left something to be desired. Why no reference to France? The title could have included Voila, Merci, or Viva to give it more flair and a hint of the storyline. But it was such a fascinating story that I have purchased two books mentioned in the text to follow up on Mary Breckenridge and Anne Morgan.
Merci, Ms. Charles!

thebooklovingardener
Book Review:
Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
For those who remember escaping to the pages of the Paris Library during the early stages of the pandemic comes a highly anticipated second novel by Skeslien Charles.
Synopsis:
The year is 1918. Not happy in her job at the New York Library, Jessie Carson takes a leave and head to war-torn France to support the work of Anne Morgan, a millionaire who is dedicating her life to rebuilding the country in the last years of the Great War. As Jesse struggles to comprehend the devastation, she realizes that the best way she can help is through sharing her love of literature. She soon finds ways to soothe the children and provide solace to the villagers and soldiers in that region.
1987:
Wendy Paterson has a dream to become a published author. While she works days cataloging articles in the depths of the New York Public library, she spends her evenings attempting to write and meet the approval of her English professor. Nothing seems to be working until she comes across a short article on the life of Jessie Carson. It doesn't provide much to go on, but Wendy is intrigued and soon becomes obsessed with finding out more about the illusive Miss Carson.
Thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed this dual timeline historical fiction, which features a minor undertone of romance and coming of age story.
From beginning to end, I was captivated by the cast or colorful charachters and their ability to overcome the hardships of their current situation. With numerous references to book quotes and other literary works, it is very apparent that Charles loves literature and its ability to build connection with even those most broken.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you, @netgalley and @simonschusterca, for providing me a copy. Providing a whole hearted endorsement is my pleasure.
Read if you enjoy:
Historical fiction
A bright cast of vivacious females
Dual timelines
A sprinkling of romance
A coming of age trope
Warnings:
Language: Minor
Romance: one open door scene that is moderately descriptive
Trigger warning: war, loss, death
#bookreview #bookstagram #historicalfiction #comingofage #reader

I've read a lot of novels about both World Wars and I always love when a get a new take. The CARDS are something I've heard of, but didn't know much about. I really enjoyed Kit's story and learning about the part these women played in the wat. I also enjoyed the more modern tie in and learning about where these women ended up. This book did a good job of keeping things upbeat, while still remembering it was about war.