Alice Grace Ripley lives in a dream world, her nose stuck in a book. But happily-ever-after life she’s planned on suddenly falls apart when her boyfriend, Gordon, breaks up with her, accusing her of living in a world of fiction instead of the real world. Then to top it off, Alice loses her beloved job at the library because of cutbacks due to the Great Depression.
Fleeing small-town gossip, … gossip, Alice heads to the mountains of eastern Kentucky to deliver five boxes of donated books to the library in the tiny coal-mining village of Acorn. Dropped off by her relatives, Alice volunteers to stay for two weeks to help the librarian, Leslie McDougal.
But the librarian turns out to be far different than she anticipated — not to mention the four lady librarians who travel to the remote homes to deliver the much-desired books. While Alice is trapped in Acorn against her will, she soon finds that real-life adventure and mystery — and especially romance — are far better than her humble dreams could have imagined.
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Historical fiction is appealing because it brings an era or decade alive. The 1930’s were a tough time, and Kentucky suffered from the depression. By sending out the pack horse librarians to every holler, the literacy of this state increased. Lynn Austin brings these courageous librarians to life and helps the reader to realize the challenges of …
The first few chapters Allie is unbearable and I’m rooting against her, hoping Gordon won’t take he back. Then we meet Lillie and Mack and I like them less. I’m not a fan when writers withhold information to build suspense, like how no one explains anything to Allie, but make her do everything. I’m glad I kept with the book, because halfway …
Best book I’ve read in a long time! I laughed. I cried. I hated when it ended. Great characters.
If my life were a book, no one would read it. People would say it was too boring, too predictable. A story told a million times. But I was perfectly content with my life-that is, until the pages of my story were ripped out before I had a chance to live happily ever after.”
Alice Ripley is absorbed in books in her job as a librarian in a good sized …
I love Lynn Austin’s writing and this did not disappoint
4.25 Stars
I really enjoy Depression Era historical fiction and interestingly, this is the second or third book I’ve read this year that focuses heavily on the Roosevelt Pack Horse Library Project. Albeit, this book was published in 2011 versus more recent releases.
Wonderland Creek is a women’s fiction type historical about a young woman leaving …
Lynn Austin is a great author
I loved this book. It was different from the other Austin books I’ve read. This had lots of laugh out loud humor. I am going to read it again
really good
I love everything Lynn Austin writes, and this was one of my favorite books ever. I enjoyed the story, the characters and the setting. It was a fun read as well as informative about the lives of the women who delivered books on foot or by horseback to the families who lived back in the hills of Appalachia. I have since read other books which …
One of the best books I read!
Love this author. The book takes place in the depression and the back woods, compleat with a family Feud. Interesting characters and well written. A must read!
Austin’s coverage of the women “librarians” who rode horses carrying books in the Appalachian Mountains was enlightening and entertaining. While portraying a real historical event, Austin mixed in enough humor to lighten the story of the poor mountain people during the depression.
I loved this book. It’s a great book for young lady Christians (high school age).
I read this book way back but remember it being really entertaining.
Great book! A story full of interesting characters and historical facts!
Historic. Very funny and entertaining. The story about this spoiled city girl during the Great Depression. Her life changed in a minute and she decides to go to a remote place to deliver some books that she has been collecting. She gets stuck there to live more adventures than any book she has read.
While the main character frustrated me at times, I enjoyed this book. The fault is not in the writing; the character is like so many in reality. She is told things, people try to help her, yet she perseveres in doing what she thinks is best. The characters came to life and the story was compelling. I recommend this book!
I also like how the author realistically weaves her faith into all her books.
My first Lynn Austin read and I loved it, followed by several others.