#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | A REESE WITHERSPOON X HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB PICK“A great narrative about personal strength and really captures how books bring communities together.” —Reese WitherspoonFrom the author of The Last Letter from Your Lover, now a major motion picture on Netflix, a breathtaking story of five extraordinary women and their remarkable journey through the mountains of … their remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond in Depression-era America
Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van Cleve, hoping to escape her stifling life in England. But small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally claustrophobic, especially living alongside her overbearing father-in-law. So when a call goes out for a team of women to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically.
The leader, and soon Alice’s greatest ally, is Margery, a smart-talking, self-sufficient woman who’s never asked a man’s permission for anything. They will be joined by three other singular women who become known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky.
What happens to them–and to the men they love–becomes an unforgettable drama of loyalty, justice, humanity, and passion. These heroic women refuse to be cowed by men or by convention. And though they face all kinds of dangers in a landscape that is at times breathtakingly beautiful, at others brutal, they’re committed to their job: bringing books to people who have never had any, arming them with facts that will change their lives.
Based on a true story rooted in America’s past, The Giver of Stars is unparalleled in its scope and epic in its storytelling. Funny, heartbreaking, enthralling, it is destined to become a modern classic–a richly rewarding novel of women’s friendship, of true love, and of what happens when we reach beyond our grasp for the great beyond.more
An excellent book and I could listen to this over and over again.
Imagine riding up steep paths of the Appalachian Mountains in heavy rains, treacherous snow, and humid heat to deliver library books. This was the daily lives of the women working for the WPA Packhorse Library, an initiative created by the First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt. Motivated by their love of books and bringing that joy to others, women across the nation volunteered to run their county’s division. Ride along with Margery, Alice, Beth, Izzy, and Sophia as Jojo Moyes transports you to Baileyville, Kentucky between 1935 and 1943 in her book The Giver of Stars.
Alice arrives in the remote town alongside her new husband, Sven. Seen as a foreigner, given her English accent, Alice struggles to find her place. Intrigued by an announcement during a town hall meeting, she signs up for a new endeavor.
Margery is mostly known as the town’s black sheep, judged by the remnants of her deceased father’s actions. Determined to live her life as her own, she devotes herself to the library driven to ensure its success.
Sophia is a well-educated woman with experience working at a library in Louisville. Brought back to Baileyville to care for her recently disabled brother, she becomes an asset of the library. Bringing her business savvy, the library has never been so organized, even though she is only able to work nights given the color of her dark skin.
Beth is the middle child of eight brothers. Her fierce tomboy attitude brings a bit of sass to her vocabulary. Plus, her inability to filter her thoughts and opinions can sometimes get her in trouble. Yet, she never fails to cut the tension and bring lots of joy and laughter to the group.
Izzy’s mom volunteered her to work for the library, but because of her uneven legs, she was reluctant to follow through. However, once she realizes her disability does not define her, she excels with not only working at the library, but finding happiness in ways she never thought possible.
Jojo Moyes brings her words to life, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves into the pages. Her descriptions and attention to detail within the history melt into the most wonderous picture of the tenacious women’s lives. Nevertheless, the amount of time dedicated to character development results in a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The pace felt a little slow towards the beginning, however this did provide a more intimate knowledge of the characters.
As a story of friendship, loyalty, determination, and following one’s own heart anyone can find this adventure gratifying. Especially, for those interested in American History and how education and literacy was spread throughout the nation during Roosevelt’s time as president.
Please note: A bit of caution to those triggered by alcoholism and physical abuse.
If you have not read any of JoJo Moyes’ books, you are in for a treat. This a powerful story of love and friendship. Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van Cleve, hoping to escape her stifling life in England. But small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally claustrophobic, especially living alongside her overbearing father-in-law. So when a call goes out for a team of women to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically.
The leader, and soon Alice’s greatest ally, is Margery, a smart-talking, self-sufficient woman who’s never asked a man’s permission for anything. They will be joined by three other singular women who become known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky.
What happens to them–and to the men they love–becomes an unforgettable drama of loyalty, justice, humanity, and passion. These heroic women refuse to be cowed by men or by convention. And though they face all kinds of dangers in a landscape that is at times breathtakingly beautiful, at others brutal, they’re committed to their job: bringing books to people who have never had any, arming them with facts that will change their lives.
Wow! This is a must read! It most definitely makes my top five favorite books of all time! EXCELLENT!
This beautifully written book, set in the remote mountains of Kentucky during the depression, tells the story of five women fiercely determined to live their own lives and make their own choices no matter what the cost. Margery and Alice are an unlikely pair who bond over the desire to bring library books, by horseback, to families living high in the mountains. Joined by three other women, these ‘packhorse librarians’ forge an extraordinary friendship as they ‘bring the stars’ to their distant neighbors through books, and, in doing so, find their own ways to a more meaningful life. Moyes paints a realistic, emotional and unforgettable picture of depression-era life, as she explores the consequences of the choices we make, and the transcendent power of friendship and books, tolerance, courage and hope.
I can’t believe I never added this book to my list of favorite books. (I only list my favorites on BookBub.)
The Giver of Stars was inspired by the history of the actual Pack Horse Librarians, and follows five extraordinary women and their extraordinary journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond in Depression-era America.
While I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, I adore JoJo Moyes and how she weaves a tale and always pulls a love story into her fiction. If you haven’t read this one, add it to your list!
Set in the mountains of Kentucky during depression-era America, Eleanor Roosevelt decries books are essential for everyone. Horseback librarians are called into service to deliver to the most desolate of places, and to some of the surliest of individuals.
The women in one small town take up the call and against all odds, seriously, frost-biting cold, angry patrons, unruly husbands, and anything else that could be imagined during this time, deliver much-needed and much-desired books to those in the outlying areas.
Of course, there is a couple underlying romances brewing and a marriage that is fraught with issues, but none was too expected or over-the-top. I enjoyed every minute of this book and learned about a group of book heroes I never previously knew about. A fantastic read.
Some characters were just too good to be believable.
Wonderful! It is a story of a group of women in rural Kentucky who started a free book delivery to people who would otherwise not have the chance to read. The story centers around a British newlywed and her weird husband and brutal father in law. They are rich owners of the coal mine. The other star of the book was the rebellious woman who lived her life her way. Her story involved being tried for a murder.
“The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes narration by Julia Whelan
Absolutely loved this story
It is a superbly moving story of five extraordinary women in 1930’s America. You really do not want to miss reading this audio book. It is a long read just shy of 14 hours, but not to worry, the time flies as you will get wrapped up in this story as you listen to this narration. Happy Reading ! !
Note: I was lucky enough to be able to download my copy from my state library.
Beautiful tale set in the Kentucky backwoods in 1937. The federal government (through first lady Eleanore Roosevelt) starts a traveling library run by women to get books to those who live in rural areas who don’t have access to schools or libraries. In the small town where this is set, Margery, a single, headstrong half-Cherokee woman, heads up a group of very different ladies to take books throughout the woods on treacherous horse paths each day. Alice is Margery’s opposite, a delicate Englishwoman who just came to America as Bennett Van Cleve’s new bride. But her monotonous, tense marriage (with her father-in-law living under the same roof) has left her feeling mutinous, so she volunteers to help the Packhorse Librarians to escape her miserable marriage. As she and the other women learn how to navigate the wilds of Kentucky and make connections with the “hillbillies” living off the grid, they learn more about themselves and what they’re capable of as well.
I couldn’t put this book down. When I first read the synopsis, I thought it sounded kind of boring. But there is nothing boring or tedious about this book. It was brilliantly written and had such complex, heart-achingly gorgeous character arcs and some cool twists that keep the story always pertinent and riveting, that it was super hard to stop reading to get normal life duties accomplished. I loved each of the women featured in this book. It shows them in their weakness and how they gain their strength and unity as fellow sisters through their hardships and trials. There is nothing I didn’t like about this. It was in every way a phenomenal story.
As a long time librarian, I was excited to read a book about the original traveling librarians. I had been hoping for more realism about what those women went through and was a bit disappointed. The Giver of Stars is still a very good story and worth the read.
Really enjoyed this book about depression-era rural Kentucky and the women who tried to help with a pack-horse library. The author does a masterful job of bringing in issues of the day, and paints a bleak but hopeful picture of life at the time. Looking forward to discussing it with my book club next month!
This story was completely fascinating and unexpected. I love historical novels, and reading about librarians who delivered books on horseback to rural areas… Sounded great. I wasn’t expecting to come away both inspired and grateful for the examples of strong women who defied the odds and forged paths of education for future generations.
I’m a late comer to this book, as all my friends have already read it. But I see why ! The characters are really interesting and intriguing. I enjoyed learning about the “ library” and encouraged me to look up what Elenor Roosevelt really did accomplish getting the library on horseback started !
One of the best books I’ve read in a very long time. The story of “packhorse librarians” in the late 1930s.
I’ve been into some fairly heavy reading lately, preparing to write a new book, and I was looking for a recreational read like this one: lighter and inspiring. I enjoyed the story, and I adored the characters. Added to that: I learned more about U.S. history, which I appreciated. All in all, a very good book. I’d recommend to friends.
I DNF this. I ADORE Jojo Moyes, but this book was just so bad and then I read the whole kefuffle behind it and I just could not finish it. SO SO SO disappointing.
The imagery in this story was amazing. The character development was really well done. The story as a whole was also well done. I liked the subplots and how they all came together in the end. Really glad this book was chosen by my book club. 4 Stars mostly because I’m not sure it will be a reread.
This book was “okay”. The author missed the unique characterization and focalization of the people from this area of Appalachia. It just does not compare to the very thorough characterization of these people in, The Book Woman on the very same topic.