#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
Could not put it down. Love it was based on a true life event. Really an exceptional read about the strength of women
5 Stars. What a great read! Poignant, romantic, and real page-turner.
Another easy to read interesting subject from Jojo Moyes. I truly recommend to readers and book lovers.
I haven’t read a historical romance I’ve enjoyed so much since The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society. This book has not one but two fabulous romance stories, your heart will melt for them both. Along with that, the determination of an admirable and likable group of women doing the good work of getting books to the hills of Kentucky will make you want to learn how to ride a horse and join them. Of all the book distractions I’ve tried during Covid, this was by far the best, and I hated to see it end.
Epic
I loved learning about the great efforts made to bring books and learning to the families of the mountains. What an incredible feat on the part of these woman to venture out alone in the cold and dark on horseback to complete their mission!! I was surprised to learn that so many of thee backwoods folks could read.
Wonderful characters!
I loved this book. There was so much injustice throughout, yet it was probably how it was back in the day, and injustice is a part of life still today, but I loved the characters and how they grew close to one another in a time of crisis and how they built something no one else had ever accomplished. I also loved the way their characters changed and grew along the way. Of course being a lover of books myself, I commend their project.
I loved how there were a few surprises that took place and changed the dynamics of the story. I read a digital copy but I may have to buy this one in print to keep because I really liked it so much. It has been awhile since I read such a great book.
A wonderful book with terrific characterization, centered around an unusual period of our nation’s history.
Love, love, loved this book!
This is a wonderful book one every librarian, lover of the library and books should read. Historical fiction set in Kentucky in the 1930’s. The women of Baileyville’s packhorse library will touch your heart. And yes there were librarians on horseback.
It was very well written and the characters were very well developed. It is one of those books that you don’t want to end.
A wonderful story or strong women seeking to share literacy and companionship.
This was such a surprise! My only experience with JoJo Moyes was Me Before You. I enjoyed that, but The Giver of Stars is on another level entirely. Historical fiction, strong women, romance, literature – so many of my favourite themes in the one book. I’ll be giving this to lots of people for Christmas!
Such a great book
Love all her writing. Holds interest. Good story.
Fabulous world building. I loved the strength of the women and the way truly kind people triumphed. This is my go-to theme and it was so clear and beautiful in this book despite the obstacles the characters had to surmount.
I started and stopped this book three different times before pushing past that point where I connected with these characters. Looking back at my reading tendencies, it will come as no surprise that Jojo Moyes is my favorite female author. I’ve now read eleven books by this gifted novelist.
Dipping back into the realm of historical fiction, it’s not an avenue I travel upon with regular frequency, but I set myself up for high expectations after recalling one of my favorite Moyes’ books in a similar genre, “The Girl You Left Behind”.
The premise of this story and how it confronted long-standing discrimination issues (gender, race, socio-economical) was compelling and greatly appreciated. It helped me understand that while we have made progress since the days of the Great Depression, we still have a long road ahead of us. And it’s courageous authors like Moyes along with her well-developed characters that help open our eyes to the inroads we can make toward a world where coexistence in love is a reality.
In a way that only this author can accomplish, I felt a little piece of each character seep beneath my skin. Alice and her persistence. Margery and her brazen confidence. Izzy and her desire to pursue what’s in her soul. Beth and her need to break free from chains that bind her. And Kathleen with her undying loyalty. But beneath each of these character traits lays a common thread, one that permeates not only the town of Baileyville, but anyone who brushes up against it, reader included. Courage.
To talk about doing something is one thing. To actually step out of your comfort zone, risk failure (in every definition of the term), and live true to what’s in your heart? It doesn’t sound that complicated, but it can be one of the most difficult things to do. Stepping into what your heart and soul calls you to do can be the most rewarding endeavor we take in life. And perhaps the most important. Maybe that is life.
While I won’t tag this as my favorite Jojo Moyes book, I’m so happy I finally read it, to learn more about the Packhorse Library and to receive an encouraging dose of inspiration through the eyes of five women who continue to make a difference through their legacy of courage.
Great historical time.
One of the best books I have read.
This books was such a page turner. It is informative about the the women who delivered books on horseback in rural Kentucky after the depression. I found it very interesting.